Tyler Passed- Part 1: Toughest Diagnosis- We had 5 Days

Tragically, on Tuesday, July 29th, cancer was too much for our boy,Tyler. Last weekend was traumatic to say the least, for Tyler and for us. But Tyler, our 14 1/2 year old Dachshund, was heroic, strong and determined to not let it stop him from enjoying anything. Today's blog is a timetable of a fast decline of 5 days, so that dog parents can know our story with cancer. 

On Friday, July 25th, we learned he had stage 4 cancer in multiple organs and no treatment possible, and a tangerine-sized internal tumor has put pressure on his spine rendering his back legs immobile. But we were prepared to get him a wheelchair, immune supplments and do whatever it took.  Until Tuesday early morning (2am) he acted like it was an inconvenience  interacted with dog games. But overnight the bottom fell out. This is part 1 of a 2 part blog (Tomorrow's is how he enjoyed his last day). 

(Photo: Tyler rests on his bed in the kitchen while awaiting dinner - instead of walking around)

On June 23, 2025, we noticed two things in our black and tan smooth-haired dachshund, Tyler. One, he had a growth on his head that became large in 4 weeks, then bled open on July 13th. This happened 1 year after we had another pre-cancerous, small tumor removed from near his ear.  On July 15, he had surgery to remove the new growth and a big fatty benign growth on his chest. The results from the head tumor were positive for Melanoma. That should have been a clue.

On Wed. July 23rd, we noticed his back legs were struggling and he was having difficulty walking. We thought it was IVDD (disc disease) and were prepared to get the surgery.

The next day, on July 24th, when Tyler got his stitches out (his head healed in 9 days), we noted his wobbling walk, and asked about his bloated stomach. Our vet, Dr. Matt Robbins recommended an xray of his stomach. It revealed a large mass near his kidney. The doctor sent us to a Vet ER the next day. 

On July 25th, Tyler's back legs were suddenly not working anymore. I took him to the ER in Saco, Maine where they took an ultrasound. Tyler was quiet and cooperative. He was facing this like a hero. Like our Weimaraner, Dolly (who passed in 2020) Tyler knew when someone is trying to help him. He learned it from her. 

(Photo: Tyler's new mode of going for long walks (over his 5 days of decline) in the "dog wagon." Dash often joined him, because Dash can't walk long distances without getting tired.)

After 4 hours, the vet called me in and said she was "So sorry." She said the ultrasound revealed cancerous nodules in 4 or 5 organs: Liver, kidneys, spleen, Adrenal glands and lung. The large growth was on a blood vessel, and inoperable.  She said he cannot take anesteshia to even sample the growths. She was actually shocked that he survived the surgery and anesthesia from 2 weeks before with the head and chest tumor removals. I said he's a fighter. 

She said hospice was the only course of action. 

We were devastated. We carried him in and out to do his business and hold up his back end.  We carried him over to his food bowls (his appetite had not changed).  He even dragged himself to the water bowl when we were not looking. 

(Photo: Monday, July 28, Dash (left) and Tyler (right) enjoyed a treat hunting game. Tyler couldn't walk but sat on one side of it and found the hidden treats.)

He was fighting. We did, too, until it wasn't an option.

We ordered a dog-mushroom supplement on-line that is said to shrink tumors (I checked with the vet and he named the same thing before I told him what it was). We also ordered a dog-wheelchair so he can get around (without us moving his back legs and hunching over, walking around the backyard with him). Sadly, he never got to use either of them.

Even on Monday, July 28th, he was still very aware of surroundings and wanted to be active, although couldn't. But Monday night/early Tuesday morning he took the worst turn, as cancer took away his ability to feel and do #1 and #2. He was just dribbling urine constantly.

Had to Make the Tragic Call. 

Tyler slept on one half of my bed. He has always had many toys surrounding him on the "big bed" and always put one blanket under him, and covered him with another before kissing him good night and telling him how much I love him (since we adopted him). 

At 2am, his bladder control ceased, and he awoke, and realized he peed on his blanket, so woke me up to go out. He was traumatized by peeing in the house. I took him out. He dribbled pee when I picked him up.

  I cleaned him up and put a pee pad on his side of the bed and we went back to bed. Neither Tyler nor I slept because he couldn't get comfortable (from the big tumor inside) and he needed to go out at 2:30; 3:00, 3:30 and 4:30am. We came in at 4:44 am (A sign from Sprite on the other side) and I gave Tyler another pain pill. It was obvious the cancer was hurting his organs.  

We finally slept from 5 am until 7am. Then we learned he couldn't control his pooping either. He also had a continual drip of urine. He was also bloated from the tumor affecting his spine, and couldn't get comfortable easily. We called the vet and set a time for 7:20 pm that night to ease his pain. 

SIMILAR CASE- When I shared the note about Tyler's fast moving cancer and passing within 5 days, a pet parent who follows my books said the same exact thing happened to her dog. Cancer throughout multiple organs that had not previously shown itself, then ravaged her poor dog's body within 5 days and he passed from organ failure. 

PONDERING CAUSES-  We fostered then adopted Tyler through a Dachshund rescue when our friend Shelley called us  (thank you, Shelley) about him in 2011.  We saved him from a North Carolina kill shelter as a pup at around 1 year old. He was heartworm positive, so he had to endure 2 painful injections to kill the heartworm. I can't help but wonder if those contributed to his condition.  

TOMORROW'S BLOG - TYLER'S LAST DAY OF EVERYTHING HE LOVED  

HISTORY: U.S. Post Office introduces zip codes July 1963 (and Mr. Zip!)

If you thought Zip codes have been around for 100 years, you would be incorrect! 100 areas in the U.S. had some numbered identifiers during World War 2, but in July, 1963, the U.S. Post office expanded that! In addition, they created a cartoon character called Mr. Zip to encourage people to use the "new" Zip Codes on their mail. That's today's blog! 

U.S. Post Office introduces zip codes 

History.com July 1, 2025

On July 1, 1963, the United States Postal Service (USPS) introduces the Zone Improvement Plan as part of a plan to improve the speed of mail delivery, inaugurating the use of machine-readable ZIP codes to facilitate the efficient sorting of mail at a national level.

The idea wasn’t totally new. In 1943, the Post Office had created numbered zones for more than 100 urban areas around the country. But in the post-WWII boom, that system quickly became inadequate. Between 1943 and 1962, annual mail volume doubled from 33 billion to 66.5 billion pieces, and the average mailed letter passed through an average of 17 sorting stops. Suburbs were sprouting exponentially, and mail transport was shifting from railway to highway and air, making old urban hub systems obsolete.

To automate and streamline this sorting process, the Post Office established the Nationwide Improved Mail Service program, which standardized physical dimensions of the mail and created the five-digit structured code, or ZIP number. 

Who Helped Create Zip Codes? 

The first three digits were invented by Robert Moon, a postal inspector who first introduced his idea in 1944. Another inspector, H. Bentley Hahn, developed the last two digits. 

What do the Numbers Represent?

The numbers referred to a new and streamlined mail-hub hierarchy, consisting of regions, subregions, post offices and delivery stations.

Development of the Mr. Zip Cartoon Campaign

To launch the system, the USPS invested in a massive public relations campaign throughout the 1960s, first targeting bulk mailers like government agencies and magazine publishers, and then individual citizens. Massive advertising campaigns celebrated the new codes in magazines, newspapers, radio, television and public transit. 

A cartoon mascot named Mr. ZIP popped up on lunch boxes, tin banks and board games. Popular singer Ethel Merman recorded a promotional jingle to the tune of “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Even cartoon sleuth Dick Tracy endorsed the system. By the end of the decade, ZIP codes had achieved broad public acceptance.

Adding to the Zip Code in 1983

In 1983, with the complexity and volume of mail increasing exponentially, the USPS introduced an extended code called ZIP+4. And in 2024, the agency announced that it was reviving the Mr. Zip character as a source of licensing revenue, with products including children's books, plush toys, bobbleheads, apparel and smartphone cases. 

New Music! Dolly Teams up with Mötley Crüe on Reimagined "Home Sweet Home" on Video/Song

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm one of Dolly Parton's biggest fans, and how she influenced my life to make me an optimist and appreciate the simple things in life. I'm also big into music from the 80s. When Dolly's recent "Rockstar" CD came out, covering 70s and 80s music, I loved it! Now, she's collaborated with a heavy metal band (that I honestly never listened to), and the result is amazing. Plus, it's also benefiting a good cause. Here's the story and video.

Dolly Teams up with Mötley Crüe on Reimagined "Home Sweet Home"

Dolly has teamed up with Mötley Crüe on a stunning new version of the band’s revered classic, “Home Sweet Home,” reimagined as a heartfelt duet. The song is part of From The Beginning, Mötley Crüe’s definitive compilation that traces the band’s storied career from their start on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles to their current status as global rock titans.

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/U3Xw6Sm3lQY?si=EqhgpbiqkEEgPEYg

Mötley Crüe ‘HOME SWEET HOME’ Featuring the Iconic @Dolly Parton from the forthcoming “From the Beginning”, the definitive collection of Mötley Crüe drops September 12.

To drive home the song’s positive message of hope, a portion of the proceeds from the single will benefit Covenant House, an organization that provides safe shelter, meals, hope and more to help youth experiencing homelessness.

Get the song everywhere you listen to music!
LIST OF LINKS ON VARIOUS PLATFORMS TO HEAR IT: https://crue.lnk.to/HomeSweetHomeID?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=WIOSjKZ6WE__UQA6VNZyEEvukXHTajSrKoCOS2IKT_c.WX5AtK

Local: Enjoyed Sunflower Summer at Sandy Hill Farm!

Sandy Hill Farm in Eliot, Maine plants many rows of giant sunflowers, and allows people to walk down the large "aisles" and take pictures. There's an admission to the farm, which also covers a few other things. The experience is usually open in July, so we went!

This year's event ended on July 20th so we got there a couple of days before. It was a nice way to spend 90 minutes or so, and the sunflowers are amazing. Some of the sunflowers had grown to about four or five feet high!  The rows of Sunflowers were amazing to behold.  

The field was in full bloom, and we had good weather with sunshine and highs in the 70s since the heat wave had ended.

We noticed that there were cars from Massachusetts and New Hampshire as well as from Maine. Apparently it's become quite a big attraction during the summer time. If you want to plan for next year. The cost is $7.00 per person on weekdays (Monday thru Thursday) and $10.00 per person on weekend days (Friday thru Sunday). Children 3 and under are free.

As we walked up and down a couple of pathways, it seemed like there was a bee on every other sunflower, so the pollinators were working hard!  

Each ticket entitles the ticket holder to: entry to the field for walking and picture-taking among the blooms and their distinctive metal art, wagon rides on their refurbished train (which is really a small trolley on rubber tires pulled by a tractor), and a single scoop of their Frozen Custard (fancy ice cream).

 There was also a kid-sized pick up truck made of wood that you could pose next to, so I did!

 

(Photo: A panel of fencing in front of the Sunflowers that spelled out "Sandy Hill Farm" on the pickets.)

The day that we went, there were a lot of mothers with children there and they all wanted to board the trolley so unfortunately we were not able to do so. The trolley takes you on a 15 minute ride around the entire farm which is quite extensive.

This is the same farm that puts on a massive Christmas display in the winter time. You may remember it from a blog earlier this year than I posted.

During the Christmas display, They put out close to a 1 million lights and light up trees make tunnels I have vehicles made of lights, polar bears and Penguins made of lights and other things. It's pretty cool in the winter time as well! If you don't remember the blog or missed it, you can see the Holiday light blog here: https://rob-tom-dolly-franklin.blogspot.com/2024/12/saw-amazing-holiday-light-display-open.html

Idiot of the Week: Man climbs into mausoleum and couldn't get out.

We like exploring cemeteries, but would never, ever disturb someone's burial place, but this week's idiot didn't mind. He crawled into a mausoleum (who does that?!?), and had to be rescued. He's this week's idiot. 

Man climbs into mausoleum and can't get out. Now he faces criminal charges. 

Karen Dandurant Foster's Daily Democrat, May 5, 2025

DURHAM, NH — Emergency responders were sent to an unusual call Thursday night, May 1, a person who was reportedly stuck inside a mausoleum at Jackson's Landing.

Assistant Police Chief David Holmstock confirmed that a male, not a juvenile, had been rescued from the structure. He did not know how he had gotten inside.

"Criminal trespassing charges will be forthcoming," said Holmstock. "We will be putting together a warrant."

Emergency crews had to rescue a man who entered the Emerson Mausoleum at Jackson's Landing Thursday night and then couldn't get out.

Durham Fire Marshal Brendan O'Sullivan said they were toned out at 10:09 p.m. Thursday, May 1.

"There were no injuries," said O'Sullivan. "Crews got him out and then left him with police. Apparently gravity was on his side going in, but it worked against him when he tried to get out."

O'Sullivan said the unidentified man called someone with his cell phone from inside the tomb and they called for help.

Town Administrator Todd Selig said the mausoleum is owned by the Emerson family, one of the town's founding families. 

"Jackson's Landing is owned by the town, but the mausoleum predates that," Selig said. "It is private, and on the water, a beautiful final resting place."

Selig said there is also a small cemetery there, but the mausoleum sits apart from it.

"We had the area surveyed this winter," Selig said. "There has been some shifting of granite there. I can only speculate that this person found a crack, maybe crawled in and then got stuck."

Hero of the Week: Chihuahua helps Swiss rescuers find a man who fell into a glacier

This week's hero is a little Chihauhua whose actions led to the rescue of a man, his dad, who fell into a glacier! The Air Zermatt rescue crew experienced an extraordinary mission on the Fee Glacier above Saas-Fee on Friday afternoon, July 4, 2025. A man fell into a crevasse around eight meters (26 feet)deep. It was his little Chihuahua that saved his life.

A pacing Chihuahua helps Swiss rescuers find a man who fell into a glacier

By JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press July 8, 2025

GENEVA (AP) — Rescuers are hailing as a “four-legged hero” a furry Chihuahua whose pacing atop an Alpine rock helped a helicopter crew find its owner, who had fallen into a crevasse on a Swiss glacier nearby.

The man, who was not identified, was exploring the Fee Glacier in southern Switzerland on Friday when he broke through a snow bridge and fell nearly 8 meters (about 26 feet), according to Air Zermatt, a rescue, training and transport company.

Equipped with a walkie-talkie, the man connected with a person nearby who relayed the accident to emergency services. But the exact location was unknown. After about a half-hour search, the pacing pooch caught the eye of a rescue team member.

As the crew zeroed on the Chihuahua, the hole the man fell into became more visible. The little dog did not move during the entire operation and closely followed every movement of the rescue specialists. Rescuers rappelled down, rescued the man and flew him and his canine companion to a hospital.

“Imagine if the dog wasn’t there,” Air Zermatt spokesman Bruno Kalbermatten said by phone. “I have no idea what would happen to this guy. I think he wouldn’t survive this fall into the crevasse.”

On its website, the company was effusive: “The dog is a four-legged hero who may have saved his master’s life in a life-threatening situation.”

Book of the Week: Now You See It by Carol J. Perry (Witch City Mysteries)

Carol Perry's Witch City Mysteries are one of my all-time favorite series and "Now You See it" didn't disappoint. It was engaging, just like all of her characters. Five of Five Stars!

Lee Mondelo, a TV reporter turned program manager who has the ability to perform scrying.. (seeing fortelling images in reflected surfaces) and her husband Pete, a local police officer are great characters. Lee's Aunt Ibby is the town librarian with resources to help with any murder mystery they get involved in... and there's O'Ryan the cat who was once the "familiar" of a now deceased Salem, Mass. witch... and the cat usually comes up with interesting behaviors to clue in Lee and Pete. 

  This mystery in the series was really engaging. It's about a new museum opening to highlight the seafaring days of yesteryear with lots of history and expensive  artifacts... and before it gets off the ground, there's a murder- with a mysterious hooded figure... I couldn't wait to get to the end! It's a great read!

ABOUT THE BOOK: Bestselling author Carol J. Perry returns with the latest installment of her Witch City Mysteries!

Marriage isn’t the only thing new in Lee Barrett’s life when she’s tasked with a hauntingly dangerous assignment in her job as program director for Salem, Massachusetts’s local station, WICH-TV . . .

Just married, Lee and her husband, Detective Sergeant Pete Mondello, are settling into their new home when Lee is dubbed WICH-TV’s new “Historical Documentary Chief Executive.” Her first subject is the brand-newSalem International Museum, slated to be a location for traveling blockbuster exhibits, starting with “Seafaring New England.” From research to collecting artifacts of Salem’s long-ago days as a shipping capital, the project is a challenge—but when the driver of a truckload of antiquities turns up dead under a pile of fall leaves, it’s not quite the kind of challenge Lee expected . . .

Soon, Lee and Pete are dredging up clues along with a hardy crew of helpers, including Lee’s librarian aunt, Ibby, Lee’s best friend and practicing witch, River North—and of course the clairvoyant cat, O’Ryan. But when a ship model in the exhibit’s collection appears to be haunted, Lee will have to dive into her own treasure trove of psychic gifts before a killer comes to the surface to strike again . . .

The "Curse of King Tut" was a Fungus that now shows promise against Cancer

Most people remember the "Curse of King Tut," where archaeologists who opened the tomb all died shortly afterward. It wasn't a curse at all. It was likely a toxic fungus, thought to have caused fatal lung infections in tomb explorers. Now, that same fungus shows promise against combating Leukemia!  (to read about the 9 victims of the curse, go here: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/23321/victims-king-tuts-curse Here's the story.

A sample of Aspergillus flavus, the fungus thought to have been responsible for 'the mummy's curse.' (Image credit: Bella Ciervo (CC BY-SA))

 
Fungus that may have caused 'King Tut's curse' shows promise in treating cancer

By Lydia Smith Live Science, June 24, 2025

Scientists have found that a deadly tomb fungus called Aspergillus flavus may hold the key to promising new treatments for leukemia.

A toxic fungus, once thought to have caused fatal lung infections in tomb explorers, may hold the key to powerful new cancer treatments, new research suggests.

Within months of the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922, the earl who had financed the excavation and visited the "wonderful" burial site died, leading many to believe the mummy had cursed those who entered the tomb. In the 1970s, 10 of the 12 archaeologists excavating the 15th-century crypt of King Casimir IV in Poland also met a similar fate.

Analysis of Casimir's tomb revealed the presence of a fungus called Aspergillus flavus, the toxins of which are known to cause a deadly lung infection.

Now, the same fungus has shown promise as a treatment for leukemia, according to a new study published in Nature Chemical Biology. The researcher team identified and engineered a class of molecules within the fungus, called asperigimycins, that kill leukemia cells in a laboratory setting.

"This is nature's irony at its finest," study senior author Sherry Gao, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a statement. "The same fungus once feared for bringing death may now help save lives."

Aspergillus flavus produces spores that are able to lie dormant for centuries — including inside sealed tombs. When disturbed, the fungus can cause deadly respiratory infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.

In their new study, the scientists examined the unique chemical compounds produced by the fungus and discovered a class of natural compounds called RiPPs (ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides). These molecules are difficult to isolate and rarely seen in fungi, but they hold therapeutic promise due to their complex structures and bioactivity. This means they have intricate, unique shapes that can interact with biological systems in powerful ways, such as killing cancer cells.

"We found four novel asperigimycins with an unusual interlocking ring structure," lead author Qiuyue Nie, a researcher in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, said in the statement. "Two of them had strong anti-leukemia properties even without modification."

To enhance the drugs' effectiveness, the researchers attached lipid molecules similar to those found in royal jelly, the nutrient-rich substance that sustains queen bees. This enabled the drugs to enter cancer cells more efficiently, because lipids help drugs cross cellular membranes, which are made largely of fats themselves.

Further analysis revealed how a gene called SLC46A3 acts as a kind of molecular gateway, helping the drug escape cellular compartments and target leukemia cells directly. This discovery could aid in the delivery of other promising but hard-to-administer drugs in the future.

Unlike broad-spectrum chemotherapy agents that can damage healthy cells, asperigimycins appear to specifically disrupt leukemia cell division without affecting healthy tissues. Early tests also suggest the compounds have minimal effects on breast, liver, and lung cancer cells. According to the researchers, this selectivity is important for minimizing unwanted side effects.

In addition to asperigimycins, the team believe similar life-saving compounds may be hidden in other fungal species.

The team are planning to test asperigimycins in animal models, with the eventual goal of launching human clinical trials. And by scanning fungal genomes and exploring more strains of Aspergillus, they hope to unlock new treatments.

"The ancient world is still offering us tools for modern medicine," said Gao. "The tombs were feared for their curses, but they may become a wellspring of cures."

Florida Republican nearly died under the abortion law she supports

Republican legislators like this moron, Rep. Kat Cammack (R) in Florida who suffered from an Ectopic pregnancy and required abortion care was furious at doctors who were scared to do anything for fear of being arrested, fined or losing their license, because of FLORIDA LAWS, that this MORON put in place. When she needed it, she was furious and instead blamed democrats who had nothing to do with it. It was HER OWN FAULT. In these cases, they should have left her alone to suffer. I have NO SYMPATHY for these hateful people. They only care when it hurts them. Here's her story.

Anti-Abortion Lawmaker Blames The Left After Docs Delay Care For Her Life-Threatening Pregnancy

Huff post, June 25, 2025 

Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) opened up about her life-threatening experience with an ectopic pregnancy last year amid her state’s six-week abortion ban, which left health professionals in fear of prosecution for delivering reproductive care.

Cammack detailed her life-threatening experience with the Wall Street Journal in an interview published over the weekend. She said she learned about her ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, in May last year. She was five weeks pregnant and had woken up with heavy bleeding.

Ectopic pregnancies are nonviable and life-threatening. Cammack told WSJ she refused surgery to remove the embryo, and instead asked for methotrexate, a drug that can stop the embryo’s growth and dissolve existing cells.

However, doctors and nurses were hesitant to give her the medication out of fear of losing their license or worse, facing criminal charges amid the six-week abortion ban that had taken effect that month.

Cammack pulled up the state law on her phone for hospital workers to read, and tried calling Gov. Ron Desantis’ (R) office for help, but her calls were unanswered. She eventually received methotrexate hours after arguing her case.

Florida’s abortion ban has exceptions for the life of the pregnant person, and it allows for the treatment of ectopic pregnancies. However, lifesaving care has nevertheless been delayed or denied altogether to some Florida women under its law, and medical professionals have expressed concern about the law being unclear.

Cammack, who opposes abortion, blamed the wariness of her doctors on the left, not on the abortion ban. She told the WSJ that the left’s messaging around the law had made health care workers paranoid about criminal penalties.

HISTORY: Democratic President FDR signs G.I. Bill

Since many people have no idea about the history of our country, and a lot of military people seem to support Republicans for some reason, today's blog is to educate them that a Democratic President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the one who signed into law the G.I. Bill for veterans. (Side note: in 2025, Trump laid off thousands of veterans and cut health and other services to them, so wake up Military folks- Democrats are your supporters!). Here's the story about the G.I. Bill -

(Photo: credit: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Photo Collection /   President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, better known as the G.I. Bill of Rights, on June 22, 1944. Surrounding him are (left to right): Senator Bennett Clark (D-MO); Representatives J. Hardin Peterson (D-FL), John Rankin (D-MS), and Edith N. Rogers (R-MA); J. M. Sullivan; Senator Walter George (D-GA); John Stelle; Senators Robert Wagner (D-NY), Scott Lucas (D-IL), and Alben Barkley (D-KY).

FDR signs G.I. Bill

  HISTORY.com Editors June 2025

On June 22, 1944, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the G.I. Bill, an unprecedented act of legislation designed to compensate returning members of the armed services—known as G.I.s—for their efforts in World War II.

As the last of its sweeping New Deal reforms, Roosevelt’s administration created the G.I. Bill (officially the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) hoping to avoid a relapse into the Great Depression after the war ended. FDR particularly wanted to prevent a repeat of the Bonus March of 1932, when 20,000 unemployed veterans and their families flocked in protest to Washington. The American Legion, a veteran’s organization, successfully fought for many of the provisions included in the bill, which gave returning servicemen access to unemployment compensation, low-interest home and business loans, and—most importantly—funding for education.

G.I. Bill On June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, better known as the G.I. Bill, in order to help soldiers secure stability as they returned to civilian life. A broadcast aired shortly after the bill was signed describes a nation preparing to welcome World War II veterans.

By giving veterans money for tuition, living expenses, books, supplies and equipment, the G.I. Bill effectively transformed higher education in America. Before the war, college had been an option for only 10-15 percent of young Americans, and university campuses had become known as a haven for the most privileged classes. By 1947, in contrast, vets made up half of the nation’s college enrollment; three years later, nearly 500,000 Americans graduated from college, compared with 160,000 in 1939.

As educational institutions opened their doors to this diverse new group of students, overcrowded classrooms and residences prompted widespread improvement and expansion of university facilities and teaching staffs. An array of new vocational courses were developed across the country, including advanced training in education, agriculture, commerce, mining and fishing–skills that had previously been taught only informally.

The G.I. Bill became one of the major forces that drove an economic expansion in America that lasted 30 years after World War II. Only 20 percent of the money set aside for unemployment compensation under the bill was given out, as most veterans found jobs or pursued higher education. Low interest home loans enabled millions of American families to move out of urban centers and buy or build homes outside the city, changing the face of the suburbs.

Over 50 years, the impact of the G.I. Bill was enormous, with 20 million veterans and dependents using the education benefits and 14 million home loans guaranteed, for a total federal investment of $67 billion. Among the millions of Americans who have taken advantage of the bill are former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford, former Vice President Al Gore and entertainers Johnny Cash, Ed McMahon, Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood.

Rob's Conn. Paracon Adventure!

Over the weekend of July 12-13, I attended the Connecticut "Paraconn" where I enjoyed time with friends in the paranormal field, signed some books, and fortunately got to give a 30 minute talk that touched others. Here's the story and experience.

 

HIGHLIGHTS - My friend and co-author/co-investigator, Monique Toosoon was there for the first day. We got to spend some good time together and had fun. She always makes me laugh. My other paranormal friends Derick and Candace Fetters (the "Paraclauses")and Alura Hewey (medium) and David Childers (para-tech expert), and Frosty and Jenny of the Witching Hours Podcast were all there! They all really made my day. I also got to meet 2 service dogs who are adorable. Monique posed with one of them.

LIVE INTERVIEW!! - Monique and I got to sit down with Jenny and Frosty for a 30 minute live Podcast, and we talked about our "Haunting of Emery Estate" book. - I also got to know Jenny, who is an amazing Medium in her own right and Frosty (Jeremy), a tech wizard, a lot better! I love their backgrounds: An art teacher turned art museum curator (Jenny) and a high school teacher (Jeremy).

SPEAKING!! - Although the entire speaking scheduled was booked before I even learned about the Paracon, I let the organizers, Charles and Thomas know that I really wanted to teach people how to recognize signs from their pets in spirit, with my lecture about "Pets and the Afterlife" based on my series of books. Fortunately for me, one speaker was not able to attend so I was able to give a shorter version of my (normally 45-60 minute) talk. It was awesome. People in the audience acknowledged whenever they saw a sign I was talking about. Several people in the audience came up to me afterward and told me how they were very touched by my presentation. There were a lot of tears and a lot of hugs and healing afterward.  

(Photo: My friend, paranormal investigator, and co-author,  Monique Toosoon, wears 10"plus heels, so I had to prop myself up on a chair to take a picture at the  CTParaconn) 

SHARED PET SPIRIT STORY - One woman and her sone who attended the lecture told her story. She saidshortly after her dog had passed she was watching a dog for someone else. The visiting dog went out into the backyard and appeared to be playing with another dog. That's when she clearly saw her dog in spirit playing with the visiting dog!

ANOTHER MAINER!  While there, I got to meet Christopher Brown, a medium from Augusta, Maine. He and his wife had driven down (which was 90 minutes longer than my drive!). They were warm and welcoming as Mainer's are. His website: https://www.psychicmediumchristopher.com/  and facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PsychicMediumChristopher/  

ADVERTISING AND ATTENDANCE- Despite the fact that the two organizers did several television appearances, podcasts, and social media promotions, the turnout was minimal, and disappointing. You never know how things will turn out. I estimate no more than 150-200 people came per day. The first day was the slowest day and I sold 2 books. The second day there seemed to be more attendees, and I sold 10 more books. Not enough to cover the fee of the conference (let alone the hotel and rental car), so this was a big financial hit for me and all the other vendors. 

NO A/C IN THE HEAT - The weekend ParaConn was held at the Crosby High School Gym, 300 Pierpont Road in Waterbury, CT. It was a very hot and humid weekend, and unfortunately, the entire show was set up in the high school's gymnasium, where the Air conditioning wasn't functioning. There were two giant fans operating, but it was very hot in the convention. Doors opened from 11am (for VIPs) and closed at 6pm both days.

WHO WAS THERE? VENDOR LIST: Included paranormal teams, tech folks, authors, tarot readers, medium, jewelry and crafts, and much more.  

Idiot of the Week: Conservative author, teacher molested student & Orange Felon Insults Liberia

This week's idiot is Aaron Craig Gleason, who pleaded not guilty to molesting a 12 year old girl in Bible Class. Ironically, on social media he accused drag queens of "grooming" kids for molestation and he was doing it all along, hiding behind religion.  BONUS Idiot at the end of the blog: The Orange felon insulted the Liberian President. There are just too many idiots to highlight once a week!

Conservative author, teacher charged with molesting student at private Christian school

Mollye Barrows, Pensacola News Journal, Feb 11, 2025

A self-described Christian philosopher, writer and teacher at a private Christian school in Okaloosa County is accused of molesting one of his female students during Bible Class.

Aaron Craig Gleason is charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years of age. Gleason, a teacher and soccer coach at Rocky Bayou Christian School, also writes regularly for several national conservative publications and has posted accusations on social media that drag queens are “grooming” kids for molestation.

Gleason has pleaded not guilty to molesting the student and is out of jail on $75,000 bond.

According to Niceville police, the victim alleged that in December she approached Gleason at his desk at school to discuss an assignment during Bible Class. When the discussion ended, police say Gleason, who was sitting down, gave the girl a “side hug” but slid his hand from her back to her backside, kept it there, and began rubbing his thumb up and down her buttocks.

Police say the victim’s account was corroborated by two other students. The girl Gleason is accused of molesting also told police that her teacher “has made several comments that have made her uncomfortable.”

According to Gleason’s arrest report, the girl claimed Gleason told her that “she looked cute wearing a flower clip in her hair,” and then followed up with the question, “Or are you just trying to be deceptive?” The comments were corroborated by one other student, police say.

According to Mid Bay News, the Superintendent of Rocky Bayou Christian School Mike Mosley sent out an email to parents that said, “I regret to inform you that one of our Middle School teachers was arrested today by local law enforcement officers. The teacher has been on paid administrative leave and off campus for two weeks. RBCS is fully cooperating with authorities in this matter until authorities have concluded their investigation. Please pray for our school and students during this difficult time.”

Gleason has written for primarily conservative publications with numerous articles on Hollywood, movies and the media’s impact on conservative values and culture.

In his bio on The Federalist’s website, Gleason says he is “a proud alumnus of Biola University and Talbot Seminary. He teaches philosophy full-time. His writing has appeared in numerous outlets including Hollywood in Toto, The Daily Wire, and The Imaginative Conservative.” Gleason also writes under A.C. Gleason. The Imaginative Conservative has removed his bio from its website as did The Daily Wire, but his bio on the latter can still be found on the Internet Archive website. 

In 2023, Gleason shared a video on X of protestors from a New York City Drag March. In it he says, “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re coming for your children,” and “No grooming going on here, they’re just coming for our children.” 

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BONUS IDIOT!!!!  You would think that a politician who meets someone from a foreign country would do a little homework, like "what's the official Language?" "official religion?" "trade policies?" "History with the U.S.?" - NOPE.  This week's BONUS IDIOT is the orange felon who insultedthe president of Liberia. 

 Trump praised Liberian president’s ‘beautiful English.’ It’s been the country’s official language since the 1800s.

By MARK MENGONFIA, MONIKA PRONCZUK and WILSON MCMAKIN, Associated Press July 10, 2025

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — There was confusion and anger in Liberia on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump praised the English skills of President Joseph Boakai.

“Such good English,” Trump said to Boakai, with visible surprise. “Such beautiful English.”

English has been the west African nation’s official language since the 1800s. But Trump did not stop there. “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?” he continued, as Boakai murmured a response. “Where were you educated? Where? In Liberia?”

The exchange took place during a meeting in the White House between Trump and five West African leaders on Wednesday, amid a pivot from aid to trade in the U.S. foreign policy.

Liberia has had deep ties with the United States for centuries. It was first established with the aim of relocating freed slaves from the United States.

Foday Massaquio, chairman of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change-Council of Patriots, said that while the remarks were typical of Trump’s engagement with foreign leaders, what some saw as the condescending tone was amplified by the fact that the leaders were African.

“As a matter of fact, it also proves that the West is not taking us seriously as Africans,” he said. “President Trump was condescending, he was very disrespectful to the African leader.”

Trump’s comments added to the sense of betrayal which became palpable in Liberia in recent months. Earlier this month, U.S. authorities dissolved theU.S. Agency for International Development and said it was no longer following what they called “a charity-based foreign aid model.” That decision sent shockwaves across Liberia, where American support made up almost 2.6% of the gross national income, the highest percentage anywhere in the world, according to the Center for Global Development.

Liberians thought they would be spared from Trump’s cuts because of the countries’ close relationship. Their political system is modeled on that of the U.S., along with its flag. Liberians often refer to the U.S. as their “big brother.”

Liberia was one of the first countries to receive USAID support, starting in 1961. The street signs, taxis and school buses resemble those in New York.

“In the first place, Liberia is a long standing friend of the USA, therefore Trump should have understood that we speak English as an official language,” said Moses Dennis, 37, a businessman from Monrovia. He added that Boakai did not go to Washington for “an English speaking competition.”

“Liberia is an English speaking country,” he said. “Former slaves and slave owners decided to organize themselves to let go of many people who were in slavery in the United States of America, and they landed on these shores now called the Republic of Liberia.”

For him, the exchange was “condescending and ridiculing.” Joseph Boakai was mocked.

Heroes of the Week: NH State Police Pull Man from Burning Car

NH State Troopers have a busy and tough job, especially dealing with erratic or dangerous drivers. In this instance a driver crashed his vehicle off Interstate 93 in south central New Hampshire and the car caught fire with the driver inside. Other drivers pulled over to help, and the heroes in the NH State Police responded immediately.

Driver Seriously Injured, Rescued From Burning Car In Londonderry

  Troop B, NH State Police, June 27, 2025

LONDONDERRY, N.H. – A Windham man suffered serious injuries and was later pulled out of a burning vehicle after a crash on Interstate 93.

At 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, State Troopers assigned to the Troop B barracks responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash into a tree at mile marker 16.8 on Interstate 93 southbound in Londonderry. Additional reports indicated that the vehicle was on fire.

Troopers arrived on the scene and observed other drivers trying to rescue the driver from the burning vehicle, a black Mazda 3. The Troopers took charge of the scene and, with help from an off-duty member of the Manchester Police Department, extricated the driver, identified as Georgios Nicolopoulos, 27, of Windham. They moved Nicolopoulos to a safe location away from the Mazda that was then fully engulfed in flames.

Nicolopoulos was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and later to a hospital in Boston via a medical helicopter.

Troopers were assisted on the scene by members Londonderry Fire Department. All aspects of this crash remain under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Shane Mason at Shane.P.Mason@DOS.NH.GOV. Contact Media Relations | PIO@dos.nh.gov

Book of the Week: Travels through Time- Interesting read!

 Recently I enjoyed Mike Ricksecker's book "Travels Through Time." There are some very interesting aspects of time travel presented, and some fascinating theories, like the "Stacked Time Theory." One of the things presented was a type of time phasing where people who are now adults found themselves looking at their younger selves, and then remembered as a young person, seeing a older person who resembled them. Explain that!  He also cites several movies and concepts from them, to make it easier to understand, including one of my favorite "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve. **  Mike also has an extensive knowledge of ancient cultures, so there's a lot to take in here!

One thing you need to know is the definition of "ouroboros." Its a circular symbol depicting a snake, or less commonly a dragon, swallowing its tail, as an emblem of wholeness or infinity.

About the book:

Travels Through Time: Inside the Fourth Dimension, Time Travel, and Stacked Time Theory (Connecting the Universe) 

Begin your journey into the Connected Universe with Travels Through Time, an examination of the nature of time, dimensions, and the possibilities of real time travel. In an easy-to-follow and conversational manner, researcher Mike Ricksecker formally introduces his Stacked Time Theory with an exploration of the fabric of the cosmos, starting with ancient symbolism and alchemy up through today's modern science and technology. What clues did our ancient ancestors leave for us about the nature of the universe that we're just now rediscovering today, and where throughout history have we seen those esoteric clues resurface? Travels Through Time explores...

• Ancient alchemy and the secrets of the ouroboros
• The nature of time and the paradoxes of time travel
• Historic and modern accounts of time slips
• Dreams and accessing eternal knowledge
• The nature of the universe as a simulation
• Extraterrestrial abductions and time loss
• How the future influences our present day
• Insights from Einstein, Tesla, Kaku, and other physicists
• The possibilities of real time travel and how that would work ...and more!