Author's posts
May 14
Happy Dogmother’s Day!
This picture reminds me so much of our dog and her siblings. Mimi, unlike our most recent past dog, refuses to wear a bandana, though! Last Dogmother’s Day, Mimi shared this on her blog (yes, of course my dog has her own blog): My human mom had a friend who said she was my …
May 14
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as …
May 08
Making Money Disappear Through Infinite Iteration, Now In YouTube Form! – XOR’s Hammer
My son, the math genius! Source: Making Money Disappear Through Infinite Iteration, Now In YouTube Form! – XOR’s Hammer
May 05
A Shell of a Day
I needed gas for my car last week. I was on my way to bell rehearsal so I didn’t have time to go to my usual place. Instead, I stopped by the station that was on my way. I had stopped going to this particular gas station many years ago when I thought that …
May 01
Happy May Day!
When we were kids, we learned how to dance a Maypole dance but no one else I’ve ever asked remembers doing this. Maybe it was just my small town? This was the town that gave out cherry pies for Washington’s birthday, too. I don’t remember much about learning how to do this, other than …
Apr 16
Happy Easter!
Easter symbolizes the renewal of life. I wish you and your family the renewal of life, love, and happiness.
Apr 11
It’s Barbershop Quartet Day!
National Barbershop Quartet Day is observed annually on April 11. Barbershop quartets have a way making the heart flutter. Very often they transport us back to a simpler time or at the least make it stand still. Barbershop quartets are a style of a cappella or unaccompanied vocal music. Their music features songs with understandable lyrics …
Apr 06
It’s Tartan Week, Again
April 6 is National Tartan Day. This is an official national holiday which kicks off Tartan Week. National Tartan Day honors all the Scottish heritage that flows through this nation. From its earliest beginnings, Americans with Scottish ancestry endeavored for that freedom as much as any American. It was in their …
Cushing’s
- 🦓 Day 3: Cushing’s Awareness ChallengeSleep. Naps. Fatigue, Exhaustion. I still have them all. I wrote on my bio in 1987 after my pituitary surgery “I am still and always tired and need a nap most days. I do not, however, still need to take whole days off just to sleep.”
- 🦓 Digging deep - Depression, anxiety and suicide....We lost a young woman with Cushing's to suicide in 2014. There are rumors now that another recent loss was suicide as well. In my mind, regardless of what the exact cause was, Cushing's is at fault. Cushing's led them to their deaths just as surely as if it had struck the death blow itself. […]
- 📰 Myocardial Work Impairment in Patients With Cushing’s SyndromeEndogenous Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) is associated with an increased cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic risk profile, yet the specific impact of hypercortisolism on myocardial function remains inadequately understood.
- 📰 Ivory Tower: New PET Scan Molecule Offers Breakthrough in Detecting Cushing’s SyndromeResearchers from endocrinology and nuclear medicine departments have introduced a new PET scan molecule that enhances the detection of adenoma/small tumour causing Cushing’s syndrome. This development promises to improve surgical interventions and patient outcomes.
- 📅 Adrenal Insufficiency United’s Lunch & Learn, Los Angeles California, May 3Adrenal Insufficiency United’s Lunch & Learn Events are one day mini-conferences located in different cities in the USA. We find great local speakers to lead sessions and give presentations about issues affecting those with adrenal insufficiency. These one day events will be packed full of opportunities giving attendees more chances to ask questions, share their […]
- ℹ️ Adrenal insufficiency BasicsAdrenal insufficiency is a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough of certain hormones, primarily cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. This disorder can be categorized into primary (Addison's disease) and secondary forms.
- ℹ️ Cushing's Disease BasicsCushing's Disease is a rare condition caused by excessive production of cortisol, a hormone essential for various bodily functions. It is a specific form of Cushing's Syndrome, where the overproduction of cortisol is due to a tumor in the pituitary gland. The condition affects 10 to 15 people per million each year, predominantly women between […]
- ℹ️ Cushing's Syndrome OverviewCushing’s syndrome is a rare disorder that occurs when the body is exposed to too much cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the body and is also used in corticosteroid drugs. Cushing's syndrome can occur either because cortisol is being overproduced by the body or from the use of drugs that contain cortisol (like prednisone)…
- 🦓 Day 2, Cushing’s Awareness ChallengeSo, these are only seven of the many, many symptoms of Cushing’s. I had those above – and I often felt like I looked like one of those little bearded dwarves.
- 🦓 From a Past Blogging Challenge.Today, I’m going to be talking about my Cushing’s story, which still continues, even 8 years after I was diagnosed...
Music & Local Events
- 📚 All Access Book Club, TodayI originally got this book for my mom in October 2011, then I ended up reading it – twice. Then, I read nearly everything that Erik Larson wrote… I may need to read it again before April 2. LOL
- 🛐 Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 5Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent. “Go to Dark Gethsemane” is a Lenten hymn that spotlights scenes from the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life.
- 😎 Register for Vacation Bible School (VBS)For potty-trained three year olds through ninth graders. Embark on an exciting journey with Road Trip VBS, based on Joshua 1:9 – "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Discover God's presence everywhere as we explore new places, make new friends, and experience God's goodness together. Join us in a fun-filled adventure […]
- 🧐 Brain Power, All AprilEnhance your mental fitness with “Train Your Brain” activities! Sudoku, crosswords, Color Me Happy, and word searches. Each activity is aimed at stimulating cognitive function and supporting memory improvement.
- 🐥 Raise Chicks this Spring, April 4 through 9Purchase your 4 chicks and specify your pick up day April 4-19, 2025. They sell out quickly! Add-on a care kit if don’t have one. Decide where you would like to keep the chicks, laundry room, bathroom, mud room, and set up a box to be their home. (Tips below) April 4-19: The Farm Market […]
- 📆 O'Connor Music Studio CalendarUpdated daily with music and Northern Virginia events.
- 🌎 Mini-Makers – Earth Day Edition, April 5Reduce – Reuse – Recycle! Spend a crafternoon making beads for bracelets. necklaces or even toy snakes using old magazines!
- 🍿 Coffee & a Classic: An American in Paris, April 4There’s nothing better on a Friday morning than a classic movie and a fresh cup of coffee in our meeting room!
- 🎶 More Music OpportunitiesCalling All Musicians: Join Pender’s Vibrant Music Ministry! Are you passionate about music? Do you feel called to share your musical gifts in a community of faith? Pender is seeking talented musicians to join our vibrant Music Ministry team and contribute to our uplifting and spiritually enriching worship services!
- 🥚 Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza!, April 12Event: Pender UMC's Egg-citing Easter Bash Date: Saturday, April 12 Time: 1:00–3:00 PM Location: Pender UMC Parking Lot & Grounds Event Highlights: Moon Bounce Madness: Jump and hop like a bunny in our giant Pender/KUMC Bounce House! Awesome Games: Show off your cornhole skills for a chance to win awesome prizes. Don't miss the estimation […]