Everyone knows we’re supposed to beware the Ides of March and may even remember they’re from William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” but what exactly do they mean? The Ides of March marked the day the Julius Caesar was assassinated by members of the Roman Senate in 44 B.C.E. A soothsayer, or psychic, warned Caesar to beware …
Category: Memories
Mar 01
My Ringtone: Scotland the Brave
“Scotland the Brave” (Scottish Gaelic: Alba an Àigh) is a Scottish patriotic song. It was one of several songs considered an unofficial national anthem of Scotland. My cellphone ringtone is Scotland the Brave. At any rehearsal, everyone knows it’s my phone, if one is ringing 🙂 I posted a bit about that here: http://maryoblog.com/2015/08/ Below, the …
Jan 19
Happy Popcorn Day
Join us on January 19 as we celebrate National Popcorn Day! Buttered, salted, kettled, drizzled with caramel, popcorn is one of those snacks perfect anytime, anywhere. It’s great on the go, in the theater, or in your living room! Just be prepared to dig some of it out of your teeth. I’m actually a huge fan of …
Jan 13
Not Friday the 13th in 2020
Today, January 13, holds a couple anniversaries for me. I remember the day of the Air Florida Flight 90 Crash in 1982 so well. We were living in the Metro DC area and our young son had just turned 2 in December. Tom, my DH, worked in DC and I was never sure the route that …
Jan 06
It’s National Shortbread Day!
Shortbread is a classic Scottish dessert traditionally made with: 1 part white sugar (I use powdered) 2 parts butter 3 parts flour (I usually use rice flour) And a bit of salt Shortbread is so named because of its crumbly texture which is caused by its high-fat content, provided by the butter. “Shortening” is …
Nov 11
Giving Thanks on Veterans: November 11, 2019
Giving thanks to our Veterans today I’m not sure how Veterans Day turned into a Monday holiday and a day to sell stuff, but then, most every holiday has turned into a day for stores to run “sales”. Possibly, the original intent was to give our veterans a break but it has sure morphed away …
Oct 30
40 Days of Thankfulness: Day 18
Adapted from https://cushieblog.com/2010/11/22/40-days-of-thankfulness-days-thirty-one-to-thirty-five/ I had been thinking about trying ziplining since my kidney cancer surgery 3 years earlier. I figured I had “extra years” and I wanted to do something kinda scary, yet fun. So, somehow, I decided on ziplining. All the following is I wrote then: Day Four, November 18, 2009: Belize City, Honduras Today’s …
Oct 28
40 Days of Thankfulness: Day 16
I am thankful, believe it or not, that I had Cushing’s. Mind you, I wouldn’t want to have it now, although diagnoses and surgeries seem “easier” now. Having Cushing’s taught me a lot, including how to stick up for myself, how to read medical books to learn more about my disease, how to do …
Oct 27
40 Days of Thankfulness: Day 15
Today I am thankful for my church choir. Two years ago at this time, the “low voice choir” (formerly the Men’s Choir) sang this: I’ve had a long history with singing from the time I was a kid singing in the choir at my Dad’s church in Springfield, Mass. In High School we had a …
Cushing’s
- 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 […]
- 🦓 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...
- 📰 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.
- 📅 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 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 1: Cushing's Awareness Challenge 2025April is always Cushing’s Awareness Challenge month because Dr. Harvey Cushing was born on April 8th, 1869. How fitting that this challenge should begin on April Fool’s Day. So much of Cushing’s Syndrome/Disease makes us Cushies seem like we’re the April Fool. Maybe, just maybe, it’s the doctors who are the April Fools…
- 🦓 Comment added to Day 1: Cushing's Awareness Challenge 2025While American actress Amy Schumer is spreading the word about Cushing’s in general, I think that in some ways she is hurting things for everyone else. CBS News reports that “she says she now feels ‘reborn’ after her diagnosis, and while some forms of Cushing can be fatal, she has a type that ‘will just […]
- 📰 Clinical and Surgical Outcomes of Pediatric Cushing’s Disease Following Endoscopic Transsphenoidal SurgeryCushing’s disease (CD) is characterized by hypercortisolism due to excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from a pituitary adenoma. Though more common in adults, pediatric cases constitute approximately 5% of those seen in adults. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical due to the severe impacts on growth and development in children. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) is […]
Music & Local Events
- ✅ AA Open Meeting, TodayDiscover a supportive space for new beginnings! Join us every Wednesday at 6:00 PM, in the serene ambiance of Pender UMC's Library. At 5:00 PM there will be a time of casual chat, known as the "meeting before the meeting". Engage in meaningful conversations and find camaraderie at our AA meetings, guided by the experienced […]
- 🛐 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.
- 📚 All Access Book Club, April 3I 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
- 🧶 Fairfax Knitting, TuesdaysNovice or pro, join others who love to knit.
- 📆 O'Connor Music Studio CalendarUpdated daily with music and Northern Virginia events.
- 🐥 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 […]
- 🌎 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!