An excerpt from the Washington Post -
Everything I learned about being a dad, I learned from my mom
By Nevin Martell
As soon as my son, Zephyr, arrived, I realized my autonomy had an unexpected downside: It felt like going up a certain creek without a paddle. I needed a lodestar to help guide me through the process. I had so many questions and so few answers. Sometimes, I even considered reading all the books still taking up space on my nightstand. But, nah. Too much work.
And then, my mother came to live with us for several weeks to help us transition into parenthood smoothly. Whenever Indira needed a break from holding Zephyr and I wasn’t there, my mom swooped in to take him before she was even asked. I’d be feeling tired, and my mother would magically ask whether I’d like a cup of the coffee she was thinking of brewing. Zephyr would be on the verge of getting fussy, and she would suddenly be rocking him while cooing and making cute faces. She seemed to anticipate everyone’s every needs, often offering help before we even knew to ask.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/05/08/everything-i-learned-about-being-dad-i-learned-my-mom/
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Thursday, May 7, 2020
A Shining Star
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
Kizzmekia Corbett spent her life preparing for this moment. Can she create the vaccine to end a pandemic?
This 34-year-old African American woman scientist is a rarity. But with increased visibility comes increased scrutiny.
By Darryl Fears
Halfway through the school year, Myrtis Bradsher found herself paying close attention to a little girl called Kizzy. She always looked sharp, with ribbons knotted to her ponytails and socks that matched every outfit. But it was the way she rushed to help other fourth-graders with classwork that really stood out. “She had so much knowledge,” the teacher recalled. “She knew something about everything.”
In 25 years at Oak Lane Elementary School in rural Hurdle Mills, N.C., Bradsher had not seen a child like her. Bradsher was one of a few black teachers, and Kizzy was a rare black student. At a parent-teacher conference, Bradsher pushed to give the girl the advantages she felt she deserved. “Look,” she recalled saying to her mother, Rhonda Brooks, “she’s so far above other children. We need to send her to a class for exceptional students. I need you to say we have your permission.”
Bradsher’s recommendation put Kizzmekia Corbett on a path that ultimately led her to the National Institutes of Health, where she is heading the government’s search for a vaccine to end the coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 1.2 million Americans, killed over 70,000 and devastated the economy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/05/06/kizzmekia-corbett-vaccine-coronavirus/
Kizzmekia Corbett spent her life preparing for this moment. Can she create the vaccine to end a pandemic?
This 34-year-old African American woman scientist is a rarity. But with increased visibility comes increased scrutiny.
By Darryl Fears
 |
| Kizzmekia Corbett talks with President Trump, Anthony S. Fauci and other officials at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., in early March. (Evan Vucci/AP) |
In 25 years at Oak Lane Elementary School in rural Hurdle Mills, N.C., Bradsher had not seen a child like her. Bradsher was one of a few black teachers, and Kizzy was a rare black student. At a parent-teacher conference, Bradsher pushed to give the girl the advantages she felt she deserved. “Look,” she recalled saying to her mother, Rhonda Brooks, “she’s so far above other children. We need to send her to a class for exceptional students. I need you to say we have your permission.”
Bradsher’s recommendation put Kizzmekia Corbett on a path that ultimately led her to the National Institutes of Health, where she is heading the government’s search for a vaccine to end the coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 1.2 million Americans, killed over 70,000 and devastated the economy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/05/06/kizzmekia-corbett-vaccine-coronavirus/
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Kindness Remembered Almost 200 Later
An excerpt from Upworthy -
Irish help raise $1.8 million for COVID-hit Navajo Nation, repaying $170 sent during the potato famine
by Annie Reneau
The Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation in the southwestern U.S. have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. With a third of the population having no running water, proper virus-avoiding hygiene is nearly impossible. Access to groceries is limited, and the community has a high number of elderly and individuals with health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the virus.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was organized on behalf of the Rural Utah Project Education Fund to raise money for groceries, water, health supplies, and other necessary items in these Native communities. And this week, they have received a huge influx of donations from a seemingly unlikely source—Ireland.
If you're wondering what would prompt people on an island across the Atlantic to send money to a specific community in the U.S., the answer is simple. Gratitude.
In 1847, Native American tribes were struggling to get established after being forced to relocate from their homelands during the cruel and shameful Trail of Tears. The tribes had suffered greatly and had very little. But when the Choctaw nation heard about the suffering of the Irish people during the potato famine, they pulled together a donation of $170—around $5000 in today's dollars—to send to Ireland.
That collective act of sacrificial generosity was not forgotten. And now people in Ireland are repaying that gift many times over in a beautiful expression of historic human connectedness.
https://www.upworthy.com/navajo-covid
Irish help raise $1.8 million for COVID-hit Navajo Nation, repaying $170 sent during the potato famine
by Annie Reneau
The Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation in the southwestern U.S. have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. With a third of the population having no running water, proper virus-avoiding hygiene is nearly impossible. Access to groceries is limited, and the community has a high number of elderly and individuals with health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the virus.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was organized on behalf of the Rural Utah Project Education Fund to raise money for groceries, water, health supplies, and other necessary items in these Native communities. And this week, they have received a huge influx of donations from a seemingly unlikely source—Ireland.
If you're wondering what would prompt people on an island across the Atlantic to send money to a specific community in the U.S., the answer is simple. Gratitude.
In 1847, Native American tribes were struggling to get established after being forced to relocate from their homelands during the cruel and shameful Trail of Tears. The tribes had suffered greatly and had very little. But when the Choctaw nation heard about the suffering of the Irish people during the potato famine, they pulled together a donation of $170—around $5000 in today's dollars—to send to Ireland.
That collective act of sacrificial generosity was not forgotten. And now people in Ireland are repaying that gift many times over in a beautiful expression of historic human connectedness.
https://www.upworthy.com/navajo-covid
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Rings Hollow
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
Heroes, we cannot possibly repay you for your sacrifice, so we will make no effort to
By Alexandra Petri
Good news, front-line worker: You are essential. No, more than that: You are a hero.
Look, some jets are flying over!
Here is your salute! Here is your banging of pans! Look, your employers have made you — with their own dollars! — a commercial with gentle piano music, in the tenderest possible tone, to say thank you. We salute you. No, we do more than that: We owe you a debt of gratitude. No, wait, let us not introduce the word “debt,” which might imply monetary compensation of some kind. You are a hero, after all. You are beyond all that money nonsense. We are beyond all that.
Look, here are some more jets!
We cannot hope to thank you for this sacrifice you are making so we can be fed and entertained and comforted. But we will offer you this word: essential! Do you not feel better? Is the word itself not better than any kind of safety gear? Okay, here are some masks — not to wear, but affixed together into a big collage, as a symbol! As the vice president has shown, masks are optional. But symbolism — that is essential.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/30/heroes-we-cannot-possibly-repay-you-your-sacrifice-so-we-will-make-no-effort/
Heroes, we cannot possibly repay you for your sacrifice, so we will make no effort to
By Alexandra Petri
Good news, front-line worker: You are essential. No, more than that: You are a hero.
Look, some jets are flying over!
Here is your salute! Here is your banging of pans! Look, your employers have made you — with their own dollars! — a commercial with gentle piano music, in the tenderest possible tone, to say thank you. We salute you. No, we do more than that: We owe you a debt of gratitude. No, wait, let us not introduce the word “debt,” which might imply monetary compensation of some kind. You are a hero, after all. You are beyond all that money nonsense. We are beyond all that.
Look, here are some more jets!
We cannot hope to thank you for this sacrifice you are making so we can be fed and entertained and comforted. But we will offer you this word: essential! Do you not feel better? Is the word itself not better than any kind of safety gear? Okay, here are some masks — not to wear, but affixed together into a big collage, as a symbol! As the vice president has shown, masks are optional. But symbolism — that is essential.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/30/heroes-we-cannot-possibly-repay-you-your-sacrifice-so-we-will-make-no-effort/
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
You First
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
The test for those who want to reopen the economy too soon: You go first
By Jennifer Rubin
Let me suggest a simple test for those arguing for a quick return to business as normal absent a robust testing, contact tracing and quarantine program: You go first.
Trump should cease requiring everyone who comes into his orbit to submit to a covid-19 test. After all, if it’s not important enough for all of us to have the same protection, he should feel perfectly comfortable re-engaging with those of unknown health status.
Fox hosts who recommend hydroxychloroquine should be lining up to participate in clinical tests. They can be the canaries in the coal mine. (I would not be so irresponsible as to suggest they take it outside controlled circumstances.)
Business leaders and Trump sycophants such as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin who push for a May reopening of the economy should be the first on the factory floors (shake every returning worker’s hand), the first to ride public transportation to and from work, and the first to pay social calls at nursing homes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/12/test-advocates-opening-country/
The test for those who want to reopen the economy too soon: You go first
By Jennifer Rubin
Let me suggest a simple test for those arguing for a quick return to business as normal absent a robust testing, contact tracing and quarantine program: You go first.
Trump should cease requiring everyone who comes into his orbit to submit to a covid-19 test. After all, if it’s not important enough for all of us to have the same protection, he should feel perfectly comfortable re-engaging with those of unknown health status.
Fox hosts who recommend hydroxychloroquine should be lining up to participate in clinical tests. They can be the canaries in the coal mine. (I would not be so irresponsible as to suggest they take it outside controlled circumstances.)
Business leaders and Trump sycophants such as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin who push for a May reopening of the economy should be the first on the factory floors (shake every returning worker’s hand), the first to ride public transportation to and from work, and the first to pay social calls at nursing homes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/12/test-advocates-opening-country/
Monday, April 13, 2020
Black Women Magic
From the NY Times -
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/13/t-magazine/black-actresses-bassett-berry-blige-henson-whitfield-elise.html?campaign_id=20&emc=edit_wg_20200413&instance_id=17609&nl=watching®i_id=38867499&segment_id=25018&te=1&user_id=e3bf1057d4e3c0988a79ae4bce515610
 |
| Clockwise from left: TARAJI P. HENSON in a Givenchy dress, $8,130, givenchy.com, Stuart Weitzman shoes, $395, stuartweitzman.com, and her own jewelry. MARY J. BLIGE in a Giorgio Armani jacket, $5,195, and pants, $1,195, armani.com, Eres bra, $500, eresparis.com, Misho earrings, about $200, mishodesigns.com, Leigh Miller ring, $185, leighmiller.us, and Stuart Weitzman shoes, $395. ANGELA BASSETT in a Victoria Beckham dress, $1,495, Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills, (310) 550-5900, Panconesi earrings, $470, ssense.com, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, $795, giuseppezanotti.com, and her own bracelet. LYNN WHITFIELD in a Valentino dress, $5,900, (310) 247-0103, Mateo earrings, $825, mateonewyork.com, and Anita Ko ring, $8,000, anitako.com. HALLE BERRY in a Louis Vuitton dress, price on request, louisvuitton.com, Tiffany earrings, $6,800, tiffany.com, and Gianvito Rossi shoes, $995, gianvitorossi.com. KIMBERLY ELISE in a Proenza Schouler dress, $1,790, proenzaschouler.com, Mateo earrings, $1,875, Anita Ko ring (right), $8,000, stylist’s own ring (left) and Stuart Weitzman shoes, $395. Photographed at Line 204 Studios in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2020. Photo by Mickalene Thomas and Racquel Chevremont. Styled by Shiona Turini |
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/13/t-magazine/black-actresses-bassett-berry-blige-henson-whitfield-elise.html?campaign_id=20&emc=edit_wg_20200413&instance_id=17609&nl=watching®i_id=38867499&segment_id=25018&te=1&user_id=e3bf1057d4e3c0988a79ae4bce515610
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Cat Towers - AMAZING!
From the New Republic & Bored Panda -
Man Builds Two Kitty Towers Inside His Home And Now Everyone's Cats Are Jealous
https://va.news-republic.com/a/6814079407406187014?app_id=1239&c=sys&gid=6814079407406187014&impr_id=6814305187210561797&language=en®ion=us&user_id=6717278245165171717
Man Builds Two Kitty Towers Inside His Home And Now Everyone's Cats Are Jealous
https://va.news-republic.com/a/6814079407406187014?app_id=1239&c=sys&gid=6814079407406187014&impr_id=6814305187210561797&language=en®ion=us&user_id=6717278245165171717
Mousetrap - Ohio PSA
Social distancing works. We are all #InThisTogetherOhio. https://t.co/jU4ZAkm3Py pic.twitter.com/uKJtfi4cuP— Ohio Dept of Health (@OHdeptofhealth) April 9, 2020
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Friday, April 3, 2020
A Hero!
From Upworthy -
Navy aircraft carrier captain ousted for raising alarm on COVID-19 received a hero's send-off from sailors
By Tod Perry
https://www.upworthy.com/navy-captain-ousted-for-raising-alarm-on-coronavirus-gets-a-passionate-heros-send-off-from-sailors
Navy aircraft carrier captain ousted for raising alarm on COVID-19 received a hero's send-off from sailors
By Tod Perry
https://www.upworthy.com/navy-captain-ousted-for-raising-alarm-on-coronavirus-gets-a-passionate-heros-send-off-from-sailors
Black Movies
From Oprah Magazine -
52 Black Movies on Netflix That You'll Want to Watch on Repeat
We can't take all the excellence!
By McKenzie Jean-Philippe
https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/g22691091/best-black-movies-netflix/
52 Black Movies on Netflix That You'll Want to Watch on Repeat
We can't take all the excellence!
By McKenzie Jean-Philippe
https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/g22691091/best-black-movies-netflix/
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
He Nails It!
https://va.news-republic.com/a/6810656935818297861?app_id=1239&c=sys&gid=6810656935818297861&impr_id=6810757479837403397&language=en®ion=us&user_id=6717278245165171717
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Monday, March 30, 2020
Tracking the Exposure
This shows the location data of phones that were on a Florida beach during Spring Break. It then shows where those phones traveled.— Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) March 26, 2020
First thing you should note is the importance of social distancing. The second is how much data your phone gives off. pic.twitter.com/iokUX3qjeB
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Friday, March 27, 2020
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Priceless
There was a herd of bison walking right toward me at @YellowstoneNPS today! pic.twitter.com/sdrBvojpwF— Deion Broxton KTVM (@DeionNBCMT) March 25, 2020
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Monday, March 23, 2020
Sunday, March 22, 2020
What to Say in a Crisis
An excerpt from Housingwire -
[PULSE] The 7 words leaders must say in a crisis
Plus, 3 critical mistakes leaders must avoid
By Rick Grant
What a leader says during this time has the potential to reduce uncertainty and alleviate fear, leaving teams better equipped to respond to the primary difficulty. But it requires the leader to say the right thing. There is risk in saying the wrong thing, of course, but it’s tiny in comparison to the risk involved in saying nothing at all.
The seven best words any leader can say in a time of crisis are:
“Here’s what we are going to do.”
That’s what people want to hear. No one wants to feel helpless. They want clarity, direction and a plan. In a crisis, they’ll follow anyone who offers it to them.
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/pulse-the-7-words-leaders-must-say-in-a-crisis/
[PULSE] The 7 words leaders must say in a crisis
Plus, 3 critical mistakes leaders must avoid
By Rick Grant
What a leader says during this time has the potential to reduce uncertainty and alleviate fear, leaving teams better equipped to respond to the primary difficulty. But it requires the leader to say the right thing. There is risk in saying the wrong thing, of course, but it’s tiny in comparison to the risk involved in saying nothing at all.
The seven best words any leader can say in a time of crisis are:
“Here’s what we are going to do.”
That’s what people want to hear. No one wants to feel helpless. They want clarity, direction and a plan. In a crisis, they’ll follow anyone who offers it to them.
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/pulse-the-7-words-leaders-must-say-in-a-crisis/
His Toxic Legacy
An excerpt from Rolling Stone -
Trump’s Coronavirus Response Will Be His Toxic Legacy
There is no moment Trump can ever rise to, he only sinks to his most base nature
By SEAN WOODS
His handling of this pandemic is how history will remember Donald Trump. Fifty years from now historians will not spend much time on Russiagate, Robert Mueller or Dirty Dossiers and alleged pee tapes, nor will massive tax cuts for the rich or the endless petty insults and the litany of lies make much of a mark. In a time of national crisis, the president is failing the most basic tests of leadership. He spends his time in front of the camera attacking the media, spreading disinformation and sowing racism. His response should come as no surprise. These have been the signature moves of his presidency and in normal times, these actions were bad enough, in a pandemic they are destabilizing and destructive.
Who could doubt that Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama or George Bush I and II would have struck somber and fatherly tones in the crisis? They would have attempted to soothe a country in distress and ease the minds of the people — to be sure, much of this would have been bromides. But it turns out, that’s a big part of the job. Trump has from day one completely abdicated the moral authority of the office, perhaps knowing intuitively that his moral compass was so hopelessly bent that it was pointless to try. It would be hard to underestimate the unexpected and deleterious effects this has had on the presidency. As we all isolate and seek shelter, to not have someone who is of good character at the helm only adds to the extreme anxiety, anger and coming heartbreak.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/trump-coronavirus-response-will-be-his-toxic-legacy-970990/
Trump’s Coronavirus Response Will Be His Toxic Legacy
There is no moment Trump can ever rise to, he only sinks to his most base nature
By SEAN WOODS
His handling of this pandemic is how history will remember Donald Trump. Fifty years from now historians will not spend much time on Russiagate, Robert Mueller or Dirty Dossiers and alleged pee tapes, nor will massive tax cuts for the rich or the endless petty insults and the litany of lies make much of a mark. In a time of national crisis, the president is failing the most basic tests of leadership. He spends his time in front of the camera attacking the media, spreading disinformation and sowing racism. His response should come as no surprise. These have been the signature moves of his presidency and in normal times, these actions were bad enough, in a pandemic they are destabilizing and destructive.
Who could doubt that Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama or George Bush I and II would have struck somber and fatherly tones in the crisis? They would have attempted to soothe a country in distress and ease the minds of the people — to be sure, much of this would have been bromides. But it turns out, that’s a big part of the job. Trump has from day one completely abdicated the moral authority of the office, perhaps knowing intuitively that his moral compass was so hopelessly bent that it was pointless to try. It would be hard to underestimate the unexpected and deleterious effects this has had on the presidency. As we all isolate and seek shelter, to not have someone who is of good character at the helm only adds to the extreme anxiety, anger and coming heartbreak.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/trump-coronavirus-response-will-be-his-toxic-legacy-970990/
What Leadership looks Like
A message to Marriott International associates from President and CEO Arne Sorenson. pic.twitter.com/OwsF14TZgb— Marriott International (@MarriottIntl) March 19, 2020
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