General Discussion, Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Stella

This entry was posted in Government, History, Holidays, Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

195 Responses to General Discussion, Tuesday, January 2, 2018

  1. auscitizenmom says:
    January 2, 2018 at 9:34 am

    Finally! I was starting to feel withdrawal pains. 😯 Morning Stella.

    Liked by 6 people

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  2. nyetneetot says:
    January 2, 2018 at 9:35 am

    Mornin’ stella! (Smiter of those that ought to be smote) 😎 🍸 (Long Island Iced Tea)
    Mornin’ WeeWeed! (Master Mixologist Extrodinare) 😎 🍸 (Old Fashioned)
    Mornin’ Menagerie! 😎 |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| (Jack Daniels – Single Barrel )
    Mornin’ Ad rem! (Queen Felis catus) 🐱 🍸 (Flaming Lamborghini)
    Mornin’ Sharon! 😎 🍸 🍸 (earthquake)
    Mornin’ ytz4mee! 😎 🍸 (cosmopolitan)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (white wine and perrier)
    Mornin’ partyzantski! 🙂 |_| (Tom Collins)
    Mornin’ texan59! 🙂 |_| (Black & Tan)
    Mornin’ ZurichMike! 🙂 🍸 (fuzzy navel)
    Mornin’ Col.(R) Ken! (hand salute) 🙂 |_| (Boilermaker)
    Mornin’ czarina33! (aka czarina) 🙂 🍸 (Lynchburg Lemonade)
    Mornin’ czarowniczy! 🙂 |_| (Wild Turkey Rare Breed)
    Mornin’ letjusticeprevail2014! 🙂 |_| (Irish Car Bomb)
    Mornin’ Patriot1783-ctdar! (aka “ctdar”) 🙂 🍸 (grasshopper)
    Mornin’ tessa50! 🙂 🍸 (flaming volcano)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (sidecar)
    Mornin’ varsityward! 🙂 |_| (Godfather)
    Mornin’ MaryfromMarin! 😀 |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| (Mortlach)
    Mornin’ Wooly Covfefe! (aka “Wooly Phlox” aka “taqiyyologist”) 🙂 |_| (Roy Rogers)
    Mornin’ Howie! (aka “doodahdaze”) 🙂 |_| (Classic Daiquiri)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine! 🙂 |_| (Gin & Tonic)
    Mornin’ Sha! 🙂 🍸 (Lemon Drop)
    Mornin’ BigMamaTEA! 🙂 🍸 (Harvey Wallbanger)
    Mornin’ cetera5! (aka “Cetera”) 🙂 |_| (Blackberry wine)
    Mornin’ The Tundra PA! 🙂 🍸 (Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sling)
    Mornin’ lovely! 🙂 |_| (Backdraft)
    Mornin’ michellc! 🙂 🍸 (Salty dog)
    Mornin’ auscitizenmom! 🙂 🍸 (Kiss on the Lips)
    Mornin’ Margaret-Ann! 🙂 🍸 (White Russian)
    Mornin’ Auntie Lib! 🙂 🍸 (Tom and Jerry)
    Mornin’ holly100! 🙂 🍸 (Jack & Coke)
    Mornin’ Pam! 🙂 (Not even water)
    Mornin’ Ms.Tee! 🙂 🍸 (Mojito)
    Mornin’ koolkosherkitchen! 🙂 🍸 🍸 (Cuba Libre)
    Mornin’ ImpeachEmAll 🙂 |_| (Flaming Dr. Pepper)
    Mornin’ Monroe! 🙂 |_| (Stinger)
    Mornin’ Les! 🙂 |_| (Rusty Nail)
    Mornin’ shiloh1973! 🙂 |_| (Jack Daniels)
    Mornin’ TexasRanger! 🙂 |_| (Whiskey Smash)
    Mornin’ Ziiggii! 🙂 |_| (B52)
    Mornin’ oldiadguy! 🙂 |_| (Rum & Coke)
    Mornin’ smiley! (“stuck in spambucket”) 🙂 🍸 (Spanish coffee)
    Mornin’ derk! (“Stellars”) 🙂 🍸 (Kamikaze)
    Mornin’ Jacqueline Taylor Robson 🙂 🍸 (Shirley Temple)
    Mornin’ facebkwallflower! 🙂 |_| (Night Train Express)
    Mornin’ Ms. Cindy! (aka “Ms Cynlynn” aka “ms cynlynn”) 🙂 🍸 (1970 ducru beaucaillou)
    Mornin’ sandandsea2015! 🙂 🍸 (1961 Château Montrose)
    Mornin’ amwick! 🙂 🍸 (Blue motorcycle)
    Mornin’ hocuspocus13! 🙂 🍸 (1970 Chateau Latour)
    Mornin’ Sloth1963! 🙂 🍸 (1971 Moulin Touchais)
    Mornin’ MTeresa! (Ex-lurker) 🙂 |_| (Albanian Raki Moskat)
    Mornin’ Rhea Salacia Volans! 🙂 |_| (Hot Buttered Rum)
    Mornin’ joshua! 🙂 |_| (Mudslide)
    Mornin’ John Denney! 🙂 |_| (RumChata)
    Mornin’ litenmaus! 🙂 |_| (Stolichnaya elit, no ice)
    Mornin’ kinthenorthwest! 🙂 🍸 (A Lonely Island Lost in the Middle of a Foggy Sea)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine! 🙂 |_| (Smoking Bishop)
    Mornin’ patternpuzzler! 🙂 🍸 (Old Lady)
    Mornin’ Senatssekretär FREISTAAT DANZIG! 🙂 |_| (Red Russian)
    Mornin’ G-d&Country! 🙂 🍸 (Blind Russian)
    Mornin’ Gary! 🙂 |_| (Yuengling)
    Mornin’ valeriecurren! 🙂 🍸 (Flaming Sambuca)
    Mornin’ Lucille! 🙂 🍸 (Peach Schnapps)
    Mornin’ Lburg! 🙂 🍸 (Lburg lemonade)
    Mornin’ davidhuntpe! 🙂 |_| (Baileys Irish Cream on the rocks)
    Mornin’ skipper1961! 🙂 |_| (Brompton’s Cocktail – No cherry, no umbrella, no plastic monkey)
    Mornin’ mightyconservative! 🙂 |_| (Benjamin Franklin’s clarified milk punch)
    Mornin’ whiners and complainers! 😛 (No drink for you!)
    Mornin’ to people posting that I missed. 😳
    Mornin’ to all you lurkers! 😕

    Also just in case someday; mornin’ to Elvis Chupacabra, F.D.R. in Hell and sundance! :mrgreen:

    Breakfast!

    NEW and IMPROVED breakfast with extra bacon for ZurichMike!

    Donuts

    Liked by 8 people

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  3. Menagerie says:
    January 2, 2018 at 9:40 am

    Good morning y’all. If I posted a picture it would look like the abominable snowman. Let’s go kick this new year’s cold, cold butt.

    Liked by 6 people

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    • G-d&Country says:
      January 2, 2018 at 11:35 am

      Mornin Menagerie 🙂 Have a look at the desert scene below, and warm up!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • auscitizenmom says:
      January 2, 2018 at 12:04 pm

      I have to admit being a Floridian now. I grabbed my coat and threw it over one shoulder and stepped out the door into the wind. That’s when I felt cold air hit my toes. I hadn’t changed out of my sandals. At least I was wearing long pants and a warm shirt. 🙄 So I ran my errands in my sandals.

      Liked by 3 people

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      • G-d&Country says:
        January 2, 2018 at 12:19 pm

        🙂 That’s being well-prepared!
        My brother and family moved to Florida about 20 years ago. They VERY QUICKLY assimilated to the warmth, and have only come back north 3 times in 20 years. Because of my allergies I just wait for everything to freeze. The winter is my healthy season.

        Liked by 4 people

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  4. WeeWeed says:
    January 2, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Mornin’ y’all! Colder ‘n a witch’s down here in Dixie…..

    https://twitter.com/jojoh888/status/948010508124168193

    Liked by 8 people

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  5. hocuspocus13 says:
    January 2, 2018 at 10:26 am

    Did you see that brilliant Full Moon last night…

    Happy New Year

    Liked by 6 people

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  6. stella says:
    January 2, 2018 at 11:15 am

    Let us hope that this is true, and the beginning of a resolution of the problem:

    Korean-American Professor Couple Identify Major Cause of Autism

    http://www.koreadailyus.com/korean-american-professor-couple-identify-major-cause-autism/

    A Korean couple who are both working as professors at prestigious U.S. universities proved the main cause of autism.

    The couple found that certain bacteria in the mother’s digestive tract can lead to having an autistic child. Furthermore, they found the exact brain location linked to autistic behaviors, which can be used to find a cure for autism.

    Science journal ‘Nature’ published the couple’s two research studies on the 14th. The couple are Harvard Medical School’s professor Huh Jun-ryeol, and MIT’s professor Gloria Choi.

    Liked by 3 people

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    • stella says:
      January 2, 2018 at 11:21 am

      More (but complete paper available to members only):

      https://www.nature.com/articles/nature23909

      Liked by 2 people

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    • Menagerie says:
      January 2, 2018 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks!

      Liked by 2 people

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    • Rhea Salacia Volans says:
      January 2, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      Ooh, I hope they are on to something here and they can get a cure.

      And I hope there’s an actual cure, unlike the Greatest Diabetes Myth ever: “We’re working on a cure.”

      Liked by 4 people

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    • czarowniczy says:
      January 2, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      I’ve been noticing more research by mainline facilities in gut bacteria and disease, and that includes bacteria from the mouth onward.
      I accidentally ran across a study on how gut bacteria changes in diabetics causing a B-12 deficiency. A neurologist I went to had me go on to a prescription-only nutraceutical that would increase the availability of B-12 in order to prevent neuropathy…and it’s working.
      Just a few days ago I ran across another article tha shows a link between certain mouth bacteria and esophageal cancer: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320232.php
      Even though these reports are accomplished by respected mainline facilities don’t expect mainline pharma-controlled medicine to start looking at proper eating vice popping pills any time soon.

      Liked by 2 people

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      • G-d&Country says:
        January 2, 2018 at 12:29 pm

        Very interesting! I do b-12 shots which I hate doing. I also have had intestinal problems all my life, as well as over 10 operations on my mouth, and esophageal problems. Pretty much all of my digestive system from my mouth all the way through has problems. I don’t know what happened to my mom when she was carrying me during the time my digestive tract was being developed, but it did not develop as well as it should have.
        I’m definitely reading that article, and any others you may have to post. THANKS!

        Liked by 1 person

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        • czarowniczy says:
          January 2, 2018 at 12:48 pm

          https://jdmdonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2251-6581-12-17
          Just Google ‘gut bacteria and disease’ and stand back. One thing I’ve noticed is the number of NIH articles recommending ‘further studies’ and seeing none – hmmmmmm, coincidence?
          My neurologist put me on Metanx, made by Nestles and not only have my B-12 levels shot up but the rather minimal neuropathy I had has greatly improved – I’m lucky to have found him.
          I’ve also gone to a probiotic with a more varied ‘bug’ composition, a prebiotic to help the probiotics that make it thru the stomach and gone back to real milk, cheese and yogurt. I’m seeing more studies that refute the ‘eat dairy and die’ stories the docs love so much – it’s a matter of moderation and common sense.

          Liked by 3 people

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          • G-d&Country says:
            January 2, 2018 at 1:15 pm

            Had a reply with info – got big shock and relpy wiped out! Will answer in a little while

            Liked by 1 person

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          • G-d&Country says:
            January 2, 2018 at 2:06 pm

            Hi. I had to put hand lotion on to stop getting shocked when I typed on computer – guess my house is too dry.
            Thanks for the search tip. I agree with you about NIH articles recommending ‘further studies’ and seeing none. Yup. Until big pharma takes over food production that is.
            I will look up what Metanx does, and it’s side effects. Thanks.
            The probiotics I use are 2 together that help me: Flora Udo’s choice Super Bifido Plus Probiotic & Integrative Therapeutics Pro-flora Concentrate.
            I also do not believe the ‘eat dairy and die’ stories. My doc said store bought yogurt is not fermented long enough, and make my own or try a kefir. I eat Green Valley Organics Lactose free Whole Milk Kefir with no problems. Doc also said to (and he does himself) eat organic and rotate food. Many say organic is a scam, but for me it is the difference between being able to eat a food, leafy greens for example, or having extremely severe, doubled over stomach aches. I think, for me at least, the insecticides in pesticided food are enough to kill the good bacteria in my gut, and injure my gut.
            ” it’s a matter of moderation and common sense.” Yes. I wonder what long term (for the last 50 years) over-use of antibiotics and pesticided food have done to our gut. I read a study about 20 years ago comparing the nutritional value of a green pepper from around 1920 versus about 1990. The 1920’s pepper (before massive use of pesticides) had much more nutrition value. There is a need to produce more food for more people, but I really don’t agree with the overuse of pesticides or round-up ready seeds.
            The most recent GI doc I was sent to put me on Fodmap diet. Probably the latest medical fad. I have to check it out more. I believe in a variety of whole foods, organic if needed (I don’t care about root veggies or nuts being organic) and chewed well. I only have coffee until 3pm, then switch to water. I am now trying to cut coffee down to 2 cups in morning.
            Thanks so much. Hope your health continues to improve. God Bless.

            Liked by 2 people

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            • czarowniczy says:
              January 2, 2018 at 3:06 pm

              Look on ebay for yogurt makers, they’re everywhere. I use a local pasteurized but not homogenized full-fat milk, makes a yogurt stiff enough to dance on. Also gives me a more direct route to the cow than store-bought and overly processed stuff. The heavier fatted yogurt also makes great yogurt cheese, a quite easy process.

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              • auscitizenmom says:
                January 2, 2018 at 3:11 pm

                I thought you had to use un-pasteurized milk for it to work. Oh, wait, that would mean raw milk. Hm.

                Liked by 1 person

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                • stella says:
                  January 2, 2018 at 3:12 pm

                  You can even use homogenized milk, I think.

                  Liked by 1 person

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                • czarowniczy says:
                  January 2, 2018 at 3:50 pm

                  We’ve even used store-bought milk in a pinch, it works. You put a teaspoon or more (depending on the size of the batch) of store-bought yogurt that has live cultures in it as a starter. We even put the yogurt starter in the farm milk as you’re sure you’re getting what you want and not some vagrant bug. The heating before you prep the milk kills the bugs anyway, starter starts you off.

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        • stella says:
          January 2, 2018 at 1:32 pm

          My grandfather died of pernicious anemia – which we know now is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor in the gut, which prevents the synthesis of B12 in the diet. That was in 1924. I believe a deficiency of B12 is common in older folks.

          I received B12 injections when I was pregnant, because I had what they called pernicious vomiting. The injections helped; I was still nauseous for the first few months, but at least I could keep food down.

          https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8618

          Liked by 3 people

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          • G-d&Country says:
            January 2, 2018 at 2:15 pm

            Thanks for the info. God rest your grandfather’s soul.
            I’m glad you received the b12 during pregnancy. Pernicious vomiting sounds really horrible for you, and not good for the baby! My mom had to have b12 shots, but stopped. I wonder what that did. She also was put on various meds to try and keep me after her previous pregnancy (when she was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets, and the twins died), then meds to help me out because I was so late.

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            • stella says:
              January 2, 2018 at 2:32 pm

              I think the B12 helped to keep me out of the hospital, as it allowed me to keep down food and water. In extreme cases, the condition requires IV fluids and, sometimes, a feeding tube.

              As it was, I lost 13 pounds in a little more than a week. I have never felt so horrible.

              Liked by 1 person

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          • Valerie Curren says:
            January 2, 2018 at 6:26 pm

            My mom had similar B12 injections during pregnancy, done by my Great Uncle (a WWII med vet) under the skin & they made a huge difference for her too. She’s always been more prone to vomiting kind of illnesses than have been her children & grandchildren…

            Liked by 1 person

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          • czarowniczy says:
            January 3, 2018 at 12:10 am

            Yup, older you get it seems the gut flora slides, may be due to older folks not eating right/enough. I know I had to arm wrestle to get a B-12 level check at the docs, finally just told my neurologist the GP was reluctant even though I was 65 and diabetic. He rolled his eyes, did the test and put me on the Metanx. A year later my levels were over 1500 pg/ml.
            Lotta things docs ignore on us older folks.

            Liked by 1 person

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    • G-d&Country says:
      January 2, 2018 at 12:24 pm

      I hope they figure it out, and also figure out how to cure it!

      Liked by 2 people

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    • Valerie Curren says:
      January 2, 2018 at 6:17 pm

      In our case, having a set of twins, who may or may not be identical (long story), but only one is autistic would seem to imply that there is likely much more to the story…

      Liked by 2 people

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      • stella says:
        January 2, 2018 at 6:19 pm

        Possibly, and possibly not. Have you ever had a time when one twin was sick, and the other not?

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        • Valerie Curren says:
          January 2, 2018 at 6:30 pm

          Yes, many times. But living with 6 people in just under 1500 square feet most illnesses were passed around amongst us all. Given the major differences in our twins’ trajectory (one was less than half the size of the other at birth & needed open heart surgery before coming home from the NICU) it’s very difficult to compare their lives.

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      • stella says:
        January 2, 2018 at 6:38 pm

        I think they lump together a number of different conditions under the umbrella of “autism” because they don’t really know what it is or what causes it. Could, therefore, be several different causes.

        Group B strep has been recognized fairly recently as a cause of brain injuries in newborns, among other things. About 25% of pregnant women carry it.

        Liked by 4 people

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        • Valerie Curren says:
          January 2, 2018 at 6:54 pm

          Interesting. My son’s primary doc, who runs one of the three state recognized autism centers in MI, also has some belief in the vaccine-autism connection. In a relatively recent visit I articulated some concerns in this domain & she alluded to a potential connection with neurobiological fragility & pumping toxins into young bodies. I don’t believe she is against vaccinating, per se, but more cautious about the suggested timetables for vaccines, especially in infants/children that already have some systemic compromise. It’s Possible that the vaccine situation contributed to the existence/severity of “autism” for my one son.

          On the other hand, there are some who speculate that ADHD & Autism exist on a continuum & it’s really only a matter of degree. Given my husband (& his brother[s]) having ADHD & at least 3 of my 4 kids having it it is quite likely that in our family there already is some degree of genetic tendency toward neurobiological issues…

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      • lovely says:
        January 2, 2018 at 7:27 pm

        Hi Valerie, It’s always good to see you. I was hoping you would weigh in on this because of your personal knowledge and experiences. First my apologies up front if I sound clinical I am trying to be respectful while also just looking at the science of mental health disorders.

        I know that schizophrenia and Autism are very different sides of the spectrum but I have more intimate and personal experience with schizophrenia so I have educated myself more in that area.

        Studies of identical twins are always informative.

        Sharing identical genetics in the womb does not mean a 100% physical reaction to things within or without the womb nor according to a new study that I just read about today does it mean the malleable alleles will follow the same curve upward or downward. Scientists still do not know why one identical twin is schizophrenic and another has no mental health disorder (an identical twin has about a 30 – 50% chance of being schizophrenic if his or her twin is schizophrenic). Alleles are not static even in identical twins.

        Genetics and Schizophrenia – A Twin Study

        http://www.schizophrenic.com/news/schizophrenia-research/genetics-and-schizophrenia-twin-study

        Singh looked at about one million markers of identical twins (and their two parents) where only one twin had schizophrenia. “The most informative feature of schizophrenia is that it sometimes runs in the family. So, for example, the risk of developing schizophrenia is much higher if your brother, sister, mother or father have the disease,” says Singh, noting in the general population about one percent have schizophrenia. “We started with the belief that monozygotic twins are genetically identical, so if one member of identical twins has schizophrenia, then the risk for the other twin should be 100 percent, if it’s all due to genes. However, studies over the years have shown that the risk of the disease in both twins is only 50 percent.” That means either the twins are genetically not identical or the familial disease involves non-genetic (random) effects.

        Singh and his team have now demonstrated that the monozygotic twins are not genetically identical. “So if schizophrenia is in the genes, then the difference in the genetic makeup of monozygotic twins, with only one disease twin, must have something to do with the disease.” Singh found about 12 per cent of DNA can vary across individuals, “Cells are dividing as we develop and differentiate. More importantly, these cells may lose or acquire additional DNA. The genome is not static.

        I thought I had read about the work that the Huh doctors are doing on Autism before? I thought Stella or Menagerie had posted it.

        The Huh’s study on bacteria and a connection to Autism coupled along side of Dr. Singh’s study lays a foundation for further study especially since there the possibility of preventive measures as demonstrated in mice.

        From the article about the Huh’s work;

        A 2010 study that included all children born in Denmark between 1980 and 2005 found that severe viral infections during the first trimester of pregnancy translated to a threefold risk for autism, and serious bacterial infections during the second trimester were linked with a 1.42-fold increase in risk. These infections included influenza, viral gastroenteritis, and severe urinary tract infections.

        More from the Huh article;

        In the second Nature paper, the researchers delved into some of the additional factors that influence whether or not a severe infection leads to autism. Not all mothers who experience severe infection end up having child with autism, and similarly not all the mice in the maternal inflammation model develop behavioral abnormalities.

        “This suggests that inflammation during pregnancy is just one of the factors. It needs to work with additional factors to lead all the way to that outcome,” Choi (Huh) says.

        1.42 fold increase seems very small to the large picture not the individual I did not pay to read the longer article but what were the perimeters? What else was similar or dissimilar during the women’s pregnancies other than an infection sever enough for hospitalization?

        Were the women who had infections from something other than the flu studied? Were women who had a severely infected wound during pregnancy ever studied? Did the in uteri babies process the drugs used to treat their mothers infection differently?

        This seems to be the key to the Huh’s study but what is the lock? How is it applicable to the real world of Autism prevention? The vast majority of women who have the flu or other viral or bacterial infections do not have autistic children.

        The researchers found that the patches are most common in a part of the brain known as S1DZ. Part of the somatosensory cortex, this region is believed to be responsible for proprioception, or sensing where the body is in space. In these patches, populations of cells called interneurons, which express a protein called parvalbumin, are reduced. Interneurons are responsible for controlling the balance of excitation and inhibition in the brain, and the researchers found that the changes they found in the cortical patches were associated with overexcitement in S1DZ.

        Also majority of people with autism, as with the majority people with schizophrenia have physical problems along with their thought processing and communication problems. So it has always raised the question in my mind as to whether the brain is following the the disorder of the body or the body is following the disorder of the brain.

        Interesting study. I hope and pray for a cure. I am pleased and grateful that there are people dedicated to studying what ails us.

        Thank you for allowing me to wonder.

        Liked by 2 people

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        • Valerie Curren says:
          January 6, 2018 at 4:05 pm

          I appreciate all you’ve shared here & don’t mind a clinical presentation, dispassionate facts, etc and all. Sometimes it’s easier to detatch to deal with topics that can be fraut with uncomfortable emotions.

          I latched onto some of what was presented on the brain in your 3rd from the bottom paragraph. Josiah used to really struggle with proprioceptive senses–he still does to some degree. Amongst many things worked on in “Sensory Integration Therapy” were proprioceptive & vestibular responses/senses. He also had a history of intermittent dizzy spells, never diagnosed, but postulated to be “benign paroximal vertigo”…

          Coming to terms (& getting treatments for) my own son’s autism related needs have become part of a life-long journey of parenting & lifestyle tweaking, at least for me.

          I was fascinated by the concept of being able to turn some of the atypical behaviors on & off, as noted in the one article. It is very suggestive of at least part of what goes on neuro(bio)logically May be able to be mapped out & eventually (at least partially) treated…Hmm…

          Dealing with complex mental/emotional/behavioral challenges in a family member (or oneself) can make life an exceedingly complex dance. We’ve never had to deal with schizophrenia (thankfully), but depression, anxiety, & OCD are part of the package associated with autism around here…& all the ADHD & associated impulsivity & inattention pervasive in this household makes coherent communication challenging on a pretty consistent basis too…

          Blessings to you & yours (& sorry if my tone is off here–we’ve been fairly sick in our household for so long that in addition to the ubiquitous colder temps it feels like we’re even trapped in our own broken biology, ad nauseum!)

          Liked by 1 person

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          • lovely says:
            January 6, 2018 at 11:54 pm

            Nothing off about your tone Valerie 🙏🏼.

            One of my favorite truths about life is “statistics mean nothing to the individual” it is never more clearly expressed than with mental health.

            Today I met a little girl who has damage to her amygdala and she literally has no fear.

            I came home and cried for about two hours. I simply can’t imagine what her parents go through on a daily basis.

            Liked by 1 person

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            • Valerie Curren says:
              January 8, 2018 at 7:03 pm

              Thank you for sharing your tenderhearted compassion for others!

              When you think some mental “disorders” are/were quantified with the MMPI (Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory, if memory serves) which was “normed” using an in-patient psych population, I believe…& when you consider how extremely politicized the “mental health” arena is, it’s a wonder that anyone that is considered “conservative” &/or Christian isn’t already locked up!

              Liked by 1 person

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  7. G-d&Country says:
    January 2, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Nice Pic Stella!
    Good Morning everyone 🙂 It’s still morning right? hehehe
    So to warm up today, and start the new year in a happy, bright direction here is another posting of one of my favorite current artists Erin Hansen Clouds.I posted one of her paintings before with a little bio.

    It is beautiful, and a few degrees here, below 0 last night as was in many areas last night. Beautiful huge moon,with clear skies causing the snow and ice to be that magic-like bluish feeling! Have a great day everyone!

    Liked by 6 people

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  8. G-d&Country says:
    January 2, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    I am not going to be around tomorrow, so here is a fun painting for Wednesday: Shoreline Fun by Tom Brownings

    Liked by 6 people

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  9. G-d&Country says:
    January 2, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    Here are 2 pics for Doggity day tomorrow:
    A little doggy having fun:

    And then what you are left to deal with:

    Have a great day everyone, and hello to anyone I missed! See you all later 🙂

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
  10. Wooly Covfefe says:
    January 2, 2018 at 1:13 pm

    Cleared the alley, and the stoops of six businesses, last week, four times. Once with a light shovel. Three times with a nice Toro. Doing it all with a shovel screwed my lower back up real good.

    Putting my pants and boots on is really fun. From an audio perspective.

    The Toro died two days ago, halfway through the job. Probably the belt that drives the blades.

    Taking it to Doug tomorrow. He’ll fix that mo-fo.

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Menagerie says:
      January 2, 2018 at 1:29 pm

      I still this a side business for you or good deeds?

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • Wooly Covfefe says:
        January 2, 2018 at 9:05 pm

        Good deeds. I’ve been clearing this alley for ten years. Not about to stop.

        This is Doug. Wonderful hardware-store owner/operator, serious and quick with the puns. My landlord is, too. When they meet, it’s like watching a good movie sword-fight.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • Wooly Covfefe says:
          January 2, 2018 at 9:22 pm

          Czar and Mary would get along well with my landlord and Doug. My landlord went to grade school and high school with Robin Williams. According to him, the whole class, for years, was very quick with the wit, and confounded the teachers at every turn.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          • Wooly Covfefe says:
            January 2, 2018 at 10:01 pm

            FTA:

            Some stricken with pun-lust sink so far into their infirmity that their minds become trained to lie in wait for words on which to work their wickedness. They are the scourge of dinner tables and the despised prolongers of office meetings, some letting fly as instinctively as dogs bark and frogs croak, no longer concerned even with drawing applause; they simply can’t help themselves.

            Mary and Czar. Your “infirmity”, and “wickedness”. I love it!

            Happy New Year, yolks. You some good eggs.

            Liked by 4 people

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          • czarowniczy says:
            January 3, 2018 at 12:15 am

            I really liked early Robin Williams, his ability to go right off the top of his head was right up there with Jonathan Winters.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
        • Wooly Covfefe says:
          January 2, 2018 at 9:30 pm

          It’s a disorder. A disease. Punning spreads like the flu. Or like butter.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          • czarina33 says:
            January 2, 2018 at 11:27 pm

            Thank you for these. I probably picked Czar because he punned so freely & readily. Punning was my father’s a favorite humor. A quick turn of phrase or word with several meanings is infinitely rewarding, & what those of us who are slower admire. And Czar does it in a couple of languages.

            Liked by 2 people

            Reply
            • czarowniczy says:
              January 3, 2018 at 12:33 am

              BS, it was the gravy that got me in and you know it.

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
            • Wooly Covfefe says:
              January 3, 2018 at 12:02 pm

              Some say it’s the lowest form of humor and I disagree. I think it’s the highest.

              Anyone can tell a funny or disgusting (which is “funny” now) story on a microphone.

              Not anyone can just be quick with the wit and funny at the drop of a hat.

              Only the most intelligent can do that. That NYT article nails it, regarding my landlord, Doug, Czar, and Mary. I think of the best puns. 20 minutes later.

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
  11. Lucille says:
    January 2, 2018 at 1:13 pm

    From 1600 DAILY today, January 2, 2018
    Off and running
    After spending Christmas with the First Family in Florida, President Donald J. Trump returned to Washington yesterday. In 2018, his Administration will look to build on a remarkable first calendar year in office.
    A few of the 2017 highlights:
    • Kicking the American economy into high gear with $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, 1.7 million new jobs, and more than 60 record highs for the Dow Jones index
    • Putting America first in trade by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and working to modernize NAFTA
    • Making government more accountable, including by nominating 73 conservative federal judges
    • Promoting peace through strength by rebuilding the U.S. military and repelling ISIS across Syria and Iraq
    “HAPPY NEW YEAR!,” the President tweeted Sunday evening. “We are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and much faster than anyone thought possible!”

    Tax cuts: ‘The numbers will speak’
    Before the Christmas holiday, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts Act into law, fulfilling a major campaign promise to the American people.
    “As you know, $3.2 trillion in tax cuts for American families, including the doubling of the standard deduction and the doubling of the child tax credit,” the President said during the signing ceremony. “The typical family of four earning $75,000 will see an income tax cut of more than $2,000 . . . [And] because we’re signing today, they’re going to start to see that in February. The numbers will speak.”

    January is National Mentoring Month
    This week marks the beginning of National Mentoring Month—an initiative started and endorsed by President George W. Bush in 2002 to promote youth mentoring.
    In a Presidential Message yesterday, President Trump reiterated the importance of this work to building a strong nation in the years to come. Specifically, he encouraged all Americans to reflect on how they might use their time and talents to change the life of a child, whether it be through teaching, religious guidance, community leadership, or even simple friendship.
    PHOTO OF THE DAY

    President Donald J. Trump holds a video teleconference with members of the U.S. military | December 24, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  12. Sharon says:
    January 2, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    It’s 33 here in the Willamette Valley at 10 am so I suppose it was in the 20s overnight. I well remember 30 and 35 below zero (air temp, not wind chill) so I’m grateful.

    I so appreciate the four seasons without having to have my life threatened by them. Eastern Oregon can be bitter cold. Here we sometimes dip into the teens but not often. Works for me.

    I’m so glad God made Christmas Himself. Our Christmas “celebration” was turned into a mess by an adrenaline-driven drama-queen ex-dil. Her primary tool was her mid-20s sweet son (gs) who doesn’t get it yet. Her primary victim was my son who still isn’t totally convinced that there isn’t some way to negotiate with a liar. Everyone else was collateral damage. She values collateral damage. She’s a super-Christian, full of froth and spiritual sayings, who has surrounded her self by other super-Christian-women from her church who claim (based on their personal observation) that she can do no wrong and everyone else is E-Ville. So they say. And then they share on facebook. Isn’t that special.

    Those who are willing to use other people as a weapon to get at still other people and who think themselves appointed to punish others – – ah, well – – so it is in this life.

    This isn’t my first rodeo or my second, but it’s tiring.

    Being a Sheep and all, I’m under the care of a very Good Shepherd and He totally gets it. Like I said, I’m glad God made Christmas fer real. How my Christmas “goes” is not significant in the big scheme of things.

    My sister used to say, every year, “Well, I better get to it and make Christmas…..” (speaking of all her tasks). Of course I knew what she meant – but I also knew she meant it. Sometimes I probably become tiresome as in being overly serious about things. Too often there is not enough acknowledgement of reality and as a result, there’s a lot of skating through and not dealing with life as it really is. And that carries a price tag that I’m not able to pay continuously. I stopped trying to pay it 36 years ago which sometimes makes me too serious for nice company.

    Oh, well. So it goes. It’s all good as long as I remember the Shepherd’s care and seek it.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    • Sharon says:
      January 2, 2018 at 2:03 pm

      Oh – I need to acknowledge, all of that is pretty much over with, at least for the time being! These things are cyclical in a way and certainly not 24/7 for me. Just ticks me off. [as you may have noticed] 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    • G-d&Country says:
      January 2, 2018 at 2:33 pm

      Hi Sharon I can relate. I am glad it is over for you for a while. I love Christmas because of what God does for us. I hate x-mas for what family does to us. I am just forcing myself to get some sleep after a horrid piece of info found out last week that might involve me with family and a legal mess for a very long time. There really are people that enjoy making people miserable. I consider interacting with such people as penance for my sins, but getting dragged into a long term pile of legal doo-doo is quite another issue.
      “Sometimes I probably become tiresome as in being overly serious about things.” Yes I am the same way. I have learned which people I can talk and socialize with, and which I just smile and say the nicities. Penance and move on to better things.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Sharon says:
        January 2, 2018 at 3:48 pm

        Yes. Understood….and those people who enjoy making people miserable…..seem to thrive on it. Those who do not thrive on it are at an inherent disadvantage. Being human we are. I appreciate a reminder my bestest pastor from 30 years ago would occasionally share, “We live life as it is, not as we wish it was.” Yes, indeed.

        Liked by 4 people

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  13. Menagerie says:
    January 2, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    Be sure to get the final hit in the last line. Sometimes I just shake my head. I really do not get these people. I know I lean way conservative in theological beliefs, but holy crap, if you wanna make up your own religion, go do it. Why mess around with Christianity? Be original.

    Hint: They call Jesus gender neutral.

    http://wdtprs.com/blog/2018/01/you-couldnt-make-this-up-if-you-tried/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. G-d&Country says:
    January 2, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    OK – I was going to start working over an hour ago!
    I just heard on the radio Orrin Hatch saying he is retiring, and Romney is the front to take his place. Living in Mass. when Romney was governor, and also in NH, I am really NOT happy about Romney as senator. He is like a dog that has to stick his nose in the camera lens. No matter what his father wanted, he will not be president, even after becoming a senator.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • stella says:
      January 2, 2018 at 3:10 pm

      I had nothing against George Romney, one-time governor of Michigan, but I certainly have no love for his son at this point. I supported him in 2012, only because he was the nominee, but never would again.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • Lucille says:
        January 2, 2018 at 4:49 pm

        It’s being foreseen that Romney will run against President Trump in the primaries. GOPers are hard at work trying to locate the most viable candidate for their side. Mitt will start touring the U.S. making speeches and going to visit foreign dignitaries.

        And you know Romney’s just itching to say every negative thing he can in primary debates…like he was completely unwilling to do in 2012 against Barry. I can see it now–Mitt practicing in a mirror a list of snappy and insulting comebacks to the President’s answers.

        After one of his sons said his father didn’t really want to win the Presidency anyway, why should we think Mitt would be serious the next time around? It wouldn’t bother him a bit to lose to the Dem once again, either. Anything, ANYTHING, to remove our President from office.

        Liked by 2 people

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        • Menagerie says:
          January 2, 2018 at 4:58 pm

          I can’t see Romney winning against any of the candidates Pres. Trump beat soundly. Much less the President.

          Democrats are often too stupid to know which side their bread is buttered n, but that is not likely for conservatives and Republicans. If the economy stays strong, along with tax cuts being popular, and jobs being more secure Romney is going to take the worst lickin’ he’s had to date. The man must like it.

          And the powers that think they be once again prove how totally, absolutely without a clue what the voters want they are.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
        • stella says:
          January 2, 2018 at 5:59 pm

          I think he will try for the Senate first (Hatch’s seat) as a stepping stone to the Presidency. I hope he falls flat on his face.

          Liked by 3 people

          Reply
  15. Lucille says:
    January 2, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    MAIL MATTERS
    Published on Jan 2, 2018
    It’s not easy being away from home.

    That’s why the Marines with Combat Logistics Detachment 5, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, ensure Marines and Sailors forward deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of operations receive mail service in every clime and place.


    (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jocelyn Ontiveros)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. Lucille says:
    January 2, 2018 at 8:04 pm

    Disabled Woman Who Couldn’t Communicate For 21 Years Talks to Her Mom on Christmas
    by Alex Schadenberg January 2, 2018 | 5:41PM OTTAWA, CANADA
    http://www.lifenews.com/2018/01/02/disabled-woman-who-couldnt-communicate-for-21-years-talks-to-her-mom-on-christmas/

    Like

    Reply
  17. Lucille says:
    January 2, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    From the White House’s West Wing Reads…

    The Trump effect: Business, anticipating less regulation, loosens purse strings
    Binyamin Appelbaum and Jim Tankersley in The New York Times

    Writing in The New York Times, Binyamin Appelbaum and Jim Tankersley report that “a wave of optimism has swept over American business leaders, and it is beginning to translate into the sort of investment in new plants, equipment and factory upgrades that bolsters economic growth, spurs job creation — and may finally raise wages significantly.”

    Appelbaum and Tankersley write that top executives are particularly excited about President Trump’s regulatory rollback, which eliminated 22 regulations for every new one implemented last year. Business leaders also applauded tax reform. “Businesses acknowledge that the most important reason for their increased optimism is the simple fact that the domestic economy continues to expand, with few clouds on the horizon,” Appelbaum and Tankersley report.
    ————
    US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told reporters today that “we must not be silent” when it comes to Iran, CNN reports. “The people of Iran are crying out for freedom,” Haley said, warning the international community to avoid making the mistake of staying silent as it did in 2009.
    ————
    Sadie Gurman of the The Associated Press details the Justice Department’s work to combat the opioid epidemic. Gurman outlines the DOJ’s effort to provide local law enforcement with “a trove of data” on opioid abuse within their communities—including which doctors are issuing the most prescriptions and how far patients will travel to see specific providers.
    ————
    The Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial Board argues that the repeal of the individual mandate in the Republican tax reform bill is “one of the tax bill’s most salutary elements.” According to the editors, “The mandate gave the federal government far too much power over individual choices,” and repealing it will give Americans back “some of the freedom they had lost.”
    ————
    Alfredo Ortiz, president of the Job Creators Network, writes in The Wall Street Journal about “Congress’s gift to blue-state taxpayers.” In limiting the state and local tax deduction as part of the Tax Cuts Act, Republicans “will enforce fiscal discipline” in states that tax and spend the most.

    Like

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  18. Gil says:
    January 2, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    Can these remittances be taxed at least 30% heck 100%? Ill egals and illegal activity bleeding us dry from local, state, federal services that should go to our own people, and sending record billions to mexico?

    http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2018/01/02/cash-remittances-mexico-set-26b-record-2017-says-central-bank/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. auscitizenmom says:
    January 2, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    lilbirdee12’s prayer:

    Our Heavenly Father, Your children come to you tonight to ask for healing and peace throughout our country so that we may return to being One Nation Under God. Guide us to be leaders in Your Kingdom, spreading Your Love and Salvation to all. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil.

    Lord, we ask for a blanket of protection over all our troops and law enforcement who serve to defend and protect us. Bless our representatives with the strength and wisdom they need to achieve the path You have chosen for us.

    Please place Your Guardian Angels of Protection around Donald Trump and Mike Pence and their families as they seek to lead America back to You.

    Grant us patience, Lord, as the evil ones try to anger us and cause us to fall.
    Spread blessings over Israel and Netanyahu.

    We humbly ask that You please comfort those who are grieving and in pain.
    Thank you Father, for Your Love and the gift of Life.

    In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Gil says:
      January 2, 2018 at 9:47 pm

      Please send me rain. It was 80 today and sweaty hot at the park. Kiddo playing on new equipment, slipped, hit his head, and fell about 4 feet on his butt. Ground is that recycled rubber. Hes ok, but I called the city. Cute playground but steps are leaf shapes, flex under weight and no handrail. Not smart design. 😯

      Liked by 1 person

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