Brent Staples writes a perspective in the New York Times that offers information the average American probably doesn't know about our national anthem. Maybe you knew already about "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and its history and reason for existence. I've never heard of it. Most of us know at least a little about "The… Continue reading Where Comes the National Anthem?
Blog: Rift on Things
Matter, Mass, Reality. Hope You Like Onions
Here's a link for you: http://nautil.us/issue/54/the-unspoken/physics-has-demoted-mass. I can't say that I actually understood it all, but it was fun to read. Matter matters, of course, but energy is the heart of the matter. So to speak. Read the comments, too. There are some good observations by people smarter than me.
American Women Die in Childbirth
As a natural childbirth teacher and doula, I know all this already. But this article in Quartz is a credible and accurate summation of the seriousness of America's problem. This post is not intended as a scare tactic for women. I simply want to point out that it's a serious issue that has not been… Continue reading American Women Die in Childbirth
Update on Relaxis
I have a few more days (or nights) of data, some good, some bad. In general, I think the pad is working, but I'm still a long way from having it perfected. One of the exceptional things the Relaxis company does is that a representative stays in touch for the trial period. Carl has called… Continue reading Update on Relaxis
RL Hope… Maybe
So sorry to keep you all in suspense for two days! I've used the new pad for two nights now. That's not enough time yet to know if it's going to work or not, but here's how it's gone so far. Night 1: I used the pad once at about 12:30, on almost the lowest… Continue reading RL Hope… Maybe
Cautious Hope
Wow, am I excited. It's here! See? And what, you ask, is that? And are you excited or cautiously hopeful? Make up your mind. You sound a bit put out. Hush now, I'll explain. This... thing... is a Relaxis Pad. FedEx delivered it today, after a day or two of delivery snafus or delays. I was… Continue reading Cautious Hope
National Service?
This article in the NYT was interesting. Mind you, I have nothing but derision for Kelly's attitude toward the American people he's supposed to be serving, but he's got the right idea with a national service. I agree. I think we should have a national service in which all Americans, except for the most seriously… Continue reading National Service?
ACOG Makes New Recommendations
Holy cow. Is it April 1st? No really, tell me if it is, because this is almost TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE: Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth. Just to have the new recommendations safely in more than one place, here they are, straight from the document: For a woman who is at term… Continue reading ACOG Makes New Recommendations
Keeping Busy and Out of Trouble
I just finished a busy and interesting year as president of my writers club - the Mt. Diablo branch of the California Writers Club. I've been with this group for 7 or 8 years, and for the first few, I kept my head down. Not volunteering, not me, nope. I know what happens when you… Continue reading Keeping Busy and Out of Trouble
Why are Progressive Feminist Groups Banning People?
I found this incident at a lesbian march in Chicago to be very disturbing. If you can't read the article because you don't subscribe to the NYT, the gist is that organizers of a lesbian march kicked out a couple of women who carried flags with a Star of David. Evidently, the purpose of the… Continue reading Why are Progressive Feminist Groups Banning People?
Marlene Dotterer 