#Keystone Nursing Care Center

[keystonecare]

Keystone senior independent living and independent senior apartments in Benton county Iowa, Tama county Iowa are the best elderly home care, nursing homes for elderly, in home health care for seniors in Iowa.

[sunshineinfusionmiami]

Exploring the Diverse Landscape of Healthcare Experts in Miami: A Detailed Insight

Miami, a vibrant urban center renowned for its lively culture and picturesque beaches, is also home to a dynamic healthcare environment. Boasting an extensive network of 30 hospitals covering a wide spectrum of medical specialties, complemented by globally recognized specialty care centers, the city stands as a beacon of medical excellence. Within this healthcare community, a diverse cohort of over 19 licensed and regulated healthcare professionals diligently cater to the needs of the population, ranging from esteemed physicians and empathetic nurses to insightful psychologists and dedicated hearing aid specialists.

The Pinnacle 5 Healthcare Professions

In the intricate tapestry of healthcare professionals in Miami, Florida, five distinguished categories emerge, each encompassing a multitude of roles. Physicians, the bedrock of medical practice, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to diagnose and address ailments. Nurses, with their compassionate care and medical expertise, form the lifeblood of healthcare facilities. Veterinarians extend their healing touch to our beloved pets, while dental experts ensure our oral health is upheld. Radiographers utilize cutting-edge technology to visualize internal structures, aiding in diagnosis and treatments.

Attributes of Healthcare Specialists

Beyond the technical proficiency these professionals wield, their effectiveness hinges on possessing vital attributes. Proficient communication, a skill of paramount importance in conveying information accurately and empathetically, resonates through every facet of patient care. Empathy and emotional intelligence, enabling healthcare providers to connect with patients on a human level, are the keystones of patient-centered care. Furthermore, their meticulous attention to detail safeguards against oversights that could have critical repercussions. In the dynamic and ever-evolving healthcare environment, adaptability stands as a cornerstone, allowing professionals to navigate unforeseen challenges with finesse.

What distinguishes these healthcare professionals is the culmination of their qualifications, stemming from a rigorous journey of education, training, licensure, and facility privilege. These elements converge to define their roles in the realm of healthcare, contributing to the overall well-being of the community they serve. Their efforts extend beyond mere job titles; they are the pillars of a healthcare system designed to study, diagnose, treat, and prevent human illnesses and injuries. This pivotal role they assume is not one-size-fits-all but rather finely tailored to meet the unique requirements of the diverse populations they serve.

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

In the intricate web of healthcare professionals, a specific role emerges as a cornerstone of procedural success—the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). These specialized advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) possess a unique skill set centered around the administration of anesthesia and medications. CRNAs play an indispensable role in ensuring surgeries unfold seamlessly and medical procedures are conducted with minimal discomfort. However, their contribution transcends these conventional boundaries.

CRNAs' expertise extends to the realm of ketamine administration—an anesthetic agent with diverse applications. Beyond sedation and general anesthesia, CRNAs harness ketamine for infusion therapy, a groundbreaking treatment for psychiatric disorders and chronic pain management. This realm of healthcare necessitates close collaboration with mental health professionals, pooling their skills to deliver comprehensive and holistic care. This partnership entails a comprehensive process, from meticulous health record reviews to post-infusion assessment, with the CRNAs orchestrating the entire symphony.

CRNA and Ketamine Infusion

Ketamine infusion therapy for psychiatric disorders involves a synergy between CRNAs and mental health professionals, whose specialized focus delves into diagnosing and managing mental health conditions. CRNAs, well-versed in anesthesia and medication administration, work within their scope to provide this groundbreaking therapy. The process encompasses a series of intricate steps, from initial assessment and evaluation to diagnostic tests and medication prescriptions. The CRNAs assume the responsibility of managing the infusion, closely monitoring the patient's response and ensuring their safety throughout the treatment.

In this holistic approach to healthcare, CRNAs exemplify the multifaceted responsibilities and skills that define healthcare professionals in Miami and beyond. Their ability to seamlessly navigate between anesthesia administration and collaboration with mental health experts underscores the intricate nature of healthcare delivery. This synergy paints a vivid picture of professionals united by their shared dedication to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care across a spectrum of medical interventions and treatments.

Sunshine Infusion: The Power of Holistic Healthcare in Miami, Florida

At Sunshine Infusion Ketamine Therapy & Wellness clinic, we share the same commitment to holistic care and personalized attention that healthcare professionals bring to their practice. Our mission revolves around elevating your quality of life through evidence-based treatments, guided by the principles of compassion and understanding. Our Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist collaborates with mental health professionals to provide comprehensive care to ensure your needs are met on every level.

If you’re seeking relief from chronic pain or exploring avenues to enhance your well-being, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including ketamine infusion and IV hydration. Contact us today for more information.

[wyrdo01]

Off rotomblr scene

Hydroelectric rocket science part 1

(wyrdo and his Pokémon group enter inside the center as everyone looks on with either confusion or curiosity, and they all moved up to nurse Joy at the center of the Pokémon center, nurse joy turns .)

"Hello, and Welcome to the Kepler city Pokémon center! We restore your tired Pokémon to full health! Would you like to rest your- OH MY-

(She was shocked at the terrible state of very Pokémon that was in the robot's group and then she saw Judi the pheromosa and the parts of wyrdo, then heard a electronic voice speak. She turns to the scoure of the voice and sees a larger than normal misdreauvs holding a robot head that began to speak)

<<Greetings nurse joy I need my team healed up as soon as possible and yeah its... A long story on who I am and what happened but please help them.>>

(The nurse stilled in shock eventually shook it off, then recomposed herself)

"OK I'll take the Pokémon you have then."

<<very well everyone I need you return to your balls!>>

(Multiple sounds of agreement are made as they all rummaged the container the not usually holds. The klang and dhelmise returned to the balls 1st by the lokix who gave them balls to the nurse. Then magic, 1st putting wyrdo's head on the counter along with the pheromosa dropping the parts of the machine, who followed after the 1st pair, keystone lastly thrown his own pokeball and entered in his own ball, that falls which the nurse catches and put on the healing machine as it activates)

"You know of all the visits I've seen nothing has ever surprised me as you Mr....?"

(Wyrdo looked at the nurse with their screen and replied)

<<Wyrdo>>

"Thank you. Mr.Wyrdo , now we have our fair share of unusual events around this region (some that are better or worse), but never I have seen nothing like ypou before."

<<I don't blame you especially since I am not even from around here in general. I'm new to this region and sort got washed up here, and like I said before its a long story. Anyways Miss. Joy I won't be able to bring my Pokémon out so Ill need you to well uhh bring them out of possible.>>

(Joy was about to speak until she heard a beeping sound from the machine and saw that it says [EXTRA RECOVERY TIME NEEDED])

"Ah Well about that Mr.Wyrdo... Due to the damages these Pokémon endured, they might have to stay in here longer."

<<how long?>>

"Most likely a couple of hours at most."

<<Scrap...>>

(Wyrdo's eye turned into a layer of red upon hearing this news then sighs as it blinks back to its usual blue hue)

<< I guess I have to wait here then in order to talk to gym leader here...>>>

"Oh you mean Anastasia? I am taking a guess she can help you with your Predicament?"

(The nurse looks at the robot's damaged parts before looking back to the functioning head)

<<correct i was told by a fisherman that she can fix me up somehow despite my strange components.>>

Well I cannot help you find her or get to her since I do need to still care for the other Pokémon here.

<<I am aware sadly...Arc how can this get any worse?>>

Meanwhile outside...

"Well crud baskets as if the swarms of yanmega while clearing out the junk weren't bad enough, we got almost washed by a trainer while y'all were in bad shape."

(A female human with dark teal hair that resembles Rs, wearing a black newsboy cap that shadows a part of her face, with a torn yellow scarf that covers her neck, a dark grey turtleneck and skirt with silver gloves with the index being left opened, with a teal bomber jacket and silver boots.)

"At least we can now rest up for the day and get our pay's worth for the quick job right ya 2?"

(The 2 Pokémon both cheered in agreement)

"Well this day can't get any worse than whatever happened today now can it? Anyways let's get inside."

(They all entered inside and immediately the woman see something on the counter of the center healing machine area and then looks at a robot head, at the same time the robot's head hopped their head around and sees a female human in their POV. Both look in shock and confusion as they say the names of each other in sync)

<<ROYA?!>>/"WATER BUCKET?!?"

[retirementneighborhoodinnarberth]

An Unbiased View of the Retirement Community in Narberth

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A condominium rate is billed by a condominium association to include the cost of repairs, landscaping, or for features like a fitness center or pool.

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[boterri]

Detroit free press subscription

#Detroit free press subscription free

“And we are incredibly limited in our ability to compete with rising wages in other industries.”Ĭrain’s Detroit Business published an additional article May 18 on the topic that cited the Michigan Radio story and quotes Peters. “We are losing employees to McDonald’s for a job that pays better and is less stressful,” said Peters. Michigan Radio aired a feature on May 16 following an interview with Peters on workforce challenges impacting hospitals. “Hospitals do everything they possibly can just to break even, at best, and still lose money on Medicare.” It’s looking very specifically at Medicare reimbursement rates, which we know in Michigan and other states as well does not cover the true cost of care,” said Peters to MiBiz. The MiBiz story also cites recent findings from the American Hospital Association and Kaufman Hall on significantly increasing hospital expenses. MiBiz and Crain’s Detroit Business published stories on the latest RAND report that includes multiple quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters discussing the flaws associated with the study, including the use of Medicare as a reimbursement benchmark and the limited data set. The MHA responded to several media requests the week of May 16 on topics including the RAND 4.0 Hospital Price Transparency Study, hospital workforce challenges and the shortage of contrast media from GE Healthcare. Members with any questions regarding media requests should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA. MiBiz and Bridge published articles that include reaction from the MHA following assistance the association made in the legislative ask that secured $11 million for Sturgis Hospital. Renewed attention was brought to financial challenges faced by small and rural, particularly independent, hospitals due to a legislative request for funding from Sturgis Hospital as the organization pursues the possibility of converting to the new rural emergency hospital designation through the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. MLive, MiBiz, The Center Square and Gongwer carried portions of the statement. The passage of the state budget the morning of July 1 by the Michigan Legislature was celebrated by MHA CEO Brian Peters in a media statement that outlined the existing MHA budget priorities that continue to be protected as well as significant new funding to support behavioral health capacity and the healthcare workforce.

#Detroit free press subscription free

Outlets that included comment from the MHA in their stories included the Detroit Free Press, Bridge and Gongwer. The MHA shared a statement with media following the SCOTUS decision that repealed Roe v. Jackson Women’s Health, the passage of the fiscal year 2023 state budget and challenges facing small and rural hospitals. Areas of focus included the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision in Dobbs v. The MHA received media coverage on a variety of topics during the weeks of June 27 and July 4. Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA. Detroit Free Press: Michigan nurse shortage could get some relief through new Oakland University, BHSH program.The Detroit News: More Michigan kids kept in emergency rooms due to overloaded psychiatric system.Michigan Business Network: Michigan Business Beat | Brian Peters, CEO, Michigan Health & Hospital Association.WXYZ Detroit: ‘We simply just don’t have the people.’ Local hospital wait times increase amid staffing shortages.WJR Newsradio 760: Laura Appel ~ The Guy Gordon Show.MHA CEO Brian Peters appears on Michigan Business Beat.īelow is a collection of headlines from around the state that include interviews or statements from MHA representatives. 22 which focused on different aspects of healthcare workforce sustainability, ranging from emergency department wait times to efforts to address the talent pipeline. The MHA responded to several media requests the weeks of Aug. Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization Michigan Healthcare Human Resources Conference.Ludwig Community Benefit Nomination Form.Michigan Green Healthcare Awards Nomination Form.Advancing Safe Care Award Nomination Form.

[cherryblossomtease]

Part 6a

18+ only

warnings summary masterlist

~Castle Zemo~

If a place could have a personality, this one would be as bold as the man who owns it.

You stand before the ancient structure, dwarfed by the rising towers and walls of stone. Only moments ago you thought the portcullis was the grandest thing you’d ever seen as the carriage brought you through, but now that you stand in the gravel drive, peering up at the castle which has stood since nearly the founding of Sokovia, it hits you heavy as a keystone, your life has truly changed forever.

“It’s incredible,” You manage when Helmut comes up behind you. “I don’t know what else to say really.” You try to count the turrets but it’s too hard in the dark and there are too many.

He stands at your side looking up, the fur of his coat turned high against the evening winds and you don’t even try to guess what he’s thinking. The man has years of memories built up behind these thick walls. “Say nothing, say everything, whatever you wish Baroness it is yours.” He says and smiles down at you.

The servants are standing to the side and you follow his lead going to greet them. Honestly you expect to be met with some hostility. Most of the serving class don’t take kindly to anyone attempting to rise above their station any better than those who employ them, but instead you are welcomed with accented hello’s as the butlers and footmen bow while the maids and kitchen girls curtsy. You meet each face with a smile and take the hand of your new and first Lady’s maid hoping you will have a good relationship. You’ll need a friend without Brigitte here and this one is the closest you’ll have.

“The fire is strong tonight my Lord. No chill will break through those old stone walls.”Says the old man at the head of the line. His English is a little hard to understand but you appreciate that he speaks it for your sake.

“Very good Oeznik” Helmut says clapping the butler on the shoulder. “We’ll eat in the small dining room and retire, it’s been a long journey. My wife and I— the Baroness.” Both men look back at you. “Are very tired.”

“Of course my Lord.”

You smile and bow to Oeznik forgetting that you’re not meant to but he doesn’t correct you, Instead he welcomes you home.

Once you’ve finished eating and Helmut has given you a fairly brisk tour of the castle by candlelight, you follow him up the center staircase as wide as the theatre stage to the halls upstairs. You feel dizzy and a little on edge by the time he stops at the heavy wooden doors of the room you will share. It is beautiful and grand, but you get a sense of ghostly eyes peering back at you from every dark corner, as though you are not alone inside this medieval dwelling.

It will take some time getting used to such a life, but you will try. For now you follow your husband closely inside.

Expecting something rather stark and cheerless, you are pleasantly surprised to find the room glowing warm with the fire, the bed piled high with pillows and wrapped with a shining silk duvet. There are chairs that look perfect for reading in the corner, a beautiful settee in font of the fire, and a large carpet to keep your feet warm. The walls are painted a deep and calming bluish green from floor to ceiling, moulding included, and you find the far wall of windows to be absolutely glorious. You can see the moon no matter where you are in the room.

“Helmut it’s beautiful.”

He is watching you, smiling, pleased to see that you are.

“I’ve always liked it.”

“It’s hard to imagine that you actually grew up here, that any one can grow up in such a magnificent place.”

He shrugs a little as if he’s never considered it, but then he’s never known anything else. “Perhaps.”

“I would have gotten lost so many times.” You say with a laugh.

“Lost, no, but there are many places to hide” He says sitting on the little bench at the end of the bed “Often, I would have to send the nurse to hunt Carl down, he would find places even I had never discovered.”

You turn, surprised to hear his son’s name. He’s said it once before and you’re certain it was a mistake then, he hadn’t been ready to share it with you so you’d only given him an understanding smile and steered the conversation in another direction. But now; you know it is the right time and place to speak of the child and the happy life they once had here, even if only for a moment.

You go to him, sliding your hands over his shoulders, standing between his legs. “It’s a beautiful place to watch a boy grow. You should speak of him often, his memory lives on with you Helmut, and in time, when you are ready and if we are able, perhaps you will have more sons—and daughters to chase after.”

His eyes dart up studying your face. At first he seems distant, afraid to put himself in that position of vulnerability, but as his gaze wanders down from your eyes to your lips and below, he softens and sighs. Of course he wants this. The part of him that still aches for what he’s lost has been slowly mending over time and as you promised to love him until you draw your last breath in that little country church, you had sewn the final stitch.

He is ready.

Without warning the door opens and both Hilda, your Lady’s maid and the old man Oeznik come in which is surprising to exactly no one but you.

You look back at Helmut wide eyed but he just smiles and shrugs, rising up from the bench.

"Brandy my Lord?" The butler asks coming to him.

"Not tonight Oeznik, thank you." Helmut answers, excusing himself to go and stand in the center of the room. He puts his arms out and his dinner jacket is removed with quick and careful precision.

"My Lady." Hilda says kindly.

You jump to attention having been mesmerized by the sight of a man undressing another. "Oh, yes... um. Yes?"

Hilda smiles and shows you how to stand as she helps you with your traveling clothes. She is impressive and works so quickly you can only give yourself over to her skill looking back at the Baron and pulling a face of concession that makes him laugh.

"It's good to see you happy again sir." You overhear Oeznik say as he pulls the Barons vest off.

Helmut just smiles and nods, crossing the room so that Oeznik may remove his cufflinks and place them in the dressing table drawer.

"Would you like me to help you into your nightgown my Lady?" She asks while it's just the two of you "Or would you like the Baron to do it?"

Snapping your head around, your eyes dart back to find Hilda's, sparkling in the firelight with just a spot of mischief in them. It makes you smile and relax a little. "It's all right, I've got something nice on underneath. Just help me out of this?" You answer and she gives a firm nod reaching for the ribbon around your neck but you turn quickly, your hands going protectively around the velvet. "No, please. L-Leave it." You mutter unable to look her in the eye.

She quickly bows her head looking at the floor. "Forgive me my Lady." She must know, but you don't want to think about it, not now.

"It's fine. Just, don't touch it please." You say awkwardly and turn around letting her undress you in silence.

By the time she's done and collecting your shed clothes, you thank her for her help wanting nothing more than to get past it. Hilda dips and looks up, her little smile showing that there are no hard feelings between you.

Smiling as you watch her slip away; the door shutting with a click behind her, you sigh and look around the beautiful room, the only sound the crackle of the roaring fire.

Helmut is waiting. He glances over at you from his place beside the bed, rubbing his hands together as he is in the habit of doing. He looks down with a smile. "Come here" He says amused that you are still standing so far away.

You pad over —that lovely rug like a cloud under your feet— until you are standing in front of him, closer to naked in your pretty cotton shift than you have ever been with any man before.

You are aware of how your nipples brush the nearly sheer fabric and how the feeling between your legs seems to spread like a little spark setting off a fire that makes your skin hot to the touch. Helmut is not the only one ready for this. You have wanted him for so long.

Your hair hangs free of the many pins to keep it up and he brushes it back over your shoulders. His fingertips graze along your bare collar bones as he admires the way your shift barely clings to your arms. Reaching for your hand, Helmut raises it up to kiss your fingers, holding your one hand with both of his. “You’re shaking,” He says stroking gently, his deep voice making you nearly crave him in spite of being afraid. You blush and look away. “I’ll add more to the fire.” He suggests.

“No, the fire is perfect.” You answer glancing back at the hearth large enough for more than one man to stand in.

Helmut looks down at you, gently hooking his finger around your chin, turning your head to face him again. His smile is sympathetic “I think I understand.”

You draw your lip between your teeth only for him to tug at your chin freeing it; now a dark and slightly wet pink. He strokes your plump lip and you lean forward just the slightest bit, kissing his thumb, your eyes rising up to meet his.

He makes a soft, low sound, something like a moan that fades into a sigh and slides his hands up and into your hair, holding your head still as he kisses you. He moves his body closer, pressing his hips against you letting you feel the exact effect you have on him and you can not help the way your eyes open going a little wide. You try to move away but he takes you by both arms.

“It’s all right.” He says, looking so soft in the deep orange glow. “Don’t be afraid of me mala ptica ” His husky voice in contrast to the warmth of his face. “And I promise I'll try not to hurt you.”

Your eyes dart up just as he kisses you.

[theburntleaf]

Balsam Fir // Abies Balsamea

Economically and ecologically important, Balsam Fir is a keystone species of the eastern North American boreal zone. -Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Family: Pinaceae (pine)

Abies from the Latin “rising one” and Balsamea producing a fragrant gum or resin [1]

“Fir” comes from a proto-Germanic word referring to fir or pine trees [x]

Other common names include: eastern fir, Canadian balsam, and blister fir. [2]

Description:

“A steeple-shaped evergreen tree with [flat] needles 3/8” - 1 1/2” long and whitened beneath...cones are 1” - 3” long, upright and fleshy, purplish to green [when fresh]. Bark rather smooth with resin blisters. Height 40’-60’; diameter 1’-2’” - Eastern Trees, Peterson Field Guides, George A. Petrides and Jane Wehr

Distinguishing features that I personally use to identify Balsam Fir is its pointy pyramid shape, flat needles that don’t roll between fingers, and the resin blisters that cover the bark.

Habitat:

The soils on which balsam fir grows range from silt loams developed from lake deposits to stony loams derived from glacial till. Fir will grow, but comparatively slowly, on gravelly sands and in peat bogs. It grows on soils of pH ranging from 4.0 to 6.0. It is generally found in areas with a cold moist climate and with 30 inches or more of annual precipitation [3]

Balsam fir is widely distributed in northeastern North America. It occurs from Newfoundland west across northern Quebec, northern Ontario, central Manitoba, and Saskatchewan to northwestern Alberta... southeast to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, and east to New England... scattered populations occur in southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and northern Virginia. [2]

The only native Fir to the Northern Piedmont and a major component of the landscape both as a key to the Spruce-Fir-Northern Hardwood Forest formations and as major commercial crop in local agriculture (for christmas trees). It’s cone shape helps shed heavy snow load “like Vermont’s steep-pitched roofs” and it’s heavy resin content in its needles prevents cell walls from freezing. [4]

Ecosystem:

Balsam fir is a major food of moose during winter... Spruce and ruffed grouse feed on balsam fir needles, tips, and buds... Red squirrels feed on balsam fir male flower buds. Stands attacked by the spruce budworm attract numerous insect-eating birds, especially warblers and woodpeckers... Balsam fir provides important winter cover for white-tailed deer and moose. During summer, deer, bear, and moose often rest under the shade of balsam fir trees. Young balsam firs provide cover for small mammals and birds. Martens, hares, songbirds, and even deer hide from predators in balsam fir thickets. Grouse and songbirds seek shelter during winter within the evergreen foliage. In Maine, fishers often nest in witches brooms in balsam fir trees [2]

Balsam fir is a mostly early and mid successional, but is late successional or climax species in the mountains. Balsam fir seedlings are shade tolerant and can establish underneath a canopy of hard wood and other conifers and they can grow to be 200 years old [maximum]. Locally they form communities with Red Spruce and are accompanied by other trees in the Northern Hardwood Forest. Common understory plants include bunch berry and mayflower and balsams are often hosts to many lichens. [4]

Harvesting:

Resin, needles, and wood are collected from Balsam Fir

Oleo-resin is harvested (using a tool called a picoué) by cutting into blisters best in Jul-Aug [5] but I also like to do this in the winter and early spring when there is not much else to forage for. Dryer resin drips, found on the outter bark or cones, are best collected when temps are well below freezing and even then handled with care (very sticky). [a good video]

A coniferous forest on a warm summer day smells intensely evergreen, a signal essential oils production is high and would make for a good time to harvest needles as well. I have also heard it is good to harvest evergreen needles in early spring when photosynthesis starts back up and sap is flowing. But they also can be harvested in winter time for a late season tea (though perhaps not as potent)

Wood is usually harvested when trees are dormant.

Chemical constituents:

Vitamin C, beta-pinene, delta-3-carene, alpha-pinene, bornyl acetate, α-terpineol, piperitone, and thymol are found in the needles [x], a similar profile is derived from the resinous bark but also includes limonene, beta-phellandrene, camphene [X], and cis-abienol is a major component of its aromatic resin [5].

Actions:

The Penobscot applied resin as an analgesic antiseptic for burns, sores, bruises, and wounds. Iroquois used leaf tea for colds, coughs, and asthma. The Chippewa inhed fumes from resin on hot coals to treat headache. [5]

(balsam fir) Kokokha8wk: A tea made from the leaves is used for coughs, colds and fevers. The tea can also be used as a scalp wash for dandruff. The leaves are harvested in the spring and dried. The resin is an antiseptic and healing agent and is used for frostbite. - From Ethno-Botany of the Abenaki and other Northeast Tribes Compiled by Brian Chenevert

Antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, expectorant, vulnerary

Affinity for the respiratory system, skin, immune system

Energetics:

The presence of delta-3-carene is a good indicator that balsam is drying. Balsam is also stimulating, it helps activate and get things moving.

Safety/Cautions

Generally safe, no found contraindications, resin may cause skin irritation [5] heavy resin content may put stress on kidneys [x], pregnant and nursing mothers should avoid or consult a physician. As always medicinal information is for educational purposes, consult a doctor or clinical herbalist before using plants for treatment of illness.

History:

Because it is only native to North America, Balsam Fir has a well established history with the indigenous peoples some of which is noted above.

Locally I’m interested to learn more about how Balsam Fir has shaped the Northeast Kindom. It is logged for pulp wood and light construction, but more so commercially farmed for Christmas trees so it has a role to play in the local economy and agriculture and I’m sure it played a big role in the reforestation of Vermont after the 1800s.

A historic fun fact that also might come in handy (for doing natural crafts) is the resin was used as a transparent cement and to fix samples and slides for the microscope.

Read more:

Note on the Early History of Canada Balsam by Professor Flückiger

Maine Balsam Fir: A Tree of Many Uses, by David Fuller

The Evergreen Economy: NH & VT Christmas Wonderland by Amy Ash Nixon

Aromatic Use:

Thoreau wrote that the young shoots of the balsam fir, Abies balsamea, when picked and kept in a pocket for a few days emit the fragrance of strawberries “only it is somewhat more aromatic and spicy” [1]

Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. (Pinaceae). balsam fir. Unspecified parts of this species were burned as incense in Iceland (Bjornnson 1475). In parts of North America, Native Americans threw the needles on hot coals in their sweat baths and inhaled the fumes to relieve coughs and colds (Krochmal and Krochmal 1973). The gum from the tree was used in churches in Paris as frankincense (Lescar- bot 1609). From The Uses and Abuses of Plant Derived Smoke by Kayri Havens, Lara Jefferson, and Marcello Pennacchio

Paine’s products in Maine has been making balsam incense since 1931 and is featured in this article The Best Incense Sticks Are From an 85-Year-Old Company in Maine. Balsam fir pillows are also a common staple in country stores here in Northern New England, and is most popular in the area for trees, wreaths, and kissing balls to bring coniferous aromas inside during the holidays.

Recipes:

Fir needle makes a great tea. Combined with dried orange peel, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, ginger, and peppercorns for a spiced chai. Using folk methods of preparation: the needle and resin can be made into an oxymel or infused in honey, tinctured, or infused into oil for salves and soap. Definitely for incense and aromatic applications, most recently it was included in an incense dedicated to winter’s longest night and I am working on an all fir formula. I also make balsam sachets for clothing drawers and under pillows. It can be used in culinary endeavours, I have a good recipe for balsam fir and cranberry cookies. It can be used as a substitute for (white) pine which is often found in recipes as it is more wide spread.

Virtues:

Fir whose twigs and needles are burned as a protection from lightning during storms. The fresh branches are of especial merit as switches for scouring the ghost-ridden, or beating the evil out of a haunted place. Its resin... serves as a peerless fume for the removal of intruding ghosts... Abies balsamea,... is an Evergreen of northern latitudes, long valued for its fragrant contribution to the magical fume. Its principal magical virtues are purification, healing, and resonating the Genii of the Forest, though its more specialised formulae may render fumes which give rise to trance states... In the Work of the Hedge, the Fir stands as a charm against nightmares and nocturnal intrusion by hanging fresh branches hung over the bed. Similarly, a branch hung over the barn door keeps noxious spirits from stealing grain. -from Viridarium Umbris by Daniel Schulke

[most of this is also reiterated in Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, and Plants by Charles M Skinner]

One of the things that bothers me with the entry above is the lack of context, (where who why etc), which is an often occurrence with gathering such info. I’m assuming its use as a preventive against nightmares and thieving spirits is an act of sympathetic magic, (I’m also assuming some of this lore is specifically about Abies Alba balsam fir’s European counterpart. but as for balsamea...) as the resin bisters on its bark act as a trap against predators or perhaps it is a lure, dooming noxious spirits to count its many little leaves. Im unsure of the history or lore of its use to protect agaisnt lightning storms but in my personal practice evergreens are used to help bring rain [x]. It’s use in healing and purification is a little more obvious.

Personally I find balsam most pertinent in working with the genii loci. Balsam fir just embodies so much of the local landscape it’s hard not to encounter. There are the hedge keeping balsams the grow bushy and protect the forest boundary and there are balsams of the inner woods that grow tall resinous trunks. The perfume of its resin is favored by local land spirits. I find it specially tied to the varying hare. Balsam has a wonderful seasonal duality of being a beacon of life and warmth during winter, but one who harbors a cool relief to summer heat. But it is during winter that Fir receives the most adoration.

Botanical astrology is a subject I am still relatively new to (but very intrigued by) so my understanding of this might evolve. Agrippa gives rulership of pine trees to Saturn, and balsam fir (in the same family) has some saturnine traits as tree that grows in harsh conditions, a gymnosperm the oldest kind of seed producing plants, evergreen in immortality. In Culpepper’s Complete Herbal, he gives Fir trees to Jupiter, though is referring to a different species but with similar qualities. Looking to its medicinal application I can see how it may balance a phlemegtic temperament. More specifically when looking to clear the lungs I might consider Gemini, when concocting unguents for the skin: Capricorn, and Pisces when looking to stimulate the immune system. As an incense I am personally drawn to work with balsam in Lunar formulas especially when focusing on local materials. It is not a cooling sedating plant in action, but as an aromatic it I find it to be more aligned with the Moon. According to Agrippa “leaves of all vegetables” are appropriate in Lunar suffumigations, perhaps balsam needle would fall into that category. But I am more interested in its resin. Hiding behind round swolllen blisters, the oleoresin is very “watery” and is clear (to yellow tinged), even the slightly hardened resin is whiteish and moon like. Of the local (mostly conifer) resins it is the most true to the cool camphoraceous conifer scent that evokes the Moon, even when burned. These formulas often seek to enhance the trance iducing qualities of the burning resin and are to accompany dreaming, divination or to welcome Lunar influences. The Moon often rises over a particulary favored patch of balsam which was another draw and personal connection. I’m also interested to experiment and see if the Moon (phase or sign) has any effect on resin production for harvesting.

References:

*sorry for using both direct sources and footnotes*

"Gardener's Latin: A Lexicon", Barbara Damrosch.

Uchytil, Ronald J. 1991. Abies balsamea. In: Fire Effects Information System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

Plant Fact Sheet: Balsam Fir, USDA NRCS

Wetland, Woodland, Wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont, Elizabeth H. Thompson and Eric R. Sorensen

Peterson felid guide to medicinal herbs and plants of Eastern North Armerica, Steven Foster and James A. Duke

*as always with these monographs, this post is not static and is subject to change and updates as more information is discovered, learned, and processed. For educational purposes only and not for medicinal adivse*

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[tree-choose-pot]

South Dakota

July 27, 2020

In keeping with my theme of posting a summary of each state, here we go with South Dakota. I’ve already posted about the not-so-bad Badlands and our mammoth experience.  What else did we do?

We stayed at a horse camp in the Black Hills (a mountain range that was created as a Rockies after-thought).  The ‘horse camp’ part of Broken Arrow Horse Camp honestly didn’t register in my reservation-making brain, but thank goodness it was the nicest/cleanest ‘horse camp’ in the country (that’s per the owner, Dan, who took it over 5 years ago and after a lengthy discussion with Bill, has him convinced owning and running an RV park in a seasonal location is our future dream).  So, for all you city people, a horse camp is somewhere people camp with their horses.  They pay extra for their horse to have a stable, and they usually have one of those fancy fifth wheel/horse trailer combo RVs. We enjoyed watching the horse care-taking process, visiting the stables, and hearing ‘neigh’ all day long.  The flies were bad, but according to Dan, very good for a horse camp.  He makes horse owners pick up the poop and he keeps all garbage far away, carting it off for you each morning in his golf cart (nice perk!).  It is a lovely RV park with quiet people, free DVDs, really nice grass, laundry, a playground, and nice showers.

So from our 6 nights at Broken Arrow Horse Camp, we explored the small Hill City, where the kids and Bill rode an old steam engine, and we had a lovely dinner at The Alpine Inn, recommended by Air Force friends who had been stationed at Ellsworth.  This place doesn’t take reservations, has 2 items on the dinner menu, and a 20 item dessert menu.  My kind of place!  The ENTIRE menu (i.e. filet mignon with wedge salad x 2, and German spaetzle) was super tasty, and then we all chose our own dessert.  It’s definitely a popular place, and luckily the steam train didn’t break down and we arrived 30 mins before the 5pm dinner seating.

Custer State Park is another place worth mentioning, and while we only drove through it, Bill did a 30 mile bike ride, and it almost seems to me like a mini Yellowstone.  It has lots of wildlife, popular campgrounds, and pretty upscale-looking lodges.

We joined the crowds at Mount Rushmore, which was touristy of course, but worth seeing in person.  The museum was neat but we had forgotten our masks so I was sort of antsy to get back outside.  This whole touristy Black Hills area was quite busy, with not a whole lot of social distancing happening, but a decent amount of people wearing masks (probably still less than 50%).

We drove across the entire state and stayed a few nights near Sioux Falls, at Big Sioux Recreation Area.  Another lovely campground, this one a state facility, with bike paths and playgrounds, and huge forested campsites.  We pretty much just hung out there, and I went off one day into town to take a nursing certification test at a Prometric Test Center.  This was an interesting pandemic experience, as the already strict environment of no water, no watch, no Google glasses inside the test room, just added in the whole Covid rigamarole. 

The stars in South Dakota were out of this world, largely due to the campground and the Badlands being more open/less forested landscapes. I tried for 3 nights to see the Comet Neowise, and finally saw it!  Then saw it several more nights as it got brighter and brighter.  I started doing yoga under the stars, which was great but lasted 4 nights like the rest of my ‘routines.’  Maybe it will be my South Dakota thing.

Anina’s Mount Rushmore sketch in her travel journal!

Hill City 1880 train.  They took the hour ride from Keystone to Hill City, and I drove the 15 miles.

Sleeping in the tent went well!

Whispers Abraham Lincoln, “Anina, my ears are not THAT big, and yes, Snoopy is my favorite patriotic dog!”  Rapid City, SD has a different president on each corner.

Our little Badlands climber

Anyone who has driven across South Dakota knows about this place.

This bridge at Big Sioux Rec Area was like a real-life version of those playground wobbly bridges.  What the heck?

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[leonardsnartwrites]

Coldwave + gen Legends team prompt - x number of times someone from the team thought they were together plus 1 time they actually were but no one believed them? (And thanks for opening up prompts again!)

1. Rip

Rip gave them separate roomson the ship.

Len exchanged a curious lookwith Mick, but shrugged. It didn’t matter much to him. Two rooms just meantmore space to put their stuff as they went on their shopping trip across time.Plus, it’d be nice to have separate corners to go back to when they needed thespace. They may have gotten back to their version of normal for the most part,but that also included periods where they needed a few days apart.

Honestly, he thought mostmarried couples could benefit from that.

“Beds are a little small,Rip,” he drawled while Mick snorted behind him.

“This is a time ship, Mr.Snart,” the captain said with disdain, “not a Motel 6.”

“You mean the beds don’tvibrate when you put a quarter in?” Len’s eyes widened dramatically. “Mick, weneed to go back to Central.”

“I thought you liked the onesin Keystone,” Mick said with a barely contained grin.

“I do,” Len admitted. Theyran too loud, but combine it with a heating pad and it was great when his backwas bothering him. Plus, it made Mick laugh. “Change of plans. We need to go toKeystone.”

“You’re some of the oldermembers of the crew,” Rip reminded them, irritated and long-suffering. “Pleaseact like it.”

“We’re thieves,” Len remindedhim. “We don’t exactly follow societal norms.”

“Ship seems smart,” Mickpiped in. “Bet it could make the beds vibrate.”

“Beds,” Rip repeated, as ifmaking two beds vibrate instead of one was ludicrous.

“We need options,” Lenagreed. “Ambiance. I like decorating with art. Mick likes memorabilia.”

“Just wait until I getZepplin’s guitar.”

Rip frowned at them, perplexed.“Partners?” he questioned.

“In sickness and in health,”Len deadpanned. “If it’s legal. Mick, was it legal?”

“For us or the aliases?” Mickasked innocently just before Rip walked away from them entirely. He met Len’seyes with a grin. “Think he knows?”

“We’re legends,” Len saidwith the worst English accent he could muster. The snort Mick gave was completelyundignified. “I’d bet it’s in the history books. CCPD were starting to figureit out before we left.”

“Finally.”

Len hummed in agreement. “Youreally think the ship can make the beds vibrate?”

2.Sara

Flirting with Sara was agame. She met him comment for comment while Mick rolled his eyes and it was fun. It was meaningless if they wantedit to be and if they didn’t… It wasn’t as if he and Mick were strictly monogamous. If the wind blewright and they felt like only being with each other, they’d speak up. Monogamymeant putting those rings back on significant fingers and the old school ideaof forsaking all others.

They weren’t wearing theirrings when they joined the Waverider. They were back together, but running ontheir old rhythms and it was fine. It was how they worked.

Mick had been amused by Sarafrom day one. Pegged her and the look Len was definitely giving her ass andtold him good luck, because Mickthought Len wouldn’t have a chance. Len would have been insulted if his idea offlirting with women didn’t usually end up being snarky comments that were only kind of flirting and being overlyforward in the same breath.

There was a reason he’dmostly only been with men.

But Sara was fun. Theircomments became steps to an odd little dance that would go as far as theywanted it to. Maybe a bed. Maybe nowhere at all. It was enough to keep him onhis toes and he saw the answering grin from her that said she was having justas good a time.

Which…didn’t quite explainthe vaguely guilty look that took over her face when she’d asked for a sparringpartner and saw a lingering hickey low on his neck.

“Where’d that come from?” sheasked, sounding a little amused, but there was a sudden tension that hadn’tbeen there before.

He frowned at her, confused. “Mick,”he replied, because who else would it be from? They all knew they weretogether.

Guilt and hurt and anger andhe really did not understand girls, because all of a sudden, she was mutteringabout men being infuriating.

Maybe he should just stopflirting with women.

3.Amaya

They couldn’t see himanymore, not since Stein had taken the receiver out of Mick’s head. The thinghadn’t been functional in months, not properly, but it had been enough for Len.It had given him something to latch onto, something that solidified theconnection between him and Mick, but with it gone…

Maybe it was for the best, hethought. Every time he’d appeared to Mick, he’d been frustrated and bitter andit wasn’t helping anything. It wasn’t as if telling Mick it was him would helpanything, because they were right. He was blown through the time stream inmillions of pieces, floating through time and space until it was all happeningat once and… Fuck, just trying to stay centered on a single version of Micktook everything he had. There was no point in telling Mick the truth when itcouldn’t save him. It would just hurt them both.

He still watched, forced hiscells together as much as he could and to stay in one fucking place so he couldwatch. Watched the team knock Mick down until they had to build themselves backup as one.

Amaya was…good. Flawed asanyone and uneducated in some things, but she listened when Mick explainedpyromania and anxiety to her and when he told her that her view of mentalhealth was outdated. Len could respect her and the way she was a little morecareful with Mick on the bad days.

She let Mick talk about Lenon those days, attentive while he went on about whatever story came to mind.Old jobs. The safe house in Gotham Len had loved and Mick had outright banned,because it was Gotham.

“You miss him,” she said,understanding and kind as one story tapered off with a sad chuckle.

“Built my fuckin’ life aroundhim,” Mick agreed. He took another long drink from his beer like it’d numb thehurt.

Her eyes widened a little atthe words, surprised, and Len wondered if anyone had bothered to tell her they’dbeen together. Maybe not, he considered. The others didn’t tend to talk abouthim much and Mick wasn’t a big talker in general, especially not when he had totalk about feelings. “You two…”

Mick grunted and took anothersip of his beer. “Bastard loved starting shit. You shoulda seen the game of catand mouse him and Sara had going,” he told her. “Kept telling him they neededto find a bed and get it over with.”

Amaya looked confused again.And vaguely concerned.

4.Jax

Bright side, alternate himwasn’t some kind of hypocritical Nazi.

Downside, the alternate himhad puppets.

Len didn’t even know wherethe man found puppet versions of the team. He didn’t think he wanted to know.

The humor of his existencewas dampened by Stein’s death, though. He’d been ambivalent about the professorwith his attitude and tendency to look down on the less moral of them, but heliked Jax. The kid was broken up about it, lost without his other half, andwhile Len hovered behind Mick unseen, he watched Jax get halfway to Mick justto change his mind and turn around. Searching for help and too scared to askfor it, Len thought. Poor kid.

If he’d had any effect on theworld around him, he might have made something crash, cause some kind of noisethat would make Mick look in Jax’s direction before the kid could turn tail andrun.

He didn’t need to.

Somewhere near the fourteenthtime, Mick cracked open a second beer and slid it to the empty spot next tohim. “Take a seat, kid,” he said without turning around, because of course Mickhad known Jax was there. He’d probably always known, but  he was letting the kid do what he needed to.Hide when he needed to hide.

Jax hesitated before he satdown, beer bottle clutched between two hands for a long time before he finallytook a drink. “It’s my fault,” Jax said finally.

“He made his choice,” Mickcountered. “Loved you enough that he wanted you to make it out if only one ofyou could.”

“He had a family!”

“And you’ve got a whole lifeahead of you,” Mick reminded him, blunt but not without kindness. There was atenderness with Jax. He was the youngest of the team and old enough to takecare of himself, but Mick would always be a big brother. “Doesn’t make it anyeasier when you’re the one left behind, but it’s what you’ve got.”

“That what you do?”

Len wasn’t sure he actually needed to breathe, but his breath stillcut off suddenly. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted to be a part of, muchless be a spectator to, but he didn’t know how to leave. Thought it might have been his own fucking masochism thatkept him there.

“Ain’t the same, kid,” Micktold him with a kind of tiredness that made Len’s throat feel tight. The handthat wasn’t holding the beer bottle reached up reflexively to brush against thechain around his neck he usually kept under his shirt. He’d been playing withthe twin bands absently before Jax joined him, but they were still in the openand Len watched Jax’s eyes focus in on them. Watched them go wide for a minute,surprised, and quickly turn into a grief that was new and old.

“Mick…”

“Just keep going, kid,” Micktold him. “That’s what he wanted. Just live your damn life.”

Jax nodded, eyes wet, andthey lapsed back into silence. The rings didn’t disappear back under Mick’sshirt while they nursed their beers and Len found himself staring at them. Theway the platinum glinted off the lights and the way they laid against eachother on the chain.

Jax kept looking too. Lenwondered if it was guilt or the kid questioning his own future.

5.The Team

The time stream spit him outin a whirl of colors and pain.Non-corporeal becoming corporeal again and Len hadn’t felt in three years. But his knees collapsed under him and hecrashed to uneven ground with a rock digging into his hip and… Wild eyessearched around, wide and watery because the daylight was too fucking bright.Blurry figures, gasps, and shouts.

Big hands on his shoulders.

He cried out, startled.

The hands moved up to holdhis face and tilt it upwards. Get a good look, his mind supplied, but he had topress his eyes shut because of the way the light burned.

“You’re okay,” a voice said. Mick’s voice, rough and gravelly andbrittle in ways that Len knew meant Mick was about to lose his shit. “You’reokay, Lenny. You’re… Fuck.”

He wanted to say something,to tell Mick he was alright, but it might have been as much lie as it wastruth. He was shaking and if anyone accused him of crying, he’d blame it on theway the light hurt his eyes, but he was alive? Back? He didn’t know what tocall it.

Didn’t bother trying tofigure it out as Mick hugged him hard, lips brushing over his cheek beforeMick’s face was buried in his neck. Len held him back just as hard, likeholding onto Mick would keep him from disappearing again and put him backtogether all at once.

“Must be happy to have yourpartner back, huh?” Ray asked Mick with a watery smile later, after they’d managedto pick themselves off the ground and acknowledged the others.

Mick’s arm tightened aroundLen’s waist, supporting and needing support all at once. “Yeah,” he said as Lenleaned into him, body feeling weak. “Yeah, Haircut.”

Nate stared at them foranother second before realization dawned. “Ohhh. Partners.”

Sara’s palm met her forehead.

Mick shook his head andshuffled Len on board.

+1Time They Didn’t Believe Them

Mick was hurt. Mick was hurt. It was more fire and burns andthis wasn’t supposed to happen again. It wasn’t supposed to…

They’d been too far away fromthe Waverider and Gideon’s med bay. Too far away from the futuristic saves andthey’d had to settle for a hospital. It was 2012 and Len was back in another ERin another shitty city and losing his mind. Maybe losing Mick. He couldn’tfucking do this again. He couldn’t…

He’d put his wedding ringback on in the mad rush to get to the hospital. Paramedics bent over Mick inthe ambulance and blood on his hands, Len had swallowed back bile and unhookedthe ring from the chain around his neck. It didn’t fit him right anymore,knuckles just barely big enough that he had to force it down. Thanked a god hedidn’t believe in and had to rightthen that he’d been just this side of too skinny since the time stream hadgiven him back to Mick. It felt too tight and he’d have a hell of a timegetting it off later, but he needed it. Needed the connection. Needed the proof.

“I’m his husband,” he toldthe doctor when the man didn’t want to release any information. Dark eyesflickered down to the ring.

“Mr. Snart-”

“Rory,” he corrected, becausewhen it came to hospitals and real names, he was always Leonard Rory. A cityhall wedding. A name change somewhere down the road that might not have been atall legal. He’d never wanted to keep Lewis’ name, had downright laughed whenMick had made a joke about hyphenating.

“Mr. Rory,” the doctorcorrected sympathetically, “the burns were extensive…”

He listened to theexplanation and the promises that they’d do everything they could for him, andno one seemed to judge him for the way he sank into a chair and put his head inhis hands.

“I wanna transfer him toBoston when he’s stable,” he said, because they could get Mick off-course intransport and get him back to the Waverider. Let Gideon heal him back up theway he’d been. Mick didn’t need more burns. He might look at the scars likesome kind of religious communion with the fire, but not with the way the doctorwas saying it had crippled him this time.

God, his face…

“It was a good idea,” Zarisaid to him after the doctor had left and they’d visited and Len had thrown upuntil his head spun. “Telling them you were married. They only would havetalked to family.”

“You did it for the legalprotections, right?” Nate guessed. “Since spouses can’t testify against eachother.”

“And medical,” Ray added. Asif he’d needed to.

“You want help getting thering off?” Sara offered. “Pinky rings aren’t really meant for the otherfingers. It looks like it’s starting to cut off circulation.”

“It wasn’t…” He wanted to sayit wasn’t a pinky ring, that he’d been a scrawny shit when they’d gottenmarried and that, back then, it had fit on the proper finger. The wordswouldn’t come, though, and he shook his head, pulling his hand in towards hischest. He could have Gideon resize it when they got back to the ship. Let hergrow his finger back if she had to.

He wasn’t taking the damnthing off again.

[massielandnetwork]

Thriving in an Economic Bubble during Anarchy

21. The Christian Succession – Meritocracy versus “Shared Prosperity”

After quickly rising to Number One on Apple iTunes, the song “Let’s Go Brandon” was taken down from YouTube. Biden’s Delaware beach house is getting a wall ($500,000) but he canceled construction of the wall at the Mexico border. Hospital staff that heroically worked through the pandemic are now losing their jobs as they exercise their right to not get vaccinated even though they worked unvaccinated through the pandemic. Even worse, they worked through the pandemic when those who lost jobs got unemployment benefits but not the heroes none. Only to Demented Marxists (DMs) do these make sense, proving the title “Demented”.

Metro Richmond lost an important player from the commercial real estate stage last week when Sidney Gunst died at the age of 70. His vision and intensely focused drive transformed the suburban office market in Metro Richmond with the development of Innsbrook and its sister development, Deep Run Business Centre. I left a brokerage firm where I was a partner to represent Sidney’s Deep Run Business Center because I felt it would transform my career path. It did. In the process I got to know some amazing folks – including Kemp Rowe of Rowe Development that developed most of the office buildings in Innsbrook, Ernie Rose the architect of most of those buildings, and numerous leaders of businesses that relocated to them.

But most of all, I got to know Sidney who defined the terms “visionary leader”, “plain spoken” and “intense”. We spoke daily including some Saturdays when he would call me saying “I do not want you to forget about me just because it is a weekend”. At one point Sidney shared with me that he had calculated that we spent the equivalent of 50 hours a year exchanging pleasantries about our families at the beginning of our daily conversations. He insisted we adopt a single sound that we could utter at the beginning of our conversations that would acknowledge that we both cared about each other’s families but save that time. Sidney suggested the use of “Ugh”. So, from that point forward we began each conversation exchanging “Ugh”.

Years later I would periodically receive a phone call that when I answered I would hear “Ugh” and reply “Ugh” but laughing follow up with “How in the world are you, Sidney?” Then I would hear about his most recent intense campaign delivered in a free-flowing tidal wave of energy. Sidney demonstrated the triumph of meritocracy and capitalism. Recently he had been on my mind to contact for lunch to catch up, but I was too slow. So, to my friend – “Ugh”.

Meritocracy and Capitalism

Capitalism allocates resources to obtain the highest rate of return. A critical facet of capitalism is meritocracy where participants demonstrate their skill set and are then selected for a position based solely on demonstrated ability. Meritocracy organizes such that the players can maximize the use of their strengths and their teammates can compensate for their weaknesses which leads to success. That maximizes the results of the organization.

The DMs illustrate the opposite tactic – fill positions with anyone because of their political beliefs ignoring whether they are qualified and watch the chaos. Someone future Ph. D. candidate in Organizational Behavior will examine the disaster of the Biden Administration which makes the Keystone Kops look like a highly trained neurosurgical team. The Biden Administration consists of academics and politicians that lack real world experience of actually doing something. In the middle of our national transportation system collapse, did you see the picture of the Secretary of Transportation sitting on his bed wearing a false set of “breasts” so he could “nurse” one of his surrogate newborns? How can someone who is confused about his gender be relied upon to make good decisions about …anything?

Today the USA is only self-sufficient in incompetent politicians. We are now energy dependent on OPEC which is causing rising energy prices, shortages of goods are reappearing, retailers are struggling to stay open, and inflation is roaring so The Fed needs to raise interest rates which will slow our economy. Meantime the DMs in Congress and the Biden Administration continue to pursue their Green New Deal with its massive tax increases, massive deficit spending, and mandates that are exacerbating shortages. Literally, the lunatics are in charge of the asylum. Unsustainable things continue until they do not and this will end ugly.

“Shared Prosperity”

Having decided that too many folks outside of the Chinese Communist party (CCP) are getting rich, in typical Marxist speak Xi has decided to champion “Shared Prosperity” and dismantling the capitalistic elements in China. Technology was the first victim and the real estate development sector is the current target. China Evergrande Group is the largest of the real estate developers in trouble but the contagion has spread to others in the industry as well releasing ripple effects such as falling values of the apartments bought as a reservoir of wealth.

“Shared Prosperity” is an oxymoron because in a Marxist society everyone except the elite become equally poor. China’s debt fueled economic growth over 30 years has provided some elements of prosperity to the average Chinese but a debt fueled unsustainable growth rate. Xi returning China to a Maoist economy will potentially result in “The Event” that causes the global currency market to acknowledge the value of the Chinese Yuan is fool’s gold resulting in the economic collapse of China. Having recently demonstrated that the Chinese banking system will only support Chinese bond holders not international investors (Americans), it was fascinating to read last weekend that China plans raise $4 Billion in U. S. Dollar bonds. Fools are born daily.

Because of Xi’s campaign against entrepreneurs the Chinese economy is forecast to slow from 8% annual growth to 4% annual growth. My expectation is the real growth rate will be close to or less than 0% as the ripple effects course through the global economy affecting everything. If Trump were President with his team of real-world experts, the USA would be poised to surge ahead while becoming self-sufficient. Under Biden, we are roadkill.

To correct our country course back to capitalism and meritocracy, we need honest elections. Over the last month I have met the grassroot volunteers of The Virginia Project, a talented group working on quantifying exactly what happened in Virginia in the 2020 election to prevent a repeat in the future. Their efforts to date:

1. Eliminating 500,000 erroneous registrations on the voter rolls in Virginia. This is critical because a Democrat organization mailed applications for mail in ballots. The ones returned as undeliverable might become targets for fictious mail in ballots.

2. But unchanged is the fact that –

a. The Dominion Machines are connected to the internet supposedly to check the votes against the Voter Roll, but which also opens up nefarious opportunities.

b. And Dominion Machines have a thumb drive inserted during the election supposedly to record the images of the ballots. But the thumb drive could contain instructions to the machine on how to “count” the votes.

We must quantify the facts and then demand change if we want honest elections.

Economic Forecast:

A variety of USA economic reports indicate inflation is increasing including the price of food prepared and eaten at home increased by 14%, new vehicles increased 8.7%, used vehicles increased 24.4%, and the combined energy prices have increased 24.8%. Gas at the pump in central Virginia is up more than $1.25 per gallon, an increase greater than 50%.

As economic turmoil in Europe and China unfolds, the DMs in DC continue to march toward the disaster of their misnamed “Infrastructure” bills. Wanting to replicate failure, the DMs continue to raise the pressure (and probably the payoff) on the two Democratic Senators currently opposed to the “Infrastructure” boondoggle. If the Price gets Right and they both vote in favor, then a lot of high-test gasoline will be tossed on the inflation fire. With the price of oil now past $80 per barrel we face a combination of higher energy prices, higher mortgage rates, and higher taxes of a magnitude that each individually would cause a recession. Several central banks have already started raising interest rates to combat inflation and The Fed will begin to taper their Quantitative Easing (QE) in November. But that decline in QE will lead to higher mortgage rates which will impact new homes sales leading to a recession.

Slashing taxes, decreasing the size of government, and providing tax incentives to re-build the American manufacturing economy is the proven way to increase the size of the American economic pie allowing more assistance to those who need it. America in the past prospered under the hand of God because our country enjoyed the combination of Christianity, capitalism, and democracy. Biden and the DMs have us on a path that is a self-destructive and actually decreases the size of the economic pie. Everyone loses except the “Elites”.

Pray that our Lord and Savior raises up and protects the Patriots that demand forensic audits of the 2020 election in every state. Honest elections are the fulcrum of our American experiment. It is not vengeance to demand honesty and that everyone play by the same laws. Men make plans, but God ALWAYS wins. Every portfolio should contain some cash and a great piece of land remains The Best investment long term. Let’s Go Brandon!

“

To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted.”

(Titus 1:15-16) New Revised Standard Version, Oxford University Press)

Stay healthy,

Ned

October 27, 2021

Copyright Massie Land Network. All rights Reserve

[dinafbrownil]

No Winner for President Yet and Health Care Hangs in the Balance

With the winner of the presidency and party control of the Senate still unclear the morning after Election Day, the future of the nation’s health system remains uncertain. At stake is whether the federal government will play a stronger role in financing and setting the ground rules for health care coverage or cede more authority to states and the private sector.

Should President Donald Trump win and Republicans retain control of the Senate, Trump still may not be able to make sweeping changes through legislation as long as the House is still controlled by Democrats. But — thanks to rules set up by the Senate GOP — the ability to continue to stack the federal courts with conservative jurists who are likely to uphold Trump’s expansive use of executive power could effectively remake the government’s relationship with the health care system even without signed legislation.

The president has also pledged to continue his efforts to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, and if the Supreme Court overturns the sweeping law as part of a challenge it will hear next week, the Republicans’ promise to protect people with preexisting medical conditions will be put to the test. In a second term, the administration would also likely push to continue to revamp Medicaid with its efforts to institute work requirements for adult enrollees and provide more flexibility for states to change the contours of the program.

If former Vice President Joe Biden wins and Democrats gain a Senate majority, it would represent the first time the party has controlled the White House and both houses of Congress since 2010 — the year the ACA was passed. A top priority will be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic fallout. Biden made that a keystone of his campaign, promising to implement policies based on advice from medical and scientific advisers and provide more directives and aid to the states.

But also high on his agenda will be addressing parts of the ACA that haven’t worked as well as its authors hoped. He pledged to add a government-run “public option,” which would be an alternative to private insurance plans on the marketplaces, and to lower the eligibility age for Medicare to 60.

While Democrats will continue to control the House, the final makeup of the Senate is still to be determined. And even if the Democrats win the Senate, they are not expected to come away with a majority that would allow them to pass legislation without support from at least some GOP senators, unless they change the Senate’s rules. That could lower expectations of what the Democrats can accomplish — and may lead to some tensions among members.

But who controls Washington, D.C., is only part of the election’s impact on health policy. Several key health issues are on the ballot both directly and indirectly in many states. Here are a few:

Abortion

In Colorado, a measure that would have banned abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy — except to save the life of the pregnant person — failed, according to The Associated Press. Colorado is one of seven states that don’t prohibit abortions at some point in pregnancy. It is also home to one of the few clinics in the nation that perform abortions in the third trimester, often for severe medical complications. The clinic draws patients from around the nation, so residents of other states would have been affected if the Colorado amendment passed.

In Louisiana, however, voters easily approved an amendment to the state constitution to say that nothing in the document protects the right to, or requires the funding of, abortion. That would make it easier for the state to outlaw abortion if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, which makes state abortion bans unconstitutional.

Medicaid

The fate of the Medicaid program for people with low incomes is not on the ballot directly anywhere this election. (Voters approved expansions of the program in Missouri and Oklahoma earlier this year.) But the program will be affected not only by who controls the presidency and Congress, but also by who controls the legislatures in states that have not expanded the program under the Affordable Care Act. North Carolina is a key swing state where a change in majority in the legislature could turn the expansion tide.

Drug Policy

In six states, voters are deciding the legality of marijuana in one form or another. Montana, Arizona and New Jersey were deciding whether to join the 11 states that allow recreational use of the drug. Mississippi and Nebraska voters were choosing whether to legalize medical marijuana, and South Dakota became the first state to vote on legalizing both recreational and medical pot in the same election.

Magic mushrooms are on two ballots. A measure in Oregon to allow the use of psilocybin-producing mushrooms for medicinal purposes was leading, as was a District of Columbia proposal to decriminalize the hallucinogenic fungi.

Also apparently heading for approval was a separate ballot question in Oregon to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs, including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, and mandate establishing addiction recovery centers, using some tax proceeds from marijuana sales to establish those centers.

California

As usual, voters in California faced a lengthy list of health-related ballot measures.

For the second time in two years, the state’s profitable kidney dialysis industry was challenged at the ballot box. A union-sponsored initiative would have required dialysis companies to employ a doctor at every clinic and submit infection reports to the state. But the industry spent $105 million against the measure. The measure failed, according to AP.

Voters were also asked to decide, again, whether to fund stem cell research through the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine via Proposition 14. Voters first approved funding for the agency in 2004, and since then, billions have been spent with few cures to show for it. The measure was winning in early returns.

California has been at the forefront of the fight over the so-called gig economy, and this year’s ballot included a proposal pushed by ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft that would let them continue to treat drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. Under Proposition 22, the companies would not have to provide direct health benefits to drivers but would have to give those who qualify a stipend they could use toward a premium for health insurance purchased through the state’s individual marketplace, Covered California. The measure also appeared to be headed for approval.

Finally, voters in the Golden State were asked whether to impose higher property taxes on commercial property owners with land and property holdings valued at $3 million or more, which could help provide new revenue earmarked for economically struggling cities and counties hit hard by COVID-19, as well as K-12 schools and community colleges. Community clinics, California nurses and Planned Parenthood jumped into the thorny political battle over Proposition 15 — taking on powerful business groups — eyeing revenue to help rebuild California’s underfunded public health system. The measure was too close to call in early returns.

Democrats in California, who control all statewide elected offices and hold a supermajority in the legislature, have been positioning for a Biden win, and some were already penning ambitious health care legislation for next year. Should Biden win, they said they plan to crack down on hospital consolidation and end surprise emergency room bills, and some were quietly discussing liberal initiatives such as pursuing a single-payer health care system and expanding Medicaid to cover more unauthorized immigrants.

JoNel Aleccia, Rachel Bluth, Angela Hart, Matt Volz and Samantha Young contributed to this story.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

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This story can be republished for free (details).

from Updates By Dina https://khn.org/news/no-winner-for-president-yet-and-health-care-hangs-in-the-balance/

[dipulb3]

Determined voters endure long lines to cast early ballots in historic election

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/determined-voters-endure-long-lines-to-cast-early-ballots-in-historic-election/

Determined voters endure long lines to cast early ballots in historic election

Heavy turnout at early voting centers in Georgia and Texas comes as many voters elsewhere take advantage of mail-in ballots, defying President Donald Trump’s misleading attempts to cast the election as the most corrupt in history. Another of the President’s many misinformation efforts — his claim that the Obama administration spied on his team — suffered a serious blow on Tuesday when it emerged in a Washington Post report that a Justice Department probe into one key aspect of the conspiracy theory will end without even a public report.

The candidates should have been making last minute preparations for the second presidential debate on Thursday night. But a drama initiated by the President’s diagnosis with Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the event after the President refused to take part in a virtual version — then demanded the reinstatement of the clash when he recovered.

Instead, Trump and Biden will take part in dueling town halls on NBC and ABC respectively. The arrangement may be a disservice to voters since they will only have one final chance to see the candidates on stage together on October 22. But given the President’s constant interruptions in the first debate, the format may actually allow a more forensic examination of each candidate’s positions. It is also certain to trigger the former “Apprentice” star’s obsession with television ratings.

Inspirational scenes of eager voters, in some cases in Georgia waiting eight hours to exercise their democratic rights, reflected enthusiasm on both sides at a raw moment in US history at the tail-end of a tumultuous presidential term.

Voters are facing the most difficult circumstances imaginable given the health emergency. Confidence in the election is also being challenged by court battles in a handful of states arising from apparent GOP efforts to complicate early balloting that Democratic voters prefer. There are also infrastructure problems — for example the registration portal in Virginia crashed on Tuesday on the last day when citizens can sign up to vote.

Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden mostly concentrated Tuesday on winning votes rather than on how they will be counted.

The President corralled another large crowd in defiance of his own government’s social distancing recommendations as the pandemic takes a dark turn. He is now promising multiple rallies per day — potentially risking the health of his supporters and making it likely they will spread Covid-19 into their communities as the predicted fall spike in infections takes hold.

Trump’s trip to Pennsylvania Tuesday highlighted the state’s potential role as a kingmaker on November 3 and forthcoming rallies in Iowa, North Carolina and Georgia show he’s playing defense across swathes of territory he won in 2016.

Trump made a clumsy attempt to repair his support with women and suburban voters in Johnstown, a gritty Keystone State coal town where he ran strongly four years ago and which is receptive to his populist economic message and claims Democrats like Biden are to blame for an exodus of jobs.

“Suburban women, will you please like me? Please. I saved your damn neighborhood. OK?” Trump said, referring to his claims that Democrats would allow outsiders — i.e. people of color — to invade suburban areas.

Visit Appradab’s Election Center for full coverage of the 2020 race

The President’s event as usual featured few masks, little social distancing and open defiance of the reality of the pandemic. His decision to crank up the pace of rallies also dismayed public health experts, after the government’s top infectious diseases specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Monday that packed political rallies were “asking for trouble.”

“(This is) even beyond asking for trouble. It is very self-destructive and actually very destructive behavior,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of Baylor College of Medicine’s National School of Tropical Medicine.

“Ideally, you don’t hold in-person events at this point. The numbers are going up, they are going up pretty precipitously,” Hotez told Appradab’s Jake Tapper.

Biden: The only senior Trump cares about is himself

Biden followed Trump’s footsteps from the day before in Florida, another potential pivot state, seeking to accelerate the President’s ebbing support among seniors and to bash him over Covid-19.

“To Donald Trump, you’re expendable. You’re forgettable. You’re virtually nobody,” Biden told seniors in Pembroke Pines, trying to capitalize on polling that has shown him with a double digit lead among a crucial demographic that votes in reliably heavy numbers.

“It’s become painfully clear as his careless arrogant reckless Covid response has caused one of the worst tragedies in American history, the only senior Donald Trump cares about — the only senior — is senior Donald Trump,” Biden said.

And later Tuesday night, in a move that certainly won’t help the President improve his standing with senior citizens, Trump suggested in a tweet that Biden be admitted to a nursing home.

Biden’s running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, used her turn at Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court hearing to drive home warnings that the conservative judge’s confirmation would help destroy the Affordable Care Act.

“People are scared. People are scared of what will happen if the Affordable Care Act is destroyed in the middle of a pandemic,” Harris told Barrett, hitting another election talking point by warning the judge could also help the Court overturn Roe v. Wade, which enshrined the right to an abortion.

Democrats have little chance to stop Republicans ramming the nomination, which will enshrine a 6-3 conservative majority on the Court, through the Senate before the election. But they are using the hearings to drive home their messages that health care is not safe in Trump’s hands.

View Trump and Biden head-to-head polling

With 20 days to go before the election, Biden leads Appradab’s national Poll of Polls by 11 percentage points. He is also ahead in most swing states, leaving the President seeking a last-minute comeback.

Long lines and voting snafus

Both parties have been trying to convince voters to cast ballots early, given that crowds at polling places on Election Day could pose a serious health threat given the extraordinary circumstances shaping this election.

By noon on the first day of early voting Tuesday in Texas, 50,000 ballots had already been cast in 122 early voting locations in Harris County, which includes the city of Houston. More than 20,000 votes were registered in Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth, according to county officials.

In Georgia, a traditionally red state in which Biden is making a strong push, some voters lined up for up to eight hours on the first day of early voting on Monday. A total of 126,000 early votes were cast on Monday alone. Long lines were not the only annoyance, however. Technical problems slowed voting at one super site in Atlanta, heightening tensions in a state blighted by accusations of attempts to make it difficult for voters, especially African Americans, to vote.

More than 10.5 million Americans have already voted in the general election, according to an analysis of voting information in 41 states from Appradab, Edison Research and Catalist. And more than six million of those ballots come from the 16 states rated most competitive by Appradab this cycle. In 2016, some 130 million Americans voted in the election, and turnout is expected to be high this time around. Polling shows that Democrats prefer to vote early or by mail and Republicans, perhaps partly owing to Trump’s incessant assaults on mail-in voting, are more likely to vote in a traditional manner on Election Day.

Build your own road to 270 electoral votes with Appradab’s interactive map

The circumstances of this election are unique, given the public health emergency that has already killed more than 215,000 Americans. But the new habits that Americans are making in how they vote could outlast the pandemic.

At the same time political acrimony is also building over a series of apparent attempts by Trump’s campaign and Republicans to complicate an early voting process favored by Democrats. An appeals court ruling in Texas on Monday night upheld GOP Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive allowing only one ballot drop box location per county. The move leaves Harris County, with a population of 4.7 million, massively underserved. It also means some Texans face long car rides to drop off ballots. California officials meanwhile tried to force Republicans to remove unofficial drop boxes that they say do not benefit from the security and chain of custody required for official drop boxes.

In Pennsylvania, a judge over the weekend denied an effort by the Trump campaign and the Republican Party to make ballot drop boxes in the commonwealth unconstitutional. The entire Virginia voter registration system crashed Tuesday on the last day to register. A federal judge re-opened voter registration in the state through Thursday. And a federal judge has rejected Florida’s bid to extend its own voter registration deadline.

The wrangles over voting in these and other states threaten to play into the President’s attempts to cast doubt on the probity of an election that he appears to be in danger of losing and which he may challenge in court if he loses after refusing to guarantee a peaceful transfer of power.

This story has been updated with additional developments Wednesday.

[elderperfect]

2020 Best Hospices – Idaho

ElderPerfect a leading publisher on senior healthcare across the United States, today announced the recipients of the Best Hospices in Idaho for 2020. These awards are designed to recognize providers based on their ability to consistently deliver excellence in the areas of Health Inspections, Quality of Residence Care, Penalties and Staffing. We’ve identified 47 of 29 (62%) facilities that meet our top rating. This report marks the Gold Standard in terms of care for seniors.

Hospice Overview

These facilities aim to improve the quality of life of patients with active, progressive disease(s) who have minimal prospect of cure. With the growth and ageing of America's population, and an increase of generally incurable illnesses, the types of patient groups requiring hospices has widened.24-hour care with expert pain and symptom control.Focus is on quality of life.Direct access professionals and volunteers trained to support terminal patient and their carers. 0 Ranked Best Facilities  5/5

Rankings | Quality of Patient Care

National Average 34% Best Providers 92%

Rating Methodology

Health Inspections Every year, the government assigns inspectors to conduct a formal review of hospice facilities for regulatory purposes to meet the mandates outlined for Medicare and Medicaid, this aims to measure and improve the safety of residents across providers. Facilities may also be inspected when complaints are submitted or based on a reported incident. When noncompliance is identified, the facility is served a citation that indicates which regulation that was identified, along with the severity of the incident. hospice facilities are subsequently required to execute a program of resolution in order to meet compliance. Some scenarios require enforcement actions to be applied, such as a civil monetary penalty or withholding of payment(s), to incentivize resolution in a timely manner.Penalties Facilities are applied 2 types of penalties due to non-compliance / accumulation of incidents. Civil penalties are monetary fines that may be applied to a facility based on citations / infractions identified during a review. The severity of a penalty is defined primarily by the size and frequency of the infraction.Quality of Residence Care There are 3 types of resident care ratings, but for this exercise, we primarily focused on the overall quality measure rating. The quality measures (QMs) include 17 data points that are derived from clinical information reported by the respective hospice facilities and also from Medicare claims data submitted for payment. Ratings are calculated for the QM domain using the 4 most recent quarters for which data are available. A hospice facilities receives points contingent on performance on each measure (weighting distribution is not equal).Staffing Staffing research is submitted regularly by the facility and is adjusted for the requirement of the facilities residents. For each of registered nurse staff and total staffing, a 1 - 5 rating is applied according to definitions established for each category. These ratings are subsequently combined to assign an overall staffing rating. As an example, to get an overall staffing rating of 5 stars, nursing homes must earn a rating of 5 stars for both registered nurses and total staffing. hospice facilities could also be assigned a 1 star rating should they not have a registered nurse on-site daily, and do not submit staffing data, or which the data cannot be verified.

Best Hospices in Idaho

Heritage Hospice Intermountain Homecare Hospice - Cassia Heart N Home Hospice & Palliative Care First Choice Home Health & Hospice St Joseph Regional Medical Center Hospice Hands Of Hope Hospice Encompass Health Hospice Of Eastern Idaho Encompass Health Hospice Of Idaho Onesource Hospice Hospice Visions Hospice Of Eastern Idaho Solace Healthcare Abode Hospice Keystone Hospice Idaho Home Health & Hospice Journeys Hospice Hospice Of North Idaho Signature Healthcare At Home Complete Hospice Care Of Boise, Llc Harrison'S Hope St Luke'S Home Care / Hospice Aspen Hospice Bonner Community Hospice Home Health And Hospice S L M V R M C Syringa General Hospital Hospice Horizon Hospice Treasure Valley Hospice Achs Hospice & Palliative Care Saint Alphonsus Home Health & Hospice Read the full article