Whooping Cough

Before there were vaccines, I had whooping cough as a very young child. My sister, my mother, and I were quarantined at home for 10 weeks. (Our dad had to stay at his sister's house). I still have memories of sleeping in my crib with a cover over it and steam.  I almost died. We worried my mother would.  To this day, I cough often for no reason, except for remaining damage from that disease.  So far this year, there have been 8,064 reported cases of whooping cough in the U.S., compared with 3,835 for the same time in 2024, Please, vaccinate children! 

Yale Alumni

 

On Monday afternoon, 0ver 6000 Yale University alumni (including myself) signed and delivered letters to Yale leadership. To the best of our knowledge this alumni response is unprecedented--and in one week. 

We were very pleased to see that yesterday morning, Yale President Maurie McInnis, joined 171 other university presidents to issue a joint statement “speak[ing] with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.”  

 

Musk

 Tesla sales are way down! People are protesting Elan Musk doing so much damage (on behalf of Trump). So, Musk may be out of our lives soon, but the damage he has done remains.  We need to keep protesting and calling our legislators.  There are so many issues. How about USAID and Head Start? I'm going to speak about these cuts today. What about you?

Pope's death

 Billions across the globe mourn the death of Pope Francis. He cared for the marginalized. He washed tired feet. He was a servant leader. He lived a simply life. We give thanks for him. From him we have all learned so much. 

Easter Eve

 "We had hoped." Such sad words on the walk to Emmaus at the eve of that first Easter Day. Jesus appeared and walked with the two, telling them the whole story. And then, they invited this stranger to stay with them because it was almost evening. And Jesus, at table with them, revealed himself in the breaking of bread. So it is this Day of Resurrection for us. 

Easter Morning

At early dawn "they" came to the tomb. Who are "they"? We will find out. The stone was rolled away. The women were perplexed, then terrified. They bowed down and were told, "Why do. you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." The "women" turned from the tomb and told the apostles and all the rest. Once they have witnessed, they are named: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women who were with them. The men thought it an idle tale. The women were not believed. 

April 19th through the years.

April 19th! On this day in 1775--250 years ago--with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the American Revolution began.

On April 19, 1861, the first blood of the American Civil War was shed when a secessionist mob in Baltimore attacked Massachusetts . 

On April 19, 1995, 30 years ago today, 168 died in the Oklahoma City Federal building bombing, the largest domestic violence terrorist act in the United States.

On April 19, 2025, tens of thousands will rally across the U.S. for "No Kings Day" to object to the actions of President Donald Trump.

Holy Saturday

 The women at the cross had watched from a distance. They knew Jesus had been unjustly put to death. Once Jesus' body was taken down, and laid in a rock-hewn tomb, the women, who had come with Jesus from Galilee looked at the tomb and how Jesus' body was laid. What do you feel when someone you were close to is gone?  The women returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Good Friday

 Pilate and Herod said Jesus had done nothing to deserve death, but the crowd kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him. They kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that Jesus should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.  Remember what the crowds were shouting a few days before? Where are you in this crowd?  Jesus was handed over and the people watched as he was mocked and hung on the cross. Darkness at noon. Jesus breathed his last. And the women stood at a distance and witnessed these things.

Maundy Thursday

 On Maundy Thursday Christians commemorate the Last Supper.  What names do you use? The Eucharist? Mass? Holy Communion? Some churches include Foot Washing in the service. This calls us to service. We are called to wash each other's feet, to care for one another. Recall some times and places when you received the sacrament and washed one another's feet that were particularly meaningful to you. How will you wash another's feet today, either literally or figuratively?

Wednesday of Holy Week

 Betrayal and Denial

Peter was following at a distance. He and others sat down in the courtyard. A servant girl said, "This man was with him"--Jesus who had been arrested.  But Peter denied it. Someone else, on seeing Peter said, "You also are one of them." Peter said, "I am not." A little later someone else said, "You also are one of them." About an hour later still another kept insisting, "Surely this man was with him." Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And the cock crowed. How many ways do we deny the truth about Holy Week?

Tuesday of Holy Week

 Betrayal and Denial

While they were at the table, Jesus said, "But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table." Then the apostles began to ask each other which one of them it could be who would do this. What do you think of when you hear the word "betray"? Think about the many ways we betray each other and therefore betray Jesus.

Monday of Holy Week

 After Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives. And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple. "Day and Night." How do you hear this brief text? What does it mean for your life?"

Palm Sunday

Jesus sent two disciples ahead to bring a colt to him. "The Lord needs it." As Jesus rode on it into Jerusalem, the people began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice shouting "Glory to God in the highest."  Where are you in the crowd?  What are you seeing? What are you doing? Are you shouting?

Contact CapitalSwitchboard

 It's not too late. Contact a U.S. Senator or Representative at the Capital Switchboard 202-224-3121. They will put you through to ANY senator or representative. If no one answers, leave a message. Make it short and to the point. What issue is important to you?  I am making one call every day. Our voices need to be heard! Call now before it IS too late.

Tariffs and Wall Street

 Pause!  Will tariffs go away?  Will Wall Street rebound? Will the world trust us again? We are watching because this affects all of us in the U.S. and around the world.  Meanwhile, don't forget all the rest: USAID, World Health Organizations, climate crisis, Gulf of Mexico, take over of Panama Canal, Greenland, Canada, vaccines, research on diseases, social security, veterans. deportations, and, and, and.   

Hands Off

 Hands off Mason City. People gathered in Central Park and then walked with their signs through downtown.  Over 200.  We were part of the millions who marched in thousands of cities and towns throughout all 50 states.

Tariffs

 Tariffs are causing trouble. Yes, everything from coffee beans to washing machines will cost more. Beyond that, the stock markets are down meaning people are losing their savings in their 401K accounts. Globalization will continue, but the U.S. is isolating itself. Foolish decisions--there are only penguins on Heard Island and McDonals Islands, (Does the president even know world geography?) Perhaps worst of all, some of the poorest nations are being hit the hardest: Thailand, recently hit with a 7.7 hurricane, 36% Madagascar 47%. People will suffer. Who will care?

Booker

 Senator Cory Booker just finished his 25 hour speech, standing the entire time. He is courageous and wise. And he listens. What a speaker, what a leader!