Daily Archives: June 6, 2020

Its disappointing to see the often casual ways people in public are dealing with the virus. For far too many in these parts, it seems like the attitude is Hey, man, no problem. Im not sick. Lets party. Even among the more reserved there seems to be little agreement about the value of wearing a mask out on the street. From what Ive seen, about a quarter of the folks out there are maskless. At the same time, our Sonoma County Health Officer told Sonoma West that the number of infections jumped significantly in recent days.

Whats going on, I wonder. Is the political divide really causing people to either wear a mask or emulate our barefaced national leader? I hope not, for if so, we humans have further to go toward sensible living than I would like to think.

Far as we know, everyone is susceptible to Covid 19. Were not even sure those who have recovered from it are immune. Nor do we know who among us might be carrying the virus without being sick at all. And we know the virus can kill a significant percentage of those it infects. Among older folks, older starting around age 60 so far as this virus is concerned, as many as one in five who get infected die, depending on underlying conditions. Far as I can tell, almost all of us in this age group have underling conditions. And death might not be the worst of it. The virus can cause blood clots all over the body; it can weaken vital organs and make the rest of ones days a terrible trial; and it appears to bring horrible illnesses to a small percentage of the children it infects.

Putting this all together, its crucial that we do what we can to avoid getting infected and to avoid infecting others. Wearing a mask and maintaining social distance are the ways we do this. Its that clear and that simple. But this doesnt work unless virtually everyone does it. Thats whats so disturbing about the haphazard pattern of masked and bare-faced folks interacting in public.

This new reality makes it especially hard on our business people. But if we want to help them, if we want to restore the economy, the best thing we can do is make sure we take all the precaution while shopping. We wear masks and stay safely apart.

Taking these simple precautions are the way we practice the Golden Rule in the time of Covid-19. I dont want people infecting me just because they dont want to wear a mask, and so Im morally bound to wear a mask myself. And in this situation, the stakes are really high. Doing unto others as you would have others do unto you is a matter of life and death these days.

Bob Jones is the former minister of the Guerneville and Monte Rio Community Church.

Link:

Keeping the Faith: Covid 19 and the Golden Rule | Opinion - Sonoma West

I just got done reading an opinion article in the Hawk Eye submitted by a supposed Democrat about their core beliefs and I nearly spit out my coffee.

We need to examine these so-called beliefs that were stated in this article, and I quote from the article.

"Being a Democrat is not hard to understand. We value the lessons of history particularly as to the American government, Constitution and presidency. Hard work, love of family and community and the Golden Rule are at our core. Its not that complicated."

So for the last several decades the so-called "Democrat Party" has done it's very best to re-write our country's history in order to help move along their socialist agenda. The tearing down of Civil War monuments, the removal of teaching American History, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and our belief in God from our children's classrooms and our universities is just the beginning.

The constant assault on our Constitution by the left trying to silence conservatives by any means they deem necessary is increasing daily. Their assault on our Second Amendment rights is a constant and continuous effort by the Democrats.

The Democrats yearn for the day they can abolish the constitution forever. Hard work? They would rather tax our industries and companies into oblivion, put them out of business and put everyone on welfare at which time their socialist style of government would feed you, house you, educate you, and provide you free third world type health care while they rule over you and continue to live their lives of luxury. The last thing they want the citizens to do is work hard and be independent.

Love of Family The Democrats believe in abortion of every kind, even after birth. They want nothing to do with a strong family unit or a belief in God. These things go against the very nature of their socialist beliefs. Lastly, The Golden Rule? Really now, The Golden Rule. I believe that has something to do with treating others as you would want to be treated?

Well let's see now, for the last 3-1/2 years since the election the Democrats, including 95 percent of the media, Hollywood misfits, and misinformed and under educated talk show hosts (all vote democrat by the way) have been brutally and savagely attacking President Donald Trump and conservatives 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Name calling, physical threats, lies, non stop day after day.

To top all of that, the Democrat party has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on fake Russian collusion charges against Trump and his campaign while in reality that is what was being carried out by Hillary Clinton, the DNC, Obama's corrupt justice department and the Democrat party.

Add to that the total insanity of the impeachment hearings and your so-called do-nothing Democrat party has wasted millions of dollars and thousands of hours trying to overturn our last election. This is your idea of the Golden Rule?

If I were you I would consider re-reading your history and re-examining your democrat party of socialism and hatred.

Dave Hensley, Burlington

Continued here:

Do-nothing party - Opinion - Burlington Hawk Eye

Veronica Lorson Fowler, the Iowa Gardener

Everyone knows how to water plants, right? Well, actually, wrong. I was reminded of this during a recent community landscaping project, where we planted hostas, daylilies, grasses and more for a local nonprofit. It was all good, until watering time. Those plants wed all labored over were given the lightest baptism of water, and the volunteers prepared to head out.

Fortunately, some of the experience gardeners in the group realized the problem, got out the watering gear and gave everything a good soak. Another volunteer came back a few days later to give them another soaking.

Watering is critical for healthy plants and an attractive, productive garden. Its also an immensely time-consuming task and it can cost you money if you lose plants because of improper watering. Be sure youre doing it right.

Seeds should be watered lightly every day or two to keep the top of the soil moist. Small seedlings, such as tomatoes, and established annuals and perennials (those grown in cell-packs or pots of one gallon or less) should be watered every day or two. Water deeply and well applying around a gallon of water per plant with each watering.

With newly planted trees and shrubs, water them for about a half-hour or so with the slowest trickle of the hose.

All new plantings need a good soak not only to give the new plant moisture but also to settle the soil so there are not air pockets that can dry out roots.

The golden rule of watering gardens is to water deeply and well rather than shallow and often. Frequent, light waterings result in the roots staying where the moisture is the surface and growing shallow. Watering deeper and less often encourages roots to grow down deeper where the soil stays moister longer.

Most plants in our Iowa landscapes do best with approximately 1 inch of water a week. If you dont have one already, install a rain gauge so you can monitor it.

If the rain falls short of that, you may need to do additional watering, apply a half inch or whatever of water from the hose or sprinkler. How to know how much water youve applied? Set out an old cake pan, tuna can, or any other shallow, flat container where the sprinkler will hit it and collect water so you can see how much has been applied.

Plants that need water look less shiny or glossy. If they start to wilt, the plant is becoming stressed and needs immediate watering. Avoid wilting. A wilted plant instantly becomes more susceptible to insect, disease, and other problems.

Pay attention to the soil, too. Wiggle your finger or a stick into the soil to check. Another trick: Look at your impatiens. These thirsty plants are usually the first to show signs of dryness.

Watering right before sunrise is ideal, so set up a timer. Youll avoid the heat of the day and prevent evaporation. Early watering also allows plants to dry off well before nightfall, when fungal diseases take root.

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If you cant do the pre-sunrise thing, no worries. Just be sure to water by midmorning, when the days heat sets in.

As much as reasonably possible, avoid spraying plant foliage during watering since it makes them more prone to disease. Of course, sometimes youll need to use a sprinkler and getting the leaves and flowers wet will be unavoidable. But when using a hose or watering can, water just the soil.

Even better: Consider a drip-emitter system, micro-sprinklers, or black soaker hoses. All of these types of hoses slowly apply water without waste exactly where you want it. Black soaker hoses work best with row crops or plantings of shrubs that are placed altogether, rather than assorted annuals and perennials. Also, theyre unsightly, so they need to be covered with soil or mulch. Another problem is that if you bury them, they always seem to get sliced with a spade.

Veronica Lorson Fowler is co-publisher of The Iowa Gardener website at theiowagardener.com.

Originally posted here:

How to water your plants - The Gazette

Do unto othersas you would have themdo untoyou.Known as the golden rule. I think that we can all agree that, in principle, this sounds good to us. It makes perfect sense. Its interpretation is for all of us to love one another. To be kind. To forgive.

This, of course is predicated on the idea that you, in fact, love yourself. It would hold little meaning if you didnt give yourself the same respect. It may not even occur to you to reciprocate the gesture if you werent in a good place.

In actuality, its when you dont feel good about yourself that you tend to want to throw stones. It goes something like this; Youre not pleased with yourself for whatever reason you see someone else (or others) doing well and flourishing you think;Why them, not me?Youre not where you want to be, so you project onto others. Now, Im not saying that this is what you do. Im saying that this tends to happen. Human behavior is our fickle friend. You may not be able to stop yourself from feeling compelled to compare your life to others. Realistically we know that this kind of thinking sabotages our efforts.

Not only would you be a lot happier, imagine if you really embraced and practiced this idea of doing unto others. In fact, why wouldnt you want love, justice, integrity and equity for all people?

It would no longer be random acts of kindness. It would mean to love others at all times. Prejudice and racism would vanish (I have a dream Martin Luther King Jr.) your fellow human would be treated as, guess what? A human being.

Dont get me started with the current state of affairs in our world. We have a long way to go before the human race is one big global community. In fact, it wont happen in my lifetime. Differences of opinion are skewed. Reality is out of whack.

One way to proceed, particularly during worrisome and fearful times, (although it shouldnt make a difference) is to be even more aware of our actions, and how we treat ourselves and others.

Times have shifted. A new reality has given way. Were being told a lot of things. Our life circumstances have changed. Have tightened. Government is playing a more prevalent role in our lives by telling us what we need to be doing. This does not sit well. Especially whendo unto others isnt really part of the conversation. Its one-sided.

Protesting is inevitable when there is inequality, unlawful acts, human rights violations, and ones dignity being compromised. This is a far cry fromdo unto others and more like aneye for an eye.And yet, weve swung so far over, that we need some kind of consideration. Consideration of others.

We have a responsibility. Each and every one of us. It must start with us. If you lead with love and kindness, guess what, the world will start to be a more loving and kinder place. Intolerant to anything else.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto youis a smart place to start.

Go here to see the original:

Do Unto Others - Thrive Global

Here in Kilgore, we live together, we work together, we worship together, we watch sports together, we eat together, we shop together, and we laugh together.

We are a vibrant community that is growing by leaps and bounds. Despite what a handful of disgruntled people will tell you, Kilgore Independent School District is a very good public school system. City leaders here are thoughtful and have foresight. Our churches, while having to re-work things after the coronavirus, are God-fearing and play a major role in the community. Like anything else, there are always going to be complaints.

Trust me when I tell you: I work at a newspaper. I know ALL ABOUT complaints.

There literally is no way you can please everyone, and you cant even please most. Everyone has a differing opinion. I found out this week that even the new Welcome to Kilgore sign is polarizing to some, believe it or not.

But Ive been here for going on 19 years. My family has made Kilgore home. After moving around for a few years due to newspaper dysfunction and hospital merges, I told my oldest, Teresa Leigh, when she was about 10 that if they like it here, we would try to stay here long enough for them to graduate.

Thats been 14 years ago. My wife is now a highly-decorated RN at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Teresa is a University of Texas grad who works in Austins parks and recreation department. My son, Jacob, is a student at Kilgore College, and most of you know my youngest, Ashtyn, who was born during the 2004 football state title run. Shell be a sophomore at KHS this fall.

Do we have problems here in Kilgore? Sure we do. You cant go from one side of the city to another without having to turn 52 times, unless youre going from Johnny Ozarks to Skeeter Boats on 259. We used to have one prayer light the traffic light at the intersection of 259 and Houston Street, which holds long enough for you to say your prayers. Now it seems theyre all long enough to get that prayer finished.

I have found that most people here think a four-way stop is a suggestion. And it sometimes seems like we have an awful lot of power outages for it to be 2020 werent we supposed to all be driving flying cars by now?

Still, there are so many reasons to be proud to live here. I recently was approached to be the managing editor of this paper. I didnt have to do it. Between us, its not a lot more money, and I dont ever want to give up my true love, which is sports (OK, behind Jenna, its sports). But I care about Kilgore, care about giving you guys the best newspaper we can possibly produce.

We want to deliver a great product. Since I took the chair a few weeks ago, weve had a lot of positive news: Wagner Tuning will soon open in Synergy Park. Were getting Dairy Queen back. Popeyes is coming to down. Businesses are re-opening after the coronavirus crisis. There are other things on the horizon that I know about, but cant even tell you about just yet.

Things are happening here, like really happening. Here, we largely live in harmony. We move forward together.

When a group of us is hurting, we all hurt. When a group of us feels the need to be heard, then we listen.

But when things are great, we are all a part of that. Thats how its been since I got here, people who will lend you a hand, a shoulder to cry on, or an extra sandwich when youre hungry.

Were not better than anyone else, but maybe we have the human condition figured out: when somebody is in need, we help them. When someone mourns a loved one, we cry with them. When someone is down, we lift them up. We practice Matthew 7:12 here. You might know it under its laymans-terms name: the golden rule.

We are blessed. And a blessed community is a community in which everyone wants to live.

We are Kilgore. And we are strong.

Visit link:

KILGOROUND by MITCH LUCAS | A Kilgoround like none other - Kilgore News Herald

Phase One is nearly over and we are about to enter into Phase Two of Governor Charlie Baker's four-part plan to reopen the state of Massachusetts. Baker announced the start date for Phase 2 on Saturday, June 6. Many SouthCoast restaurants are ready to see their regulars and new faces on Monday, June 8.

It has been a very long 12-week period of social distancing, curbside pickup, and contactless delivery. But now we are able to return to our favorite hotspots for outdoor seating.Please remember that the rules will be very different from what we were used to before COVID-19 happened. Restaurant owners, managers, and servers are doing their best to navigate through this. Be patient. Be kind. Remember the Golden Rule.

Here's a complete list of who is opening and when they plan on welcoming diners outdoors.Please note that these are the businesses who confirmed with us that they are opening in Phase Two. We will update this list as more information becomes available.

Please let us know if you are aware of any more spots on the SouthCoast that have confirmed their opening dates for outdoor dining following Baker's announcement. Thank you.

Read the rest here:

Your Complete Guide to Outdoor Dining on the SouthCoast [PHOTOS] - wbsm.com