Celebrate: It's All About Frogs

Are you ready to get froggy?

I hope so because April is National Frog Month. 

I'm not sure who decided that in the United States but kudos to them for highlighting our amphibian friends. 

Our foreign friends are also welcome to show their affection for frogs by holding celebrations to honor them this month too.

With 4,000 known species there's not a place on the planet that doesn't have frogs coming in a delightful array of colors and sizes. Just imagine, they can be smaller than a dime (the New Guinea Amau frog) to weighing seven pounds (the Goliath frog) and some are nearly transparent like the Glass frog. 

It's good to know your frogs before you attempt to pick one up. Take the Golden Poison frog for example. It carries enough toxin to take down 10 humans! For the sake of clarity, I'm not going to mix frogs up with toads today because they're not from the same family.

Frog Myths, Folklore and Fairy Tales

Those steeped in frog fairy tales know the Brothers Grimm story of The Frog Prince. In ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, frogs symbolized fertility. The Greeks and Romans associated frogs with fertility, harmony, and licentiousness. Folklore in many cultures connect fertility, regeneration, and rebirth with frogs. 

In Ohio folklore, the Loveland Frog (left) is a legendary amphibious creature, resembling a giant humanoid frog roughly four feet tall when standing on its hind legs.

In Celtic myths the frog was a familiar of a witch. The Druids looked upon frogs as messengers of the water god/goddess who brought blessings of rain and purification.

In Native American mythology the Frog symbolizes wealth and abundance. When a frog is portrayed in art with his tongue touching another creature, it represents the sharing of knowledge and power.

True confession time...

my nickname since early childhood is Frog. It has something to do with what my family decided was my (to them) big feet which became flippers in our family lore.

The most famous frog in the world today is Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. 

His frog sidekicks are Robin (Kermit's nephew), Leapovitch the Frog, and Mavis the Frog.

As it Stands, the early bird may get the worm, but the patient frog gets the fly. - Unknown

What Would You Do if You Were a Politician?

Regardless of where you live in the world imagine if you were a politician. Some countries - like democracies - give their politician's certain powers and privileges they wouldn't have in other counties ran by dictators. 

Then there are democratic countries trying to hold onto their freedoms that are under assault by right-wing actors worldwide. The United States is a perfect example.

Misinformation and repeated lies have Americans so confused that many don't know who to trust and where to turn to for the truth. 

This cauldron of chaos was manufactured by the MAGA Party (you'll notice I didn't say Republican Party) for years and now it's paying off in dividends with the election of a convicted felon who's managed to free every lunatic in the country and get away with a bloody coup attempt.

Let's say you are an American and a member of congress. What would you do if ...

1. The President was actively dismantling the Social Security Administration, The Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicare, and every government agency that benefits common Americans?

a. I wouldn't do anything about it. I'd avoid town halls. I want to keep my cushy job.

b. I would try to convince my constituents that everything was going to be fine and that Trump's buddy Musk was really doing everyone a favor by crippling the government.

c. I would stand up and challenge the assaults on our democratic system and assure my constituents that I'm doing everything I can to protect their freedom and entitlements. My voting record would show it.

2. What would you do if... a MAGA congressional member threatened you if you didn't vote a certain way?

a. I'd cave in. It's easier to do that than try to fight their majority.

b. I'd pretend I didn't hear them and keep walking.

c. I would assure them that I'd share their blatant attack with the world and would let my constituents know about it so they could pass the word on to their neighbors.

3. What would you do if... you were suddenly told you had to sign a loyalty oath (regardless of which party you belonged too) directly to Trump or you'd get run out of congress? 

a. I'd sign it without question.

b. I'd say that I just had carpal tunnel surgery and can't write anything hoping that by stalling they'd forget.

c. I'd pull out my mobile device, take a snapshot of the "oath" they wanted me to sign and then I'd post it on every social media platform in the world.

Moving on...

Here's some harsh truths.

Democracy in America has never been challenged like it is right now. 

Americans are watching in horror as their benefits and rights are being stiped away daily by the world's richest man who controls the president of the United States.

It's never been truer than now that an elite cabal of super wealthy men and women are running the world. They all have one thing in common, they want to take control of our lives, our thoughts, and freedoms. 

Europe is experiencing the same challenges that America is. Billions of dark dollars from oligarchs are being funneled into countries elections to rig outcomes favorable to the few.

I have no idea what it's going to take to turn the tide of chaos back and reinstate sanity into society. Good over evil. I'm searching for signs that real resistance will spring up next year during the midterms and that the Democrats will retake the House... and yes, the Senate back and hold Trump accountable.

As it Stands, regular readers will recall I quit posting politics for five months because of the 2024 election results. I was too upset at what I saw as the final assault on all of our freedoms. I can't help myself now, however. I'm a journalist and it's my job to call out traitors and tyranny. This is my small contribution to protecting freedoms and justice in an unjust world and taking it to the people.

What Will Be Trending in the 22nd Century?

I remember touring The Monsanto House of the Future an exhibit at Disneyland California in 1957 and being in awe. Such wonders.

The walk-through attraction gave visitors a glimpse into what the future holds for homes in the 20th century. It was also intended to demonstrate the versatility of modern plastics. It featured advanced products, such as microwave ovens, and other time saving marvels. The furniture was plastic - think the cartoon The Jetsons.

After reminiscing about the good old days, I got to thinking about the present and what the future holds for homes in the 22nd century. The problem is I'm not sure mankind will be around in the 22nd century. But for the sake of laughs I can speculate that humans will be still living in some sort of structures.

What kind of structures you ask?

Straight up...Caves. Designer caves. Multiplex caves. Caves for every social stratum of what society that still exists.

The scared surface outside the colonies of caves will be too unstable and radioactive to put up conventional houses.

What's Inside?

- Cave units come equipped with oxygen centers strategically stationed throughout the home. 

- TVs give way to hologram entertainment stations in every room.

- Kitchen appliances graduate to specialized robots who can wash dishes or cook a fair-to-middling meal.

- Bean bag chairs and couches are back! Every century they pop up like cockroaches. Don't ask me why. I can't even sit in one.

Fashions

- Long hair for men and women. It's a nod to the 60s and the 70s. And because there are no more barber or beauty shops anywhere it's easier to grow long hair.

- People routinely wear imaginative rubber masks to hid radiation burns. Some are so creative they have Masked Balls and award prizes such as extra food rations.

- Capes are worn by all the classes in Tunnel Towns.

- Sneakers are often banned in tunnel colonies in favor of the 50th itineration of Crocs.

Teenagers still say the darnest things...

Girl to Girl; "Whatever Mary Lou, why don't you go work at McDonalds?" No one is sure what it means but it has been elevated to fighting words in the 22nd century.  

Politicians are still stupid...

but people don't pay any attention to them. They live in different cave enclaves where their lies bounce off the padded walls in never ending arguments.

Finally, I suspect survival will still be trending in the 22nd century with its new challenges.

As it Stands, you may be thinking, the hell with the future what about right now? I don't blame you. I'm worried too. However, I thought a little dark humor might brighten your day.

A Conversation About Heros

Since the dawn of time heroes have appeared in every culture in the world. 

Sometimes their stories are buried in the sands of time without making a ripple, but many survive to become legends in countries across the world. (photo Christopher Reeves)

Both in fiction and real-life heroic figures are individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage, bravery, and often selfless actions. 

In my life I've seen and met many heroes. I witnessed 18-year-old males commit acts of courage in the midst of a firefight in the jungles of Vietnam and Cambodia. I've seen homeless veterans across America clinging to their pride despite their circumstances. 

I've seen mild mannered individuals stand up to bullies, even if it meant getting their ass kicked. I've witnessed everyday citizens who refused to be bullied by corrupt governments despite being punished for their resistance. I've met and seen people with physical and mental disabilities that are everyday heroes getting by under challenging circumstances. 

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Their universal qualities are called archetypes.

The Classical Hero

Sometimes called romantic heroes, are everyday people that have great talent. The classic hero possesses an attribute or quality that distinguishes them from ordinary people, making them a hero. Your classic hero has gifts other do not.

The Everyday Hero

The "everyman hero" has no outstanding abilities or attributes. They are often put into an extraordinary circumstance where they must act with heroic qualities. I call them reluctant heroes.

Tragic Hero

It was the great philosopher Aristotle who first defined the ill-fated protagonist as a tragic hero, or flawed hero who evokes a sense of pity or fear from the audience. The hero of a tragedy has to be someone whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but with some error of fate.

The Epic Hero

The Greeks are credited with defining a protagonist as an epic hero who is awe-inspiring and often depicted in epic poems. Their fortune is brought about by their admired characteristics. Think The Odyssey and the Illiad. The heroes are cunning, brave, humble, smart, and virtuous.

The Anti-Hero

An anti-hero, by definition, is a main character who lacks conventional heroic attributes. They range from being a good person with an unattractive vice to a criminal master mind who has a heart of gold.

The Superhero

Despite being fictional characters superheroes are extremely popular in cultures around the world. Think Superman and Spiderman. Their powers are diverse, from superhuman strength to X-ray vision. 

I think we all have heroes in our lives but don't always realize it. 

Some do. My Dad was my hero. Setbacks in life didn't slow him down or discourage him. He always plowed forward and managed to raise four children in the hardest of times.

As it Stands, one of my favorite quotes about heroes comes from the actor Christopher Reeves, "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."   

Give Women Brewsters their Due When It Comes to Making Good Brew (as in Beer, Baby, Beer!)

After drinking a can of beer recently I found out something interesting.

The name of the beer brand I imbibed was Ninkasi. 

The brewers knew that the name was after the ancient Sumerian goddess of beer, but it was news to me. I suspect there's a lot of other people blithely drinking it totally unaware (despite some packaging that says Goddess of Beer) of how clever the name really is.

I wonder how many people know that women were the original brewers. In ancient societies, brewing was often a domestic activity, with women responsible for collecting ingredients and brewing the beer. So, it's no surprise that the oldest known instructions for making beer are found in a religious hymn to Ninkasi.

"Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the filtered beer of the collector vat; it is {like} the onrush of the Tigris and Euphrates."

The Sumerians believed Ninkasi oversaw the brewing process and "worked" as head brewer to the gods, who gifted beer to humans to preserve peace and promote well-being.

All that changed in the following centuries and in other societies when men started dominating all commercial and industrialized activity related to beer. Today beer is considered a stereotypical "manly" drink despite the fact that it started out as a feminine craft.

There are goddesses of beer in other countries too. In Baltic and Slavic mythology, a goddess named Raugutiene provides heavenly protection over beer. Finnish legend recounts that a woman named Kalevatar brought beer to earth by mixing honey with bear saliva. I'd like to know how she collected the bear saliva, but that's a thought for another day. Norsemen only allowed women to brew the "aul" that fueled their conquests.

German nunneries provided a rare shelter for single women to blossom as Brewsters (the feminine equivalent of a brewer) and botanists. 

It was St. Hildegard of Bingen who distinguished herself as the first person to publicly recommend hops as a healing, bittering, and preserving agent some 500 years before mainstream society took heed.

When the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock the first thing the men did was build permanent housing. Then they each built their wives a kitchen brewery. I bet they didn't teach you that in early American history in school. Married women homebrewed "small beer" which they supplemented with cider, to sustain their families.

By now you can see how women helped save the world by making beer since the dawn of civilization. They deserve equal credit with men when it comes to bragging rights in the art of making beer. Like many things in life, it takes two to Tango.

As it Stands, a beer in hand is worth two in the fridge.

Hair Today... Gone Tomorow

 
"Gimme head with hair

Long beautiful hair

Shining, gleaming,

Streaming, flaxen, waxen..."

from the play "Hair"

Males with long hair were a major societal controversy when I was a senior in high school in 1968. That same year the amazing play Hair opened on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre on April 29th.

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical was controversial because it depicted counterculture themes, including drug use, nudity, sexuality, and an anti-war message. Everything about the play challenged the traditional values and norms of the time.

Following a Public Theatre concert in 2007, the 2009 revival of Hair opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on March 31st. It ran for 519 performances, concluding its run on June 27, 2010.

The nation was going through significant social and political upheaval, and the debut of the musical Hair was like pouring gasoline on a fire to the Pro-War stalwarts who saw long-haired hippies as a threat to everything they believed in. 

Most eating establishments turned away young long-haired men... unless they were rock stars with lots of money. 

Traveling in the southern states was perilous for long haired males and for anyone with California license plates, as my best friend Larry and I found out. We attempted to eat at a local restaurant in Georgia in 1968 and no one would serve us.

As we sat at the table it became apparent no one there was going to bring us a menu. Finally, a state trooper sporting a Smokey the Bear hat got up from the counter and slowly walked over to us. "We don't serve your kind here," he said with a lazy matter of fact drawl. 

As the decades slipped by, I watched as long hair was normalized. Fashions change. 

I get that. 

But who would have guessed that bald is now beautiful? 

Young men today are perfectly content with having no hair at all! I guess you could say I saw the whole spectrum of hair at its zenith (shining, gleaming, flaxen hair) to the complete opposite of gleaming craniums.

As it Stands, my takeaway from the musical Hair was it was about liberation and embracing one's hairstyle as their ultimate expression of freedom.

Garlic: The Marvelous Plant That Vampires Fear and is a Poisoning Cure

What's not to like about garlic?

The smell you say. Not everyone feels that way. When it comes to cooking no chef is ever caught without those fragrant cloves for flavor.

Garlic is mankind's best friend, and its pungent odor is reportedly one of the reasons vampires don't like it. Garlic, specifically the chemical compound allicin inside garlic, is a powerful antibiotic.

Some European beliefs around vampires is that they were created by a disease of the blood, so a powerful antibiotic would "Kill" a vampire. So, it's garlic's healing properties that they fear.

A Quick Look at Garlic's Healing Properties

For starters a group of scientists based at Washington State University published a study where a compound found naturally in garlic (allicin) is more effective at fighting food poisoning bacteria than two types of antibiotics. 

More good news... the strong antioxidants present in garlic help in reducing the free radical build up in the skin thus keeping it firm and youthful.

It also contains sulfur, which helps the body to produce collagen which in turn helps in fighting wrinkles. 

Attention teenagers!

Garlic's antibacterial properties and antioxidants can clear up your skin by killing acne-causing bacteria. Just rub raw garlic over pimples and watch them go away.

The benefits just keep on coming...

Garlic may help reduce belly fat due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to boost metabolism. While it isn't a miracle cure, incorporating garlic into a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can support weight loss efforts, including reducing belly fat.

Garlic is good for your hair. It's believed to be beneficial for hair growth and health due to its sulfur content, vitamins, and minerals, which can nourish hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.

I read an article that claimed a fresh clove of garlic placed beneath a pillow is believed to have a calming effect on the nervous system, thanks to the sulphurously compounds which are released from the garlic. I can't imagine too many people do this. The garlicky scent would make me sick.

In some parts of the world its common to see garlic hanging outside doors to ward off evil spirits, negative energies, and even (to this day) against vampires. It's also associated with good fortune, health, and prosperity.

As it Stands, as the late great journalist Morley Safer once said, "You can never have enough garlic. With garlic, you can eat The New York Times."

From Animal Bones to Water: Furniture Can Be Fascinating

The concept of furniture first appeared around 30,000 years ago according to archaeological research. 

Our early ancestors used wood, stone, and animal bone to make themselves more comfortable. 

I can just imagine early cave dwellers reclining on bone rocking chairs and comparing kills. Rock tables were all the rage back then.

The first furniture for the masses showed up in ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Chinese homes. The Chinese are currently keeping up the tradition by being the world's largest furniture exporter, accounting for 38% of global furniture production.

The thing I love about furniture is its dual design for comfort and creativity. The wackier, the better.

Can you imagine having a couch inspired by Bigfoot? (Left) It looks menacing to me, but it's probably comfy.

Furniture designers have gotten more creative over the centuries and we're at a point where nothing is impossible to construct if it can be imagined. 

The furniture you choose defines your home's personality. It's important to understand that the color of your furniture can significantly impact your lifestyle.

For instance, those designing workplaces understand that bright colors can inspire creativity and brainstorming. Dark colors, however, can have the opposite effect. 

Furniture in blue and green hues evokes serenity and calm, while orange furniture communicates energy, power, and confidence.

Yellow encourages feelings of happiness and optimism, but too much yellow can cause subconscious anxiety. The time you spend in getting the right combination will be well worth it.

Unusual Furniture Designs

This is what I'm talking about. (Left) Would the teenager in your life love having this bed or what?

When it comes to fresh furniture designs for kids' rooms nothing says wacky like a carrot dresser for their clothes.

If that doesn't tickle your kids fantasy how about this wavy dresser (below) that looks like it was plucked out of a cartoon?

My advice for furniture in your home is simple; let it reflect your personality and you'll be a happy camper. Allow function and creativity to be your guide and you won't go wrong.

As it Stands,

I still remember waterbeds. My wife and I had one in the 70s. 

I don't recommend getting one unless you are prepared to worry about leaks and getting seasick after a big meal!

Do You Listen to Your Inner Voice?

According to most religions and many scholars people have a conscience. 

An inner voice or feeling that guides rightness or wrongness. Kind of like having the Disney character Jiminy Crickett perched on each shoulder. Good Jiminy and bad Jiminy.

"The concept of "conscience" as commonly used in the moral sense, is the inherent ability of every healthy human being to perceive what is right or wrong and, on the strength of this perception, to control, monitor, evaluate and execute their actions," according to a study from the National Institutes of Health.

I discovered that there are three types of conscience. "Certain conscience" is the complete absence of doubt in whether our decision is good or bad. Doubtful conscience limits our ability to make a choice between good or bad. Then there's the Delicate conscience which is very meticulous and careful about our decisions.

Apparently, we aren't born with a conscience which experts say is shaped by our experiences, interactions with others, and reflections on our actions. It's a lifelong process.

The answer to where is your conscience lodged... the brain or the heart will probably surprise you. A 2004 study conducted by McCraty, Atkinson & Bradley determined that the heart receives intuitive information BEFORE the brain. That certainly adds a new dimension to the definition of conscience. It comes straight from the heart. 

So why doesn't everyone have a conscience? 

The simple answer is while we may be capable of knowing right from wrong there are other factors to consider. 

Like greed. It makes people set aside their values to obtain wealth. The lust for power makes even the so-called moral man ignore the warning from his good Jiminy who is jumping up and down frantically on his shoulder.

I've wrestled with my conscience numerous times in the last seven decades. It's been a win-lose situation (like most people I suspect) but I like to think I do have a good heart, and I do know right from wrong. Not everyone is guided by their heart/conscience. I'll bet you know some people like that.

As it Stands, I think a lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience!

Bald and Proud of It!

I can remember a time in America when men went to great lengths to conceal their balding heads. 

Balding men used all sorts of transparently fake means to disguise the fact until several things happened.

By the mid-sixties bald heads became a staple of ridicule by stand-up comedians. 

We had a generation that revolted against all things fake.

Finally, TV ads began appearing with solutions for baldness. Bald was not cool. Long flowing locks were in. Before this happened, most men wore dress hats, and it was impossible to tell if they were going bald.

Then a hatless President Kennedy changed all of that and men began shedding their dress hats. 

They also sought more ways to conceal their shiny domes, like combovers and snake doctor cures which came in pills and ointments. Many actors just wore toupees.

Today a shaved head is very much in fashion. Two of my three sons shave their heads rather than deal with pattern baldness. All of those old rock stars with long hair are now electing to go bald while they try to extend their careers into another generation.

Caution. Not all men have a head that looks good bald. (Photo of Marc Andreessen) 

In Army bootcamp they shaved all of our heads. That's when I discovered my head looked like an egg!

Pointed heads (think Saturday Night Live's Coneheads) need to have hair. Lots of hair. But these day's actors like that bad boy bald image.  

Take Vin Diesel (right) for example. He's famous for his shiny head and sunglasses.

There was one actor back in the day who managed to pull off going bald before it was popular. 

Yul Brynner, a Russian-born actor, director, and author became a Hollywood icon with his live performances of the King and I. 

He's also remembered for his many movie appearances like Future World, Westworld, Anna and the King, Adios, Sabata, Death Rage, The Serpent, Catlow, Fuzz, and The Light at the Edge of the World.

It's interesting that Yul Brynner was brave enough to carve out a look in Hollywood when men were busy concealing their baldness.

As it Stands, I would prefer to shave my head these days, but my wife won't have any of it because I still have a full head of hair. Maybe she's right. My dome isn't a pretty sight!

Anti-Science Advocates Are a Worldwide Problem

In my lifetime I've watched science slide into a new dark age where societies are plagued with ignorance and lack of understanding about basic facts.

In particular I've watched America sink into an anti-intellectual wasteland where social influences are more important than reality. We have a block of the population that discounts or avoids information that contradicts their beliefs. They don't understand the scientific method which requires proof before beliefs. Facts before fiction.

The United States isn't alone in this assault on science as nearly every other country in the world is contending with misinformation and downright stupidity seeping into their societies via politics and right-wing groups. 

Disinformation campaigns are so sophisticated they can fool just about anyone into believing that the moon is made of Swiss cheese.

Science has always clashed with religions, but in today's world a broad swath of the population questions science - like facts aren't enough to convince them they are wrong if they don't fall into their belief system.

Willful ignorance is common and harmful, with 40% of people choosing "not to know" the consequences of their actions to free themselves of guilt while maximizing their own gains.

Are We, the Human Race, Regressing with No Hope?

No. There's always hope.

There's a growing body of research that shows that the best way to bridge the gulf with science deniers is to engage their values. 

This may involve finding common ground between the scientists' values and the skeptics.

Here's Some Ways to Deal with Ignorance

1. Take a deep breath and remain calm

2. Ignore the comments entirely

3. Allow humor to diffuse the situation

4. Respond with short answers

5. Use this moment to inform or teach

As it Stands,

it's important to understand that attitudes can be changed with the right approach. Respect of another's feelings is important in having fruitful conversations with positive results.