human rights - DADT

End years of discrimination and harassment

reflections - field of flags

The Field of Flags has been traveling around since 2005. It is an effort to pay recognition to the men and women who have died in Afghanistan since the USA invaded that nation. It started with some 2,000 flags; now it is up to over 5,800 flags. This display was in Haddam, CT.

snake oil - I-Renew

A couple of months before Bill learned he had cancer he saw an infomercial for a bracelet that was said to possess amazing healing powers; the I-Renew bracelet. So he ordered it from the tv advert number [and, no, I'm not going to post the number here]. Besides, if acted upon quickly ~ it could result in getting two bracelets for the price of one.

What is the I-Renew bracelet supposed to do? The website says:

"The iRenew Bracelet ...[helps] to balance your body's subtle BioField. By balancing your BioField with the iRenew Bracelet, you can create Greater Flexibility, Balance and Strength By achieving these key results above can create a better more stronger you."

It did take a long time to arrive. When it showed up I took both bracelets to show him. His immediate response was ~ somewhat emphatically ~ "I'm not wearing that thing while I'm getting chemo!" so his bracelet sits home at his apartment. I am wearing mine, but more out of solidarity with him as he goes for treatments.

Does it work? I haven't felt any different. Does no seem to work on anemia, but I take iron supplements for that.

Having ordered the bracelets works in other ways, however? Just Monday I gt a phone call asking if I liked the bracelet. I told them the clasp keeps coming loose. They said that was too bad.

But they also proffered to sell me other stuff; in particular a book of "valuable coupons" that I might be able to use in local businesses.

I laughed and politely declined.

home life - building a post +beam outbuilding

next time I need a barn/outbuilding raised, I'm calling these guys