On Dads, Maths…and a Jamaican beauty queen

Petchary's Blog

When this press release from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) dropped into my inbox, it immediately resonated with me on a couple of levels. By the way, the JCDC is very busy at the moment organising competitions in each of our fourteen parishes for Jamaica’s Festival Queen. I am personally not a fan of beauty pageants; but this annual competition is (thankfully) not about the commercialised over-blown hairdo, high heel and bikini parades. None of the competitors talk about “World Peace,” either. The prizes to be won include “Most Active in her Community” and “Most Culturally Aware.” It is more about character than vital statistics.

The six contestants for Jamaica's Miss Trelawny Festival Queen 2023 line up with last year's Queen. The annual contest will end on Emancipation Day, August 1.
The six contestants for the Miss Trelawny Festival Queen looking lovely, with last year’s Queen, Tramaine Campbell, in the centre.

I loved this article from JCDC, about Trelawny’s newly-crowned Queen, because it reminded me of my own schooldays struggling with Mathematics – and of…

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♫ So Far Away ♫ (Redux)

Filosofa's Word

A few nights ago, blogging friend Ali sent me a link to an audio podcast all about Carole King and her famous album, Tapestry!  Well naturally that put me in the mood to play some of her music here.  If you’re interested in listening to the aforementioned podcast, you can find it here … it’s only 13 minutes, but well worth listening to!  Meanwhile, let’s listen to a little So Far Away!


Carole King scored another hit with this single, where she bemoans the fact that she and the man she loves can’t be together, and mentions that people in general were becoming more disconnected from each other. It was the fourth single from her famous Tapestry album, which sold over 11 million copies. King wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the album, ushering in the singer/songwriter genre.

Lou Adler, who produced Tapestry and owned Carole King’s record…

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The pernicious elite obsession with RFK Jr.

Every year, vaccines save millions of lives. Polio, which used to cripple and kill thousands of children in the United States, has been eliminated thanks to widespread vaccination. Diphtheria, which used to be the most common cause of childhood death in the United States, is exceedingly rare. Other serious illnesses, including measles, whooping cough, and tetanus, are no longer a pervasive threat. Overall there are more than 25 vaccines that can safely “prevent diseases, protect health throughout the lifespan, and help to prevent and mitigate outbreaks.”

But Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spent the last two decades of his professional life using discredited, manipulated, and cherry-picked evidence to argue that life-saving vaccines are dangerous.

Source: The pernicious elite obsession with RFK Jr.

Refugee Day! – Silent Songs of Sonsnow

On this World Refugee Day, let us remember the heart-wrenching reality faced by refugees in foreign lands. The profound sadness lies in our lack of possession, not only in material things, but even within our own hearts. Even in our deepest slumber, they long to escape and return to the cherished homeland we were forced to leave behind. Source: Refugee Day! – Silent Songs of Sonsnow

COVID-19 Effect on the Brain Revealed by New MRI Technique – GeneOnline News

When viruses infect the central nervous system (CNS) during both the active and post-COVID-19 phases, it triggers a phenomenon known as neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation refers to inflammation in the brain, which can lead to alteration in the brain’s white matter. The research conducted using the new imaging technique demonstrates that COVID-19  affects not only the lungs but also that it has an impact on the human brain.  Source: COVID-19 Effect on the Brain Revealed by New MRI Technique – GeneOnline News