Source: FOTD- Rose – 100CountryTrek.com
Monthly Archives: December 2024
My new novel is a perfect gift for someone in your life – Darcy Hitchcock
Who is it for?
Dragonfly’s Question is for anyone feeling despair about the state of the world, anyone worried about things like climate change, forever chemicals or Wall Street’s relentless pursuit of growth, anyone who wants to stop talking about the problems and start implementing sustainable solutions. It’s also for that person in your family who doesn’t ‘get’ your sustainability-related concerns.
This is a great 99¢ virtual stocking stuffer for someone in your life. Please share it and talk about it! It’s a crash course in over 50 sustainability practices wrapped in a heart-felt father-daughter story set in the near future.
If you liked Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael or Ernest Callenbach’s Ecotopia or if you like to read cli-fi, you should enjoy this positive spin on what can be and is already being done.
This novel is an antidote to gloom, doom and despair.
Source: My new novel is a perfect gift for someone in your life – Darcy Hitchcock
We Did It! | Dawn Pisturino’s Blog
We Did It!
on December 4, 2024

(Graphic created on Canva by Dawn Pisturino.)
WE DID IT!
When I checked the status of Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine on Amazon this morning, I saw the #1 New Release banner. I yelled in excitement. My husband looked at me like I was crazy. I told him, “I’m going to be slightly crazy all day.” He smiled, shook his head, and said, “What’s new about that?” He’s very happy for me, though, so it’s okay if I’ve been slightly off-kilter all day.
You see, I had resigned myself to coming in second. I had already hit #2 and dropped to #3. I couldn’t push past the erotic haiku and the anthology with the established following. But we did it! And it’s thanks to all of you.
Thank you! Your friendship and support mean the world to me.
Almost a third of preteens, teens with long COVID still not recovered at 2 years, study shows | CIDRAP
A new study from UK investigators shows that—while most COVID-19 patients ages 11 to 17 who reported long-COVID symptoms 3 months after the initial infection no longer experienced lingering symptoms at 2 years—29% still did.
The findings, published in the journal Communications Medicine, come from the National Long COVID in Children and Young People cohort study, which followed up on thousands of young people after their COVID-19 diagnoses. ..

Avian Flu Diary: PAHO Epidemiological Alert: Human Cases of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in the Americas Region – 3 December 2024
While technical, many will want to download and review the full document.
Despite assurances from American officials that the risks to the general public remain `low’, we are seeing growing international concern over the escalation of avian flu activity in North America over the past few months.
Yesterday the UK announced the purchase of 5 million doses of H5 vaccine, last week Hong Kong held a major H5N1 exercise, two weeks ago the ECDC released a Guide To Revising The Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, and over the summer both South Korea and Japan issued revised pandemic plans.
Admittedly, no one can predict what will happen with H5N1 (or any other novel virus), but recent events suggest the risks are rising. Which is why, less than a week ago I posted a blog (see A Personal Pre-Pandemic Plan) on what individuals can reasonably do during these uncertain times to prepare.
Hopefully, none of these preps will be needed. But hope is not a plan.

Chikungunya moving into new regions, disabling millions and racking up billions in costs, data suggest | CIDRAP
Globalization, urbanization, and climate change have significantly raised the risk of “explosive, unpredictable” outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease chikungunya, which disabled millions and likely amassed close to $50 billion in healthcare and disability-related costs in 110 countries from 2011 to 2020, researchers report in BMJ Global Health.
The first documented outbreak of the viral illness occurred in Tanzania in 1952. But over the past 20 years, climate change has allowed its vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopticus mosquitoes, to thrive in expanded geographic areas, posing threats to both developed and developing countries, the study authors noted.
Chikungunya causes fever, severe joint pain, rash, and fatigue. While most cases are self-limited, the disease can affect neurologic and cardiovascular systems, leading to poor outcomes, including death. In some cases, chikungunya can result in debilitating chronic problems such as joint pain, which can significantly diminish quality of life.
Latin America, Caribbean hardest hit
Because chikungunya prevalence is likely underestimated owing to misdiagnosis, poor testing infrastructure, and low healthcare access, the researchers analyzed data for 2011 to 2020 and modeled the results.
Data sources were the Programme for Monitoring Emerging Diseases, local ministries of health, the Pan American Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization’s CHOICE program.
The team also estimated both direct costs (eg, testing, hospitalizations, outpatient care, drugs) and indirect costs (eg, inability of patients and caregivers to work)…

Cuando llegue la mudanza – Santiago Galicia Rojon Serrallonga
Derechos reservados conforme a la ley/ Copyright
Cuando llegue la mudanza, habrá un espacio para ti, ella, él, ustedes y nosotros, porque llevaré en mí algo de su esencia y de su arcilla, materiales etéreos y tangibles con los que construiré en el infinito un paraíso, una cabaña, un palacio, con la intención de esperarlos y ofrecerles los regalos que, juntos, en nuestras andanzas, hemos construido con tanto amor y paciencia. Cuando la mudanza toque a la puerta -la de mi existencia terrena-, sonreiré agradecido, como quien momentáneamente se despide en cierta estación con la certeza de que habrá un reencuentro feliz e interminable. Cuando llegue la mudanza, dejaré las liviandades que pesan tanto y las cargas tan insignificantes, con todas las cosas acumuladas durante la caminata, que definitivamente me estorbarían y no ocuparé, porque a ustedes los prefiero. Cuando llegue la mudanza, no llevaré flores, si acaso alguien las coloca amablemente sobre mi tumba, porque, a cambio, una parte esencial de ustedes, con su amor y sus detalles, me acompañará, como lo he percibido siempre. Cuando llegue la mudanza, dispersaré mi perfume y dejaré letras y huellas de mi paso con el objetivo de que las descubran, las sigan y lleguen al rincón del infinito donde los esperaré. Cuando llegue la mudanza, colocaré mis letras, la tinta y el papel en mi mochila de aventurero y viajero, para escribir los textos que siempre les regalaré. Cuando llegue la mudanza, no significará que he perecido; simplemente, habré cambiado mi morada a otro plano, a la inmortalidad, donde ustedes y yo, créanlo, seremos una luz cautivante, hermosa, sublime, mágica e inextinguible. Y mientras llega la mudanza, disfrutaré la dicha de andar con ustedes en este mundo.
Derechos reservados conforme a la ley/ Copyright
Source: Cuando llegue la mudanza – Santiago Galicia Rojon Serrallonga
(3) Zaz, @AlceuValencaOficial : Belle de jour (official video) – YouTube

(3) Swedish Kulning In The Winter Forest – YouTube Jonna Jinton

Writer’s Workshop: Wanna Take a Class With Me? | K E Garland
In January, I’ll be teaching a 3-part virtual class called, “Stand in Your Power: How to Share Your Truth with Authenticity and Respect” through Literary Liberation. With this course, you will learn how to write about a family story and how it has impacted you.
If you’re interested, details can be found on Literary Liberation’s Substack: Register Here!

- Writer’s Workshop: Improve FLOW by Removing these 3 Words
- Writer’s Workshop: Voice
- Writer’s Workshop: Studying the Craft
- Writer’s Workshop: Show, Don’t Tell
- Monday Notes: 5 Ways to Become a Writer
Source: Writer’s Workshop: Wanna Take a Class With Me? | K E Garland

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