Blog, Health, Resources

Surviving isolation in the era of Covid-19

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<p class="has-drop-cap" value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">Valentine's Day is designated the day for love. Cards, gifts and candies are symbolic things to show love and affection for your significant other. But today we are forced in many instances to shower love virtually. Although romancing remotely may not be the most romantic way, it is the best alternative currently. Of course, many will chance closeness perhaps while wearing masks and self-distancing, but lovers may desire more intimate situations. Alas, we are learning how to navigate through this time. Valentine's Day is designated the day for love. Cards, gifts and candies are symbolic things to show love and affection for your significant other. But today we are forced in many instances to shower love virtually. Although romancing remotely may not be the most romantic way, it is the best alternative currently. Of course, many will chance closeness perhaps while wearing masks and self-distancing, but lovers may desire more intimate situations. Alas, we are learning how to navigate through this time.Valentine’s Day is designated the day for love. Cards, gifts and candies are symbolic things to show love and affection for your significant other. But today we are forced in many instances to shower love virtually. Although romancing remotely may not be the most romantic way, it is the best alternative currently. Of course, many will chance closeness perhaps while wearing masks and self-distancing, but lovers may desire more intimate situations. Alas, we are learning how to navigate through this time. Valentine’s Day is designated the day for love. Cards, gifts and candies are symbolic things to show love and affection for your significant other. But today we are forced in many instances to shower love virtually. Although romancing remotely may not be the most romantic way, it is the best alternative currently. Of course, many will chance closeness perhaps while wearing masks and self-distancing, but lovers may desire more intimate situations. Alas, we are learning how to navigate through this time.

<p value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">There are many good communication apps out there, the most used are Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and for Apple users, Facetime, that comes with the iPhone and iPad. We are able to see and hear our friends, constituents and family wherever we are. I think it is a great way to meet new people on some of the Singles sites and this is a wonderful way to watch and check on our beloved seniors. I find Zoom to be my preference of virtual communication, while Skype is a close second. If you do not have these apps, the links provided below will lead you to where you can download them to your devices. There are many good communication apps out there, the most used are Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and for Apple users, Facetime, that comes with the iPhone and iPad. We are able to see and hear our friends, constituents and family wherever we are. I think it is a great way to meet new people on some of the Singles sites and this is a wonderful way to watch and check on our beloved seniors. I find Zoom to be my preference of virtual communication, while Skype is a close second. If you do not have these apps, the links provided below will lead you to where you can download them to your devices.There are many good communication apps out there, the most used are Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and for Apple users, Facetime, that comes with the iPhone and iPad. We are able to see and hear our friends, constituents and family wherever we are. I think it is a great way to meet new people on some of the Singles sites and this is a wonderful way to watch and check on our beloved seniors. I find Zoom to be my preference of virtual communication, while Skype is a close second. If you do not have these apps, the links provided below will lead you to where you can download them to your devices. There are many good communication apps out there, the most used are Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and for Apple users, Facetime, that comes with the iPhone and iPad. We are able to see and hear our friends, constituents and family wherever we are. I think it is a great way to meet new people on some of the Singles sites and this is a wonderful way to watch and check on our beloved seniors. I find Zoom to be my preference of virtual communication, while Skype is a close second. If you do not have these apps, the links provided below will lead you to where you can download them to your devices.

There are many good communication apps out there, the most used are Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and for Apple users, Facetime, that comes with the iPhone and iPad. We are able to see and hear our friends, constituents and family wherever we are. I think it is a great way to meet new people on some of the Singles sites and this is a wonderful way to watch and check on our beloved seniors. I find Zoom to be my preference of virtual communication, while Skype is a close second. If you do not have these apps, the links provided below will lead you to where you can download them to your devices. There are many good communication apps out there, the most used are Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and for Apple users, Facetime, that comes with the iPhone and iPad. We are able to see and hear our friends, constituents and family wherever we are. I think it is a great way to meet new people on some of the Singles sites and this is a wonderful way to watch and check on our beloved seniors. I find Zoom to be my preference of virtual communication, while Skype is a close second. If you do not have these apps, the links provided below will lead you to where you can download them to your devices.

These are only three of the most popular platforms used today. All of them allow for chatting as well as real time face to face communication. You can even take snapshots of your participant while conversing with them. This is a great way to get photos of your grandchildren. Some apps even allow streaming and sharing files and content between users. These are really wonderful tools to use in this time. You do not have to wait to see anyone; if you have a smartphone or iPad, you can pretty much touch base anywhere and anytime. These are only three of the most popular platforms used today. All of them allow for chatting as well as real time face to face communication. You can even take snapshots of your participant while conversing with them. This is a great way to get photos of your grandchildren. Some apps even allow streaming and sharing files and content between users. These are really wonderful tools to use in this time. You do not have to wait to see anyone; if you have a smartphone or iPad, you can pretty much touch base anywhere and anytime.

Many businesses utilize these tools for long distance meetings and conferences. This saves a lot of travel money and it is an excellent way of following the rules of distancing during the pandemic. They use more sophisticated apps such as:

Even doctors are using this to schedule and conduct doctor visits with their patients. I have conducted doctor visits with my doctors via their communication apps and find it very convenient, especially when it is just follow-ups. The doctor is able to refill and prescribe medicine to your pharmacy quickly and forward you any information that they think you need. How great is this!

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The Calm Before the Storm

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Happy Days are here again, …?

Is this a new beginning, or is this country celebrating too soon? Yes, the electoral votes show Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the victors. We have exhaled, but how long will this peace last? The previous president, Donald Trump, has not conceded and his administration and the majority Republican senate is in agreement with him. People, we are in a dark time and racism never died. it just laid low. For four long years, this evil system was unleashed upon the African American community. Now, even the Asian community have stated they have been visited by the specter of racism. But their problems were opened to the rest of us, due to the coronavirus. For years, they were referred to as the “Model Minorities”. What a horrible awakening for those of this group to find out that they were just tolerated and just a foot on a ” banana peel” above African Americans. Privilege for minorities are a slippery slope in the eyes of the dominant society.

The outgoing president, set the precedents to what was always there; permission to practice openly “white supremacy” and “white privilege”. He tore the clothes off of an otherwise, proud America, to the truth. America has a sickness, so before we forget, remember, Donald Trump, won 50% of the votes. His followers and supporters are many. Most voted to save “systemic racism” contrary to some repudiating this to say it was about policy. There is no way that we should be celebrating and the man has not been inaugurated yet. Lawsuits are being filed in the courts, his base is storming mad and some of them are out for blood, so we need to be on guard. Congrats to Biden, but don’t get it twisted. This is just the beginning of what may be a long recovery for the United States. Our foreign affairs are in shambles, Americans are standing in long food lines, people are infected with the covid and dying in droves and people are faced with joblessness and evictions. So why are we celebrating? We need to hope for a peaceful transition, because Donald Trump is not going to go peacefully into that good night. If four years of this administration have not taught you anything, you best know that this narcissist is going down kicking and fighting. The world is watching and they are not easily tricked to receive America with open arms. This time they will test the water before they dive in. This is the first time since before World War I, that America was an isolated nation. Our credibility has been badly tarnished during these four years.

Celebrate the moment, but be real, this country has a lot of work ahead and it is not going to be a walk in the park.

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Summer Gone So Soon

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So soon is the summer leaving us. This is the first summer that I did not go swimming, a past-time that I truly love. I think that the Covid virus has taken a toll on me. No, not my health, but my mental and well-being. This has been the saddest and unfortunate summer for everyone. I lost two beloved pets, my dog, Foxy and my cat, Lady, to devastating diseases of cancer and congestive heart failure. Although they were both very old, nevertheless, their deaths left me empty and grieving. I still have one cat, but she knows that things are not the same. Autumn lived with two other pets and now it is just her and myself. I have been more attentive to her and she to me since the others are gone.

The Swimming pools I usually swim in at home in the summer

My father and step-father also passed from diseases. My step-father died from the coronavirus and my dad, from bone cancer. My sweet nephew, buried his pet guinea pig who also died of old age. Yes. this has been the worst summer and year that I have ever experienced. The swimming pools were not crowded this year, far from the photo that was taken last summer, because everyone is effected by this god-forsaken virus. I miss seeing my neighbor tenants walking their pets in the evening. Everyone is in after dark. We live in a beautiful apartment complex in the rural-suburbs of Macomb county in Michigan. It is so strange to see my neighbors not walking or sitting on their patios and balcony after dark.

The summer was very hot this year and we have had more blue skies than we have had for the past 3 years in Michigan. It truly has been a lovely summer. But we can feel the havoc that this virus has taken on all of us. I plan to get another dog soon, but I will always remember the pain of Summer 2020. I spent more time sitting on my patio looking out on the pond than going to the pool. As I said, I have not swam at all this year. My spirit was just not up to it. Ever since I moved here, since November 2014, I looked forward to summer to swim in the 3 pools. This is a large apartment complex with over 2000 tenants. I looked forward to evening walks with my dog and sitting outside of the apartment guest house watching others swim. It is so nice watching the swans, geese and ducks swim around the ponds. And there are large bass in these ponds too. My neighbors are seen fishing. You see we have large ponds outside of our patio doors, so we can fish anytime we want without even leaving our homes. How great is that? But I only saw one or two of my neighbors sitting along the banks fishing this year. Yes. This was a beautiful summer as far as the weather, but a gloomy one otherwise.

I miss my dad and I really need to go see my mom, wearing a mask of course, since my mom is 82 years young. She does not look or act her age, but precaution is needed in this age of Covid-19. I miss my cousins, some who have passed away this year from illnesses other than Covid. I hope and pray that we will see better days. But I will concentrate on adopting another dog to give both me and my cat company and love. Be well, family!

Resources

Home Heating Credit Chart

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www.michigan.gov/taxes/iit/accordion/credits/table-b-2021-home-heating-credit-mi-1040cr-7-alternate-credit-computation

This is the alternative home CREDIT heating has been issued for 2022 for Michigan low income citizens. This is the chart that let you know whether you are income qualified. 

If you filed a 2021 tax form for Michigan before or on September 30, 2022 you should be receiving a check or direct deposit for $300-$575. If you wish to know more about this stimulus, please contact the department of treasury of Michigan . 

Blog

Bernie Sanders for President

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Third time’s a charm? 

Speculation continues to mount about President Biden’s potential re-election bid in 2024. While Biden has reportedly confirmed he will run for a second term, eyes have shifted to other possible candidates to take up the mantle for the Democrats if the president changes his mind. This would potentially open the door for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to launch a White House bid for the third time. The democratic socialist remains highly popular among the younger generations, but he is also among the eldest candidates — older even than Biden, at 81 years old. 

What are the chances that, if Biden opts out of the next campaign, an announcement could come for a Sanders 2024 run? Here’s everything you need to know.

Blog, Resources

Ships of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

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Slave Ship – List of Slave Ships | List Slave Ships

https://www.liquisearch.com/slave_ship/list_of_slave_ships

What happened to the ships that carried human cargo across the Atlantic to a life of harsh and grueling servitude?

Many descendants of slaves in America wonder about this. Who owned these seafaring vessels; were they used for more than transporters of slavery? Most curiously, what was their demise.

Much has been said, written and discussed regarding slavery but little is known about the very journey or history about the life aboard these vessels. There are books and mention of one infamous ship. The “Amistad”, is famous because of the slave mutiny.

List of Slave Ships

• Adelaide, French slave ship, sank 1714 near Cuba.

• Antelope, Spanish slave ship captured near Florida in 1820 with 283 slaves aboard, leading to The Antelope case.

• Aurore, along with the Duc du Maine, the first French slave ships that brought the first slaves to Louisiana.

• La Amistad, cargo ship which sometimes carried slaves (see note below).

• Braunfisch, a Brandenburgian slave ship lost in 1688 in a revolt.

• Brookes, sailing in the 1780s.

• Clotilde, burned and sunk at Mobile, in autumn 1859.

• Cora, captured by the USS Constellation in 1860.

• Creole, involved in the United States coastwise slave trade and the scene of a slave rebellion in 1841, leading to the Creole case.

• Desire, first American slave ship.

• Elisabeth, sailing from Jamaica for West Africa.

• Duc du Maine, along with the Aurore, the first French slave ships that brought the first slaves to Louisiana.

• Fredensborg, Danish slave ship, sank in 1768 off Tromøy in Norway, after a journey in the triangular trade. Leif Svalesen (da) has written a book about the journey.

• Guerrero, Spanish slave ship wrecked in the Florida Keys in 1827 carrying 561 Africans.

• Hannibal. An English slaver of the Atlantic slave trade.

• Henrietta Marie. Sank 1700 near Marquesas Keys, Florida, excavated in 1980s.

• Hope, American brig which brought slaves to Rhode Island

• Jesus of Lübeck (de) 700-ton ship used on the second voyage of John Hawkins to transport 400 captured Africans in 1564. Queen Elizabeth I was his partner and rented him the vessel.

• Kron-Printzen, Danish slave ship, sank in 1706 with 820 slaves on board.

• Le Concord. Slave ship turned pirate ship aka Queen Anne’s Revenge. Sank 1717.

• Lord Ligonier. See Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley.

• Don Francisco. Slave ship captured in 1837. Sold as a colonial trader renamed James Matthews. Excavated by Western Australian Museum in 1974

• Madre de Deus (Mother of God), 1567. John Hawkins captured this ship and transported 400 Africans.

• Manuela, built as clipper ship Sunny South, captured by HMS Brisk in Mozambique Channel with over 800 slaves aboard.

• Margaret Scott confiscated and sunk as part of the Stone fleet in 1862

• Meermin, a Dutch East India Company ship active between southern Africa and Madagascar, whose final voyage in 1766 ended in mutiny by the slaves: around half the crew and nearly 30 Malagasy died, and the ship was destroyed.

• Nightingale, clipper ship captured by Saratoga near Cabinda, Angola in 1861 with 961 slaves aboard.

• Pons, American built barque captured by the USS Yorktown 1 December 1845 with 850-900 slaves.

• Salamander, Brandenburgian slave ship.

• Sally, of Newport, Rhode Island – reviewed in the Report of the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice.

• Tecora, Portuguese slave ship that transported the slaves who would later revolt aboard La Amistad.

• Triton captured by the USS Constellation 1861.

• Trouvadore, wrecked in Turks and Caicos 1841. 193 slaves survived. Project commenced in 2004 to locate the ship.

• Wanderer, formerly last slave ship to the U.S. (November 1858) until Clotilde reported in 1859 or 1860.

• Wildfire, a barque, arrested off the Florida coast by the US Navy in 1860; carrying 450 slaves.

• Whydah Gally, slave ship turned into pirate ship, sank 1717.

• Zong, a British slave ship infamous for the 1781 massacre of 132 sick and dying slaves who were thrown overboard in an attempt to guarantee that the ship’s owners could collect on their cargo insurance.

Note: While La Amistad is often called a slave ship, it was in fact a general purpose cargo ship, which occasionally carried slaves. See the article about the ship, and the resulting court case, for more information.

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