Jun 14, 2018

Karl Rove: My Mom’s Suicide Was Preventable


My Mom’s Suicide Was Preventable

The deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain remind us that there is help.

My Mom’s Suicide Was Preventable
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
I didn’t know Kate Spade or Anthony Bourdain but saw familiar threads in their suicides, as my mother took her own life at age 51.
Spade had spoken to her father the night before and was looking forward to a trip to California. Bourdain was in one of his favorite countries, France, working on his television show. My mother, struggling through her third and failing marriage, had arrived at a plan to get back on her feet, supported by friends and family.
People were shocked when Spade and Bourdain hanged themselves, she in her New York apartment, he in a hotel room in Strasbourg. No one saw it coming when—a day after expressing optimism about her future—my mother drove into the desert, connected a hose to her pickup’s exhaust pipe, strung it through the cab’s back window and died of carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Spade left a note, reportedly telling her 13-year-old daughter it wasn’t her fault. My mother wrote a letter, expressing pride in her five children, telling her grandchildren she loved them, and absolving her family for her decision.
These final messages won’t assuage the irrepressible sense of guilt and shame that family and friends feel after a suicide: I should have known. If only I had paid attention. I should have done something.
Except you aren’t responsible. Suicide is the most personal, solitary decision a human being can make. Whether the culmination of a long decline or a shock like a thunderbolt on a clear day, suicide is often driven by depression, anxiety, drug addiction or other mental disorders. Yet it is among the most preventable causes of death in the U.S. today.
Shortly after I wrote about my mother’s death in a memoir, I received a gracious email from David Axelrod. We had never met, but it turned out we had more in common than working in the White House, he for Barack Obama and I for George W. Bush. David’s father died by suicide when David was 19, and police came to his college dorm room to ask him to identify the body.
David later wrote a beautiful tribute to his father, offering the insight that his dad “was impacted by the sense, so prevalent in our society, that depression is somehow a character flaw rather than an illness.” He believes that’s what kept his father, a psychologist, from seeking help, along with many others.
Spade talked about a continuing sadness, family members said. My mother wrote in her suicide note that she was “very tired, deep inside tired.” A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that many people resorted to suicide after problems in a relationship, or amid stress over work, physical health or finances. Substance abuse is also a major trigger. Such challenges may bring on depression or make an underlying depression worse.
The stigma surrounding mental illness keeps many with depression from seeking treatment. Who would refuse treatment for any other life-threatening disease if a physician could say: “We’ve caught it in time, we can deal with it and you don’t need to die from it”?
On the practical front, anyone who feels suicidal should ask for help before taking an action from which there is no return. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Veterans can then dial 1. People are available 24 hours a day. The website SpeakingOfSuicide.com offers important resources. If you or someone you know feels suicidal, talk to a doctor or mental-health professional. Call family, clergy or friends. Dial 911 if necessary.
The smart woman from Kansas City with a wonderful smile created joy for many with her stylish, sophisticated handbags. The tall cook with curly gray hair and a jutting jawline introduced millions to the world’s food and drink. We know their stories, but must not forget that 863 other Americans—most of them less famous, but no less valuable as human beings—died by suicide last week too, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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To those who contemplate suicide, realize the world won’t be better for your absence. There will be a child, spouse or parent, a colleague or co-worker, neighbor or friend who will miss you more than you know. Despair can be overwhelming, but it is not permanent. We all need others to walk beside us in difficult moments. And remember, you are precious in the eyes of God and those who love you.
Mr. Rove helped organize the political-action committee American Crossroads and is the author of “The Triumph of William McKinley ” (Simon & Schuster, 2015).
Appeared in the June 14, 2018, print edition.


copied from wsj.com


Thank you, Karl, for taking time to share your very important thoughts with us.

Jun 13, 2018

William Laidley Arnim: Visalia, California--October 31 1883

In loving memory:


My Grandmother's brother, Billy.

William Laidley Arnim






from the collection of Bessie Ida Arnim Varley



tags:

Billy Arnim, William L. Arnim, William Laidley Arnim, William L. Arnim of Visalia California and La Grange Texas, Billy Arnim Orange California


Jun 11, 2018

USS Hornet Sinking

USS Hornet Sinking

Remembering Commander Richard Byron Varley II:













From the collection of Richard Byron Varley, Jr.


Richard Varley was in the water for 4 hours before he was rescued.


The news of the attack on the USS Hornet came across the radio one time and his mother heard the announcement and then there was no further information for several hours.

Jun 8, 2018

Tired Marine and His Dog Sleep on a Bed of Rocks--Okinawa

from US Navy War Photographs



from the collection of  Richard Byron Varley, Jr

Baby Red Tail Hawks: Morley Field Dog Park, Balboa Park, San Diego

At the dog park:





Hard to see the birds but there were three in the nest.



The nest at the dog park has been there for several years.  Every day the birds put on a show learning to fly.



The lady love:
Coco the dog came from Mexico where she lived on her own.  She was stabbed and then she was rescued by Negar and Judy from Paws4Thought Animal Rescue in Bonita.

We are best friends now.


Recently visiting Palestine and noticing there are quite a few stray dogs in need of assistance.

There is a lady in Bethlehem and she is working very hard to help them.

Her name is Diana George Babish and she has an animal shelter there with very many lovely dogs that need homes.

Can you go over to Tel Aviv and pick one up.  It is actually cheaper than shipping them as cargo and Diana can easily provide all of the papers and a kennel.

Or just help to get the word out.

Their hardships are magnified by political and physical isolation.

here is a link to more info about them including her facebook page:


Thanks for reading......if anyone has any ideas about helping Diana please offer you suggestions.


cl....TheRonnieRe


#LovePalestine



Jun 7, 2018

the ronnie republic: The Baby Eagles From The Channel Islands

the ronnie republic: The Baby Eagles From The Channel Islands: The baby eagles from The Channel Islands. From Explore Live Cams--here is the link: https://explore.org/livecams/explore-all-cams/...

The Baby Eagles From The Channel Islands

Thumbnail



The baby eagles from The Channel Islands.


From Explore Live Cams--here is the link:

https://explore.org/livecams/explore-all-cams/channel-islands-national-park-sauces-bald-eagle

USS Canberra: Change of Command Ceremony--Commander Cruiser Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet--November 2 1960

USS Canberra:  Change of Command Ceremony--Commander Cruiser Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet--November 2 1960




Admiral Robert L. Dennison, USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantinc Fleet,
Commander in Chief Atlantic







Rear Admiral John McNay Taylor
United States Navy











Rear Admiral Robert W. Cavenagh
United States Navy












From the collection of Commander Richard Byron Varley, Jr.


Richard Varley, Annapolis 1942



tags:

USS Canberra:  Change of Command Ceremony--Commander Cruiser Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet--November 2 1960, Richard Byron Varley Jr, Navy Memorabilia, Admiral L. Dennison, Rear Admiral John McNay Taylor, Rear Admiral Robert W. Cavanagh, 

Jun 6, 2018

Havana Memories: US Navy 1950's





Commander Richard Byron Varley, Jr.


from the collection of Richard Byron Varley, Jr.

tags:  
Richard Byron Varley Jr, USS Pennsylvania, Tasca Espanola, Herman's Store Havana Cuba, Armed Forces Day 1955 Keesler Air Force Base, 

Jun 5, 2018

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits: from www.arabamerica.com on @TheRonnieRe #Love Palestine


8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits

POSTED ON: FEB 15, 2017
8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
BY: Julia Jahanpour/Contributing Writer 
Tea is a prominent part of Arab culture and society. For centuries, it has been served warm for guests, business associates, and at meetings and social events. A strong part of the cultural tradition, hot tea has brought family and friends together for hundreds of years. It is served before, after, and sometimes during meals. Tea is a precursor for gatherings, parties, and celebrations because it not only is considered a polite form of welcoming guests, but is also a healthy beverage.
Different Arab teas have unique properties. Some provide medicinal benefits, while others have sweet flavors and strong aromas that soothe and provide comfort. Unlike Western tea, which is often served very sweet and iced, tea in Arab countries is served hot with fresh herbs. The types of tea drunk throughout the Arab world vary just as widely as the people do.
Here are 8 Arab teas and their beneficial properties.

1. Sage (Maramia)

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
Native to the Mediterranean region, sage provides many medicinal benefits, along with an earthy, herbal taste. Known for helping with hot flashes, oral viruses, lymph nodes, and muscle tension, sage offers a wide range of remedies. The strong aroma of maramia can be smelled throughout an entire house, leaving everyone feeling better after just one whiff.

2. Chamomile (Babooneh)

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
A popular drink before bed, chamomile tea is decaffeinated, and known to cure insomnia and anxiety.  Highly calming, the dried chamomile flowers steep to a warm golden-brown, and can help with stress and minor aches and pains.

3. Anise (Yansoon)

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
With natural sweetness (think licorice), anise tea is loved for its unique flavor and calming properties.  What’s more, anise tea can also be used for upset stomachs, nausea, and hiccups. Natural digestive properties make this tea a great choice after eating large meals.

4. Thyme (Za’atar)

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
Great for the mind and stomach, za’atar tea helps improve memory and cleans out the stomach. Rich in antioxidants, this tea is also useful in preventing aging from within.

5. Cardamom (Hal)

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
Widely adored for its strong aroma, cardamom tea is very common in the Arab world. It is sometimes mixed with coffee and has historically been known to help with digestion and increase the flow of saliva.  It is drunk before meals to ready the enzymes for nutrients. Although one of the most expensive spices in the world, cardamom is still fervently harvested by hand for its many Arab customers.

6. Moroccan Mint Tea (Atay)

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
Atay is one of the most traditional teas in North Africa and prepared with mint leaves and sugar. Originally introduced by English merchants, the tea has spread in popularity throughout Africa, France, and other neighboring countries. Known to be invigorating and lively, the fresh mint used to prepare Atay helps cleanse the palate after meals, and is great for lethargic days.

7. Mint (Na’na)

8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits
Also well-known for its medicinal properties, mint tea is used commonly for getting over colds, sore throats, sinus congestion, and gastric ulcers. With high antioxidants and vitamins, mint helps boost immunity and health. Seasonal allergies can also be treated by drinking cups of  na’na tea due to rosmarinic acid, an anti-inflammatory agent found in mint. Minor aches and pains can be made better by the aspirin-like properties in mentha, even when consumed as a tea! Instead of adding the leaves directly to the tea, nana is made by boiling the fresh ground herb with the water.

8. Black Tea
8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits

Although not as beneficial to one’s health, straight black tea (think Lipton) is still incredibly popular among Arabs. Coffee actually takes second place to the caffeine levels of black tea, which can provide the drinker with longer-lasting energy throughout the day. Black tea can also help flush out the system of toxins, and with a little lemon, will aid in weight loss and appetite suppression.

copied from www.arabamerica.com
here is a link to the page:

Recently visited Palestine, fell in love with the food, particularly the tea.
Visiting The Palestine Wildlife Society and chatting with Imad Qumsieh about his efforts to educate children about the importance of helping the animals and conserving the environment with the philosophy that we are all living together to make the world a better place we enjoyed a cup of tea.
First we had tea with fresh Za'atar and then we had tea with a dried herb called Yensun.  It was delicious and trying to make it here in the U.S.
Not sure if "Yensun" is spelled correctly.

#LovePalestine

Palestine Wildlife Society





Imad Qumsieh




Imad saved this Palestinian Gazelle and now they are best friends.





Palestine Gazelle


tags:  8 Best Arab Teas and Their Benefits, www.arabamerica.com on @TheRonnieRe,  #Love Palestine, Julia Jahanpour

from the ronnie republic:



Jun 3, 2018

Banksy Bethlehem #LovePalestine

Back on the air: The McLaughlin Group 6/3/18--Woof






Everyone is so excited to see The McLaughlin Group back on the air. Do you think John McLaughlin would be proud?  It seems like so many people loved him.

We loved John at the ronnie re.

As all of the folks out there are chatting about The Group being back on television can a few words be mentioned about the Palestine Pups.

This very lovely group of dogs are all looking for that special home. 

Are you able to run over to Tel Aviv and pick one up.  It is actually quite reasonable from the UK but if you cannot get over there any time soon can you do everything possible to get the word out.

Here is a post about Diana George Babish and her animal shelter in Bethlehem--feel free to share this info in any way and if anyone has any suggestions please jump in.  They are all lovely dogs and they all need a home.

Here is the post:

Do You Like Dogs...These Palestine Pups Need A Home....#LovePalestine




#LovePalestine



Thanks for reading


Woof