“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

The past 18 months has not been a shinning moment for American healthcare to highlight caring competence. Instead the holes in the safety net are more noticeable and seem to be growing larger. The engagement of the total population with the Covid pandemic has overwhelmed the practice of hiding medical system failures as patient choices and front line healthcare provider actions.

These problems are not limited to Covid. Most common chronic health conditions have similar problems within the American healthcare system. A major risk factors for Covid hospitalization and death is comorbidities. It is important chronic health conditions are being effectively managed. Chronic inflammation in an under appreciated component of obesity and poor health. Specific treatment goals can help identify under treatment and over treatment of medical conditions, both can endanger health and effect lifestyle.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

From the various discussion medical discussion thought I would do a short series on self-care. Good resources of drug information is essential. One of the foundational sources I use to gather information on medications is the Package Insert (PI). The current format of the PI has been consistent since 2006. The content is not as readily influenced by shifts in political winds. Dosing information will be limited to FDA approved treatments for specific dosage formulations. Other sources need to be used for off label information.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Welcome to the weekend.

The nest shared in last weeks column has been occupied by a California Quail. Not a perfect situation. She has to put up with me watering the plants a few feet away. The entry to the front door is off limits for a while and been blocked by a temporary fence to prevent a cat or human visitor from wandering too close.

Her and I will simply need to cooperate for a while longer and show some tolerance for each other to create the possibility of a successful hatching. Then she has a new set of challenges.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Another installment of our summer spy stories series. One of my favorite fiction authors was Robert Ludlum. Stretched the mind of a teenager with travels around the world, complex conspiracy theories portraying history from a different vantage point than junior and high school history classes.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Let the Games begin!

The opening ceremony video highlighting parade of athletes and lighting the torch has already been pulled form youtube. Must not have been an official sponsor and paid the appropriate fees.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Earliest memory of a wildfire was kindergarten. A community wide request for all able-bodied adults to grab a shovel and head to the fire line to protect the city. Dad picked me up early so he could go fight the fire. Great Grandma's house was close enough we could watch the flames. If it got too close instructions were to get down to the other side of the river about 20 blocks away.

Republic of China is in the headlines again this week. Jeff Bezo's publication The Washington Post How did Taiwan become embroiled in Haiti’s political crisis?

A group of people in full military gear broke into Taiwan’s embassy in Haiti on Thursday morning, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said Friday. Haitian police arrested 11 armed suspects, described as “mercenaries” by Taipei.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

It is summertime in the Northern hemisphere. Hot summers days, outside activities and the potential for heat stress. Times change, climate changes and most importantly we change. What were once safe levels of physical activity and temperature might cause problems. It becomes important to recognize heat stress in ourselves, those around us and our communities.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

My summertime reading list has always included a few spy novels. This year I am just reading the news.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

The Covid disruption has changed some regular habits. For several years I have provided transportation for others to perform their grocery shopping. 17 months ago started to do weekly shopping instead with a list and learned the food stamps rules. It is quite different from the past when my Great Grandmother went to the local commodity store once a month.

Began to travel through the aisles, viewing product selections and prices totally absent from my normal shopping patterns. Soups are no longer a budget food. Wide variety of soup stocks and bases available to "make your own soup". Whole chickens were on sale this week and less than the quart of soup stock.