YES, I AM STILL HERE peeking out my window on Main Street, and I am puzzled about a news release received from the Arkansas Department of Health.
It’s about the record number and danger of Whooping Cough (pertussis) cases in Arkansas this year.
We’ve only been keeping records for 15 years, but this year is highest on record.
Here’s why I’m puzzled: the article goes on for six paragraphs about the danger especially to children.
Finally it gets around to: “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against pertussis is to get vaccinated.”
Why did it take so long to get around to vaccination?
Measles, Covid, Pertussis, Polio, Influenza, Shingles, Pneumonia, etc. The best way to avoid is to get vaccinated.
You CAN get your vaccination at the Howard County Health Unit. Maybe you’ve already had your TADP — Tetanus Something Something and Pertussis — vaccination. I got mine after impaling my bare foot on a roofing tack in 2020. The shot is good for 10 years so you can quit worrying about me until 2030.
If you need to call the health unit, the number is 870-845-2208 to make an appointment.
Whooping cough is really dangerous for children. The hospital says that no one has been hospitalized here for whooping cough, yet, so let’s keep it that way.
AND ON a related note, in the email I received a copy of an article about sore throats which I had missed in the “Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.”
The article was the best thing to do if you have a simple sore throat. Some of the suggestions are (1) salt water gargle; (2) honey mixed with warm water; (3) non-caffiene hot tea; (4) lozenges.
I’ll repeat my Grandmother Graves’s family secret sore throat remedy: mix warm water, some lemon juice, and a dash of bourbon. Repeat as needed until your attitude improves.
I didn’t even get around to the best scientific remedy for a sore throat. Coat the bottoms of the feet liberally with Vicks Vaporub; put on thick socks and leave them on overnight.
At least no one will get close enough to catch whatever it is you’ve got.
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ONE THING you can count on is that our full moons will rise here on cloudy nights.
Even so, you might want to plan ahead in hopes of seeing each of the 13 full moons of 2026.
You’ve already missed Jan. 3, but the rest (according to LiveScience.com) are:
Feb. 1, March 3, April 1 (no joke), May 1, May 31, June 29, July 29, Aug. 28, Sept. 26, Oct. 26, Nov. 28, and Dec. 3.
I’ve read that it is a myth that full moons are usually accompanied by an increase in crime, natural catastrophe and childbirth, but my 50+ years experience here as a newsman tells me otherwise.
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WHERE IS SHE? News stories about the abduction of Venezuela El Presidente Maduro and his wife have shown us pictures of him, but there’s not been a word about her. If she’s ‘hot’ maybe our El Presidente has sent her to Mar-A-Lago for personal interviews.
Maduro, however, will be kept in the Epstein Cell in a NY prison.
I’m wondering about our own Presidential Pardon for the ex-Presidente of Honduras who was jailed here for being a narco-dictator responsible for the addiction of many Americans. But, of course, Honduras has no oil.
AND THOSE American addicts CHOSE to use dope.
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WE ARE SOOOO LUCKY.
President Donald J. Trump is going to build a “Triumphal Arch” (something we really need instead of affordable health insurance) and it will be located somewhere near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Unless he decides to send out for some more decorative gold like in the Oval Office, it will probably look a lot like the historical ‘Arc de Triomphe’ in Paris, France, which was built by the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806.
All that is left to do for President Trump is to come up with a good name for the Arch. Emperors have a knack for coming up with good names.
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MORE THINGS I LEARNED from opening an email: TOMORROW — One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.
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WORD GAMES. I love oxymorons: The President’s intention about renaming The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts was Clearly Misunderstood.
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HE SAID: “Those who gave thee a body, furnished it with weakness; but He who gave thee Soul, armed thee with resolution. Employ it, and thou art wise; be wise and thou art happy.” Akhenaton, pharaoh of Egypt 1351–1334 BC
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SHE SAID: “Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” Helen Keller, teacher
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SWEET DREAMS, Baby
