Food Bank Tips

 

December's Tomorrow

 

Safe Shopping

 

Hunger Games

 

Poem

 

Thankful Dogs

 

Thanksgiving Work

 

Щасливого Дня Подяки!

Щасливого Дня Подяки!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From War torn Ukraine to the USA.

Yoda's Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving 2023 occurs on Thursday, November 24. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists from England and the Native American Wampanoag people shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. But the holiday is not without controversy. Many Americans—including people of Native American ancestry—believe Thanksgiving celebrations mask the true history of oppression and bloodshed that underlies the relationship between European settlers and Native Americans.

Thanksgiving at Plymouth In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers—an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the "New World." After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth.

History of Thanksgiving Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing visit from a member of the Abenaki tribe who greeted them in English.  Several days later, he returned with another Native American, Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which endured for more than 50 years and remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans.

 

In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as America’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. While no record exists of the first Thanksgiving’s exact menu, much of what we know about what happened at the first Thanksgiving comes from Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow, who wrote: Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations

Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday In Plymouth, Massachusetts, colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast in 1621 that is widely acknowledged to be one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations. But some historians argue that Florida, not Massachusetts, may have been the true site of the first Thanksgiving in North America. In 1565, nearly 60 years before Plymouth, a Spanish fleet came ashore and planted a cross in the sandy beach to christen the new settlement of St. Augustine. To celebrate the arrival, the 800 Spanish settlers shared a festive meal with the native Timucuan people.

Thanksgiving Celebration at Plymouth Colony The first Thanksgiving meal in Plymouth probably had little in common with today’s traditional holiday spread. Although turkeys were indigenous, there’s no record of a big, roasted bird at the feast. The Wampanoag brought deer and there would have been lots of local seafood (mussels, lobster, bass) plus the fruits of the first pilgrim harvest, including pumpkin. No mashed potatoes, though. Potatoes had only been recently shipped back to Europe from South America.

America first called for a national day of thanksgiving to celebrate victory over the British in the Battle of Saratoga. In 1789, George Washington again called for national day of thanks on the last Thursday of November in 1777 to commemorate the end of the Revolutionary War and the ratification of the Constitution. And during the Civil War, both the Confederacy and the Union issued Thanksgiving Day proclamations following major victories.

Thomas Jefferson was famously the only Founding Father and early president who refused to declare days of thanksgiving and fasting in the United States. Unlike his political rivals, the Federalists, Jefferson believed in “a wall of separation between Church and State” and believed that endorsing such celebrations as president would amount to a state-sponsored religious worship.

The first official proclamation of a national Thanksgiving holiday didn’t come until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln called for an annual Thanksgiving celebration on the final Thursday in November. The proclamation was the result of years of impassioned lobbying by "Mary Had a Little Lamb" author and abolitionist Sarah Josepha Hale.

Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving celebration in 1623 to mark the end of a long drought that had threatened the year’s harvest and prompted Governor Bradford to call for a religious fast. Days of fasting and thanksgiving on an annual or occasional basis became common practice in other New England settlements as well.

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving a year, and in 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country’s war of independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution. His successors John Adams and James Madison also designated days of thanks during their presidencies.

In 1817, New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday; each celebrated it on a different day, however, and the American South remained largely unfamiliar with the tradition.

Thanksgiving Becomes a Holiday In 1827, the noted magazine editor and prolific writer Sarah Josepha Hale—author, among countless other things, of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb”—launched a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she published numerous editorials and sent scores of letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians, earning her the nickname the “Mother of Thanksgiving.”

Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” He scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until 1939 when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s plan, known derisively as Franksgiving, was met with passionate opposition, and in 1941 the president reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving Food In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. Turkey, a Thanksgiving staple so ubiquitous it has become all but synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been on offer when the Pilgrims hosted the inaugural feast in 1621.

Today, however, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird—whether roasted, baked or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation. Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Mickey Mouse made his first debut in this 1934 parade. The original caption that ran in the NY Daily News for this photo read, the “parade was so large this year it took an hour to pass”. According to the NY Daily News, this 1937 parade featured seven musical organizations, twenty-one floats and balloon units and 400 costumed marchers.  The Tin Man made his debut months after the release of “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939. This photo was taken from the sixth story of a Times Square building as the parade went past.  The crew prepare to erect the giant inflatable Macy’s clown for the Macy’s Parade in 1942. It’s still tradition today for New Yorkers to watch the balloons being inflated and prepared the night before the big show.  An NBC camera set up to film the 1945 parade from a rooftop. Kids were delighted by the clowns and costumes that walked along Central Park West at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, 1949.  This helium-filled Space Cadet, coming in at 70 feet tall, was indicative of the newest adventure interests of America’s kids in 1952.  Not all animals were larger than life balloons. A group of elephants participated in the 1954 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Radio City Rockettes filled stockings on this 1958 parade float. The Thanksgiving Turkey accompanied by a marching band make their way through Times Square, 1959. It wouldn’t be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade as we know it without a performance by the Rockettes, 1964.

https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving

Soldiers' Thanksgiving

Soldiers Thanksgiving

 There are 1,358,500 Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen/women in the United States Military today.

Around 180,000 American Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen/women are currently deployed outside the United States.

Hundreds of Thousands of American Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen/women are currently deployed inside the United States, but are far from their homes.

Some have their immediate Family Members with them, but many are stationed alone.

There are also Thousands upon Thousands of Former Military  - now Government Contractors – working alongside the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen/women around the US and the World.

Please take a minute this Thanksgiving to remember all the Men and Women (overseas and within the United States) that risk everything to get all of us safe.

Thankful For

What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving?

I’m thankful that my Parents were able to give me everything I needed and many of the things I wanted when I was growing up.

I’m thankful for my strong Work Ethic from my Parents.

I’m thankful for receiving my Mom’s Multitasking and Organizational Skills.

I’m thankful for my compassion for others that was given to me by my Parents.

I’m thankful for my love of animals that was given to me by my Parents.

Dog Friendly

 

1 Month

 

Not Christmas Yet

 

Holodomor

Today is Holodomor Ukrainian: Голодомор) or Famine Day in Ukraine.

From 1932-1933 Stalin and his Communists created a Man-Made Famine to murder 5 Million Ukrainian Men, Women and Children by starving them to death.

They wanted to eliminate Ukrainian Nationalism and Culture.

The Following Counties Recognize the Holodomor as a Genocide:

Estonia (in 1993)

Australia (in 1993)

Canada (in 2003)

Hungary (in 2003)

The Vatican (in 2004)

Lithuania (in 2005)

Georgia (in 2005)

Ukraine (in 2006)

Poland (in 2006)

Peru (in 2007)

Paraguay (in 2007)

Ecuador (in 2007)

Colombia (in 2007)

Mexico (in 2008)

Latvia (in 2008)

Portugal (in 2017)

The United States (Federal Government in 2018)

The United States (State Governments: Iowa (in 2023), Alabama (in 2018), Arizona (in 2023), Washington D.C. (in 2017), Virginia (in 2018), Wisconsin (in 2017), Illinois (in 2018), California (in 2016),  Kansas (in 2018), Connecticut (in 2018), Louisiana (in 2019), Massachusetts (in 2018), Maryland in (2023), Michigan (in 2017), Minnesota (in 2018), Missouri (in 2018), New Jersey, New York (in 2018), North Carolina (in 2018), Ohio (in 2018), Oregon (in 2018),  Pennsylvania (in 2017), Rhode Island (in 2018), Texas (in 2018), Utah (in 2018) and Wyoming (in 2023)

The Czech Republic (in 2022)

Brazil (in 2022)

Ireland (in 2022)

Moldova (in 2022)

Romania (in 2022)

Germany (in 2022)

The European Union (in 2022)

Bulgaria (in 2023)

Belgium (in 2023)

Slovenia (in 2023)

The United Kingdom (in 2023)

Iceland (in 2023)

France (in 2023)

Luxembourg (in 2023)

Croatia (in 2023)

Slovakia (in 2023)

The Netherlands (in 2023)

Italy (in 2023)

Holiday Giving

Giving

I like to help a Charity or Organization that helps: Soldiers, the Hungry, the Sick, Military Families, the Homeless, the Disabled, Ukrainians, Veterans or Animals – or any combined group like Sick, Disabled, Homeless and Hungry Veterans who have Animals.

If you need ideas on places to donate (or buying their merchandise to support them) here are ones I support with their links:

Koda’s Mission (Helps Animals inside Ukraine):

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kodasmission

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (Helps Waterfowl in North Carolina):

https://www.cwrescue.org/?fbclid=IwAR3JWX3yJBnk6Dy0J9E2kXnrahiet3Eipuw31V8WWrujgnsiclgynzdq4Go

Northeast Avian Rescue (Helps Birds in New York):

https://rescueparrots.org/

Toys For Tots (Helps Children across the US):

https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/forms/simple/Default.aspx?sl_tc=homepage

Greater Good – Good Packs (Helps Veterans, the Homeless, Animals. etc. across the US):

https://greatergood.org/good-packs

Greater Good – Ukraine Packs (Helps Ukrainians):

https://greatergood.org/our-response-to-ukraine-crisis

The EOD Wounded Warrior Foundation (My Brother is in EOD in the Army):

https://eodwarriorfoundation.org/

If you can’t donate food, money, clothes, etc. but still want to help then you could repost a Cause so others can see it, you can shovel a Neighbor’s Walkway, you could just check-in on someone whether you know them or not.

7 Days

 

Thanksgiving is exactly 1 week from today!

For all my Non-American (and Non-Canadian) Friends and Family: Have you ever celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving in October or American Thanksgiving in November?

For my American and Canadian Friends and Family: Have you been outside of Canada or the US during Thanksgiving and had to celebrate it differently than when you’re at home?

Before I became a Canadian Citizen (ie I was only an American Citizen) I celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving in Canada one October.

I celebrated American Thanksgiving many times over the years while living in West Germany as a Kid and in Germany as a Teenager. We had all the Traditional American Food just made in our German Kitchen.

While Studying in Yaroslavl, Russia I had to celebrate American Thanksgiving. They had no Turkeys, no Stuffing, no Cranberry Sauce, no Pumpkin, etc.

My Russian Thanksgiving Dinner was: Kholodets (which is a meat jelly), Shchi (cabbage soup), Olivier Salad (diced potatoes, eggs, beef, sweet peas, and pickles with a mayonnaise dressing), Vinegret (red beets, potatoes, carrots, chopped onions, sauerkraut and brined pickles), Morkovcha (Korean-Style spicy carrot salad), Kotlety  (pan-fried beef cutlets), Kvas (a fermented non-alcoholic beverage made from black bread), a store-bought cake and Vodka.

Note: I never liked Kholodets or Kvas.

Traveling

^ There will be limited posts from now until I get back from Europe in December. ^

Sunglasses Grandma

From the BBC:

“Grandma with chunky sunglasses becomes unlikely fashion icon”

A grandmother in rural Zambia has become an style icon and internet sensation - after agreeing to play dress-up and swapping outfits with her fashionista granddaughter. Margret Chola, who is in her mid-80s, is known to the world as "Legendary Glamma" - and adored by 225,000 Instagram followers for her striking and playful fashion photographs. "I feel different, I feel new and alive in these clothes, in a way that I’ve never felt before," Ms Chola tells the BBC. "I feel like I can conquer the world!" The fortnightly Granny Series was created in 2023 by her granddaughter Diana Kaumba, a stylist who is based in New York City.

She came up with the idea when she was visiting Zambia to mark the second anniversary of the death of her father - the person she says inspired her passion for fashion because he always dressed well. During that visit Ms Kaumba had not worn all her carefully curated outfits, so she asked her grandmother - or "Mbuya" in the Bemba language - if she wanted to try them on. "I wasn’t doing anything at the time, so I just said: 'OK. If that’s what you want to do let’s do it - why not?'" Ms Chola said. "You will miss me when I die and at least this way you will be remembering me."

Ms Kaumba wore Mbuya’s top and "chitenge" - a piece of patterned cloth wrapped around the waist. And Mbuya’s first outfit was a silver pantsuit. "I thought it would be nice to dress up Mbuya in high fashion and then take photographs of her in her natural habitat," Ms Kaumba tells the BBC. That natural habitat is a farm in the village of 10 Miles, just north of the Zambian capital, Lusaka. Most often Ms Chola is photographed in all her glamour outside - often sitting on an elegant wooden chair or lounging on a leather sofa. In the background are exposed brick buildings with corrugated iron roofs, ploughed fields, mango trees and maize crops. "I was so nervous when I posted that first photo. I left my phone for 10 minutes and in those 10 minutes there were 1,000 likes," Ms Kaumba says. "My mind was blown. The comments were flying in and people were asking for more."

It was in April 2024 that the Granny Series really took off - after Ms Kaumba posted a series of photos of her grandmother in a red Adidas dress, several chunky, golden necklaces and a glittering jewelled crown. "It surprised me to hear that so many people around the world love me," Ms Chola says - who does not know her exact age because she does not have a birth certificate. "I didn’t know I could make such an impact at this age." Ms Chola poses in clothes that are a mix of vibrant colours, textures and styles. From a green American football jersey, combined with a layered frilly red dress styled as a skirt - in the colours of the Zambian flag to pay homage to 60 years of independence. To a blue, black and green sequined top, complete with a golden snake necklace and bracelet. And Mbuya’s personal favourite - jeans, a graphic T-shirt with her image on the front and a blonde wig. "I had never worn jeans or a wig before - so I was happy, and I was dancing."

Ms Kaumba, who has been a stylist since 2012, says that her grandma has "courage, grace - and nails every look". All the looks reflect her maximalist-chic aesthetic - which celebrates the joy of excess, eclectic combinations, the big and the bold, and clashing patterns and colours. At the heart of it all are eye-catching accessories - bold sunglasses, oversized hats, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings, gloves, bags, blonde wigs, crowns. That influence has come directly from her grandmother, who has "always been a lover of pearls and bangles". In one particularly playful scene called GOAT - short for greatest of all time - Ms Chola appears with a goat - that is decked out in Mbuya’s beloved pearls.

Other accessories also reflect Chola’s personality and story. In some shots Mbuya is holding the beloved radio that she carries around all day and takes to bed with her. Or she’s clutching an "ibende" - a long wooden stick that over the years she has used to pound millet or cassava or maize. She is smoking a pipe or holding a metal cup full of tea, and hanging off the edge of the chair arm is an "mbaula" or charcoal brazier that Zambians often use for cooking - especially now that the country is plagued by severe power cuts.

 Ms Kaumba hopes that the Granny Series will highlight that older people still have a lot to offer - and making memories together is an important way to "leave footprints for the next generation". "Do not write them off, love them just the same till the end because remember we will be just like them one day." As a result of Mbuya’s photo shoots, Ms Kaumba’s been hired by four granddaughters to style their grandmothers - aged between 70 and 96. Ms Chola hopes that the Granny Series will inspire people "to live their lives and not worry about being judged by society". She urges people to "always forgive yourself for whatever mistakes you made. You can never change your past - but you can change your future".

The photo shoots have brought granddaughter and grandmother closer - and through their special bond Ms Kaumba has learnt so much more about her Mbuya’s often difficult life. Ms Chola was raised by her grandparents, went to school until she was 12 or 13 and then, because of economic reasons, was forced to marry a man in his 30s. She had three children, ended up drinking heavily and eventually escaped the marriage. That trauma still haunts her - but her unexpected global fame has given her a new lease on life. "I’m now able to wake up with a purpose knowing that people around the world love to see me," Chola says.

^ This is an inspiring story. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2ylzj54yxo

No Limits

 

US President Biden has finally given the approval for Ukraine to use American-Made Long-Range Missiles inside of Russia.

It comes as today Russia bombed Ukraine with 200 Missiles and 90 Drones killing at least 10 Ukrainians.

The United States has given Ukraine $55.5 Billion Dollars worth of Weapons and Equipment since February 2022.

The United States has given Ukraine $2.8 Billion in Humanitarian Aid since February 2022.

The United States (both under President Biden and soon under President Trump) needs to continue to support Ukraine against Russia.

Russia and Iran are Allies.

Iran sends Russia Missiles that Russia uses to bomb Ukraine.

Russia sends Iran Bombs that Iran uses to bomb Israel.

Ukraine and Israel are America’s Allies and we need to continue to help both of them.

Note: The money that the United States gives to Ukraine for Weapons and Equipment really goes to US Factories across the United States where American Workers build the Weapons and Equipment which are then sent to Ukraine.

Deserve Chocolate

 

Betty White's Stamp

From Yahoo/People:

“USPS Is Finally Releasing a Betty White Stamp in 2025 to Honor the Late Actress: ‘An Icon of American Television’”

Betty White’s face will be gracing postage stamps soon! The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced the stamp designs for 2025 on Friday, Nov. 15, revealing that one of the stamps will be a portrait of The Golden Girls star, who died in 2021 at the age of 99.

“An icon of American television, Betty White ... shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades — including roles on The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” USPS said in a statement. “The comedic actor, who gained younger generations of fans as she entered her 90s, was also revered as a compassionate advocate for animals.” Dale Stephanos created the digital illustration of White used for the stamp, which was based on Kwaku Alston’s 2010 photograph of the actress, while USPS art director Greg Breeding designed the overall stamp. Stephanos shared the news on Instagram on Friday, posting an image of the stamp along with the caption, “So excited to share the news that my @bettymwhite stamp for the @uspostalservice will be released soon. I’d love to send a letter back to my 18-year-old self with this stamp on it and tell him that everything is going to be OK.”

The icon was a beloved comedy fixture for fans and fellow actors alike, with many posting heartfelt messages about her after her death. "The world looks different now," Ryan Reynolds — who starred with White in 2009’s The Proposal — wrote on X (formerly Twitter) at the time. “She was great at defying expectation."

^ This is so well deserved. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/usps-finally-releasing-betty-white-202014655.html

Sunday

 

Didn't Abandon

 

Call Me

Here are some of the best things you can call me:

"A Ukrainian Lover."

"A Gay Lover"

"A Jew Lover."

I am often called these (although written much worse and with many threats and swear words attached to them.)

What do all three statements above have in common?

Lover.

I'm not Ukrainian, but I believe Ukrainians should not be attacked or murdered.

I'm not Gay, but I believe Homosexuals should not be attacked or murdered.

I'm not Jewish, but I believe Jews should not be attacked or murdered.

Pompeii Tickets

 From EuroNews:

“Pompeii launches personalised tickets and entry limits in bid to combat overtourism”

(Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, shows an entrance ticket bearing his name, 15 November, 2024)

A record four million people visited the remains of the ancient Roman city this past summer, prompting a decision to restrict tourist numbers to 20,000 per day and introduce personalised tickets. The park is enforcing the changes in a bid to prevent overtourism and protect the world-famous remains of the Roman city which was buried under ash and rock following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.

The park's director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said visitors to the main archaeological site exceed an average of 15,000 to 20,000 every day, and the new daily cap will prevent the numbers from surging further. ''We are working on a series of projects to lift the human pressure on the site, which could pose risks both for visitors and the heritage (that is) so unique and fragile,'' he said.

On Friday, the park introduced personalised tickets which include the full name of each visitor. A maximum of 20,000 tickets will be released each day, with different time slots allocated during the peak summer season. Park management is also trying to lure more tourists to other ancient sites connected to Pompeii with a free shuttle bus as part of the 'Greater Pompeii' project. The sites include Stabia, Torre Annunziata and Boscoreale. ''The measures to manage flows and safety and the personalisation of the visits are part of this strategy,'' Zuchtriegel said. ''We are aiming for slow, sustainable, pleasant and non-mass tourism and above all widespread throughout the territory around the UNESCO site, which is full of cultural jewels to discover.''

^ It is important to limit how many people a day can visit so both every one can enjoy their visit and so Pompei doesn’t get destroyed. ^

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/16/pompeii-launches-personalised-tickets-and-entry-limits-in-bid-to-combat-overtourism

Tricare Changes

From Military.com:

“Tricare Changes are Coming in 2025. Here’s What Beneficiaries Need to Know Right Now”

Tricare beneficiaries need to be aware of changes taking place in both the East and West regions that could, at worst, get many users inadvertently kicked off their health care plans come next year if they don’t take certain steps. The insurance program available to active-duty military, reservist and retiree households is transitioning to a new set of so-called “T-5” contracts for the management of its two regions starting Jan. 1, 2025. The West Region is getting a new contractor and a new network of health care providers, while six states are moving from the East Region to the West.

The open enrollment season for Tricare Prime and Tricare Select users is currently underway for 2025 coverage. Neither the contract changes nor open enrollment apply to the Tricare for Life automatic wraparound coverage for Medicare Part A and Part B users. Tricare says the new contracts “will improve the delivery, quality, and cost” of its services for beneficiaries who live in the U.S. by providing better “network flexibility,” “beneficiary choice” and telehealth appointments. Meanwhile, future congressional oversight included in both House and Senate committee reports, made during the drafting of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, will purportedly address the ability of Tricare’s provider networks to entirely meet beneficiaries’ needs. Karen Ruedisueli, director of government relations for health affairs for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), shared some of the following advice for navigating 2025’s Tricare changes, including the possibility of “a large number of people being disenrolled as of Jan. 1” if they don’t provide their payment information to a new contractor.

Here’s what you need to know:

Six States Are Switching Tricare Regions The U.S. government’s goal in moving six states from the East Region to the West was to better balance Tricare’s beneficiaries between the two regions, Ruedisueli said. The six states where 1.1 million eligible beneficiaries will move from the East Region to the West are Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.

New Tricare West Region Contractor Brings New Provider Network While Humana Military Health will continue to manage the Tricare East Region under Humana’s new T-5 contract, the West Region will transition from Health Net Federal Services to TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Now that Tricare open enrollment has begun, West Region beneficiaries can find out whether their doctors are still in the network by signing in with their plan information to the 2025 West Region provider directory.

Tricare Open Enrollment is Underway Now through Dec. 10, Tricare Prime and Select members can change their coverage for 2025. Outside annual open enrollment, these beneficiaries can change coverage only when they experience a qualifying life event such as a move or the birth of a child.

Coverage Changes Can’t Be Made in milConnect The Defense Department’s milConnect system won’t be available for beneficiaries to enter their enrollment changes to their medical plans during the transition. To change plans, users need to contact their regional contractor by phone, mail or fax. For the West Region, including those newly in the West, users should direct their open enrollment plan changes to the new contractor, TriWest.

Tricare West Region Users Need to Update Their Payment Information -- or Regret It Ruedisueli at MOAA said the organization is most concerned that Tricare users in the West Region who pay a premium or enrollment fee for their coverage will get kicked off their health plans Jan. 1 if they don’t realize they need to provide their payment information to the new contractor TriWest before that date. “It’s the contractors who handle the payment information, and right now in the West region, Health Net has that payment information, and they can’t just send it to TriWest,” Ruedisueli explained. “Beneficiaries who are paying by credit card or electronic funds transfer -- and I think it’s not an insignificant number; I think it’s in the hundreds of thousands -- are going to have to provide that payment information to TriWest.” Users will need their primary email address on file with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to log in to TriWest and set up automatic payments. Members paying by paycheck allotment don’t need to do anything.

Everyone Should Update Their Contact Info in DEERS Not all beneficiaries will need to take action during the contract transition, but Tricare advises that everyone should check to make sure their contact information is correct in DEERS. Confirming that your contact info is up to date will “help make sure you don’t miss important communications” during the transition.

Keep Up With Changes to Your Benefits Want to know about changes in military benefits as they happen? Subscribe to Military.com to get the latest benefits news delivered directly straight to your inbox.

^ Hopefully, these changes won’t hurt anyone’s Health Care. ^

https://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/tricare-changes-are-coming-2025-heres-what-beneficiaries-need-know-right-now.html

War Paws: Christmas Raffle

From War Paws:

“Enter Raffle to Win War Paws 2024 Christmas Raffle”

Welcome to the War Paws Christmas 2024 Raffle.

Once again we have lots of lovely prizes on offer including 18 carat gold and diamond earrings, Amazon Gift Cards, Doggy Hamper, Cat Hamper, Pamper Hamper for Women, Hamper for Men, Kids prizes, Luxury Chocolates and other sweets from Iraq plus we plan to add more items as we get closer to Christmas!

The prizes are truly fabulous and the tickets are an absolute steal at just £1 per ticket and EVERY penny raised will help hundreds of animals at our shelter in Iraq.

The draw will take place on 01 Dec so we can get the prizes mailed out in time for Christmas!

21 Prizes

18 carat White Gold Diamond (0.30cts) Earrings A gorgeous pair of hand made 18 carat white gold and diamond solitaire studs weighing in at 0.30cts of diamond.  The diamonds in these beautiful earrings were hand picked by Louise and are valued at £1400! Delivery International delivery included

£25 Amazon Gift Card An Amazon Gift Card to the value of £25 GBP.  This prize will be issued electronically once the winner is drawn. Delivery International delivery included

£25 Amazon Gift Card An Amazon Gift Card to the value of £25 GBP.  This prize will be issued electronically once the winner is drawn. Delivery International delivery included

£25 Amazon Gift Card An Amazon Gift Card to the value of £25 GBP.  This prize will be issued electronically once the winner is drawn. Delivery International delivery included

J Wilson London RFID Ladies Purse

A gorgeous purple leather ladies purse that comes with added RFID protection to keep your credit cards safe! Delivery International delivery included

Crystal Teardrop Wind Spinner This beautiful artist crystal tail set will make the perfect accessory for any garden!  This Wind Spinner set will look amazing both outdoors and indoors.  The Spinner will turn naturally in the wind whilst reflecting any light from its surroundings, resulting in beautiful sensory light effects. Add character, style and unique reflective light to your garden with this set. Made from stainless steel, and then powder coated they are perfect to go outside all year round - No rusting!  You can hang it from a tree branch, hanging basket, on a bracket, shepherds hook and much more to give your garden that extra sparkle.  The crystal tail is designed to pick up and refract the light, creating amazing effects as it spins, giving the illusion of the ball looking like its climbing the spiral! Delivery International delivery included

Portrait of your Dog worth £150 Kindly donated by Linda who will create a beautiful portrait of your dog worth £150  using water colour, pastels or acrylic. Delivery International delivery included

His 'n' Hers Dove Toiletries Sets For her we have a lovely Dove 'Time to Nourish' Gift set that includes: 1 x Shower Puff, 1 x Dove Caring Indulging Cream Bath Soak, 1 x Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash, 1 x Dove Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, 1 x Dove Body Love Essential Care Body Lotion, 1 x Dove Original Beauty Bar, 1 x Bamboo Soap Dish For him we have a Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Trio + Charging Pad Gift Set that includes: three full-size gifts for him: a body & face wash, a 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner, and an anti-perspirant deodorant and a wireless charging pad Delivery International delivery included

Disney Lego 100 Year Celebration Set for Kids 8+ Wow any kid or fan aged 8+ with a gift celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary of magic, wonder and beloved animated characters. This LEGO® | Disney: Disney 100 Years Celebration (40600) set features 3 models: a small desk with a drawing; a screen and a projector with a light brick that makes Disney’s Mickey Mouse appear; plus balloons and cake. Each model includes a clip on the back and can function as a note or photo holder. The set also includes an exclusive Mickey Mouse LEGO minifigure. Delivery International delivery included

Ceramic Wax Melt/Oil Burner & Valentte Wax Melts A beautiful ceramic oil/wax melt burner that comes with a set of Valentte wax melts Delivery International delivery included

Gorgeous Handcrafted Evening Bag from Iraq This beautiful hand crafted iridescent glass bead evening bag was made by our very own Dr Ali and his mom & sister.  A lot of love went into creating this lovely bag that comes with a spare carry chain and a beautiful hand crafted feather brooch Delivery International delivery included

Ceramic Sweet Jar & Dish from Iraq This absolutely lovely china sweet jar/dish from Iraq comes complete with Iraqi sweeties inside it! Delivery International delivery included

Huge Doggy Hamper This fabulous doggy hamper is massive!  Your dog will love this hamper full of treats and toys that also comes with a bowl, fluffy blanket and a silicone mat for those dogs who like to spread their food around! Delivery International delivery included

Cat Hamper A lovely hamper for your feline friends that comes complete with LOTS of toys, treats, dishes and a fluffy blanket Delivery International delivery included

Vegan Mulled Wine & Mugs Gift Set with Fluffy Blanket With winter well on its way there is nothing better than curling up with a good book or film whilst sipping mulled wine and keeping warm with a fluffy blanket Delivery International delivery included

Vegan Hamper A lovely hamper filled with all sorts of vegan treats! Delivery International delivery included

Aleppo & Oud Soap Collection from Iraq A lovely prize that contains  3 x Sparkly Oud Hand Soaps that smell divine, a bar of Aleppo soap in a lovely box and a selection of Aleppo Basota soaps scented with various oils. Delivery International delivery included

Set of 2 My Little Pony Toys Sunny Starscout: an Earth Pony from Maretime Bay! Sunny is curious, adventurous, and determined to make the world a better place Izzy Moonbow: a Unicorn from Bridlewood Forest! Izzy is an energetic optimist who loves crafting, creating, and sparkles Delivery International delivery included

Luxury Sweets, Baclava, Coffee & Tea Gift Set from Iraq A real taste of the Middle East is to be had with this lovely gift set comprising of Baclava, Luxury Handmade Sweets, Espresso Coffee & Royal Ceylon Tea Delivery Delivery not included

Chocolate Covered Almonds, Handmade Sweets & Cardamom Coffee Set A lovely set containing Chocolate covered Almonds, a tin of aromatic cardamom coffee and a box of handmade sweets from Iraq Delivery International delivery included

Soaps, Shemagh & Prayer/Worry Beads Set A beautiful collection of Aleppo Soaps alongside a lovely blue shemagh/scarf, hand crafted amulet, long length wooden prayer/worry beads and a smaller set of prayer worry beads that would look great as a bag tag! Delivery Delivery not included

Charity Donation 100% of the host's revenue goes directly to:

War Paws

Registered Charity No. 1168239

www.warpaws.org

Raffle Ends Sunday, 1st December 2024 at 14:00 or when the last ticket is sold (whichever comes sooner)

^ War Paws helps Animals in difficult situations in tough places across the World. They use this Christmas Raffle to help their Animals get through the long, cold Winter. Please help if you can. At the following link:

https://raffall.com/366965/enter-raffle-to-win-war-paws-2024-christmas-raffle-hosted-by-war-paws?fbclid=IwY2xjawFpJ9pleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRsvtMcKGk1bVFzNGX_uum8v6YSdT6wTeva-BG5Bi56qwxNuidx4plohaQ_aem_beI-2DZPBcihSnZDVYLu6Q

^

Help, Work, Shoes

 

Flood Stories

From the BBC:

“Valencia floods: Spain clings to fragments of hope in time of disaster”

(Daniel Burguet is now considered a local hero after a video of him smashing a door to take four children to safety went viral)

Floods and torrential rain returned to the Valencia region on Wednesday night, but this time they were ready for it, and the areas hit two weeks ago escaped further disaster. More than 220 people died in this eastern coastal area at the end of October, and the town of Paiporta was hit hardest with the loss of 60 lives. In the midst of despair the local population are understandably searching for beacons of hope, for example the remarkable story of what happened at the Whitby English language school.

 As the whole road became engulfed in water, the college’s co-director, Daniel Burguet, repeatedly pounded against a door with a chair leg that he’d just picked up. Filmed from a 3rd floor balcony across the street, Daniel is seen smashing constantly against the glass. He is trapped with his 11-year-old daughter, Noa, and three younger children inside the school, unable to reach a higher floor. Eventually, Danny breaks down the door of the next building along and, one by one, he pulls the children to safety. “When I got through that door, I felt so relieved. Finally, we were safe,” Daniel tells me as he carries on repairs to the school. In the quest for fragments of solace, it’s also perhaps understandable that when tales of bravery are found, they are celebrated unashamedly. Local media have hailed Danny as the "Hero of Pairporta". “There are a lot of people who did the same thing that day, many ‘heroes’ like me, if you want to call us that,” he says. “I feel good about it. I feel the love of people around here. I was the one who was filmed, but there were many other heroes.” Rebuilding Spain’s shattered and traumatised communities will require an heroic effort that goes on for months.

The threat hasn’t gone away.

(Brother and sister Juan Jose and Lourdes Montane say they feel abandoned by the authorities)

A fortnight after the worst floods to hit a single European country this century, Paiporta is still full of firefighters, police officers as well as the Red Cross and an army of daily volunteers. Volunteers and emergency services are working to clean the streets in Paiporta, in Spain, two weeks after the region was hit by deadly floods But many residents feel the unofficial community-generated effort is not being matched by the authorities – either at the regional or national level. “It was a tsunami,” declares Juan José Montane. He shows me the video he took from his apartment as floating cars were hurled against the walls below him. “It was only thanks to God that I survived,” he exclaims, furiously making the sign of the cross three times. Divine intervention aside, it’s the lack of intervention from the Valencia and central government which is now infuriating him. “This is shameful, we feel abandoned," says Juan José. "For four days we didn’t see the army coming to help. We need more troops here.” His sister, Lourdes, fears for how the town will re-build with so much lost and now a severe lack of infrastructure. “We feel imprisoned here. There are no roads, it is horrible,” she explains. "We lost everything in this town, everything.”

Although the vast majority of houses are still standing, there is a lack of electricity, hot or drinking water in the streets that were the worst hit. In Paiporta, piles of mangled cars have been created on roundabouts and at other places out of the way of traffic. It’s estimated as many as 100,000 cars were destroyed during the floods. Some abandoned vehicles that look pretty much intact, apart from a dented bonnet here or a flat tyre there, are not spared either. Instead, they are grabbed by giant claw cranes that smash down through the windscreen and lift the vehicles away. The loss of possessions has been immense in this region. The loss of life crushing. And the trauma’s not over. The mayor has urged people to stay inside, as the local population waits for the latest flood alert to subside.

^ In the midst of such tragedy we need to see and hear these kinds of everyday stories. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vl11511gvo

Russian Biometrics

From the MT:

“Russian Airports to Require Biometric Checks for Foreign Travelers Starting Next Month”

Foreigners arriving in Russia through four Moscow airports and a land border checkpoint with Kazakhstan will be required to submit their photos and fingerprints starting next month, according to a Russian government decree.

The new rules take effect on Dec. 1 as part of a policy experiment and will last at least until June 30, 2026. Biometric requirements will be extended to all Russian border checkpoints starting June 30, 2025. Foreigners with visa-free entry to Russia will be required to provide their biometrics via a downloadable phone app.  Those requiring a visa to enter the country will have their biometrics automatically entered into a central database and “linked” with Russia’s unified biometric system, which is accessible to the police and intelligence services. “A foreign citizen and stateless person’s biometric personal data shall be transferred to the state information systems of authorized bodies and organizations involved in the experiment for their identification or authentication,” the decree states.

Diplomats, employees of international organizations, Belarusian nationals and children under six are exempt from the biometric requirements. Rights groups have criticized Russia’s biometric system for its invasiveness.

^ Foreigners should not be traveling to Russia – not just because of this new Biometric Check – but because of Putin’s War in Ukraine and his Crack-Down on Human Rights across Russia. ^

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/11/14/russian-airports-to-require-biometric-checks-for-foreign-travelers-starting-next-month24-a87011

76: King Charles

 

Today (November 14, 1948) is the 76th Birthday of Charles III, King of Canada.

(The Official Stamp of King Charles III in Canada. Le timbre officiel du roi Charles III au Canada.)

The Canadian Monarchy - the Maple Crown- (separate from the British Monarchy) was created in 1952.

It was going to be created in 1947 when Canadian Citizenship (separate from British Citizenship) was created, but King George VI - who lost the Title of “Emperor of India” in 1947 when British India (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) gained independence – decided not to create a separate Canadian Monarchy and possibly have Canada vote to become a Republic.

Queen Elizabeth II allowed for the creation of the Canadian Monarchy and was the First Canadian Monarch and the First Queen of Canada (which she held from February 6, 1952 -September 8, 2022.)

King Charles III has been the Second Canadian Monarch and the First King of Canada since September 8, 2022.

The Canadian Monarch’s Official Birthday is celebrated on Victoria Day (the last Monday before May 25th every year) regardless of when the Monarch was actually born.

Queen Elizabeth II’s actual Birthday was on April 21st and King Charles III’s actual Birthday in today (November 14th.)

 

Aujourd'hui (14 novembre 1948), c'est le 76e anniversaire de Charles III, roi du Canada.

La monarchie canadienne - la Couronne d'érable - (séparée de la monarchie britannique) a été créée en 1952.

Il allait être créé en 1947 lors de la création de la citoyenneté canadienne (séparée de la citoyenneté britannique), mais le roi George VI – qui a perdu le titre d'« empereur de l'Inde » en 1947 lorsque l'Inde britannique (Inde, Pakistan et Bangladesh) a obtenu son indépendance – a décidé de ne pas créer une monarchie canadienne distincte et éventuellement de faire voter le Canada pour devenir une république.

La reine Elizabeth II a permis la création de la monarchie canadienne et a été le premier monarque canadien et la première reine du Canada (qu'elle a occupé du 6 février 1952 au 8 septembre 2022.)

Le roi Charles III est le deuxième monarque canadien et le premier roi du Canada depuis le 8 septembre 2022.

L’anniversaire officiel du monarque canadien est célébré le jour de la fête de Victoria (le dernier lundi avant le 25 mai de chaque année), quelle que soit la date de naissance du monarque.

L'anniversaire réel de la reine Elizabeth II était le 21 avril et celui du roi Charles III aujourd'hui (14 novembre).

 

Diabetes Day

Diabetes

 What is Diabetes? With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar (also called glucose) and released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes as well as it should. When there isn’t enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time, that can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. There isn’t a cure yet for diabetes, but losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can really help. Taking medicine as needed, getting diabetes self-management education and support, and keeping health care appointments can also reduce the impact of diabetes on your life.

Diabetes by the Numbers

34.2 million US adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness.

In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.

Types of Diabetes There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).

Type 1 Diabetes   Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake) that stops your body from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to survive. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes   With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. It develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults). You may not notice any symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood sugar tested if you’re at risk. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active.

Gestational Diabetes  Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby could be at higher risk for health problems. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born but increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later in life. Your baby is more likely to have obesity as a child or teen, and more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life too.

Prediabetes  In the United States, 88 million adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. What’s more, more than 84% of them don’t know they have it. With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is if you have prediabetes, a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program can help you take healthy steps to reverse it.

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html