 I’ve just learned that Sérgio Mendes has died. He was 83 (way too early to go!) and passed away after suffering from the effects of long Covid. I was a big fan!
Mendes was a marvelous musical talent. One of the most successful Brazilian artists of all time, he was a pianist, songwriter, arranger and bandleader whose career started with the 1960s bossa nova boom. “His success was based on his skill in matching Brazilian songs and rhythms against different western styles, from jazz and rock to funk and hip hop,” stated an online obituary. It’s true: from recording in the 1960s with jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley… right up to collaborating in 2006 with will.i.am and other members of the rap group Black Eyed Peas, Sergio managed to escape the “rules” that hold too many artists in place. One of my favorite recordings of all times, “So Many Stars”, features a wonderful tune written by Sergio with lyrics by my favorite writers Marilyn and Alan Bergman (I was thrilled to interview Alan for my book about Ruth Lowe). The song’s on Sergio’s early album for A&M Records, “Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’66: Look Around”. Listen to Lani Hall’s brilliant vocal, along with Sergio’s backing, on this YouTube selection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3x6R6iNxXU RIP Sergio!
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 September is World Alzheimer's Month. If you follow this blog at all, you’ll know I’ve chosen finding a cure for ALS as my principal charity. Buy the reality is, you’re more likely to get Alzheimer's than you are to come down with ALS.
Alzheimer's Disease is such a lousy condition to watch loved ones deal with. But there is growing evidence that people can prevent or reduce their risk of cognitive decline by making key lifestyle changes, including participation in regular physical activity, staying socially engaged, and maintaining good heart health. This combination, with a focus in clinical care on brain health and early detection, can have significant results. The US Against Alzheimer’s website says this: “Just as we have found ways to reduce heart disease risk, researchers increasingly are finding evidence that there may be steps we can take to reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s—or at least delay its onset. Until recently, it was not clear that there was much providers could do without pharmacological treatment. But rapidly advancing science now points to the ability to reduce dementia risk and enhance cognitive function and health as we age.” Want to know more? You can learn specifics here: https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/alzheimers-prevention?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3P-2BhAEEiwA3yPhwNPPp5tkVkHtvhrLwOjK4MWkgvLnR4GJCDBOihvYGhR7Tx_dhMoB1hoC16QQAvD_BwE  Many scientists are optimistic that we're on the cusp of age breakthroughs. Not only to help us live longer, but - more importantly - to extend the number of years we live with good health.
With that in mind, I was a financial backer for Ed Marshall’s recent celebration wherein he raised money for Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital by jumping out of a airplane and parachuting to the ground. He did this to commemorate his 100th birthday! At the completion of his jump, the 100 year old Mr. Marshall said, referring to the parachute itself, “Thank God it opened!” Apparently he showed no nerves, but did state he doesn't plan to do it again. Meanwhile, donors have already raised more than Ed’s original goal of $100,000: “$1,000 for each year of my life!” Now, I thought that was pretty impressive (and it certainly gave me ideas of what to do to celebrate my 100th birthday one day). But, not to take anything away from Ed, I’ve just learned about a woman, Manette Baillie, who’s become the oldest skydiver in Britain after she jumped out of a plane at age 102. When asked about this momentous occasion, the 102-year-old said, “I just want other people who are getting towards 80 and 90 not to give up anything. Just keep going.” Like Ed Marshall, Manette is using this feat to raise money for a series of UK-based charities. BTW, it’s not the first time she’s attempted extreme events at an advanced age. Two years ago, just ahead of her 100th birthday, she drove around the U.K.’s famed Silverstone racetrack, reaching speeds as high as 130 mph. When asked what’s next, Manette said this would likely be her final fundraising challenge, adding about her new goal: "I shall be taking up knitting!"  Welcome to National Dog Day: August 26. This special occasion celebrates the love and companionship that dogs bring to our lives. As the website publicizing this day states: “National Dog Day celebrates all dogs, mixed breed and pure. Our mission is to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day... for personal protection, for law enforcement, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage, now they're detecting cancer and seizures...things even humans cannot do.”
I’ve had wonderful rescue dogs throughout my life. But since my lovely Macy (pictured here) died 3 months ago, I have been without a canine companion. It was always my plan to observe a grieving period, and then head to the SPCA to see what pup might join us as our new rescue dog. But since we currently have 3 relatives staying with us while they find new accommodation, I’m dealing with their small dog being here too. Given the 4 cats we also have present, I’ll have to wait until the guests depart with their dog, and then look at getting a new pup. Meantime, let’s look at this item that’s also from the nationaldogday.com website: “While we feel that everyone has right to purchase a pure breed dog, we strongly discourage buying dogs from pet stores supplied by puppy mills, backyard breeders, the internet and newspaper ads. Rather, we encourage those seeking new canine companions, to consider choosing adoption first. If you'd like a pure breed dog, look into a pure breed rescue in your city, to see if they might have some little furry soul just waiting to make your life complete. Another great place to find a new best friend is at large chain pet stores that host adoption drives for local shelters and rescues. When considering buying from a breeder, verify that you're buying from a reputable breeder by checking out their licensing, internet reviews and ask for local references such as from a veterinarian. It's vital to educate yourself about the breed you're considering parenting.” Wise words. OK, ‘nuff said: let’s celebrate National Dog Day!  Don’t know about you but I’m fascinated by the politics of our neighbor to the south. It is now settled that that Republican Donald Trump and his running mate Senator JD Vance will be up against Democrat Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz.
Robert Kennedy, who was running as an independent (having previously listed his political affiliation as a Democrat, as with the longstanding majority of his family members), is bowing out of the race and apparently is now a Republican. He’s siding with Trump, much to his family’s irritation ("Our brother Bobby's decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear," wrote sister Kerry Kenned, adding “My late father would detest everything about Trump, including his lying and fascist sympathies."). But this move has resulted in even more money flowing into the Democrats. Go figure. It will be interesting to see what happens during the next 2+ months of campaigning. Never a dull moment!!
 Conrad Black’s recent weekend newspaper column was headlined “Disgraceful Olympics”. He complained about the Last Supper of Jesus Christ being mocked by drag queens at the current Olympics opening ceremonies.
While he is welcome to his opinion on this it does give me the opportunity to weigh in. The cost of the Olympic Games has gone out of control. For instance, the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro ran approximately $23.6 billion. The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics cost $55 billion. But what do these incredible amounts have to do with sports? The Opening Ceremonies now cost hundreds of millions (billions?). Nice show, but what has this got to do with sports? Do the organizers not realize that these funds could be donated to countries so poor they can’t even generate a roster of sports talent to attend the Olympics. Some people are complaining that the opening ceremony in Paris this year was conspicuous for its mediocracy. Again, I ask: what the hell does this have to do with sports? I don’t want to come across as a “wet blanket”. And I count a couple of Olympics medal winners as friends. But seriously, I began losing interest in the Olympics when the Chinese were found to be painting the grass green (!) in their bid to become host (the grass had turned brown – dead – due to their poor climate conditions.) So, the climate is so poor that the plants die, but let’s not have that get in the way of wanting to host the Olympics, right? Then there was Juan Antonio Samaranch, the Spanish guy who served as President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001. This clown actually expected people to refer to him as “Your Excellency”. C’mon folks, we’re talking about sports, not royalty!! “Nuff said!  Yesterday, we discovered a beautiful monarch butterfly sipping nectar from one of our garden plants. Now, what is so special about a monarch butterfly, you ask? Well, they are pretty rare these days.
Do you know much about monarchs? I can give you a very brief overview, starting with the fact that the monarch butterfly exhibits the most highly evolved migration pattern of any known species of butterfly or moth and perhaps any known insect. Each fall, monarchs set out on an incredible 4,000-to-5,000-kilometre journey from southern Canada to their wintering sites in the mountain forests of Mexico. This is one of the world’s longest insect migrations! Sadly however, monarchs are threatened by deforestation of wintering forests in Mexico, disruptions to their migration caused by climate change, and the loss of native plants along their migratory corridors. The increased frequency and severity of weather events is also contributing to reduced numbers. Now you know why I was excited to see the monarch butterfly yesterday. That’s it in the photo from yesterday (recognizable by the two pairs of brilliant orange, black-veined wings with white spots towards the edges). And if you want to go deeper, monarchs butterflies are powerful and beloved insects, symbols of resilience in urban environments and a familiar sight to herald summer in rural areas. In Mexico, their presence has an even deeper meaning: tradition holds the monarchs as the returning spirits of loved ones who have died.  I’ve been out of the loop for a while, travelling in Scandinavia. And while I’ve been an anti-ageism supporter of Joe Biden (even though, as a Canuck, I have no vote), I moved to the “You need to step down now Joe” majority after he lost all of his key supporters following the disastrous debate and then getting Covid.
Still, I’m confident Joe Biden will go down in history as a great American President. He’s accomplished a great deal. Now, I must tell you, I was worried about Kamala Harris being selected as the Democratic nominee. Yes, she’s a talented politician, but my concern was whether she’d be strong enough to fight against that bully Trump. But, then I saw her video wherein she is accepting Joe Biden’s support. Man! I was impressed. And yes, she is indeed strong enough to fight Trump!! So, go Kamala go! And I shall look forward to see who you select as your running mate.  I would not want to be in Joe Biden’s shoes right now. Since his poor showing in last week’s debate, many members of the Democratic party are calling for him to step down and let someone else run to defeat Trump. And yet, President Biden is convinced his poor showing last week was an irregular event, that he is up to the contest and has more work to do in office. He’s also convinced he is the one to defeat Trump, as he did in the last election.
Apparently, if Joe Biden doesn’t want to step aside, so be it. Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff said earlier today that President Biden “should take a moment to make the best-informed judgment” about the future of his presidential campaign. Schiff, who is running for the US Senate in California, stressed the importance for Democrats of beating former President Donald Trump in November. “This is an existential race,” Schiff said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Joe Biden is running against a criminal,” Schiff said. “It should not be even close, and there’s only one reason it is close, and that’s the president’s age.” Schiff advised Biden to “take a moment to make the best-informed judgment” about remaining in the presidential race. “If the judgment is run, then run hard and beat that SOB,” Schiff said. Asked whether Vice President Kamala Harris would make a better candidate than Biden, Schiff said Harris would make a “phenomenal president,” adding, “I think she has the experience, the judgment, the leadership ability to be an extraordinary president.” But he reiterated that the decision about staying in the race was up to Biden, saying, “I don’t think it’s good for the party to get into a debate over okay, if not him, then whom?” I've been a Joe Biden fan for some time now. I'm convinced he has the mental acuity to make the right decision. Time will tell. |
