Author Archives: majaramirez

About majaramirez

former assistant instructor in tai chi chu'an; current TreeKeeper (#467); former Master Gardener; member of American Bird Conservancy, Audubon, Fraternal Order of Police, and Mensa; recently retired career cop; wife and mom.

Her Majesty, and an Answer for Grief

In her life she stood, silent and somber, for many memorials and funeral services, as did so many others, to pay her last respects. She wouldn’t have wanted anyone to stand for hours without taking a seat or a bathroom … Continue reading

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Boxing Biden

The day after the Inauguration, I thought I was in my late mother’s area of town, where still stands (albeit much “improved”) the house I brought my own newborn home to, all those years ago, where my brothers and I … Continue reading

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From the city to the land, with gratitude

Many people who work the land have been conned by the last and lamentable White House occupant and his minions into believing city slickers are smug and relatively safe in these too-many ivory towers, and consider them rubes in flyover … Continue reading

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The Day It All Changed

Twenty-one years ago, I was visiting my mother on my day off. Pregnant with my first (and to-be only child), we were having coffee and coffeecake as I turned the news on. In one of New York City’s World Trade … Continue reading

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Right republican wrongs

For too long, Republicans have worried millions by labeling everything not on their agenda as “socialism.” Many Democrats are taking that “hard left turn” (“For some Dems, left not right fit;” Chicago Tribune, Thursday 25 July 2019) in response to the Intergovernmental … Continue reading

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Meth and Marijuana, Mistakes and Messes

“Drug addicts hurt only themselves, if at all.” “Drug suppliers would not have to resort to illegal methods if their product was at the least decriminalized.” “There’s no problem with smoking or eating grass.” This is not the late 1960s, … Continue reading

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Trans Protections                                

The current administration would have us deny transgender individuals health care discrimination protections. On a related note are late-night infomercials that would have us believe the most serious problem society faces is unquestionably erectile dysfunction. Yet there is a far more … Continue reading

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The shame of ShamWow

Not all that long ago, a Tribune columnist (a man) extolled the so-called virtue of ShamWow towels as a diaper. Had he advocated child abuse I could not have been more horrified. Baby pee is not “biohazardous” stuff, as he … Continue reading

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Indiana Dunes: America’s Newest National Park

This gallery contains 14 photos.

Originally posted on Openlands:
On February 15, 2019, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was upgraded to a National Park, the country’s 61st. The greater Chicago region now has a National Park. Members of the Indiana and Illinois conservation communities have worked…

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Good Garden People: Also Good for Business!

It has happened to anyone who participates in any group that goes out to eat even once.  The bill comes, is passed around for review, money is collected – and a discussion ensues over who owes how much more for … Continue reading

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