|
| Heads up! The New York Times published an article last month that didn't come to my attention until today and I think it is going to negatively impact a huge number of children. Psychiatrists are preparing a 2013 revision of their "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" which may tighten the definition of sutism, Asperger's, etc. If it goes that way, it will mean that many support services will not be available to parents of higher-functioning autistic children as well as those diagnosed with related disorders. One of the officials pressing to narrow the definition is Dr. Fred Volkmar of the Yale School of Medicine. He told The Times that the changes would "end the autism surge," or as he put it, "We would nip it in the bud." Say What? Also nipped in the bud will be further research into the controversy of there being a connection between vaccines and autism, a problem many would love to shove under the carpet. If the statistics on adverse events goes down in a few years, it will be a case of "we told you so" -- No Connection, Problem Solved. And in the meantime, children with those disorders will be denied the help they so desperately need. Source: "New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests" Benedict Carey, New York Times. 1/19/12, nytimes.com | | |
| The younger brother of my best local gal pal died of cancer last week after fighting it on and off for over 20 years. He lived at a distance from this locality where he grew up and at his request, he was cremated and there were no services. He had several Navy buddies around here who now want to put up a marker in our town's cemetery where there is an #Avenue of Flags observance for veterans each #Memorial Day and his buddies' intent is to purchase a #flag and pole in order to participate in that ceremony each year. They asked my friend's opinion about it and she asked for my thoughts about the idea. The sticky part of it is that the brother's widow has never been friendly toward the buddies and always maintained distance from her in-laws as well. Since the guys' military service predate the marriage and their reunions meant a great deal to all of the men, I see no problem with their idea. The widow has no family members buried here and hasn't visited anyone in our area for years.This is a military/veteran situation and I don't believe they need the widow's permission (or participation). With so many current military personnel returning from overseas as well as there being so many #veterans of other wars, I see this question as one worth discussion. What do you think about it? | | |
| If I was to watch every #video presented by the sites I subscribe to, I would be sitting here for the equivalent of a double-feature movie every day.These aren't info-mercials. No spam stuff. Nobody with his/her hand out or products to buy. Nothing but news/info regarding topics I am interested in. Does each presenter believe he/she is the only one with exclusive access to my time and attention? I'm "lucky" in that I have only myself to account for but am not lacking for other things to do. Whatever happened to being able to read a concise account, take notes as desired (that's what Notepad is for) and go to the next message? | | |
| Let me preface this by saying I'm one of Xanga's older senior citizens so my musical influences go back a very long time.
My dad was a saxophonist who grew up in the John Phillip Souza era a century ago and played iin a marching band first, then in local groups for dances wherever he happened to be until a few years before his death. Growing up, many smaller towns had a Saturday night dance wherever there was room for 40-50 couples, often a Grange or I.O.O.F. hall, and kids were often taken along. I was one of them.
My maternal grandfather was a self-taught fiddler and I've known many of this state's members of the Old Time Fiddlers Association over the years. My mother played piano and guitar. We had stacks of sheet music and boxes of piano rolls.
From my first memory, our big console Philco radio had an external antenna that brought in the big "boomer" stations near Del Rio, TX could usually pick up CFCN from Calgary, Canada and many points in between. Locally, there was a Scandinavian Hour every Sunday and what has since become PBS had Czechoslovakian music one evening each week. There are currently two Hispanic stations within 30 miles and the mariachi bands are great. I also live-stream Bluegrass on Saturdays and traditional jazz on Sundays.
We got a player piano when I was six years old and I started taking piano lessons shortly afterward, then played clarinet in the high school band.
I can honestly say there hasn't been a day of my life without music including my almost continual "earworm" companion. If there was no such thing as music, it would be necessary to invent it!
The only genre I don't care for is opera.
| | |
| I started with the intent to get acquainted with a broad range of people, and learn how things are outside of my little world. Today was my 74th birthday. My 5th and 6th gr grandchildren are to arrive early next year so I'm quite a bit beyond the average age of Xangans. I'm enjoying the experience!
I just answered this Featured Question; you can answer it too! | | |
|
