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We've started or summer schedule of sending The Flock out biweekly. But I miss you, so this week's issue is the first exception to the new schedule. I'm sure we will have others.
1. In celebration of Mother's Day, one of the most universally popular holidays around the world, I want to reach out and honor all mothers, whether birth mothers, adoptive mothers or stepmothers. Last year we did a deep dive into the history and global traditions of the holiday.
2. In The Heavens, we're currently experiencing unusually strong solar activity that could result in the aurora borealis being visible over a large portion of the U.S. this weekend. Your best chance to see the celestial display will be between 10 pm and 2 am Friday and Saturday nights under clear skies.
3. We have a new video from the Reid Park Zoo where Animal Care Specialist Juls shows us how the zoo cares for its Baird's Tapers.
4. We have a new issue of the scholarly medical newsletter Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter produced by friend and fellow New Englander, Mara G. Aspinall. This issue covers the latest on the H5N1 bird-flu, COVID diagnostics and diagnostic wearables.
5. In our Pet's Corner we meet Little Rosie, the newest member of the Miksta family. Rosie might be tiny, but she packs a ton of charm.
6. I've also added my own little Mother's Day weekend brag this week, A Mother Brags. My special weekend sure did kick off well. I apologize to have pigged out w photos of my hubby and "big kids"... Where did the wonderful years of tiny ones go?
In closing, I would like to once again encourage all my readers to use the submission link at the top and bottom of this newsletter to share your poems, short stories, thoughts, memories, photos, or suggestions so that I can present them in The Flock.
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Now, to this week's Flock. | |
1. MOTHER'S DAY: A Poem For Mothers
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Who sat and watched my infant head
When sleeping on my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.
When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept for fear that I should die?
My Mother.
Who taught my infant lips to pray
And love God’s holy book and day,
And walk in wisdom’s pleasant way?
My Mother.
And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who wast so very kind to me,
My Mother?
Ah, no! the thought I cannot bear,
And if God please my life to spare
I hope I shall reward they care,
My Mother.
When thou art feeble, old and grey,
My healthy arm shall be thy stay,
And I will soothe thy pains away,
My Mother.
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2. THE HEAVENS: The Northern Lights
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Much of the country may have a rare chance to see the northern lights this weekend. This is the best detailed description of why the aurora borealis is colorful and why it's hard to predict. | |
Northern lights forecast: Auroras could be visible across much of US; G4 conditions observed Friday | |
From: USA Today, By: Doyle Rice, May 10, 2024 | |
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Skywatchers get ready: Thanks to unusually strong solar activity, the aurora borealis could be coming to the skies above a large portion of the United States this weekend, space weather forecasters said Friday.
Federal forecasters from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said that during previous solar activity of this magnitude, the "aurora has been seen as low as Alabama and northern California." NOAA experts said the aurora might be visible Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights.
The colorful aurora forms when particles flowing from the sun get caught up in Earth's magnetic field. The particles interact with molecules of atmospheric gases to cause the famed glowing green and reddish colors of the aurora.
The northern lights are the most benign result of solar activity. Strong solar storms – including G4s – can also disrupt some radio communications, harm satellites and even knock out power systems, forecasters warned.
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3. ZOOS: New From Reid Park Zoo
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Hoofin' It With the Baird's Tapirs | |
Baird's tapirs are known for their elongated snout that forms a flexible, prehensile proboscis. Learn more about these amazing herbivores with Animal Care Specialist Juls. | |
4. WELLNESS: Sensitive & Specific Newsletter
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The latest issue of Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter by Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark is out. This issue includes an update on the current status of the H5N1bird-flu, A history OF COVID diagnostics and a survey of wearable from the Apple watch to a diagnostic sock. | |
Holy cow, there’s a lot of bird-flu news | |
The H5N1 bird-flu situation is changing quickly. Here are the high points, focusing on viral spread, human risk, and testing: | |
The virus in cattle and how it spreads | |
- In cows, this disease primarily lives in and affects the udders, which is why it’s showing up in milk. While there is evidence that it can get into cows’ lungs, it’s not primarily a respiratory disease in this species, and it isn’t fatal for them. (It’s devastating for cats, however.)
- Because of the way milking works, it’s extremely hard to prevent spread from cow to cow within a herd - and extremely easy to expose workers to potentially virus-laden aerosolized milk. This photo from USDA.gov tells the story. In milking parlors, dairy workers stand in a pit that puts them at eye level with cows’ udders. Cows’ teats are disinfected before and after they’re hooked up to milking machines, but - and this is crucial - the machines themselves aren’t. (It’s hard to do, takes a long time, and adds wear and tear to the machines.) So each cow’s udder gets exposed to residual milk from the previous cow that remains in the machine.
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- Only one human case of H5N1 from dairy cows has been confirmed. The patient had conjunctivitis that resolved on Tamiflu, and none of his household members got sick. But the CDC wasn’t able to test any other workers or cows at the farm at which the patient was likely exposed as the infected worker refused to identify the farm in which he worked.
- The CDC currently doesn’t recommend testing people who’ve been exposed to the disease unless they have symptoms.
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5. PET'S CORNER: Little Rosie
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This week's Pet's Corner was submitted by granddad Jay, and is a special Mother's Day edition featuring mom, Amie Miksta, and daughter, Ayla Miksta, with little Rosie. Rosie is now 18 weeks old and weighs 4.5 lbs. She loves "real chicken and sweet potato recipe" for breakfast and dinner. She knows how to sit and fetch, plays great, goes on good walks and gives kisses! At nighttime, she likes to stay in her cage. She loves her dry roasted chicken, pumpkin, and cinnamon strips for treats. Rosie adores her family and loves to check out all the people outside. | |
Mom's twin, nine-year-old Ayla when Rosie was just a puppy. | |
The Miksta family: Amie, Jeff, and Ayla enjoying a beautiful day in Hawaii. | |
6. A MOTHER BRAGS: Family Time
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Mikey surprised me a visit today and Vi lives next door. It feels so good. Dad, Mike, was at the dinner table with us too. | |
When have we been together at one time, in one moment. I can't remember. | |
Please share your photos, stories and thoughts. I'd love to present them in The Flock. | |
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These Flock regulars are always here for you:
In coming weeks: we'll be sharing more investigative articles from our roving reporter William George, original writing from Flock favorite Dino DeConcini, and an update on the Marolt brothers' coming expedition to Argentina.
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Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories! | |
I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story. | |
Subscriptions & Idea Submissions | |
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Feel free to forward this email to a friend. If this was forwarded to you and you would like to receive your very own Flock Newsletter, you can sign up here. If you have any questions or suggestions for future Flock resources, don't hesitate to contact me.
Your fan and friend,
Beth
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The information and materials contained or referenced in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before beginning a new health care regimen. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical advice or care based on anything contained in this newsletter. | | | | |
