Stirred by images of my beautiful mother and her guitar…singing, singing, singing…a message of social justice from her soul through the late 60s and 70s. Songs “Has Anybody Here Seen My Old Friends Abraham, Martin, and John”, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” passionately intoned to urge peace and love.

She had witnessed the brutality of racism and combat’s destruction in WWII Europe and felt an obligation to use the means she had—her song–vowing not to stop until the world was rid of prejudice and war. Her ardent example compels you and me to use the means we have each day to promote peace and the valuing of all lives.

Memorial Day amid the loss of lives, jobs, and property due to pandemic deepens our sense of loss as consequence of war. With heightened awareness we give gratitude to those who served, and for those who suffered the collateral loss of loved ones, businesses, and homes, yet courageously rebuilt lives and serve as much needed examples of the resiliency we need today.

Photo: My mother, grandmother, and aunt, forever displaced from their Hungarian estate; Trier, Germany 1945.
Note mortal shell damage on background building.

Let us take strength from the quarantined Napolitani who sing “Don’t give up!” from their balconies with true Italian spirit and courage – coraggio! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDRiINXik00

Inaugural Opioid and Pain Conference focused on engaging the community with innovative strategies to manage pain and collaborative initiatives to combat the opioid crisis. I am grateful to facilitate two panels important to me: 1) State of-the-art approaches to managing pain without narcotics, and 2) Recovery-oriented criminal justice efforts which can foster not just an absence of criminal behavior but help to restore a human being to a fully functional life. Tomorrow at Michigan State University.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-capital-area-pain-opioid-conference-tickets-59774003654

Shout-out to Schuler Books in Okemos for small/local business Saturday!

Schuler Books has been a supporter of Coraggio books since their releases.

Schuler Books promotes Coraggio books’ spiral-binding that helps people with disabilities more easily read a book–by shelving on an end cap or cover forward–while other bookstores prefer books with a title on the binding that can be compactly shelved. Missed Small Business Saturday? Consider shopping for one of many unique items at Schuler Books & Music any time this month.

Have courage to discover and believe in your Miracle of Hope! 

There is always Hope…

You are Never Alone!

        Hope Restores Women’s            Conference                  Lansing Center

Coraggio!

Promoting FREE Naloxone/Narcan day. Luke, the Rite Aid pharmacist, was great.  Gave me my free box of 2 with no questions asked, no prescription, and showed me how to use.  

As a Michigan Prescription Drug Abuse Commission member, we learned that 130 people a DAY die from opioid abuse in the U.S. This nasal spray can reverse an overdose while happening. I added link to an article with how-to-use video and a list of pharmacies providing free kit today, Sat. 9/14.

Naloxone / Narcan kit

https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2019/09/12/free-narcan-naloxone-michigan-pharmacies/2154597001/

MI Council of Nurse Practitioners, so honored to offer welcome Coraggio message of Envisioning a Future of conquered pain and to be inspired by your courageous leading the way!

It is minus 32 degrees!

Warm up in an arthritis-friendly, nourishing way…Turmeric Ginger Butternut Bisque!

Be gentle on joints by pre-baking a butternut squash before cutting, peeling and deseeding.

Use onions and garlic your grocer chopped. Lightly sauté fresh ginger and turmeric for a jolt of natural anti-inflammatories.

Substitute soy (almond) milk and silken tofu for bone-building and instead of fat-saturated cream.

A hand blender saves hand and elbow joints from heavier blender or processors.

Butternut squash brings cozy, filling warmth to the tummy and packs minerals and vitamin A.

Caldo & Delizioso!

Remembering Great Grandpa Genaro Rizzo on the 100th Anniversary of WWI end. He fought bravely in the rugged and cold terrain of Northern Italy and the Alps, for a war believed to end all wars…

As Uncle Jimmy adds details of valor to the story, Genaro Rizzo was “Knighted (posthumously) for saving an officer from drowning while fording a river on horseback.”

Genaro Rizzo Italian Cavalry WWI

May courage be stoked within each one of us as we remember  the Courage of  our Ancestors!