RIP Ozzy

Because I could not stop for Death 

by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) 

Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –

Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity –

What Is A Cult?

Does everyone remember Jim Jones? Do you remember how nobody could wrap their head around how his followers couldn't see the stranglehold he had on them? Their apparent inability to see the warning signs along the way didn't end well for any of them! Over time we've had various cults pop up here and there, but none grew to a fever pitch like the MAGA movement.

Why do I call this a cult? Well, actually let me correct that and call it a political cult for now.  How has Donald Trump hoodwinked so many people when he's been in the public eye for several decades? We all know him to be a cheat, a scoundrel, a liar, a lousy businessman, a horrible husband and father and basically lower than "swamp" scum. Does that cover it? Please feel free to jump in and add to the list if you feel so inclined.

How to Recognize a Cult

Sometimes individuals disagree about whether a group, such as certain religious groups (Scientology, Jehovah Witness, etc., are actually cults. Even researchers sometimes can’t agree on what constitutes a cult. I guess we'll just have to rely on the old adage "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it most likely is a duck."

Most people can agree that cults have a leader. And the leader (or group of people who serve as leaders) are responsible for the rules that guide its members.

According to the Cult Education Institute (a nonprofit library with archived information about cults, controversial groups and movements), there are specific warning signs to look out for when considering whether any group might be a cult. Cults are characterized by:

Absolute authoritarianism without accountability
Zero tolerance for criticism or questions
Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, etc.
Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions
A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave
Abuse of members...abuse can be physical, sexual, mental, emotional, financial or all of the above
Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group are often ridiculed and made to seem like insignificant fabrications
Followers feeling they are never able to be “good enough”
A belief that the leader is right at all times
A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth” or giving validation


Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on deceptive and authoritarian practices to make members dependent on and obedient to the group. Cults often cut members off from other forms of social and financial support and pose both physical and psychological risks to members of the group. So, you tell me, does MAGA qualify as being considered a cult by using the criteria listed above? You tell me!

Survive A Heart Attack When You’re Alone

According to medical experts:

A heart attack is the result of a build-up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances that causes plaque formation in the coronary arteries that provide blood flow to the heart. The plaque formation disrupts the blood flow and can damage the heart muscle.

Heart attacks often occur when people are alone. Knowing what to do when heart attack symptoms come on can save your life. People sometimes ignore symptoms of an oncoming, deadly heart attack, and this can be fatal.

Signs and Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of a heart attack is chest ache, pain or discomfort. Chest discomfort usually occurs in the center of the chest; other symptoms include: A feeling of heaviness, tightness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness, or squeezing. The pain can either last for several minutes, go away, or come back repeatedly.
Pains in the torso/upper body, including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
Difficulty breathing/feeling out of breath
Sweating or "cold" sweating
A sense of fullness, indigestion, or choking
Nausea or vomiting
Lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling like you might faint
Unexplained tiredness, weakness, extreme weakness (like you can't do easy tasks), or severe anxiety reacting to symptoms
Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Risk Factors:

Men who are 45 years old or older and women who are 55 years old or older have an increased risk of suffering from a heart attack.
Tobacco use
High blood pressure or high blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels
Diabetes, obesity, and stress
Family history of heart attack
Lack of physical activity
Illegal drug use
A history of preeclampsia or an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

What should you do if you are alone and have a heart attack?

Call 911 The most important thing to do when you suspect a heart attack is to call emergency medical services. Always call 911 before you attempt to contact anyone else. Calling 911 will almost always be the quickest way to get treatment. Even if you live in an area that an ambulance may have difficulty getting to, the emergency dispatcher can provide you with instructions on minimizing the damage.

Consider contacting someone to come over immediately. If you have a trustworthy neighbor or relative who lives nearby, make another phone call asking that person to come to meet you. Having another person nearby can be helpful if you suddenly go into cardiac arrest. You should only do this if the emergency dispatcher permits you to get off the phone or if you have a second line you can call on while the dispatcher stays on the first line. Do not rely on another person to get you to the hospital. Wait for emergency paramedics to show up.

Chew on aspirin. Chew and swallow a single 325-mg or two tablets of baby aspirin 81-mg. Chewing on aspirin is especially effective if done within 30 minutes of your first symptoms. Aspirin inhibits platelet development. Taking aspirin can delay the formation of blood clots that could further block your arteries during a heart attack.Chew the aspirin before swallowing it. By chewing the aspirin, you release more of the medicine directly into your stomach and hasten its ability to get into your bloodstream. Do NOT use this treatment if you are on a medication that interacts poorly with aspirin or have otherwise been told by your doctor not to take aspirin or if you are allergic to aspirin.

Do not attempt to drive. Driving yourself to the hospital is not recommended. If you begin to experience heart attack symptoms while driving, immediately pull off to the side of the road. If you suffer from a cardiac arrest, you will pass out. This is the main reason why driving while suffering from a heart attack is not advised.

Remain calm. As frightening as a heart attack is, rushing around or putting yourself into a state of panic can worsen the problem. Relax as much as possible to keep your heart rate steady and calm. Count as a way of slowing your heartbeat. Make sure that your counts are slow, using the standard one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand counting.

Lie down. Lie on your back and raise your legs upward. This opens up the diaphragm, making it easier for you to breathe and supply oxygen to your blood. Make the position easier to maintain by propping your legs up on pillows or another object. You could also lie down on the floor with your legs propped up on a couch or chair. 

Make your way carefully if you cannot immediately lie down or sit, such as working on a ladder or crossing traffic. If you feel dizzy or unable to walk correctly, watching a fixed object such as the horizon or a large fixed object might help calm you and help you control the situation until help arrives.

Take deep, steady breaths of fresh air. Even though your instinct might be to take rapid breaths when you experience a heart attack, the best way to maintain a constant supply of oxygen to your blood and your heart is to take slow, deep breaths. Consider lying down in front of an open window, open door, fan, or air conditioner. Providing yourself with a consistent stream of fresh air can help supply your heart with oxygen.

DO NOT attempt Cough CPR. A common myth is that you can survive a heart attack alone by coughing in a particular manner. This probably won't work, and worse still, attempting this technique may put you in more danger. Attempting this procedure on your own can cause you to accidentally work against the rhythm of your heart and make it harder to get oxygen into your blood rather than easier.

Avoid food and drink. Eating and drinking are probably the last things on your mind when you experience a heart attack, but just in case, you should avoid food and drink even if you want them. Having anything other than aspirin in your system can make it more complicated for paramedics to give you adequate treatment. If necessary, you can swallow a little water to help you get the aspirin into your system, but even this should be avoided if possible.

Always follow-up with your doctor: 

Talk to your doctor about what to do in the future. Suffering a heart attack increases your risk of experiencing a heart attack in the future. When you survive your heart attack this time, you should talk with your physician to discuss improving your chances of survival if you should suffer from one again.

Your physician can prescribe medications for treating cardiac problems, including:

Nitroglycerin to help widen the blood vessels and lower pressure on the arteries
Beta-blockers to block the hormones responsible for triggering stress responses in the heart and surrounding cardiac tissue.
Blood thinners to lessen chances of blood clots and anti-stickiness meds for platelets, both of which help prevent future heart attacks due to blockage of the arteries in the heart.

You should get treatment for your heart attack within the first hour of your initial symptoms. If you wait longer than that, your heart will have more difficulty repairing the damage/cell death in the muscles of the heart. The ultimate goal is to have the constricted artery back open within 90 minutes to minimize damage as much as possible.

It is also essential for you to talk to your doctor about reducing your risks of experiencing other heart diseases through diet, exercise/cardiac rehab, sleep, and other lifestyle changes.