R.I.P Donald Rumsfeld (1932-2021)

Two-time defense secretary and one-time presidential candidate Donald Rumsfeld has died at 88 years old.

According to a statement from the Rumsfeld family, he passed away surrounded by loved ones at his home in New Mexico.

Reflections

Has music

TIP: You can just hit the "STOP" button on your browser or use the control in the left column....

This is a PowerPoint presentation. Click above.

If you don't have PowerPoint, you can download the free viewer here.

LETTERS THE LOVE DOCTOR ADMITS HE WAS AT A LOSS TO ANSWER

Dear Love Doctor,

A couple of women moved in across the hall from me. One is a middle-aged gym teacher and the other is a social worker in her mid twenties. These two women go everywhere together and I've never seen a man go into or leave their apartment. Do you think they could be Lebanese?


Dear Love Doctor,

What can I do about all the Sex, Nudity, Foul Language and Violence On my VCR?


Dear Love Doctor,

I have a man I can't trust. He cheats so much, I'm not even sure the baby I'm carrying is his.


Dear Love Doctor,

I am a twenty-three year old liberated woman who has been on the pill for two years. It's getting expensive and I think my boy friend should share half the cost, but I don't know him well enough to discuss money with him.



Dear Love Doctor,

I've suspected that my husband has been fooling around, and when confronted with the evidence, he denied everything and said it would never happen again.


Dear Love Doctor,

Our son writes that he is taking Judo. Why would a boy who was raised in a good Christian home turn against his own?


Dear Love Doctor,

I joined the Navy to see the world. I've seen it. Now how do I get out?


Dear Love Doctor,

My forty year old son has been paying a psychiatrist $50.00 an hour every week for two and a half years. He must be crazy.


Dear Love Doctor,

I was married to Bill for three months and I didn't know he drank until one night he came home sober.



(I love this one!!)
Dear Love Doctor,

My mother is mean and short tempered. I think she is going through mental pause.


Dear Love Doctor,

You told some woman whose husband had lost all interest in sex to send him to a doctor. Well, my husband lost all interest in sex and he is a Doctor. Now what do I do?

Short and Funny

I dialed a number and got the following recording: "I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."

At pilots training back in the Air Corps they taught us, "Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take offs you make."

Aspire to inspire before you expire.

My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine.

Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.

The irony of life is that, by the time you're old enough to know your way around, you're not going anywhere.

God made man before woman so as to give him time to think of an answer for her first question.

I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

Every morning is the dawn of a new error.

Why Gay Men Love Judy Garland

Gay mag The Advocate refers to gay icon Judy Garland as the "Elvis of homosexuals." Even though Judy Garland (June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) had numerous gay friends and a gay father it is believed that her true connection with gay men was rooted in her ability to overcome the inner conflict, instability and loneliness that defined her life even during stardom. 

Judy's necessity to maintain a "stage presence" at all times despite her inner turmoil led to a severe prescription drug addiction and eventually her tragic death. Gay men of the homophobic 50s and 60s identified with the dichotomy of her life as they too had to hide behind walls of perceived strength. 

Garland's journey to personal acceptance as the young Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz resonated throughout the gay community. Despite intense fear, confusion and a series of trials, Judy as Dorothy finally made it "home" by realizing that she possessed all of the heart, strength and courage needed to find the true happiness that lived within. 

Gay men of the past and today also embarked on adventures of self-discover that led full circle to self-acceptance. The message of The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland's courage is credited with giving many gay men the strength to come out and live their lives despite adversity. 

Thus came the expression "Friend of Dorothy,"** which many gay men used to describe themselves and other gay people. Today, gay Judy Garland references are used to describe a gay man's best friend, who we affectionately call "My Judy."

 **"Friend of Dorothy" - Often referring to a gay or queer man.

Signs that you are Empathic

 

elefonts

 

Oh, English. You've done it again!

 

So Long Bob...

 

God and Eve

Eve: "Sigh...."
God: What is it, Eve?
Eve: I know that you created me and provided this beautiful garden and all of these wonderful animals, especially that hilarious snake, but I'm just not happy.
God: And why is that Eve?
Eve: Lord, I'm lonely, and I'm sick to death of apples.
God: Well, Eve, in that case I have a solution. I shall create a man for you.
Eve: Man? What is that Lord?
God: A flawed creature with many bad traits. He'll lie, cheat and be vain. All in all, he'll give you a hard time, but he'll be bigger and faster and will love to hunt, fish and bring you good things to eat.
I'll create him in such a way that he will satisfy your physical needs. He will be witless and will revel in childish things like playing cards and knocking a ball around. He won't be as smart as you, so he will also need your advice to think properly.
Eve: (with ironically raised eyebrows) Sounds great, but what's the catch?
God: Well,.. you can have him on one condition.
Eve: And what's that Lord?
God: Well, since he'll be proud, arrogant and self-admiring, you'll have to let him believe that I made him first.
And it will have to be our little secret...
you know, "woman to woman. "

Queen Latifah Officially 'OUT' !

Queen Latifah, receiving the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, was honored for her one-of-a-kind 35-year career as a rapper, performer, actress, and more. MC Lyte, Rapsody, Lil’ Kim and Monie Love performed together and thanked her for being their peer or paving the way for them.

But her closing remarks are drawing the most attention, after the star mentioned her longtime partner, Eboni Nichols, and their son, Rebel. She ended her speech by wishing viewers a “Happy Pride!”

Support LGBTQIA+ Publishing

 

R.I.P. Johnny Solinger (1965 - 2021)

 

Johnny Solinger, the former Skid Row singer who served 15 years as the vocalist for the metal act, has died from liver failure at the age of 55.

In May, Solinger revealed he had spent the past month in a hospital due to liver failure. “It is with a heavy heart I must let everyone know what’s going on with me and my health. I have been hospitalised for over the last month,” he wrote on Facebook May 8th.

Breaking News!

 

Covid Stress Disorder

by Trent Deerhorn, Deerhorn Shamanic Services

I have, over the last year and a half, noticed that many of my clients are experiencing odd combinations of symptoms and stressors in their lives as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, even if they have had the vaccine.  I don’t know if any psychologist is studying this phenomenon, but I decided to actually give it a name, which I have coined as Covid Stress Disorder, or CSD for short.  Please note that I am not a physician or a mental health practitioner.  If you have these symptoms, it is important to address them with health care practitioners of that sort.  The observations that I am making are based upon my work as an Energy Healer and Shaman.  So when I speak to these symptoms, I am basing it upon observations of the energy field that flows through and around the human body.  In observing the changes, I am also able to observe behavioral changes for the people experiencing CSD.  So here are a few of the observations that I have made.

*Please remember that I am not a person who can diagnose anything.  That is out of scope for what I do.  But I can certainly observe.

Loss of Memory:  As the pandemic dragged on, I have found that many people are experiencing mind fog that leads to loss of memory as well as often the inability to “find the word” they are looking for while speaking.  It is like, mid-sentence, suddenly a word that otherwise would have been quite available to them is suddenly gone.  Much of this has to do with being overwhelmed by the pandemic.  Some of it has to do with how our third eyes are handling isolation, having to resort to virtual communication, and chronic fatigue.

Worry:  On a grand scale this would include things like wondering if and when the pandemic will be over once and for all.  Some of that worry turns obsessive because humans are social animals and having to isolate and keep social distance is unnatural.  Sometimes on a more personal scale this worry is about whether or not one will contract Covid or inadvertently infect loved ones with it.  This constant state of worry disrupts the brain function as well as the overall health of the individual.  On an energy level it creates energy blockages in the solar plexus chakra, the base chakra, and the third eye chakra.

Anger:  This is, of course, a direct result of the isolation that everyone has experienced, but it can crop up in small ways day to day, such as being upset that you cannot see your parent or grandparent in a care home, or in large ways such as rage about encountering people or seeing reports about people who are breaking protocols or who are thinking that Covid is all made up.  Levels of incompetency and stupidity in other humans strains our already poor grasp of patience.  This is also manifested in an increase in road rage and people screaming at each other regarding protocols, their driving, a delay in some service etc.  This can been seen energetically with hot flares of energy moving abruptly from the base chakra up the energy system and exploding in the third eye.  Logic and reason, at a moment such as this, go completely out the door.  And it takes much longer to cool down afterwards.

Resentment:  This can involve pretty much anything having to do with how life has become abruptly and radically changed by the event of the pandemic.  But it can also express itself in smaller ways that burst forth because they have been buried within for too long.  This is one that I have personally experienced when my partner’s shifts at work in the initial stages of the pandemic were radically changes and completely all over the place.  I was worried about his safety at work, but also about how well he would function with shifts that varied at all times of the day.  I also resented having to eat alone too many days in a row.  This had been a time when we could sit, enjoy a meal, and reconnect after a long day at work.  Suddenly that was completely off the table.  The resentment energy often, I have noticed, lodges itself in the jaws and throat chakra.  People begin clenching their teeth unconsciously and even begin grinding teeth at night, which they never did previously.

Headaches:  A LOT of people are suffering from this symptom because of extra screen time due to having to do everything online at work and at home.  Some of it is a result of having to adapt to technology that they were unaccustomed to, and a lot because the pandemic is just plain stressful from the get-go.  The headaches are also associated with self-criticism as well as the perceived criticism from others (who are often not actually criticizing).  I did, you will note, use the word “perceived.”  With CSD, perceptions can really get wonky and people who have no intent to criticize are perceived to have done just that.  The mind fog that was previously mentioned contributes to this because it clouds judgement and does not allow for clear perceptions.  The energy level of all of this is mostly around the neck and head, but some of it also tracks down the back through the shoulders.

Guilt:  Sometimes these feelings of guilt are based in delusions.  Thinking that some past indiscretion or perceived indiscretion has led to the pandemic is one way in which it is experienced.  It did not at all help that there were politicians who were playing the guilt and blame game and trying to say that the pandemic was a result of certain groups of people, be they of particular sexual orientation, or political belief, or race.  That type of behavior only served the politicians, and no one else at all.  But the guilt that a person experiences can also be because of fortunate things.  For example, some folks whose jobs were not affected by the pandemic would feel guilty about still having a job when some of their friends became unemployed because of the ripple effect of the pandemic.  This energetically resides mostly in the mental and emotional bodies of the energy field.

Frustration:  This is often associated with the feeling of powerlessness when experiencing a pandemic.  Some of it is related to how others are not handling it well, and some of it can be related to how, during this particular pandemic, people are treating their medical information like some kind of a reward system on Social Media.  It is like previously mature people have to show off their vaccination badges of honor.  For many the question comes up, “Are we back in grade one?  Gold star for coloring within the lines…green badge for getting poked with a needle?”  While on the one hand, such posts on Social Media show support for those who are on board with a particular way of dealing with the pandemic, for others it comes across as judgemental.  There is judgement flowing both ways on this; from those who have had a vaccination towards those who have not yet, or who are unable to due to medical issues, or who are not comfortable with the concept of this particular vaccine in the first place.  Also judgement comes from those who are vaccine hesitant towards those who follow blindly the “science” simply because science is involved, as though science is not fallible.  This frustration wells up inside the energy of the stomach, or solar plexus chakra, moves up into the heart centre, and then does a needle point shot straight to the third eye chakra.  With that sort of abrupt energy flow, is it any wonder that there is such a division between the camps?

Restlessness:  This can be in general, but it is most often, from my observation, happening for people in the middle of the night.  The time is often correlated to the time of day when the liver begins to detoxify.  At this time, one wakes up and either can’t get back to sleep, or tosses and turns and, either way, does not get the rest one requires for their good health.  Often this begins in the solar plexus chakra and then moves downward to the base chakra.  While doing so it often over stimulates the adrenal glands, thus the restlessness.  Sometimes this will progress into having restless leg syndrome.  Just as one begins to fall back asleep, the legs begin to shake or they will have a sudden jolt of energy that moves them abruptly, thus waking the person up once again.

Depression:  This one begins with the third eye chakra and swirls around and through it.  Cloudiness of thought leads to depressing thoughts and imagery that move through the mind.  If one can see the specific thing that one is depressed about it becomes easier to remedy.  But if not, then one can actually spiral into an “Oh, what’s the use?” approach to their life and loved ones.

Detachment from the Inner Self:  You may have heard the term “disassociation.”  This one is sort of like that in that one tends to turn off the self-awareness button as a coping mechanism.  But where it becomes more intense is when anyone around us then observes something about our behavior and we are shocked that this should even be considered as a reality because, according to how we see ourselves, it is not.  This is more than denial.  With denial we are, on some level, aware of the situation and our participation in it, we just don’t wish to address it.  With detachment from the Inner Self, we are completely unaware, which makes our responses more intense than if it were just a denial system.  Anger then flares and we often become paranoid about others around us trying to make us crazy with judgemental thoughts about us, when those people were simply observing that “something is off.”

So what do we do about all of this?

I have noticed that regular energy balancing treatments help a lot to sort these things out.  But there are also other things that I have as  suggestions:

Bach Flower Remedies work with the energetic essence of particular flowers, transmuting them into tinctures that one takes orally that, once ingested, help with all sorts of mental and emotional balancing.  Here are a few to consider, but do research more on your own and decide which ones may work for you:

1. Rescue Remedy: This is sort of like “first aid” for emotional traumas and for extremely stressful situations.
2. Beech: This works with the intolerance of others and balances out criticizing without any understanding of the views and situations of others.
3. Cherry Plum: This is for the fear of letting go inside; fear of “losing one’s mind,” fear of loss of control, uncontrolled outbreaks of temper.
4. Crab Apple: This is for when one feels unclean, infected (or the worry of being infected), or has self-disgust.  One gets stuck in details.  Bugs and germs often are a primary concern as well as self-loathing.
5. Elm: for temporary feelings of inadequacy.  Also when one is overwhelmed by responsibilities.
6. Gorse: For hopelessness and despair.  An “Oh, what’s the use?” attitude.
7. Mustard: For specific fears that can be named, often leading to depression and anxiety.
8. Honeysuckle:  This applies to when one finds oneself longing for the past, for when things can “go back to normal,” as though that will happen any time soon during a pandemic.  It also helps for when one is not really “living in the present,” thus not responding to present needs.
9. Hornbeam: This is for weariness, mental exhaustion, either temporary or prolonged, and for procrastination.  It also helps for the “hung over” feeling upon waking.
10. Impatiens: For those who are impatient, irritable, and have excessive reactions.
11. Olive: For when one is completely exhausted, and has extreme physical and mental fatigue.
12. Red Chestnut: For when one has excessive worry and concern over others.
13. Walnut: For when one had difficulties around adjusting or around transition periods of life.
14. Water Violet: For inner reserve, proud withdrawal, feeling of superiority in isolation, and little emotional involvement.
15. Willow” For unspoken resentment and bitterness, “poor me” or “victim of fate” attitude.

So hopefully this will be of some assistance for you, the reader.  I am aware of the fact that there is a plethora of natural remedies other than Bach Flower Remedies that can assist in all of these symptoms; aromatherapy and homeopathic to name just two.  It is important to do your research and discover what works best for you.  I personally enjoy the Bach Flower Remedies because they do not in any way contradict any natural or medical remedies one may be on.

The post Covid Stress Disorder appeared first on Deerhorn Shamanic Services.

The Outcast - Start Trek The Next Generation

"I am female. I was born that way. I have had those feelings, those longings, all of my life. It is not unnatural. I am not sick because I feel this way. I do not need to be helped. I do not need to be cured. What I need, and what all of those who are like me need, is your understanding. And your compassion. We have not injured you in any way. And yet we are scorned and attacked. And all because we are different. What we do is no different from what you do. We talk, and laugh. We complain about work. And we wonder about growing old. We talk about our families, and we worry about the future. And we cry with each other when things seem hopeless. All of the loving things that you do with each other, that is what we do. And for that, we are called misfits, and deviants, and criminals. What right do you have to punish us? What right do you have to change us? What makes you think you can dictate how people love each other?"

The above quote spoken in Star Trek The Next Generation by Soren, in a court case where she was charged with identifying as female in a gender-less society. This, we can draw a parallel with our society and how cisgender people deal with transgender people. 

What do you call a same-sex lion orgy?

Gay Pride.

 

I have a friend who everyone knows is gay but he won't admit it.

He'll swallow everything but his pride.

 

What do you call a group of people waiting to get into a Pride festival?

An LGBT queue

 

 

Why did the straight buffalo dad march in the pride parade? [OC]

To proudly support his Bison.

 

 

I keep seeing all these LGBTQ+ Pride signs everywhere.

I ask people what they mean but can never get a straight answer.

 

 

Pride: gets an entire month of celebration

The other 6 deadly sins:

:(

 

Thoughts on worrying

 

Trans Recognition

 

The Love Doctor

  Dear Love Doctor,

I’m in love with my sister’s girlfriend. Yes they are gay. I’m not. I’m a healthy, well-adjusted boy. I know that Marge does not like boys. She likes my sister more than anyone else. But the other day I winked at Marge and she winked back. I signaled her to meet me out in the barn. She did. Now she likes boys too. What should I do? I’m afraid that she will tell my sister on me.

Signed,

Farmed Out

Dear Farmed,

I should tell you to be frank with your sister. Tell her about your feelings for Marge. Since she is your loving sister, she will understand and let Marge go... BUT.... It would be not good to "IN" Marge to your sister. Gay people will think that she should have stayed Out of the closet! She will think that soon Marge will be participating in Straight PRIDE Parades and start having sex with alot of straight people. You know.. That straight 'thingy' is infective! Next thing she will think that Marge wants to have an opposite sex wedding! And in a Catholic Church - no less! And also, if you "IN" Marge, you may well be exposing her to not being accepted by the gay community! We can't have that! All hell would break loose--- all those children, being raised by broken marriages! Tell Marge to keep her big mouth shut!

The Love Doctor

--Send your questions about love to "The Love Doctor" directly from 'OZ' - The 'Other' Side of the Rainbow! I have added an email link that goes direct to The Love Doctor - this will enable quicker responses from him. You can do this by clicking on his picture in the sidebar and put your question in the email. This will ensure that The Love Doctor gets your question. The Love Doctor forwards his replies to me for posting consideration. Note: Due to the high volume of letters that The Love Doctor receives, not all letters will be posted on 'OZ' - but the Love Doctor will reply to every email. (so he says)

Tickle Me Stupid!

  A woman desperately looking for work goes into a toy factory. The Personal Manager goes over her resume and tells her that he has nothing worthy of her. The woman says she really needs work and will take almost anything.

The Personal Manager says he only has a low skilled job on the "Tickle Me Elmo" line. The woman happily accepts. He takes her to the line and explains her duties and that she should report for work at 8:00 AM the next day.

The next day at 8:45 the "Tickle Me Elmo" Line Manager is in the Personnel Manager's office ranting about the woman just hired. After 15 minutes of screaming about how badly backed up the assembly line is the Personal Manager suggests seeing the problem. They head to the line and sure enough Elmos are backed up from here to kingdom come. At the end of the line is the woman just hired, she has gathered a big bag of marbles and a roll of the fabric used for making the Elmos. As they watch, she cuts a little piece of fabric places two marble in it and starts sewing it between Elmo's legs.

The Personal Managers starts rolling on the floor laughing.

After 10 minutes, he pulls himself together and walks over to the new employee and says: "I'm sorry, I guess I didn't make myself clear yesterday.

We want you to give Elmo " two test tickles."

3D trucks

Photoshopped but cool nonetheless!!

751 Children's bodies in unmarked graves in Cowessess First Nation, SK, Canada

by Gregory Scofield

There is nothing more to be said, at least by me, about the “new” discovery of yet more bodies — 751 — to be found at the Marieval Indian Residential School on Cowessess FN in southern Saskatchewan. 

Indigenous people knew this day was coming, and Indigenous people across this county know there are more days like this to come. 

While Canadians sit with their shock, absorbing the latest news and numbers, Indigenous people hold an inexplicable grief. We sleep with it. We wake to it. We walk with it throughout the day. We carry it into dreams. This grief is a part of Indigenous reality. This reality lives in the bodies of every survivor. It lives in the bodies of their children, their grandchildren, their great grandchildren. It lives in communities and urban centres. It’s always been reality. 

And yet, there will be more days like this.

For settler and Immigrant Canadians, if you’re not angry tonight then you should be. You should be angry at the dirt beneath your feet, the bodies buried beneath them. You should be angry that your teachers, your parents, your grandparents, your government officials, your history books didn’t teach you about the genocide in this land you call home. You should be angry that you live in lands and territories where the unmarked graves of children lie waiting to be taken home.

Indigenous people know this grief, this anger.
And yet, there will be more days like this.
I began by saying there was nothing more to be said. I was wrong.
There is a lot to say.
There is a lot the Canadian government must say.
There is a lot the churches and Vatican must say.
And there is a lot survivors must say. But there is also a lot survivors must hear from all those I’ve just mentioned.
There will will more days like this. 

For survivors, for their children, for their grandchildren, for their great grandchildren.
Canadians, if you’re not angry tonight then you should be. 

My heart, my prayers go out to the community of Cowessess. May your babies find their way home. Finally.

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free: 1 (800) 721-0066 or 24hr Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419 if you require further emotional support or assistance.

Wizard's note: I am shocked at this. How the hell could this have happened. I am ashamed of Canada past, but this needs to be talked about.

Snake Snacks on a Sheep. EWWWW!

This barely recognizable snake bit off more than it could chew when it snacked a pregnant ewe. The six-metre python weighing 90 kg was too laden to move, making it far easier for firemen to capture it in a Malaysian village.

 Muttony gluttony.

A man volunteers to Barbecue...

Man volunteering to BBQ

When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion: Routine... 

1) The woman buys the food. 

2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert. 

3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - beer in hand. 

Here comes the important part: 

4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL. 

More routine.... 

5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery. 

6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation. 

Important again: 

7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN. 

More routine..... 

8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces and brings them to the table. 

9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes. 

And most important of all: 

10) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts. 11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off." And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women....

The River

 Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large,raging, violent river.

Needing to get on the other side, the first man prayed, "God, please give me strength to cross the river." Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.

After witnessing that, the second man prayed, "God, please give me strength and tools to cross the river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.

Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed, "God, please give me the strength, tools and intelligence to cross this raging river." Poof! He was turned into a woman.

 She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards upstream and walked across the bridge.

"Billboards"