33% of adult Americans are obese … which means we need updated ambulance equipment

Bigger stretchers, etc. Increasing Obesity Requires New Ambulance Equipment – New York Times The department’s gurneys could not adequately support the patients’ weight, and the department had to pay a private ambulance company. Last fall, the department bought three gurneys that can hold patients weighing up to 600 pounds, about twice the holding capacity of … Read more

Global Warming Update #31- BBC can’t tell if it’s warmer or cooler

Well, it is cooler (they say), but it’s going to get warmer (they say). Very confusing. BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Global temperatures ‘to decrease’ … But this year’s temperatures would still be way above the average – and we would soon exceed the record year of 1998 because of global warming induced by greenhouse … Read more

American Heart Association new recommendation for “hands-only” CPR

This is new from the AHA – American Heart Association – Hands-Only CPR – Home When an adult has a sudden cardiac arrest, his or her survival depends greatly on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. Unfortunately, less than 1/3 of those people who experience a cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public … Read more

A psychiatrist on prayer, faith and illness

Short posting on the NY Times health blog – Prayer, Faith and Doctors – Well – Tara Parker-Pope – Health – New York Times Blog Several doctors I spoke with were religious before they became patients, but they were admittedly even more so once they faced serious illness. Others changed more dramatically. “Patients used to … Read more

Good Friday Pax Christi Stations of the Cross

Pax Christi is the Catholic peace organization. The Stations of the Cross going across Manhattan, mostly on 42nd St., are the New York branch’s biggest event of the year. This was the 26th year in a row they organized the Stations. Brigid and I participated for many years, from about 1991. I think being involved … Read more

Easter Day at the Gagnon’s

After 10:45 Mass (very crowded!) we went over to the Gagnon Estate for an Easter egg hunt and Easter dinner. This is a bit of a tradition – we’ve gone to the Gagnon’s for quite a few Easter days. Two of the six Gagnon’s were not around – Monica is working in France, and Nate … Read more

Easter and Lent

Today we are going to the 10:45 Mass, and then over to the Gagnons to eat lots of food and drink a bit of wine. I thought this was a cool picture.  Tom Faranda’s Folly: "Apostles Peter and John hurry to the tomb on the morning of the Resurrection" Unfortunately it’s a little small – … Read more