Heart/wrecked

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Like a ship that runs aground because of low tide or unseen rocks or fog or navigational errors, our beautiful heart can be damaged when blood flow is restricted or when it flows unregulated.

Heart/wrecked.

I grew up hearing the term, “Stress kills.”

I was never quite sure what that meant, but then I did when it happened to me.

After a seemingly nonstop barrage of a personal stressful situation–like a ship hitting the rocks over and over again–it all finally took an undeniable toll on my physical health.

One of my favorite places to live is in the state of Denial, but I’ve been forced to temporarily move to a new town called Reality. Hopefully, I’ll just visit there for a bit until I can come home again.

After experiencing some intermittent and strangely terrifying heart pains, I went to the doc who took my blood pressure and was concerned about the results. It was super high. I had always had enviably LOW blood pressure since I exercise regularly, am vegan and never smoked, so this raised concerns.

Over the course of a couple weeks, my BP was checked daily and it stayed consistently high; dangerously high, which only made me more anxious and more stressed, and at one of the office visits, I started hyperventilating and had a panic attack. (Super embarrassing for the doc and absolutely mortifying for me.)

This led to an order for an Echocardiogram along with all the other heart-focused tests. The echo was done at a local hospital–a definite trigger. No one wants to go to a hospital at any time, but especially during Covid. It seemed like I was being admitted, with a wrist band and lots of little stickers, and I was devastated.

I almost bolted out of the front door at that point, but I persevered. I can share with you that it’s a scary time when you have to figure out why you don’t feel great. I’ve been a medical advocate for several loved ones, but it’s radically more difficult when you have to care for yourself. Poor me.

The technician was amazing, especially considering I tormented her with a million questions. I know enough about medical stuff to see that she was concentrating on a certain area of my heart. I really appreciated her patience with me and her detailed explanations during the hour-long ordeal.

The results showed a dilated aortic root valve and regurgitation of the mitral valve.

Risk Adjustment Coding Academy- Coding Focus

What this means is that the accumulation of stress and panic attacks and PTSD that I’ve endured during the last four years manifested medically and physically and caused structural damage to my heart.

Mitral valve regurgitation - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

“Severe physical or emotional stress increases blood pressure to the point where the tensile limit of the aortic tissue is overwhelmed, causing the rupture.”

“Over time, certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, can cause your heart to work harder, gradually enlarging your heart’s left ventricle.”

“Mitral valve regurgitation can cause complications such as atrial fibrillation, in which the atria of the heart don’t contract well. This leads to increased risk of stroke. Also, elevated blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary artery hypertension).”

Hypertension makes the blood push harder against the valve and causes it to dilate, enlarge, and that’s pretty much the same scenario for the mitral valve, which seems to be the cause of the intermittent chest pain.

I’ll need to be monitored regularly because if I can’t control the stress/blood pressure and the valves stretch to a dangerous size, the only solution is surgical intervention–or death.

Reducing stress and hypertension can possibly keep the valves from enlarging any further, but the damage is done–nothing will make them reduce in size back to normal, except surgery.

Let me tell you that it’s true. Stress kills.

Now I’m off to change course, take some magnesium, eat more beets, meditate, calm down and regulate my breathing so that I don’t have a stroke or an aneurysm.

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Heart/wrecked.

Shipwrecked.

Obsession: Nate the Hoof Guy

I know a lot is happening in our country and cosmically with a full moon and many planets in retrograde, but I have entered a world that I never before knew existed.

I’m talking about Nate the Hoof Guy. I have no knowledge of cows or horses or hooves, but somehow stumbled across his YouTube channel and I’m OBSESSED. I wasn’t even aware that their feet looked like this, did you?

It make no sense that I watch vid after vid of Nate grinding, scraping, cutting cow feet/hooves using a variety of other healing modalities. I’ve only seen a handful of cows in my entire life, and I don’t eat any of their flesh or secretions, but I’m absolutely fascinated.

Nate the Hoof Guy (Nathan Ranallo) is a bovine podiatrist and professional cattle hoof trimmer based in west-central Wisconsin. He typically trims about 45 to 50 cows a day, working across multiple local farms.

Here’s what he does:
Hoof Trimming: He travels to dairy farms to perform routine and therapeutic hoof care for cows living on concrete housing, where natural hoof-wearing does not happen.
Pain Relief & Maintenance: He trims overgrown hooves, corrects angles and toe lengths, treats and cures lameness, removes lesions, and applies supportive rubber blocks and wraps to injured claws.
Content Creator: Since 2020, he has filmed and posted educational videos of his work on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok (accumulating millions of followers), using his platform to bridge the knowledge gap between modern agriculture and the public.

Friday Vibe

I’m a simple girl, but still partially feral…

Have a great weekend!

What Do You Know About AI and ChatGPT?

Instead of a word of the day, I thought I’d share what’s been on my mind and bothering me for a while…

I admit to not knowing much at all about machine learning. As someone with a Minor in Creative Writing, it seems like a travesty to rely on an inanimate computer program to interpret what my brain and my heart might think.

I chatted (talked human to human) with someone who used to work for a large company and they wanted her to use AI to create documents, mainly because it would save them money. When she pushed back and said that she didn’t feel comfortable with that decision and that she was an expert in this particular field, she was terminated. True story. She got a lucrative settlement, but still…the ramifications are kind of scary, don’t you agree?

Funnily enough, I used AI to query “what is Chat GPT?” Here’s what this inanimate, nonhuman responded:

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI that generates human-like text, code, and images in response to user prompts. Released on November 30, 2022, it uses large language models based on the generative pre-trained transformer architecture and runs on a freemium model.

What Does GPT Mean?

  • Generative: The model creates new content, such as text, answers, or code.
  • Pre-trained: It learned patterns from a massive dataset of books, articles, and websites before its public launch.
  • Transformer: It uses a deep learning neural network to understand the context and flow of conversation.

Key Capabilities

  • Conversational Chat: Answers questions, solves math problems, and remembers the context of a dialogue.
  • Writing and Editing: Drafts emails, essays, resumes, and creative stories.
  • Coding: Writes, debugs, and explains code in multiple programming languages.
  • Multimodal Tools: Handles text, voice conversations, web searches, and image generation.

I know that Professor Angel Boy really really despises AI, and in general, teachers generally view AI-generated content with deep concern, fearing it hurts critical thinking and academic honesty, though opinions range from total bans to cautious integration. Most faculty focus heavily on detection, assignment redesign, and clear syllabus policies. I think that it’s a clear form of cheating to use AI and not spend hours reading books, researching, and using their own brains to THINK.

  • Loss of Skills: Over 90% of faculty worry that relying on AI reduces student critical thinking, writing ability, and deep engagement with course material.
  • Hallucinations & Accuracy: Professors note that AI tools frequently invent fake sources, facts, and citations, turning research into a verification trap.
  • Cheating & Equity: Most instructors see a rise in unpermitted shortcuts, making it hard to grade who actually did the intellectual work.
  • Writing Style & Anomalies: Professors look for sudden shifts in tone, overly generic or formulaic structures, unusual formatting, and a lack of personal voice.
  • Draft & Version History: Instructors check Google Docs or version logs to see if a paper was written incrementally or pasted in all at once.
  • Oral Interrogations: When suspicious, many professors skip faulty AI detectors and simply ask the student to explain their paper or sources out loud.
  • Skepticism of Detectors: Many faculty know that tools like Turnitin or Copyleaks have false positives—especially for non-native English speakers—and hesitate to rely on them alone.

Don’t get me started on ChatBot…a computer program that simulates human conversation through text or voice. It helps users find information, answer questions, or complete tasks automatically.

Love him or hate him, but Bill Gates is also concerned about artificial intelligence because it is advancing at an unprecedented rate and threatens massive job displacement, security risks, and social upheaval without proper preparation or government plans.

Even Melinda Gates, whom I do respect, says she’s nervous about AI and warns that a lack of women and diverse voices in tech risks “baking bias” into AI systems.

At the end of the day, all of this non-human interaction makes me sad and I fear for the next generations. We need to think for ourselves, not rely on anyone or anything else.

Rant over.

DIY Plant Stake Hack

I MacGyvered something and I’m really proud of myself.

One of my fiddle-leaf figs was out of control; it had grown almost to the ceiling and was leaning over. I thought I’d have to chop it off which I really hate to do, so I went to Lowes and looked for an eight foot stake.

I didn’t really like the looks of what they had to offer, but as I drove home, I had a brilliant idea. Since I’m a hoarder, I remembered that I had saved a few old curtain rods. Instead of tossing them out, I figured ONE DAY I’d find a use for them, and I did!

This one was the perfect size, narrow and black. It even telescoped out to just the right length; works perfectly, and although I might still have to eventually trim the tallest branch cos it’s looking a little leggy and not as full as my other ones, at least for now, I’ve saved this beautiful fiddle-leaf!

PS MacGyvered means to fix, build, or assemble something in an improvised or resourceful way using whatever random objects are at hand, based on the lead character of the 80s TV show, MacGyver.

Tip of the day: Don’t toss anything out because you never know when you’ll need it.

Local Politics: An Update

I don’t think I have many readers from my specific town, but if I do, and if you’re in District One, pleasepleaseplease vote for Nate Larson!

He went to high school with the Original Angel Boy, and he’s the first real breath of fresh air we’ve seen in a long time.

He’s way better than the christian therapist who was ordered by a judge NOT to refer to herself as “Dr.” because her PhD didn’t come from an accredited university, and she was being disingenuous and duplicitous by referring to herself as “doctor” (that’s my opinion). For reference, check out https://thecoastnews.com/court-rules-against-burkholder-after-challenge/

Her PhD is from a non accredited Christian university which only allows her to use her PhD within the auspices of her church and not as she has been doing-using it to confuse the public. Additionally, The Fair Political Practices Commission issued a warning to her for not disclosing all of her sources of income. Her husband is part of the building industry. https://enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/…/article…

As far as I can tell, this woman has done NOTHING to improve life for any of us in our district. The few times I’ve actually called her for help, I got none. Zip. Nada.

[As an aside, the Original Angel Boy, who IS the recipient of a YALE PhD, absolutely NEVER refers to himself like that and I’m the only one who does, mainly because I’m an obnoxiously proud mom and he’s humble, unassuming, and UNpretentious.]

Nate would be the best choice for our entire community. Even though it’s probably too late to save our little beachy town from looking like a sadder, poorer version of Orange County with rampant overdevelopment and hideous designs, somebody like Nate might actually be the voice we need to keep things from further deterioration and degradation.

“Dream Baby” Cher and Leon Russell

Seriously, is there anyone that didn’t work with Leon Russell? (That’s obviously a rhetorical question.)

“Dream Baby” was recorded for Cher in October 1964 with Gene Page as the arranger and Sonny as producer.

It was done in typical Phil Spector “Wall of Sound” fashion at Gold Star Studios where Spector made all those great songs with the Ronettes and Crystals.

Sonny had the best available musicians brought in, that included Larry Knechtel, Tommy Tedesco, Jimm Bond, Steve Douglas and Leon Russell.

The song was released in late 1964 on Imperial Records with Cher using her name Cherilyn, then again in 1966 after Cher’s hit, “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).”

Here’s a fun video of the Wrecking Crew and Cher talking about Leon. According to Cher, Leon never said “boo” to anybody during recording sessions, except this one time…

Feral Girl

I absolutely LOVE this!

Since I now refer to the grandkids as “The Ferals”, I need to join the club, too. It’s cool to be feral!

We were fooled again. Tropical Storm Rachel brought much needed rain, a bit less than two inches, but it wasn’t nearly the catastrophe that was predicted, which is great, but I feel slightly let down.

Curated from The Plantriarchy: “For humans growing wild — Feral Aesthetic,”

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2026

Today, October 12, 2026, is known as Columbus Day. Some states have proposed legislation to legally replace it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is the only right action to take.

Even though that orange POS removed the federal dual-recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, choosing instead to issue proclamations solely recognizing Columbus Day, it’s just another example of his evil and disgusting strategies to minimize people of color.

I don’t acknowledge Columbus Day because it’s more of the same; entitled males making unilateral decisions without regard for anything but their own selfishness and greed.

Columbus Day has since come under fire as a celebration of a man whose arrival in the Americas heralded the oppression of another group of people: Native Americans. 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the truth about the American soil on which we live. It serves as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day by recognizing the perseverance and contributions of Indigenous people across the United States.

Even the Feral/Angel Kids know what this day really is all about, and good for my son/DIL talking TRUTH to the next generation.

happy indigenous people day meme - - Yahoo Image Search Results

Tropical Storm Rachel is Coming To Town + Ms. Rachel and Cosmic Influences

Southern California is once again in the path of a potentially serious weather event — Tropical Storm Rachel– or Ms Rachel as I refer to this elemental powerhouse.

Forecasts continue to fluctuate regarding the intensity of this storm: one minute we’re going to have a direct hit as it picks up strength and in the next minute, we’ll barely receive any rain at all. Currently, she’s approximately 546 miles from me.

North of me, ahead of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Rachel, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach are already experiencing flooding. In my town, the coastal flooding has completely taken away a beach parking lot.

I’m not worried about flooding where I live, but as always, I will be prepared just in case Mother Nature decides to surprise us with her fury. I remember a couple years ago when Hurricane Hilary was supposed to come close and it was hardly more impactful than a medium sized storm.

Do you know the other Rachel, better known as Ms. Rachel?

She’s an American children’s educator, YouTuber, and activist.

She created the YouTube series Ms. Rachel, which combines original songs and classic children’s music with a focus on early language development for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Ms. Rachel is amazing, even though my two Ferals are a bit older than her targeted demographic.

In response to Macklemore’s donation, in September, Ms. Rachel pledged one million dollars to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).

“We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect our children and human rights.”

Like Mack Ms. Rachel walks the walk.

Macklemore’s 3-stop European Free Palestine Tour sold out immediately following its announcement. Proceeds from the tour will go to organizations supporting Palestine after the rapper was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour for his comments supporting Palestinians

“Art will always be a form of resistance,” Macklemore wrote in a post on Instagram.

We need more humans like Macklemore and Ms. Rachel. It would be super cool and super cute if they performed some songs together.

All of this is happening during the new moon in Libra on 10/10, also opening a portal that amplifies the energy of new beginnings, completion, and shifting out of old cycles. Along with Venus in retrograde, it’s a great time to manifest our heart’s desires.

I love Ms. Rachel because, like Mr. Rogers, she’s a real person and teaches important life skills:

The Science of Gratitude

Counting our blessings and creating a list of things to be thankful for has a real foundation in science and might even change the way our brains work, according to a brain-scanning study in NeuroImage.

It brings us a little closer to understanding why these exercises have these effects. The results suggest that even months after a simple, short gratitude writing task, people’s brains are still wired to feel extra thankful.

The implication is that gratitude tasks work, at least in part, because they have a self-perpetuating nature: The more you practice gratitude, the more attuned you are to it and the more you can enjoy its psychological benefits.

Feeling grateful is very good for you.

Time and again, studies have shown that performing simple gratitude exercises, like keeping a gratitude diary or writing letters of thanks, can bring a range of benefits, such as feelings of increased well-being and reduced depression, that often lingers well after the exercises are finished.

Changing our neural pathways of any old tapes we run of self loathing and lack of self worth and depression with replacement thoughts of being valuable, of deserving love and respect aren’t new ideas but they’re new to ME.

I’m grateful to all of you who read and follow my blog.

What are YOU grateful for today?

bulgariastories.com/2015/11/2612/ for JFK image