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Fernanda Galan | (TNS) The Sacramento Bee Is your Thanksgiving turkey safe to eat? As poultry farms and dairies across California continue to battle bird flu outbreaks, residents may be worried about food safety this holiday season. Related Articles Health | UH Elyria Medical Center to offer new structural heart program Health | Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the data Health | Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health? Health | Trump chooses controversial Stanford professor Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH Health | Abortion bans could reverse decline in teen births, experts warn Highly pathogenic avian influenza surfaced in the United States in January 2022, the virus has been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry, according to the Fresno Bee’s previous reporting. As of Nov. 18, a total of 294 dairies in California were under quarantine due to the avian flu, state agriculture officials confirmed. More than 4 million turkeys and chickens have been killed at poultry ranches across the state in an attempt to stop the virus from spreading. Meanwhile, the bird flu virus was detected in a batch of raw milk from Raw Farm in Fresno County, the California Department of Public Health reported. The Fresno Bee talked to María Soledad, a food safety inspection service spokeswoman at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to learn more about the virus and how it affects food safety. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, highly pathogenic avian influenza — also known as bird flu or H5N1 — is a highly contagious and often deadly disease primarily found in poultry. It is “caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses,” the agency said on its website. HPAI can spread from wild birds to domestic poultry and other animals. The virus can also infect humans in rare cases. “It is important to note that ‘highly pathogenic’ refers to severe impact in birds, not necessarily in humans,” the agency said. Unlike seasonal influenza viruses, which are typically contracted through human-to-human transmission, avian influenza viruses are spread by infected birds through saliva, mucus and feces, according to the CDC. The virus can also be present in the respiratory secretions, organs, blood, or body fluids of other infected animals — including milk. Human infections occur when the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled through airborne droplets, aerosol particles or dust. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face. “Illness in humans from avian influenza virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness to severe disease that resulted in death,” the CDC said. “Consumers can safely enjoy turkey this holiday season,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wrote in an email to The Bee, noting that food safety inspectors examine turkeys for disease “before and after slaughter.” That includes your Thanksgiving bird. “The turkeys from farms with confirmed avian influenza don’t even get sent to slaughter,” Soledad said. “They are destroyed on premises.” During an avian flu outbreak, “The chance of infected poultry or eggs entering the food chain is low,” the FDA said on its website in April, “because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry as well as the safeguards in place, which include testing of flocks and federal inspection programs.” “When food is properly prepared and stored, the risk of consumers becoming infected with HPAI is reduced even further,” the FDA said. UC Davis professor Linda J. Harris, who focuses on microbial food safety, says you should prepare your Thanksgiving turkey using four essential steps: clean, cook, chill and separate. You can watch the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Holiday Food Safety video for tips on how to prepare a turkey the safe way, or check out the turkey recipe developed by the Partnership for Food Safety Education, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce food-borne illness risks. According to the USDA, any traces of highly pathogenic avian influenza in your turkey are inactivated when food reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. The USDA recommends following this rule anytime you’re preparing raw poultry, including chicken. On its Thanksgiving food safety website , the USDA has videos and information including calculators that help you determine the appropriate amount of time to thaw and cook your turkey. “Simply select your turkey’s weight, along with your preferred thawing and cooking methods, and you’ll immediately receive guidance on how to safely prepare your turkey this Thanksgiving!’ USDA congressional public affairs specialist Maria Machuca wrote in an email to The Bee. “There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared food,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on its website. Pasteurized milk and other dairy products are safe to consume and cook with, according to Hebah Ghanem, infectious disease specialist at University of California San Francisco, Fresno. “The most important thing that it has to be pasteurized, because the virus is killed with heat,” Ghanem told The Bee. “Pasteurization of milk was adopted decades ago as a basic public health measure to kill dangerous bacteria and largely eliminate the risk of getting sick,” the FDA said on its website. All egg products are pasteurized as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “This means that they have been rapidly heated and held at a minimum required temperature for a specified time to destroy bacteria,” the agency said. However, eggs that are still in their shells aren’t required to be pasteurized, leading to potential health risks if eaten raw or uncooked. According to the CDC, avian flu symptoms in humans may include: California dairy workers infected with avian flu have experienced mild flu-like symptoms, The Bee previously reported. “All the cases that we have here in California are very mild,” Ghanem told the Fresno Bee in October. “They haven’t needed hospitalization.” To prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, people should avoid exposure to dead animals, Ghanem said in October. That includes wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds and cows. People should also avoid exposure to animal feces as well as fluids. Here are other tips from Ghanem: ©2024 The Sacramento Bee. Visit at sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Speaking in a recent episode of 'Inside the NBA,' basketball legend Charles Barkley spoke up about LeBron James and the NBA's GOAT debate. According to Chuck, there isn't even an argument for LeBron given all that Michael accomplished during his time in the league. Ernie Johnson : "LeBron is 2nd in 30-point games with 559, Jordan has 562." Charles Barkley: "LeBron has played how many more seasons than MJ and he's still behind him that's crazy. I love LeBron but for him to be that far behind MJ and he's played eight more seasons? C'mon man, y'all need to stop this." Charles Barkley on Lebron being called the GOAT over MJ: Ernie: "Lebron is 2nd in 30pt games with 559, MJ has 562" Charles: "Lebron has played how many more seasons than MJ and hes still behind him thats crazy, yall need to stop this" Lebron is nothing but a stat padding... pic.twitter.com/WWHCaFo2CE We all know that LeBron is the king of longevity and after 21 years in the NBA, it's no surprise when he breaks a record that involves racking up the stats. With 559 30-point games for his career, one might think that LeBron James is the leader of that category but somehow, Michael still holds the top spot with 562 30-point games in much less time. This point is just one countless to be made on the debate surrounding LeBron James and Michael Jordan. As two of the greatest NBA legends, they are always being compared and fans are always discussing which one is more successful than the other. As a whole, the NBA GOAT debate has been raging for decades now, and Michael Jordan has been leading the conversation ever since his rise to power in the early 90s. On the court, the Bulls legend was absolutely unstoppable, and his unmatched skills, athleticism, and drive made him one of the biggest stars in basketball history. From 1984 to 2003, Jordan took the NBA by storm with 6 championships, 5 MVPs, 10 scoring titles, and 14 All-Star appearances. For his career, Michael averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 49.7% shooting. With his career, LeBron James has come closer than anyone else to surpassing Jordan's legacy but he still has a ways to go. As a 4x champion, 4x MVP, James falls behind in several key categories despite playing almost twice as long as the Bulls superstar. It makes sense that LeBron, who frequently likes to take on more of a playmaking role, would score at a slower rate than Jordan --- but after 21 years, you'd expect LeBron to be way ahead of anyone when it comes to putting the ball through the net, especially as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Instead, the numbers show that while LeBron has been scoring for longer, Michael scored with more frequency throughout his career and it's that same aggressive approach to the game that helped him have such a commanding presence on the court. So, while LeBron James may own the record books when it's all said and done, the fact that it took him this long to catch up says a lot about Jordan and how far ahead he was for his time. If his career was as long and durable as LeBron's, there would be no question that he's the GOAT but advances in sports medicine aren't nearly what they are now and we'll never get the chance to see it for ourselves. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.CARLSBAD, Calif. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved TRYNGOLZATM (olezarsen) as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglycerides in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), a rare, genetic form of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) that can lead to potentially life-threatening acute pancreatitis (AP). TRYNGOLZA is the first-ever FDA-approved treatment that significantly and substantially reduces triglyceride levels in adults with FCS and provides clinically meaningful reduction in AP events when used with an appropriate diet (≤20 grams of fat per day). TRYNGOLZA is self-administered via an auto-injector once monthly. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/ionis-pharmaceuticals/9295551-en-tryngolza-olezarsen-fda-approval "Today's FDA approval of TRYNGOLZA heralds the arrival of the first-ever FCS treatment in the U.S. – a transformational moment for patients and their families. For the first time, adults with FCS can now access a treatment that substantially reduces triglycerides and the risk of debilitating and potentially life-threatening acute pancreatitis," said Brett P. Monia , Ph.D., chief executive officer, Ionis. "We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the FCS community and are grateful to the patients, families and investigators who participated in our clinical studies, enabling Ionis to make this new treatment a reality. The FDA approval of TRYNGOLZA is also a pivotal moment for Ionis, representing our evolution into a fully integrated commercial-stage biotechnology company – a goal we set out to achieve five years ago. With our rich pipeline of potentially life-changing medicines, we expect TRYNGOLZA to be the first in a steady cadence of innovative medicines we will deliver independently to people living with serious diseases." The FDA approval was based on positive data from the global, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 3 Balance clinical trial in adult patients with genetically identified FCS and fasting triglyceride levels ≥880 mg/dL. In the Balance study, TRYNGOLZA 80 mg demonstrated a statistically significant placebo-adjusted mean reduction in triglyceride levels of 42.5% from baseline to six months (p=0.0084). Reductions from baseline to 12 months were further improved, with TRYNGOLZA achieving a placebo-adjusted 57% mean reduction in triglycerides. TRYNGOLZA also demonstrated a substantial, clinically meaningful reduction in AP events over 12 months; one patient (5%) experienced one episode of AP in the TRYNGOLZA group compared with seven patients (30%) who experienced 11 total episodes of AP in the placebo group. TRYNGOLZA demonstrated a favorable safety profile. The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5% of TRYNGOLZA-treated patients and at a >3% higher frequency than placebo) were injection site reactions (19% and 9%, respectively), decreased platelet count (12% and 4%, respectively) and arthralgia (9% and 0%, respectively). Results from the Phase 3 Balance study were previously published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). "With no treatment options previously available, we were limited to relying only on extremely strict diet and lifestyle changes as the sole preventative treatment option," said Alan Brown , M.D., FNLA, FACC, FAHA, clinical professor of medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science ; Balance trial investigator. "The FDA approval of TRYNGOLZA is an important moment for people living with FCS, their families and physicians who now, for the first time, have a treatment that significantly lowers triglycerides and decreases the risk of potentially life-threatening acute pancreatitis events, as an adjunct to a low-fat diet. I am excited to have a medicine I can prescribe to my patients that has been shown to change the course of their disease." FCS is a rare, genetic, potentially life-threatening form of sHTG that prevents the body from breaking down fats and severely impairs the body's ability to remove triglycerides from the bloodstream due to an impaired function of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL). While healthy levels for adults are below 150 mg/dL, people with FCS often have triglyceride levels of more than 880 mg/dL and often have a history of pancreatitis. Those living with FCS have a high risk of potentially fatal AP, which is a painful inflammation of the pancreas, and chronic health issues such as fatigue and severe, recurrent abdominal pain. People living with FCS can also experience psychological and financial stress, which can significantly impact their quality of life. In the U.S., FCS is estimated to impact up to approximately 3,000 people, the vast majority of whom remain undiagnosed. "As a rare and difficult to diagnose disease, FCS has a profound impact on the lives of patients and families. Many people living with FCS have experienced severe pain their whole lives – sometimes so intense they require lengthy hospitalization stays – and struggle through life with daily fatigue, nausea, brain fog and stomach pain," said Lindsey Sutton Bryan , co-founder and co-president, FCS Foundation. "Until now, our treatment options have been limited, relying on diet alone to try to manage triglyceride levels and keep acute pancreatitis attacks at bay. For the first time, adults with FCS have seen their hope for a treatment become a reality." TRYNGOLZA will be available in the U.S. before year end. Ionis is committed to helping people access the medicines they are prescribed and will offer a suite of services designed to meet the unique needs of the FCS community through Ionis Every StepTM. As part of Ionis Every Step , patients and healthcare providers will have access to services throughout the treatment journey provided by dedicated Patient Education Managers and Ionis Every Step Case Managers, including insurance and affordability support, as well as services and resources, such as disease and nutrition education. Visit TRYNGOLZA.com for more information. TRYNGOLZA was reviewed by the FDA under Priority Review and had previously been granted Fast Track designation for the treatment of FCS, Orphan Drug designation and Breakthrough Therapy designation. Olezarsen is undergoing review in the European Union and regulatory filings in other countries are planned. Olezarsen is currently being evaluated in three Phase 3 clinical trials – CORE, CORE2 and ESSENCE – for the treatment of sHTG. Olezarsen has not been reviewed or approved for the treatment of sHTG by regulatory authorities. Webcast Ionis will hold a webcast today at 6:45pm ET to discuss the FDA approval. Interested parties may access the webcast here . A webcast replay will be available for a limited time. About TRYNGOLZATM (olezarsen) TRYNGOLZATM (olezarsen) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglycerides in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). TRYNGOLZA is an RNA-targeted medicine designed to lower the body's production of apoC-III, a protein produced in the liver that is a key regulator of triglyceride metabolism. It is the only treatment currently indicated in the U.S. for FCS, a potentially life-threatening disease. For more information about TRYNGOLZA, visit TRYNGOLZA.com . IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS TRYNGOLZA is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity to TRYNGOLZA or any of the excipients in TRYNGOLZA. Hypersensitivity reactions requiring medical treatment have occurred. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions (including symptoms of bronchospasm, diffuse erythema, facial swelling, urticaria, chills and myalgias) have been reported in patients treated with TRYNGOLZA. Advise patients on the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and instruct patients to promptly seek medical attention and discontinue use of TRYNGOLZA if hypersensitivity reactions occur. ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5% of TRYNGOLZA-treated patients and >3% higher frequency than placebo) were injection site reactions, decreased platelet count and arthralgia. Please see full Prescribing Information for TRYNGOLZA. About Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) FCS is a rare, genetic disease characterized by extremely elevated triglyceride levels. It is caused by impaired function of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Because of limited LPL production or function, people with FCS cannot effectively break down chylomicrons, lipoprotein particles that are 90% triglycerides. FCS is estimated to impact up to approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. People living with FCS are at high risk of acute pancreatitis (AP) in addition to other chronic health issues such as fatigue and severe, recurrent abdominal pain. People living with FCS are sometimes unable to work, adding to the burden of disease. About the Balance Study Balance is a global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of olezarsen in patients with FCS at six and 12 months. The primary endpoint was the percent change from baseline in fasting triglyceride levels at six months compared to placebo. Secondary endpoints included percent changes in triglyceride levels at 12 months, percent changes in other lipid parameters and adjudicated acute pancreatitis event rates over the treatment period. Following treatment and the end-of-trial assessments, patients were eligible to enter an open-label extension study to continue receiving olezarsen once every four weeks. About Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. For three decades, Ionis has invented medicines that bring better futures to people with serious diseases. Ionis has discovered and developed six marketed medicines for serious diseases, including breakthrough medicines for neurologic and cardiovascular diseases. Ionis has a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and other areas of high patient need. As the pioneer in RNA-targeted medicines, Ionis continues to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing. A deep understanding of disease biology and industry-leading technology propels our work, coupled with a passion and urgency to deliver life-changing advances for patients. To learn more about Ionis, visit Ionis.com and follow us on X (Twitter) , LinkedIn and Instagram . Ionis Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Ionis' business and the therapeutic and commercial potential of TRYNGOLZA, Ionis' technologies and other products in development. Any statement describing Ionis' goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those related to our commercial products and the medicines in our pipeline, and particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such medicines. Ionis' forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Ionis' forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis' programs are described in additional detail in Ionis' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 , and most recent Form 10-Q, which are on file with the SEC. Copies of these and other documents are available at www.Ionis.com . Ionis Pharmaceuticals® and TRYNGOLZATM are trademarks of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ionis Investor Contact: D. Wade Walke , Ph.D. info@ionis.com 760-603-2331 Ionis Media Contact: Hayley Soffer media@ionis.com 760-603-4679 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tryngolza-olezarsen-approved-in-us-as-first-ever-treatment-for-adults-living-with-familial-chylomicronemia-syndrome-as-an-adjunct-to-diet-302336747.html SOURCE Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Sony has revealed that the free games will be available on PlayStation Plus Essential in December. One of the most fun monster-catcher games, Temtem, is on the list. Temtem lets players explore Archipelago’s six islands, discovering Pokémon-like species in two-on-two battles. It has hits own version of Team Rocket and eight ‘Dojo’ (Gym) Leaders to become the best Temtem tamer. I played this game in its beta stages, and it was surprisingly difficult compared to Pokémon. If you want to play a challenging and fun monster-catcher, try Temtem . Here’s the full list: All three games will be available to all PS Plus members from December 3rd until January 6th. PS Plus October games, Death Note Killer Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged are available until December 2nd. PlayStation Plus Essential starts at $11.99/month, $29.99/three months or $94.99/year. PlayStation Plus Extra (which includes Essential) costs $17.99/month, $49.99/three months or $154.99/year. PlayStation Plus Premium (which includes Extra and Essential) costs $21.99/month, $59.99/three months or $189.99/year. Find all subscription options here . Image credit: Humble Source: PlayStation

Photo: TVNZ By Barry Guy of RNZ Sport The Black Caps have been sent out to bat first on day one of the first test at Hagley Oval today after England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl. The Black Caps stunned the cricketing world with their test series win in India earlier this month, becoming the first side to beat India 3-0 in a three-Test series in India. They now take on England, who lost to Pakistan in their last series. Play on day one started at 11am with New Zealand sent out to bat after Stokes won the toss. Captain Tom Latham and Devon Conway opened the innings. Conway was caught and bowled by Gus Atkinson for 2 runs in just the second over. Latham was still at the crease at 11.30am. Yesterday he said the Black Caps are confident they can win the test and the series. "As clichéd as it might sound that (India win) is now in the past, it's all about coming here and focusing on the challenge that lies ahead," Latham said. "For us it's about trying to take as much confidence as we can from that series, the way we played, the approach we tried to take into that series in conditions that were tough. "Knowing that we can do it all around the world is the confidence we take into here." Captains Ben Stokes of England and New Zealand's Tom Latham with the Tegal Test Series Trophy. The first tests begins in Christchurch today. Photo: Getty Images Fortunately for Latham's side, most of his players have good experience there. "We speak about it all the time about adapting to conditions and try and adapt as quickly as we can. We did that really well over there (India) and it's important we come here and try and do the same as quick as possible." Latham confirmed that Player of the Series in India, batter Will Young, will not play while Wellington seam bowler Nathan Smith will make his test debut. Coach Gary Stead talks with Kane Williamson (centre) and Tom Latham during a training session at Hagley Oval yesterday. Photo: Getty Images "It's always a great contest between England and New Zealand," Stokes said. "Being a three-match series this time is good, I remember me and Tim (Southee) were both saying (in 2023) it would be amazing if there was a third one. "If there is a result in all of these games then one of us is going to walk away winning the series, so really looking forward to this week." A series sweep could secure New Zealand a place in the World Test Championship final and a chance of reclaiming the trophy they won by beating India in 2021. Latham said his team were not concerned about the bigger picture, though, and were now only focusing on the days ahead at Hagley Oval. "If we get into that position of getting a chance (for the WTC final), then that's great, but I think that's a by-product of doing the things that we do well over a period of time," he said. Watch the game live and free on TVNZ+ Teams New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Nathan Smith, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry, 11 William O'Rourke England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ollie Pope (wk), 7 Ben Stokes (capt), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Brydon Carse, 11 Shoaib Bashir Test series Black Caps vs England November 28 - First Test, Hagley Oval in Christchurch December 6 - Second Test, Basin Reserve in Wellington December 14 - Third Test, Seddon Park in HamiltonTesla’s Game-Changer: Driving Into the Gaming World! Revolutionizing How We Play in Our Cars.Thanksgiving 2024. Well, well, well. Here we are again, a nation caught in the crosshairs of geography, politics, egos, moans, drones —and where the hell are we now? Our new president-elect has been declared immune, our country is not yet in tune — and how long will we rift and drift until things settle down? (After all, who would have ever imagined the word “subpoena” would become so common, spellcheck was no longer a necessity.) Gosh. So once again, it’s time for Sneed’s decades-old annual Thanksgiving Day gratitude list and a special hope for peace and civility at our Thanksgiving tables and a focus on the joy of simple abundance and the gift of life. Here goes: Family. However you find it. But do find it. Living in the present; finding joy in the past. Taking chances. The brilliant Cher film “Moonstruck” and every gut laugh in it. The memory of mom’s Christmas mincemeat pie. Laughter ... and watching reruns of Detroit’s mid-1950’s “Soupy Sales” lunchtime TV kids show with “Soupy” and his hand puppet pals “Black Fang” and “White Tooth,” which morphed into a classic pie-in-the-face adult hit. OMG! Hysterical. Magical thinking. A dry martini. Memorizing a poem. Trusting someone enough to share a secret. Forgiveness. Empathy. Sanctuary. Hope. Listening. Peace. A new friend. A new perspective. Confidence. A sweet dream. Sunrise anywhere; the shimmering morning brilliance of a porch-laced spider’s web. Birds’ songs, especially the meadowlark, the sound of cuckoo birds on a dark Tuscan night. Good knees (please). Daydreaming. Whistling. Singing ... alone in the freedom of a car. Separating fools from folly. Catching the gently blowing cottonwood tree flotsam, once used as pillow stuffing. A kind heart. Courage. A good rain. Distant thunder. Fireflies, grasshoppers, the chirrup of crickets at night, the sudden hoot of an owl that doesn’t call my name. A cherished children’s book: “Tubby the Tuba,” the poet William Butler Yeats’ “The Song of Wandering Aengus,” writer Wallace Stegner’s Pulitzer prize winning novel: “Angle of Repose.” Trust. The comfort of animals. Curiosity. Dusk. Time off. Timeout. The written word. A Sunday newspaper, always. Truth. Candor. Tempered by understanding. Taking a hand, patting a shoulder, being there for someone, having someone there for you. Music. Silence. Walking in safety ... anywhere. Kindness. Giving. Sharing. Taking when necessary. Atonement. Curiosity. The gift of life. My country. The month of June, which was surely named for my mother. A father’s legacy: my garden. Childhood friends who remember what you were like back then. The Missouri River. Peonies. Wisconsin’s Cedar Crest butter pecan ice cream, the elusive maple nut ice cream made at Jilbert’s dairy in the Upper Peninsula of Marquette, Mich. The joy of wonderful neighbors. Sunflowers pointing up. Whistling in the dark. Laughing until it hurts. Calling Chicago my home and my heart since 1965; growing up on the miracle of a North Dakota prairie in the lilac-blooming late Spring. For all of this, I give thanks ... always. Finally, a reflective quote from the past in the midst of unsettled times by Trappist monk Thomas Merton, who faced despair in a powerful prayer ... hoping God would never leave him to face the unfaceable. “I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end ... Therefore, will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost ...” A Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Caribbean Princess Arrives in Port Canaveral for First-Ever Season of Cruises