Ian Palmer – The Gray Nomad

Health and Hiking

Mar

What’s all the fuss about assault rifles, Part 2?

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • Definition of an assault rifle? • How many bullets can be fired in a few minutes? • An AR-15 type of rifle is an extreme rifle in its killing capacity. • Is driving cars a good analogy to buying/using guns?

Context: Its one week after the groundswell of support for gun regulation that came forth in last Saturday’s demonstrations across the USA.

I recently blogged about assault rifles, Part 1 (see HERE), with the PROPOSITION that assault rifles are designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible (as in a ground war) and shouldn’t be available for sale to the public. The blog received several comments, some agreeing, some disagreeing. I appreciate the feedback and admit I wasn’t clear as to what is an assault rifle.… More “What’s all the fuss about assault rifles, Part 2?”

Mar

The Superstition Mountains: Hiking near the gold legends.

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • The killer mountains. • The Peralta gold legend. • Peralta Canyon hike.

THE KILLER MOUNTAINS. The forecast called for rain, but i didn’t believe it. It rarely rains in Phoenix, Arizona. In fact, it was February 2018 and it hadn’t rained for 3 months. I drove east, past Apache Junction, and circumvented the Superstition mountains, rising like a terrible black menace from the plain. The magma that was forced up thousands of feet resulted in a huge block of basalt that has few natural stream outlets. The steep rocky walls are forbidding barriers to outsiders, except at a few trailheads.

The Apaches believed gods inhabited the rocky valleys and turreted hilltops, making rumbling noises when a thunderstorm struck in the summer monsoons.… More “The Superstition Mountains: Hiking near the gold legends.”

Mar

Sharply Reduced Opioid Use in 10 Hospitals

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • The opioid epidemic is in all the news. • What to do about this crisis? • Alternative procedures tested in Colorado. • Startling results.

THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IS IN ALL THE NEWS. In the US last year, opioids (including prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl) killed more than 42,000 people, more than any year on record. 40% of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid (report by CDC).

I recently wrote two blogs on opioids: One about a family struggling with a son’s addiction (click HERE), and the second a horrendous story about two opioid addicts but with a positive ending (click HERE).

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS CRISIS? The federal government held a big meeting with many stakeholders last week.… More “Sharply Reduced Opioid Use in 10 Hospitals”

Feb

What’s all the fuss about assault rifles, Part 1?

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • What are assault rifles? • What are they designed for? • What is the damage they cause to the human body? • Why are they allowed to be sold in the USA?

I RARELY LET EMOTION INTO MY BLOGS, BUT I AM TODAY. The 17 schoolyard deaths in Parkland, Florida this week, reportedly carried out by Nikolas Cruz using an AR-15 rifle (the same semi-automatic weapon used during the Sandy Hook and Orlando massacres), made me read up on this rifle. What I found was intensely disturbing.

The following points are excerpts from an article by Dr Ernest Moore, a trauma surgeon (Click HERE to see full article): • The Parkland shooter’s assault rifle AR-15 was designed to kill as efficiently as possible.… More “What’s all the fuss about assault rifles, Part 1?”

Jan

Kimberly McGrath….. Passionate hiker

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • Kimberly is a school teacher and my stepdaughter. • We hiked to a ruin where the Ancients lived 700 years ago. • We saw a deer with her fawn. • A thunderstorm hit us on another hike.

This blog falls in the category of Health and Hiking. My other two blog categories are Science and Energy, and Inspiration and Hope.

KIMBERLY IS MY STEP-DAUGHTER who lives in Independence, Kansas. She teaches an active first grade class of six-year olds, and is very conscientious. I taught one of her classes a couple years ago – about Australia. It was a challenge to speak down to their level, but I got their attention by blowing a didgeridoo and getting them to sing and dance in a brief Christmas play.… More “Kimberly McGrath….. Passionate hiker”

Dec

Opioid users…..The life of an addict

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • An overdose in Memphis, captured on video. • Terrible opioid statistics in USA. • One couple’s story: addicted for almost 50 years. • Rehab – is it possible?

This blog falls in the category of Health and Hiking . My other two blog categories are Science and Energy, and Inspiration and Hope.

I READ AN ARTICLE IN TIME MAGAZINE AND STARTED CRYING. The article was called The Life of an Addict, by Alice Park. It’s about a couple, Ron and Carla Hiers, who overdosed in Memphis, and they were caught on video. Ron was bent double over a bus-stop seat, while Carla was on her knees on the sidewalk. Both of them bombed out. It’s a shocking video.… More “Opioid users…..The life of an addict”

Dec

Kids and smartphones: The danger

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • Nina Langton’s scary experience with depression and suicide. • The latest statistics on teenage mental health. • A teen’s brain is still developing. • Limiting smartphone use in schools. • Tips to get teens to put down their smartphones. • The Gray Nomad’s body-image and insecurity.

This blog falls in the category of Health and Hiking. My two other blog categories are Science and Energy, and Inspiration and Hope. My next blog is planned to be about cancer.

Teen depression has surged, fueling concern about iPhones and other smartphones. It’s become a serious issue. The following is excerpted from an article We need to Talk about Kids and Smartphones in Time Magazine on 6 November 2017, written by Markham Heid.… More “Kids and smartphones: The danger”

Nov

Travels with Chanel (resend)

Summary: A road trip with Chanel the Morkie. Chanel is smart, and an explorer. She breaks the rules, and suffers. She disobeys, and has to be forgiven. But she feels safe and loved in my arms.

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • The explorer dog. • Chanel gets to see in 3D. • She eats my stuff. • Some spiritual applications.

Mary has a little dog, 9 pounds, called Chanel. The Morkie is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. I’ve grown very fond of Chanel. She has long silky hair, and she doesn’t shed (mostly). She never met a person she didn’t want to lick on and love on.

RECENTLY CHANEL AND I TOOK A ROAD TRIP – from the Oregon coast to Independence, Kansas.… More “Travels with Chanel (resend)”

Nov

Travels with Chanel

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • The explorer dog. • Chanel gets to see in 3D. • She eats my stuff. • Some spiritual applications.

The book called Travels with Charley (1960) by John Steinbeck was about his French Poodle. Steinbeck claimed Charley was clairvoyant: in the evening all Steinbeck had to do was think that it was potty time, and the dog trotted over to the camper door before his owner made any physical sign or movement.

Oct

Lessons from Las Vegas shooter – Stephen Paddock

WHATS IN THIS BLOG: • Who was Stephen Paddock really? • Alarming suicide and gun statistics in USA. • A lesson from Australia. • A lesson from the Las Vegas shooter.

Woops! Part 3 of the climate change series is still coming (sorry for the delay). The next series is on Inspiration and Hope, although this blog doesn’t seem like hope until you read down further.

I will also write a future blog about the magnificent scenery of the Oregon coast – the photo below is just a teaser I took last week.

LAST WEEK WHILE STROLLING ALONG AN EMPTY BEACH ON THE OREGON COAST, I talked with a friend about gun statistics and death statistics. In this peaceful setting, with gentle waves rolling in from the Pacific ocean, we were about as far away from gun violence as we could be.… More “Lessons from Las Vegas shooter – Stephen Paddock”

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Weed and Water (Paperback)

Weed and Water Reviews

Sit back, relax, clear your head and then prepare yourself for an entertaining journey. I loved the book, and found it hard to put down. When you are finished, ponder the Truth which was woven into the whole story. The Truth that I received.... Don't give up on God because He won't give up on you. I actually had tears in my eyes the last few pages. The book is very well done. -- Garland W. Ray (General Manager, Pep Boys).

I really enjoyed the book and I look forward to seeing it published. This is a book that taught me a lot about myself and a book that challenged me to grow spiritually. Definitely a book I would recommend. -- Trevor Taylor (Junior in Construction Management Technology at Oklahoma State University).

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Hiking Towards Heaven Reviews

"I read the book and it was very inspiring….. a must read!" — Ann Wasp, Houston

"Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed your book. What a blessing to read the words you wrote as you share your love of hiking with your love and belief in God. You depict God as someone approachable (which He is) and someone who understands us. Your book gives me the desire to go hiking and look at God's creation in a different way.Thank you. You did a great job!" — Bonnie Covington, Medical Supplies Sales, Albuquerque

"I enjoyed reading the book. The book's core theme is religious and moral philosophical concepts. The theme is developed through a girl's childhood. The scenery is beautifully described in the hikes. You are a silver-tongued orator, and I liked how you captivated the reader with conflict, then presented your thoughts via discussion." — Don Smith, County Judge (ret.), Houston.

"I read your book a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it! I liked the way you kept the story moving with the hiking adventures and challenges, the details about your hikes, and the very interesting character Michelle. You did a great job with dialog and interspersing the message of faith. It reminded me how much I like to hike, and how beautiful it is there in New Mexico. I would recommend your book to others" - Gayle Pearson, Attorney and Homemaker, Houston.

"What an amazing story! Michelle fascinates me enormously in all that she represents. Further, it strikes me that you brought something very unique to the relationship between Kara and Michelle, much more so than any other relationship in the story. I like Kara very much; you are very fortunate to have her in your life. I loved the way that you weave your love of hiking with Michelle’s lessons on the trail. My favourite poem in the book was “Don’t Quit”….. it resonated especially well with my own personal circumstances." - Genevieve Young, Petroleum Reservoir Engineer, London.

"I really enjoyed your book. It gives vivid verbal descriptions of fascinating hiking areas, and weaves intriguing adventures around you and your fellow hikers. It was instructive as to geography/topography, geology, and flora/fauna. The reader gets all of this plus spiritual guidance, so reassuring in times of need. The use of the coangel added a mysterious element to tie all this together. You wrapped up your book well in demonstrating the resources available through God. With all the low-level reading available regarding sorcerers and vampires, it is nice to see a book like this with a positive spiritual approach but which is educational as well. Good work!” - Joy-Marie, Real Estate Agent (ret.), Albuquerque.

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