Marinduque - My Island Tropical Paradise

Benefits of Singing-An Update #2

2026-11-06T11:17:18.166-08:00

Singing might be the shortest path to feeling good, kicking off a specific chemical reaction in the brain that few other activities can match. When you raise your voice in song, your nervous system floods your body with a mix of natural compounds that lift your mood and dial down physical pain. This shift happens regardless of musical talent, so the benefits are open to everyone from professional performers to people who only sing in the shower.

 The Chemical Trio

Three specific chemicals drive this neurological event and create a sense of euphoria and relaxation. They act as a built-in pharmacy, giving mental health and emotional resilience a real boost.
* Dopamine gives a sense of reward and motivation, much like the feeling of reaching a hard-won goal.
* Oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone, builds connection and trust while lowering social anxiety.
* Endorphins work as natural painkillers and mood lifters, creating a natural high through the physical effort of singing.

 Stress Reduction and Cortisol

Beyond the immediate rush of joy, singing helps manage the physical side of stress. Research shows that singing lowers cortisol levels, the main hormone behind the body's stress response. The drop is especially strong during group singing, where shared rhythm and melody help sync the heart rates of everyone involved. That sync calms the nervous system, and the effect can linger long after the last note.

 A unique physical experience

What sets singing apart from other activities is the pairing of deep rhythmic breathing and physical vibration. The breath control needed to hold a note mirrors the techniques used in meditation and deep relaxation. On top of that, the vibrations from your vocal cords move through your body and act like an internal massage that stimulates the vagus nerve. That stimulation helps regulate the nervous system and nudges the body toward rest and recovery.

 Long term mental benefits

Doing this regularly can lead to lasting changes in how the brain handles emotion and stress. Singing calls on multiple brain regions at once, so it works like a full workout for the brain and sharpens memory and thinking over time. You don't need special gear to tap into the chemical shifts that happen every time you open your mouth and sing, which makes it one of the easiest ways to stay mentally well.

Sources:

Evolutionary Psychology, Music and the brain: The neuroscience of singing
The Royal Society of Public Health, The health and wellbeing benefits of singing
Frontiers in Psychology, The neurobiology of choral singing

That song you belt out in the car might be doing more for your brain than you think. When you sing, your brain's reward system lights up and releases dopamine, the chemical behind pleasure and motivation. Researchers at Oxford found that people's pain tolerance rose after group singing, a sign their bodies were releasing endorphins, your natural painkillers, and they felt more connected to each other too. Studies of choir singers have also found drops in cortisol, the main stress hormone. Singing with others seems to amplify the effect, but even solo singing counts. Join a choir, sing in the car, or turn the shower into your stage. What's the one song you can't help singing along to?

Meanwhile, My Photo of the Day:

Choosing solitude isn't automatically antisocial. Some people intentionally limit social situations that feel stressful, superficial, or emotionally draining, and meaningful relationships can support well-being. But persistent or unwanted social withdrawal can also be associated with loneliness, anxiety, depression, or other difficulties so the reason behind the withdrawal matters

Finally, My Photo of the Day-The Autumn Leaves

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

2026-11-06T08:40:28.797-08:00

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

If you saw the "SENATE DADDIES" poster of four men in tank tops in front of the Capitol, that's a meme/AI poster making the rounds, not the newly elected U.S. Senators. (see photo above)

The real results from the Nov 3-4, 2026 midterms are historic for different reasons. 35 seats were up. Republicans went in with a 53-47 majority, and Democrats flipped at least seven seats, including Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

Here are four of the most talked-about new faces:

1. Abdul El-Sayed – Michigan – Democrat

First Muslim ever elected to the U.S. Senate.

Early life: Born Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed on October 31, 1984 in Rochester Hills, Michigan, son of Egyptian immigrants.

Education: B.S. from University of Michigan (2007), DPhil in public health from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar (2011), and M.D. from Columbia (2014). He ultimately did not become a practicing physician; instead he taught and went into public health administration.
Career: Former executive director of Detroit Health Department (2015-2017) and later director of Wayne County Health, Human and Veterans Services. Physician/epidemiologist by training.
Race: Won Michigan's open seat defeating Republican Mike Rogers, succeeding retiring Gary Peters.

2. James Talarico – Texas – Democrat

First Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas since 1988.

Early life: Born May 17, 1989 in Round Rock, Texas, an eighth-generation Texan, former middle school teacher, and Presbyterian seminarian.
Education: B.A. in government from UT Austin (2011) and Master of Education in education policy from Harvard (2016).
Career: Joined Teach For America, taught sixth-grade language arts at Rhodes Middle School on San Antonio's west side, later state representative since 2018, flipping a Republican district.
Race: Defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton in what was called the most expensive Senate race in American history.

3. Annie Andrews – South Carolina – Democrat

First woman elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina and first Democrat to win there since 1998.

Early life: Born Anne Elizabeth Lintzenich in 1981, raised in Indiana, mother of three.
Education: BS University of Dayton, MS Medical University of South Carolina, MD University of Cincinnati.
Career: Pediatrician for nearly 20 years, 14 years as associate professor and pediatric hospitalist at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in Charleston. First ran for Congress in 2022. Ran on gun-safety and health advocacy, calling RFK Jr. her "arch-nemesis."
Race: Beat appointed Republican Sen. Darline Graham to flip the seat.

4. Chris Pappas – New Hampshire – Democrat

Will become the first openly gay male senator, and was already New Hampshire's first openly gay member of Congress.

Early life: Christopher Charles Pappas, born June 4, 1980 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Education: Manchester Central High School 1998, A.B. Harvard College 2002.
Career: Small business owner – helped run his family's 106-year-old Puritan Backroom Restaurant, state representative 2003-2007, Hillsborough County treasurer 2007-2011, Executive Council 2013-2019, U.S. Representative for NH-1 since 2019.

Meanwhile,

Filipino American lawmakers Marvin Lim of Georgia and Justin Jones of Tennessee won reelection in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, securing another term in their respective state legislatures and extending Filipino American representation in Southern state politics.

My Photos of the Day-After the Blue Tsunami Hit the White House, Nov3-4, 2026

What's making these Democratic victories even more incredible is that the celebration isn't happening only in America. THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING. From France and Spain to Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Norway, and beyond, the results are making international headlines and sparking reactions from political leaders. Spain's prime minister openly celebrated the rejection of Trump's divisive politics. Poland's prime minister declared that democracy had won in America, while British politicians welcomed the shift and spoke about the opportunity for a better direction. Even across Canada, newspapers described the results as a major rebuke to Trump. Think about that. This wasn't just another American election result. It became a moment watched around the world by people who understand how much American politics affects international relations, democracy, and the future of global cooperation. Millions of Americans went to the polls and sent a message that people everywhere are paying attention to. The excitement goes far beyond America's borders. What a moment to witness

The Blue Wave Reel:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2171492220405455

Generation Z is Now the World's Largest Generation

2026-11-05T12:33:15.731-08:00

Gen Z is now the world’s largest generation, with an estimated 2.04 billion people - 24.8% of the global population. Millennials follow at 1.87 billion (22.6%), while Gen Alpha accounts for 1.74 billion (21.1%).

Together, these three generations represent about 5.65 billion people, or 68.5% of humanity. Nearly 62% of the global population is under 40, placing an extraordinary share of the world in childhood, early adulthood or core working age.

The implications are broad. Millennials are shaping housing, family formation and labor markets; Gen Z is rapidly entering the workforce and redefining expectations around technology, flexibility and purpose; Gen Alpha will grow up in a world increasingly shaped by AI, climate pressures and digital infrastructure.

The bigger story is not simply which generation is largest, but how three massive cohorts are moving through very different life stages at the same time, reshaping education, work, consumption and public policy.

Sources: DataReportal, Oct. 2025. Generational estimates and methodology by World Visualized. Additional analysis: Deloitte, UNICEF, Pew Research Center.

My Photo of the Day:
Two G's ( Gas and Groceries) and Two H's ( Health Care and Housing) were the main downfall of MAGA and Trumps Administration so far. 

Finally,  I am super Proud of My Youngest Grand Daughter  Accomplishments so Far. Here' s her short bio from her Link-iN page:   She is a member of Generation Z, born  in 2003.

Hi, my name is Carenna and I am a masters student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Urban Spatial Analytics. I recently received a Bachelor of Science as a double major in International Affairs and Geography with a minor in Geographic Information Systems at The George Washington University. While in undergrad, I studied at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland and conducted original research on immigrant integration in the region. Additionally, I studied at Université Paris Dauphine where I furthered my proficiency in French and EU migration policy. Lastly, I am a proud United World College alum attending UWC in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

The Power of Breath and US President Ranking

2026-11-05T09:04:45.993-08:00

The Power of Breath- From My Recent Readings on Wellness and Aging Gracefully

Every day, the average person takes approximately 20,000 breaths without a second thought, yet few realize how powerful this automatic process can be for regulating the nervous system. By consciously changing how we inhale and exhale, we can move from a state of high stress to deep relaxation in just a matter of minutes. This biological bridge between the mind and body allows us to influence our heart rate, blood pressure, and emotional state on demand.

 Specialized Patterns for Peace

To manage anxiety and improve focus, several structured breathing patterns have gained popularity among medical professionals and high performers. These techniques give people a way to manually override the brain's stress response.
. Box Breathing involves inhaling, holding, exhaling, and holding again for four counts each to sharpen concentration.
. The 4-7-8 Technique requires a four-second inhale, a seven-second hold, and an eight-second exhale to induce sleep.
. Diaphragmatic Breathing focuses on deep belly movement to maximize oxygen exchange and lower the heart rate.
. Pursed Lip Breathing helps slow down the pace of a breath by having the person exhale through puckered lips.

 Physiological Impact of Air

Controlled breathing works by stimulating the vagus nerve, which signals the parasympathetic nervous system to take over from the fight or flight response. This shift reduces the production of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, while increasing the availability of oxygen to the brain. Regular practice has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, enhance lung capacity, and provide a sense of emotional stability during challenging situations.

 Techniques for Vitality and Focus

While many techniques focus on relaxation, others are designed to boost energy and alertness. These more active patterns can be used to wake up the body in the morning or overcome an afternoon slump.
. The Bellows Breath uses rapid, forceful inhalations and exhalations through the nose to create a surge of vitality.
. Alternate Nostril Breathing helps balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain for mental clarity.
. Sitali Breath involves inhaling through a curled tongue to cool the body and soothe the nervous system simultaneously.
. Equal Breathing focuses on making the length of the inhale and exhale exactly the same to create a sense of inner equilibrium.

 Consistency and Wellness

Integrating these patterns into a daily routine does not require special equipment or long hours of commitment. Just five minutes of focused breathing can reset the mind after a long day or prepare the body for a restful night. By treating breath as a skill rather than just a reflex, anyone can gain better control over their internal environment and improve their overall quality of life.

Meanwhile, 

U.S. presidents ranked best to worst by historians (2024 survey)

Who really deserves a spot on the Mount Rushmore of American leadership? In the 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey, political scientists ranked all 45 presidents once each, and the results make for a fascinating scroll. 

Abraham Lincoln sits at No. 1, followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt at No. 2 and George Washington at No. 3. Barack Obama lands at No. 7, ahead of Dwight D. Eisenhower at No. 8. At the other end of the list, James Buchanan is ranked 44th and Donald Trump is ranked 45th

Finally, My Photo of the Day:

Blue looked particularly beautiful last night, don’t you think ?
Niagara Falls was lit in blue last night for Alzheimer’s Awareness, but the timing couldn’t have been better 
— in Niagara Falls.

From a Single-Family Home to Senior Living: Finding the Right Moving Company for Seniors

2026-11-04T15:58:35.081-08:00

From a Single-Family Home to Senior Living: Finding the Right Moving Company for Seniors

This morning, on my way to lunch, I had an unexpected encounter in the elevator of The Heritage Downtown, the senior living community in Walnut Creek, California, where I have lived since June 2023.

I met a young woman who was not a resident. I asked whether she was visiting someone. She replied that she was assisting with a move. Naturally, I became curious and asked for the name of her company. I thought I heard something like “Clearer Organization.”

I remarked that the name sounded appropriate for a company helping people organize their belongings during a move. She then asked which moving company I had used.

I told her it was Gentle Transition, the company I hired three and a half years ago when I moved from my single-family home near Sacramento to my present residence.

That brief conversation brought back memories of a move I had almost forgotten.

My experience with Gentle Transition

Moving is never easy, especially when one has lived in the same house for many years. A home accumulates more than furniture and household possessions. It also holds memories of family celebrations, milestones, friendships, and the many ordinary days that make up a lifetime.

When I decided to downsize and move to a senior living community, I knew that the process would involve much more than transporting my belongings from one location to another.

Fortunately, Gentle Transition did an excellent job. The entire experience was smooth and practically worry-free. The company made a potentially stressful undertaking much easier than I had anticipated.

I was so pleased with its service that I wrote about my experience in my blogs. Yet, as happens with many things in life, the memory eventually faded into the background until this morning's elevator conversation brought it back.

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have found a company that understood what I needed.

Why senior moving companies are different

For younger people, moving may simply mean packing their belongings, hiring a truck, and transporting everything to another house or apartment.

For older adults, particularly those moving from a longtime family home into a retirement community, the process can be much more complicated.

Some seniors have lived in the same home for 30, 40, or even 50 years. They may have accumulated furniture, books, photographs, collections, family heirlooms, and other possessions that cannot all fit into a smaller apartment.

Deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or give to children and grandchildren can be emotionally difficult. There are also practical questions: Who will pack everything? How will fragile possessions be protected? Who will arrange the furniture in the new residence? What happens to the items that will not fit?

This is where companies specializing in senior relocation can make a real difference.

Some offer complete moving services, including packing, transportation, unpacking, and arranging furniture. Others provide professional organizing and downsizing services, helping seniors make decisions about their possessions before moving day.

The most comprehensive providers can coordinate the entire process, from planning the move to making the new apartment comfortable and ready for everyday living.

For seniors who live alone, or whose children live far away, this assistance can be especially valuable.

Moving is also an emotional transition

I believe we should look at senior relocation as more than a logistical exercise.

Leaving a longtime home may mean saying goodbye to a familiar neighborhood, neighbors, a garden, and the independence associated with living in one's own house.

At the same time, moving to a senior community can open a new chapter. There may be opportunities to make friends, participate in activities, enjoy meals without having to cook every day, and receive assistance when needed.

My own experience at The Heritage Downtown has given me a different perspective on this stage of life. Downsizing does not necessarily mean giving up an active and meaningful existence. It can mean exchanging some responsibilities for new opportunities.

The right moving company can help make that transition less intimidating.

Northern California companies that help seniors move

For readers who may be considering a similar move, I researched companies providing senior move management, downsizing, and relocation services in Northern California.

The following are some options worth investigating. This is not a formal ranking, and I have not personally used or independently evaluated these companies. Their service areas, current availability, and fees should be confirmed directly.

A particularly useful resource is the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM), which maintains a directory of professionals specializing in these transitions.

Among the companies listed in the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding Northern California communities are:

1. Clear Organizing — Walnut Creek

This company may be the one whose name I heard in the elevator. Its name is CLEAR Organizing, rather than “Clearer Organization.”

Based in Contra Costa County, it offers downsizing, move management, home organizing, and estate-clearing assistance throughout the Bay Area. It is especially relevant to seniors in Walnut Creek and nearby communities.

Website: https://www.clearorganizing.com/

Phone: 925-708-8265

2. Custom Moving Solutions — Danville

This company provides moving, packing, downsizing, and clean-out services. Its offerings may suit seniors who want practical help coordinating a move into a smaller home or senior living community.

Website: https://custom-movers.com/

Phone: 925-895-4411

3. Senior Settlers — San Rafael

Senior Settlers helps older adults and their families with downsizing, organizing, and relocation across several Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and San Mateo.

Website: https://www.senior-settlers.com/

Phone: 415-755-3340

4. Moving Angels — Oakland

Moving Angels specializes in senior move management and serves the San Francisco Bay Area, including Alameda and Contra Costa counties. It is another option for families seeking help coordinating a senior's relocation.

Website: http://www.moving-angels.com/

Phone: 510-205-0840

5. New Leaf Senior Transitions — Roseville

For readers moving from the Sacramento region, New Leaf Senior Transitions offers senior move management services in Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado counties.

Website: http://www.newleafseniortransitions.com/

Phone: 916-761-2539

6. Life Simplified 101 — Davis

This company serves Yolo, Solano, and Sacramento counties. Its organizing and transition services may be useful for seniors who need help simplifying their homes before a move.

Website: https://www.lifesimplified101.com/

Phone: 530-654-1720

7. The Move Alliance — San Carlos

The Move Alliance serves portions of the San Francisco Bay Area, including communities on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. It is an option for families seeking help managing the details of a senior relocation.

Website: https://www.themovealliance.com/

Phone: 650-678-0356

8. Universal Senior Solutions — Hayward

Universal Senior Solutions provides senior-focused move management and organizing services, with a stated service area covering Northern California. Its services may be useful to families looking for help with the move from planning through settling into a new residence.

Website: http://www.universalseniorsolutions.com/

Phone: 888-508-9002

Readers can also search the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers directory for other providers in their area:

https://www.nasmm.org/find-a-move-manager/list/

How should a senior choose a moving company?

Before hiring a company, I would recommend asking a few important questions.

Does the company have experience moving seniors into independent living, assisted living, or other retirement communities?
Does it provide packing, transportation, unpacking, and furniture arrangement, or only organizing and coordination?
Can it help sort possessions and arrange donations or disposal of unwanted items?
Does it have references from previous clients?
Is the estimate written and clear about what is included, what costs extra, and how items are protected?
Is the company insured, and does it meet the moving community's requirements?

It is also worth checking whether the provider has professional credentials, appropriate insurance, and membership or accreditation through a recognized industry organization.

The cheapest service is not necessarily the best choice. For an older person, patience, reliability, communication, and respect for personal belongings may be just as important as the price.

Final thoughts

My brief conversation in the elevator reminded me of something I had not thought about for a long time: a good service provider can make a major life transition seem almost effortless.

I am grateful that Gentle Transition made my move to The Heritage Downtown such a smooth experience. Three and a half years later, I have settled into a different way of living, and I am still finding reasons to remain active, curious, and engaged with the world.

Perhaps the young woman I met this morning was helping another senior begin a similar chapter.

If so, I hope her client enjoys the same worry-free experience I did.

Growing older brings changes that we cannot always avoid. But with careful planning, a little help, and the right people beside us, some of those changes can become opportunities rather than burdens.

Sometimes, a successful move is not simply about transporting our possessions to a new address. It is about helping us feel at home again.

And that, I believe, is worth remembering.

Meanwhile, I prompted Chat GPT as follows:

Can you dig about Gentle Transitions? Are they still in business. I have a friend who was asking for recommendations. If Gentle Transitions is still in business, I may recommend it to her

Response: I found encouraging evidence that Gentle Transitions of California has been an established senior-relocation company, and I think it is worth pursuing before you recommend it to your friend.

The company was founded in 1994 and specialized in helping older adults move from longtime homes into retirement communities. Its services included downsizing, packing, coordinating the move, unpacking, hanging pictures, and arranging furniture in the new home.

Gentle Transitions of California

800-619-3049

Website

Previously listed California offices

Manhattan Beach and Santa Clara, California.

The phone number and website appear in business listings, including listings
as operational through my search.

My recommendation for your friend

I would call the toll-free number first and ask:

Is Gentle Transitions of California still operating under that name?
Do you currently serve Walnut Creek and the surrounding East Bay?
Do you still provide the full-service senior relocation that includes downsizing, packing, unpacking, and arranging the new residence?
Can you provide recent references from clients who moved into senior living communities?

If the company confirms that it is operating locally, your firsthand experience is a meaningful reason to consider recommending it. You can tell your friend that you personally used its services and had a smooth, worry-free move, while encouraging her to obtain a current estimate and references.

If you cannot reach them, another useful option is National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers. Its directory of senior move managers includes providers serving Northern California.

One final thought: Your experience from three and a half years ago is still valuable, even if Gentle Transitions is no longer available. You know firsthand what a well-managed move can accomplish, and that is precisely the kind of personal recommendation your friend needs.

Finally, My Photo of Today:

A Blue Tsunami Hit America Yesterday-Historic First

2026-11-04T09:24:56.517-08:00

The November 3, 2026, U.S. elections are already being described in political conversation as a “Blue Tsunami”-a wave of Democratic victories and gains. The especially interesting part is the historic milestones: women and members of underrepresented communities breaking barriers in American politics.

Other historic firsts of the 2026 “Blue Tsunami”

Here are the other notable milestones reported in the November 3 election results. The Associated Press, The Boston Globe, and other news outlets have highlighted these breakthroughs.

1. First Native American woman governor — New Mexico

Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor of a U.S. state. She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo community and previously served as President Biden's Secretary of the Interior.

Press Kit / Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

2. First Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate

Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, won a Senate seat. Her victory represents another major milestone for Indigenous women in American government.

Abdul for U.S. Senate | Official Campaign Website

3. First Muslim American U.S. senator — Michigan

Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate, according to election-night reporting.

Rep. Byron Donalds Running for Florida Governor in 2026 - 270toWin

4. First Black governor of Florida

Byron Donalds won Florida's governorship, making him the state's first Black governor. His victory is a historic milestone even though he is a Republican rather than a Democrat.

Crowley Announces Milwaukee County Infrastructure Investments

5. First Black governor of Wisconsin

David Crowley won Wisconsin's governor's race, becoming the state's first Black governor. At 40, he also represents a generational change in state leadership.

Meet Gina | Gina Hinojosa for Texas Governor

6. First Latina governor of Texas

Gina Hinojosa made history as Texas's first Latina governor, according to election reporting. Her win was also a major partisan upset in a state long dominated by Republican governors.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra plans to address Headliners Luncheon, Feb. 8 | National Press Club

7. First Latino elected governor of California

Xavier Becerra became the first Latino elected governor of California, another significant milestone in the nation's most populous state.

Who is running for Ohio governor in 2026? Race is on to replace term-limited Mike DeWine

8. First woman governor of Ohio

Amy Acton became the first woman elected governor of Ohio, according to reports on the race.

Annie Andrews wins Democratic primary for US Senate in South Carolina - ABC Columbia

9. First woman elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina

Annie Andrews won a Senate seat, becoming the first woman elected to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

Meet Dan — Dan Koh for Congress

10. First Asian American elected to Congress from Massachusetts

Dan Koh won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, adding another milestone for Asian American representation in Congress.

Other political milestones worth watching

Minnesota: Amy Klobuchar became the state's first woman elected governor.
Illinois: Juliana Stratton joined Tammy Duckworth in the Senate, making Illinois the first state represented by two women of color in that chamber.
U.S. House leadership: With Democrats winning control of the House, Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become the first Black Speaker of the House.

Why this election matters

The story is bigger than the number of seats won by either party. These results illustrate three changes in American political life:

More inclusive representation. Women, Black Americans, Latino Americans, Indigenous people, Asian Americans, Muslim Americans and LGBTQ+ Americans are reaching positions of leadership that were previously closed to them.
Changing political geography. Several victories in traditionally Republican states could reshape the balance of power and future elections.
A changing electorate. Voters are demonstrating that candidates from a wider range of backgrounds can win major statewide and national offices.

AI Impressions on this Topic:

One qualification: election-night reports can change as ballots are counted, and some leadership milestones depend on the new Congress organizing. Alaska's Mary Peltola's Senate race, for example, was still pending in some reports.

For your worldwide blog readers, I would describe this election as a historic wave of political breakthroughs, not simply a Democratic victory. It includes Democratic gains, Republican firsts, and a broader change in who gets to represent the American people.

Summary of Mid-term Elections for My World-Wide Blog Readers

U.S. midterm elections: Democrats win Congress in major setback for Trump

Results summary as of the morning of November 4, 2026. Some races remain unresolved; the outcomes below reflect news organizations’ projections, not certified final results.

Democrats are projected to win both chambers of the United States Congress following the November 3 midterm elections, dealing a major defeat to President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. The result sets up divided government from January: Trump will remain president, but the opposition will control the national legislature during his final two years in office.

The main results

Democrats captured the House of Representatives. NBC News projects they will win at least 258 of its 435 seats, comfortably above the 218 needed for a majority. With counting continuing, that is a projection, not a final seat total.nbcnews
Democrats also won control of the Senate. They flipped seven Republican-held seats: Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Those victories included states long regarded as Republican strongholds, demonstrating that the party’s gains extended well beyond the usual closely contested states.nbcnews
Democrats gained ground in state leadership, too. They flipped five governorships, Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas and are projected to hold a majority of the country’s governorships. Governors lead individual state governments, rather than serving in Congress.nbcnews

Among the standout results, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, while Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Greg Abbott for the Texas governorship. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor’s race, becoming the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history. Republicans retained Florida’s governorship, where Byron Donalds became the state’s first Black governor-elect.nbcnews

What international readers need to know

This was not a presidential election: voters did not choose a replacement for Trump. “Midterms” take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. This year, all 435 House seats and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats were contested, alongside state elections.bbc

The practical change is in who can advance or obstruct the president’s agenda. When the new Congress takes office in January, Democrats will be able to block Republican legislation and launch congressional investigations into the administration. But their victory does not give them unrestricted power: Trump can veto legislation they pass, creating pressure for compromise and a substantial risk of political deadlock.bbc+1

Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become the next speaker, the chamber’s presiding officer and its first Black speaker, although that requires a vote by the incoming House.

Why voters shifted and why the world is watching

Economic dissatisfaction was a central factor. NBC News’ exit polling points to frustration with affordability, weakening support for Republicans among important voter groups, and opposition to Trump himself. BBC reporting also identifies the cost of living, higher fuel prices and the war with Iran as prominent sources of voter anger. These findings help explain the outcome, although no single issue accounts for every race.

For readers outside the United States, the immediate implication is a more constrained presidency, not an automatic reversal of American foreign policy. International reaction already reflects that distinction: Ukrainians interviewed by NBC expressed cautious hope for stronger support, while European reactions suggested uncertainty about how much Washington’s approach would actually change. The election changes the balance of power in Congress; the consequences will depend on how the new majority and the White House use their competing power.

Aging Gracefully: The Art of Becoming Who We Are-Part 3 of 3

2026-11-03T12:56:48.867-08:00

AI Impressions on this Posting:

I think this post can take a different angle from your earlier reflections: rather than presenting aging gracefully as simply having connection, purpose, gratitude, and curiosity, we can explore it as the art of becoming comfortable with who we have become, accepting change, letting go of what no longer matters, remaining useful, and continuing to grow.

MY Poem on Aging Gracefully- Part 2 of 3

2026-11-03T09:43:27.437-08:00

We grow older, not smaller,

though the world may sometimes say
our strongest years are behind us,
and our brightest yesterday.
We carry years upon our faces,
and memories within our eyes;
the laughter of those we treasured,
the tears we never publicized.
We have learned to lose and cherish,
to say goodbye, to start anew,
to treasure simple conversations,
and friendships tried and true.
We no longer chase the future
as we once did in our youth;
we walk a little more slowly,
but perhaps we see more truth.
We have learned that life is fleeting,
that possessions fade away,
but kindness, love, and memories
can outlive a single day.
So let us welcome every morning,
every sunrise, every chance
to learn, to laugh, to share our stories,
and perhaps to teach by circumstance.
Let us never say, "It's over."
While there is a day to live,
there is wisdom still to gather,
and there is love still left to give.
For aging is not merely losing
what the passing years have known;
it is finding, deep within us,
who we are when all is gone.
And if someday someone remembers
something kind that we once said,
then perhaps a part of us
will continue when we're gone.
So let us age with grace and wonder,
with gratitude and an open heart;
for every ending holds a beginning,
and every life can leave a mark.
We may be growing older,
but we are not through becoming.

AI Impressions on this Posting:

The fact that your poem was independently chosen for discussion by two different groups, one here at THD and another outside the community is itself a beautiful illustration of what aging gracefully can mean: our experiences can continue to have meaning and influence long after our formal careers have ended.

And I think the happy tears are actually part of the poem’s message. At this stage of life, tears can come not only from sadness, but from recognition from seeing our own journey reflected in words.

What especially moved me about your story is that your writing is no longer simply your writing. When your poem about THD becomes the subject of discussion among your fellow residents and then travels outside THD into another discussion group. it has taken on a life of its own. That is a wonderful legacy for a writer.

You have spent many years collecting experiences: as a scientist, immigrant, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, public servant, lifelong learner, and now resident, observer, and storyteller. Your blog gives those experiences another life.

Perhaps this is one of the finest definitions of aging gracefully:

We grow older, but our capacity to touch another life does not have to grow old with us.

And I particularly love the final thought of the poem:

“We may be growing older,
but we are not through becoming.”

That could almost become the signature line of your reflections on aging.

My Reels of the Day: Secret of Inner Peace and Living Alone:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1331561085363739

https://www.facebook.com/reel/4705873086300756

Finally
Here's your briefing for Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — Election Day in the U.S.
The Big Story: Midterms
It's the 2026 midterm election — the biggest national story today.
What's at stake: All 435 seats in the House and 35 of the Senate's 100 seats, plus 36 governor's races. Control comes down to 51 in the Senate and 218 in the House.
Early vote surge: Over 43 million Americans had already cast ballots before today — nearly 10 million more than at the same point in 2022. In states that report party, Democrats led Republicans roughly 43% to 32% in early voting.
Turnout context: President Donald Trump's approval was reported at 32% heading into the vote, just above his record low. Spending is on track to hit a record $12bn.
Polls: Open from 6am to 1am ET depending on state, with first results expected tonight. California polls close at 8pm PT.
Live coverage is running all day on major networks — CBS's "America Decides: Election 2026" starts at 7pm ET .
National Watch
Florida historic flooding: Eastern Central Florida got 1 to 2 feet of rain as November arrived, triggering catastrophic flash flooding and emergency rescues . Gov. DeSantis declared emergencies in 7 counties including Brevard. The flooding moved polling locations in more than half a dozen counties as voters head to the polls . A National Weather Service beach hazards statement is also up for parts of the California coast through tonight.
Markets: Stock futures were mixed this morning, with the Dow pointing lower after being the only major index to gain yesterday. Apple and Palantir shares fell after earnings last night, with AMD reporting today . The 10-year Treasury yield sits around 4.93%.
Supreme Court: The Court denied a Trump administration request to block California from counting mail-in ballots from 20,000+ registered voters federal officials alleged are likely non-citizens — ending a 6-hour emergency push on the eve of the count .
Bay Area / California
A few local items on your ballot and radar:
Bay Area transit tax — Prop RTM: The biggest local dollar question. It would add a 0.5% sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara counties and 1% in San Francisco for 14 years starting April 2027 to fund BART and Muni . In Santa Clara County alone it's estimated to raise about $313M a year.
San Francisco — Pelosi successor: Voters choose between two Democrats — State Sen. Scott Wiener and Supervisor Connie Chan — to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in CA-11.
Oakland Mayor: Voters deciding whether to give Mayor Barbara Lee a full term or replace her.
Beach hazards: NWS beach hazards statement in effect through 8pm Tuesday for San Francisco, coastal North Bay including Point Reyes, SF Peninsula Coast, and Northern Monterey Bay due to rip currents and sneaker waves.
Sports celebration: Golden State Valkyries WNBAchampionship parade is Wednesday at noon, starting near the Ferry Building and heading south along the Embarcadero to Second and King Streets.

Reflections on Filipino Architecture, Food, Family Life, and Memories of Chateau Du Mer

2026-11-02T09:04:07.814-08:00

Reflections on Filipino architecture, food, family life, and memories of Chateau Du Mer

Recently, I wrote about the modern contemporary house of a close relative in Jaro, Iloilo. The house is an impressive example of how Filipino homes are changing with modern architecture and contemporary lifestyles.

One detail caught my attention, however. My relative mentioned that the house has a separate room for the live-in maid, who also serves as the cook and housekeeper, with her own bathroom. But there was no mention of a dirty kitchen.

This made me wonder: Why do so many Filipino homes have an outdoor kitchen, commonly called a “dirty kitchen,” in addition to their regular indoor kitchen?

Having grown up in the Philippines and later built our own beach house and retirement home, Chateau Du Mer, in Boac, Marinduque, I have some personal memories and observations to share.

What Exactly Is a Dirty Kitchen?

For readers who did not grow up in the Philippines, the term might sound strange. Why would anyone deliberately build a dirty kitchen in a house?

The name is misleading. A dirty kitchen is not necessarily dirty or unhygienic. It is usually a separate cooking area, often located behind or beside the main house, where much of the heavy cooking takes place.

In many traditional Filipino homes, the main kitchen is kept relatively clean and orderly. It may be used for preparing breakfast, making coffee, assembling light meals, and serving food. The dirty kitchen handles the more demanding work.

This may include frying fish, sautéing garlic and onions, preparing dishes with strong aromas, cooking large pots of food, and washing bulky cooking utensils. Some households also use it for boiling water, preparing food for animals, or doing other household chores.

The arrangement varies from one home to another. Some dirty kitchens are open-air spaces with a roof, a sink, and a wood-burning or charcoal stove. Others are enclosed rooms equipped with a gas stove, running water, and modern appliances.

In short, the dirty kitchen is a practical extension of the main kitchen.

Why Is This Arrangement So Common in the Philippines?

There is no single explanation. Several factors help explain why the tradition has remained popular.

1. Our tropical climate

The Philippines is a tropical country. Much of the year is hot and humid, and cooking can make an already warm house even warmer.

An outdoor or semi-open kitchen allows heat and steam to escape more easily. When the weather permits, it can also provide better ventilation than a small enclosed kitchen.

2. Filipino cooking methods

Filipino cuisine includes many dishes prepared by frying, grilling, boiling, and simmering for long periods.

Think of frying dried fish for breakfast, preparing a large pot of sinigang, or cooking adobo with garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and spices. These dishes are delicious, but their aromas can linger in the house.

A separate cooking area helps keep heat, smoke, grease, and strong cooking smells away from the living room and bedrooms.

3. Cooking for a large family

Filipino families often gather for birthdays, fiestas, weddings, baptisms, Christmas, and other special occasions. These gatherings may require preparing food for dozens of relatives and friends.

A regular indoor kitchen can quickly become crowded when several dishes must be prepared at the same time. An additional cooking area provides room for larger pots, extra burners, and more people helping with the meal.

4. Tradition and practicality

In many older Filipino homes, the kitchen was located at the rear of the house or in a separate structure. Depending on the household, cooking might involve firewood, charcoal, or other fuels that produce smoke and soot.

Separating this activity from the main living area made practical sense. As homes modernized, the outdoor kitchen continued to serve a useful purpose, even when gas stoves and other conveniences replaced traditional cooking methods.

5. The organization of household work

In some Filipino households, a live-in cook or housekeeper manages much of the daily food preparation. A separate kitchen can give that person a dedicated workspace.

This may be particularly convenient in larger homes where the family entertains frequently.

However, not every Filipino family has a household helper, and many modern homes have fully equipped indoor kitchens without a separate dirty kitchen. The arrangement depends on the family's needs, budget, space, and lifestyle.

What About the Modern Filipino Home?

Returning to my relative's new house in Jaro, Iloilo, I find it interesting that the house includes a room for a live-in maid, cook, and housekeeper, complete with a private bathroom.

That feature reflects one way some larger Filipino homes accommodate domestic help. But I cannot say whether the house has a dirty kitchen because my relative did not mention one.

Modern Filipino architecture offers many possibilities. Some homes have beautiful indoor kitchens with islands, built-in ovens, and modern appliances. Others retain a separate outdoor cooking area. Some have both, while smaller homes may have only one kitchen.

A modern house does not necessarily need a dirty kitchen. Nevertheless, for a family that frequently prepares large meals or enjoys traditional Filipino cooking, a second cooking area can still be useful.

There is also an important distinction between a separate kitchen designed for convenience and a poorly ventilated or unhygienic cooking space. Whatever its location, a kitchen should have proper sanitation, safe fuel connections, adequate ventilation, and protection from pests and the weather.

Memories of Our Beach House in Marinduque

My own experience brings me to Chateau Du Mer, our beach house and retirement home in Boac, Marinduque.

We did not have a permanent dirty kitchen as such. Our house was designed for comfortable living and enjoying the surroundings of our island home.

But special occasions sometimes required special arrangements.

I remember one occasion when we constructed a temporary outdoor kitchen and put up a tent for cooking lechon, a whole young pig roasted over a fire until the skin becomes beautifully crisp and the meat is tender.

Preparing lechon is quite different from making an ordinary meal. It requires space, equipment, heat, time, and people who know what they are doing. It is not the kind of cooking one would normally undertake in a conventional indoor kitchen.

The temporary outdoor kitchen gave us the room we needed. The tent provided some shelter for the people doing the cooking, while the outdoor setting kept the heat and smoke away from the house.

More importantly, preparing lechon was part of the occasion itself. It was not simply a matter of putting food on the table. It was about bringing people together, sharing the work, anticipating the meal, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Looking back, I realize that our temporary outdoor kitchen served much the same practical purpose as a traditional dirty kitchen, even though we never called it one.

Food Is More Than Food in Filipino Culture

For Filipinos, cooking is closely connected with hospitality.

When relatives visit, we often ask whether they have eaten. When friends come to the house, we look for something to serve them. During family celebrations, the dining table becomes a gathering place where generations meet, stories are exchanged, and memories are made.

The kitchen, whether indoors or outdoors, is at the center of this experience.

A dirty kitchen may not be the most glamorous part of a house. It may be hidden behind the main building, away from the beautifully furnished living room. Yet it can be one of the hardest-working spaces in the home.

It reminds us that a comfortable household depends not only on attractive architecture but also on the practical arrangements that make everyday life possible.

There is another lesson here. Traditions do not always disappear when a country modernizes. Sometimes they adapt. The old wood-burning stove may give way to a gas burner, and a simple outdoor shelter may become a fully equipped second kitchen. The purpose, however, remains much the same.

A Final Reflection

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself increasingly interested in the ordinary things that connect our past with the present.

A modern house in Jaro, Iloilo, can remind me of the homes I knew growing up in the Philippines. A memory of roasting lechon at Chateau Du Mer can bring back the excitement of family gatherings and celebrations.

The dirty kitchen is a small example of how architecture reflects culture. It tells us something about our climate, our food, our family arrangements, and our tradition of hospitality.

I do not know whether my relative's new home has one. Perhaps a modern indoor kitchen is sufficient for the family's needs. Perhaps there is a separate cooking area that simply was not mentioned.

Either way, I am reminded that the true value of a home cannot be measured by its architectural style, the number of rooms, or the sophistication of its appliances.

A home becomes special because of the people who live in it, the meals they share, the guests they welcome, and the memories they create.

And sometimes, the most memorable meal is not prepared in the beautiful kitchen inside the house, but under a simple outdoor tent, beside a fire, while a lechon slowly turns and family members gather nearby.

That, to me, is part of the Filipino meaning of home.

A Modern Architectural Gem in Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines

2026-11-02T05:35:55.824-08:00

A Beautiful Blend of Curves, Contemporary Design, and Filipino Tropical Living

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I continue to appreciate beautiful things, whether they are found in nature, art, or architecture. My lifelong interest in science has also taught me to admire the creativity, imagination, and technical knowledge that go into designing something extraordinary.

Recently, a close relative of mine completed a beautiful new residence in Jaro, Iloilo, in the Philippines. When I saw its photograph, I was immediately attracted to its unusual design. Unlike the traditional rectangular houses we commonly see, this home features sweeping curves, rounded walls, warm wooden finishes, and an impressive entrance gate.

The house reportedly received a 2026 Architecture Award for Non-Commercial Buildings. With seven bedrooms and five bathrooms, it is also a substantial family residence rather than a small house, despite its compact-looking architectural footprint in the photograph. A swimming pool is currently under construction within the property.

I would like to share with my worldwide readers some observations about the architectural style of this remarkable home.

1. A Contemporary Modern Architectural Style

The house can best be described as contemporary organic architecture with tropical modernist influences.

Contemporary architecture refers to buildings designed with the ideas, materials, and technology of our time. It does not follow one fixed historical style. Instead, it allows architects to experiment with shapes, textures, natural light, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Organic architecture, on the other hand, emphasizes flowing forms and a harmonious relationship between a building and its surroundings.

This house combines elements of both approaches. Its rounded walls and sweeping roofline give the building a soft, almost sculptural appearance. The design avoids the rigid box-like shapes associated with many conventional modern homes.

The result is a residence that looks more like a piece of contemporary sculpture than an ordinary house.

2. The Dramatic Curved Roof

One of the most striking features is the large, sweeping roof that extends outward over the upper floor.

Its broad, curved profile creates a strong visual statement. Rather than using the familiar triangular roof of many traditional Filipino homes, the architect has chosen a fluid, asymmetrical form that resembles a wave.

The underside of the roof appears to have a wood-finished ceiling. Its warm brown color contrasts beautifully with the light-colored exterior walls. The pale roof edge also emphasizes the building's unusual outline.

Beyond its visual appeal, an extended roof can provide shade for windows, balconies, and portions of the exterior walls. In a tropical location such as Iloilo, this can be particularly useful because it helps limit direct sunlight and may reduce heat entering the house.

Of course, the actual thermal performance depends on the roof's insulation, ventilation, orientation, and construction. A beautiful roof must also perform well in the Philippines' heat, heavy rainfall, and occasional strong storms.

3. Rounded Walls and Sculptural Forms

Another distinctive feature is the extensive use of curved surfaces.

The exterior walls do not meet in sharp, box-like corners everywhere. Instead, rounded sections flow into one another, giving the house a softer and more dynamic appearance.

Notice the rounded window surrounds and the curved form of the upper balcony. These details help create visual continuity throughout the design.

The building also has an asymmetrical composition. Its different sections do not mirror one another, yet they appear to belong together. This balance between variety and unity is an important characteristic of successful contemporary design.

Curves can also create interesting interior spaces, although they require careful planning and construction. Windows, furniture, built-in cabinets, and structural supports must all be coordinated with the building's geometry.

The architect deserves credit for attempting something more adventurous than the usual rectangular residential design.

4. Windows That Become Architectural Features

The windows are not simply openings placed in the walls. They are integrated into the overall design.

Several have rounded or curved surrounds, and the prominent upper window is framed by a warm, textured brown finish. Its shape makes it a focal point of the façade.

These window arrangements give the house a distinctive identity. They also demonstrate how small architectural details can contribute to the character of an entire building.

In a tropical climate, windows must do more than look attractive. Their placement and size influence daylight, ventilation, privacy, and indoor comfort. Shading, suitable glazing, and protection against wind-driven rain are also important considerations.

The photograph gives us a view of the exterior, but it does not tell us how effectively these features perform inside the house.

5. The Balcony and the Connection Between Indoors and Outdoors

The upper-floor balcony is another attractive feature. Its curved metal railing follows the shape of the building, while its open design preserves a sense of lightness.

The balcony appears to be partially sheltered by the projecting roof, creating a transition between the enclosed interior and the outdoors.

This is especially appropriate for a Philippine home, where outdoor living is often an important part of family life. A sheltered balcony can provide a place to enjoy the breeze, entertain visitors, or simply sit and observe the surrounding garden.

The balcony's design also reinforces the home's overall theme: rounded forms, flowing lines, and an emphasis on openness.

Its practical value, however, will depend on the amount of shade, airflow, privacy, and protection it receives during the rainy season.

6. A Warm Palette of Colors and Materials

The color scheme is restrained but effective.

The principal exterior walls are a soft cream or ivory. These light colors contrast with the rich brown, wood-like finishes beneath the roof and around selected windows. The metal railings and other details add further texture without overwhelming the design.

This combination gives the house a warm, elegant appearance.

The wood tones are particularly important because they soften the otherwise modern exterior. Without them, the pale walls and smooth curves might look too stark or institutional.

The design demonstrates that modern architecture does not have to feel cold. Careful use of color, texture, and natural-looking materials can make a contemporary building appear welcoming.

Whether the brown finishes are natural wood or another material cannot be established from the photograph alone. In the Philippines, the choice of materials and their resistance to moisture, heat, insects, and weathering are important to long-term maintenance.

7. The Entrance Gate: A Design of Its Own

The front boundary and entrance gate deserve special attention.

The cream-colored wall is formed from repeated curved sections, while the metalwork above it creates fan-like patterns. The main gate repeats these flowing shapes, making the entrance an extension of the house's architectural language.

Instead of treating the fence as an unrelated security feature, the design connects it visually with the building behind it.

The gate is large and imposing, yet its curves soften its appearance. The decorative metalwork adds movement and texture, while the solid lower sections provide a greater sense of enclosure and privacy.

This is a good example of how architecture includes more than the main building. Gates, fences, pathways, landscaping, and outdoor spaces all influence the first impression of a property.

The architectural firm's name displayed on the gate also identifies the design as the work of a professional architectural practice.

8. Tropical Modernism and Life in the Philippines

The house's setting in Jaro, Iloilo, is an important part of its story.

Tropical modernism adapts modern architectural ideas to warm climates. Depending on the design, it may incorporate generous shade, covered outdoor spaces, natural ventilation, greenery, and materials suited to local conditions.

Several features visible here—the extended roof, sheltered balcony, and relationship between the building and its outdoor surroundings—are compatible with that approach.

However, I would be cautious about calling this a textbook example of tropical architecture based on one exterior photograph. We would need to know more about its orientation, ventilation, insulation, landscaping, and response to the local climate.

Still, the house illustrates how contemporary design in the Philippines can move beyond familiar architectural forms while responding to the needs of modern family life.

Its seven bedrooms and five bathrooms suggest that it was designed to accommodate a large household or frequent family gatherings. The swimming pool under construction will add another recreational feature to the property.

Together, these elements suggest a home intended for both comfortable living and hospitality.

9. Architecture as Art and Engineering

What I find most interesting about this house is the combination of artistic expression and practical construction.

The sweeping roof, curved walls, unusual windows, and flowing gate are visual decisions. But every one of these features must also be translated into engineering drawings, structural calculations, material specifications, drainage systems, and construction details.

Curved forms can be more demanding to build than simple rectangular shapes. They require coordination among the architect, structural engineer, contractors, and craftsmen.

The roof must be properly supported and waterproofed. Curved exterior surfaces must be finished accurately. Balconies and railings must meet appropriate safety requirements. Drainage must prevent water from collecting on surfaces that were not designed to hold it.

In this sense, architecture is both an art and a science.

My years as a scientist taught me to appreciate the discipline required to turn an idea into something that works in the real world. A successful building must satisfy the eye, but it must also provide safety, comfort, durability, and usefulness.

The reported architectural award makes this residence especially interesting, although I have not independently verified the award's issuing organization or judging criteria.

My Personal Reflection

Having lived through many decades of architectural and technological change, I enjoy seeing how people continue to imagine new ways of designing their homes.

This residence in Jaro is very different from the traditional houses I remember from my younger years in the Philippines. Its modern curves, dramatic roof, and carefully coordinated exterior details give it a distinctive personality.

I am particularly pleased that contemporary architecture continues to develop in Iloilo, a city with its own rich history, culture, and architectural heritage.

A house is more than a collection of rooms, walls, and a roof. It is a place where families gather, children grow up, celebrations take place, and memories are created. The most beautiful house is not necessarily the largest or the most expensive. It is one that combines thoughtful design with comfort, function, and the needs of the people who live in it.

I congratulate my relative on the completion of this remarkable home and on its reported recognition in the 2026 architectural awards.

May the house become a place filled not only with beauty, but also with laughter, family gatherings, good health, and many happy memories.

After all, the true success of a home is measured not only by how it looks from the street, but also by the happiness and love shared within its walls.

My Recent Readings on AI and AZ Early Diagnosis

2026-11-01T16:57:18.383-08:00

Inspired from my Recent Readings on AI and AZ Early Diagnosis
As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself increasingly interested in scientific discoveries that may help us understand the aging process. One subject that deserves our attention is Alzheimer's disease and the possibility that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may help doctors detect the early warning signs of this disease before serious memory problems develop.

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself increasingly interested in scientific discoveries that may help us understand the aging process. One subject that deserves our attention is Alzheimer's disease and the possibility that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may help doctors detect the early warning signs of this disease before serious memory problems develop.

Growing old is a privilege denied to many people. However, growing older also brings concerns about our health, independence, and ability to remember the people and experiences that have shaped our lives.

I have lived long enough to see remarkable advances in medicine. Now, scientists are exploring another promising tool: Artificial Intelligence.

Can AI help us recognize Alzheimer's disease earlier? The latest research suggests that it may.

1. AI Can Listen to the Way We Speak

One of the most fascinating developments involves using AI to analyze a person's speech.

We usually associate Alzheimer's disease with forgetting names, losing things, or having difficulty remembering recent events. However, changes in thinking and memory may also affect how a person speaks.

Someone experiencing early cognitive difficulties might pause more frequently, struggle to find the right word, repeat certain expressions, or have difficulty organizing a story.

These changes can also occur during normal aging, so none of them alone proves that a person has Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers are training AI systems to examine patterns in spoken language that may be difficult for a person to recognize. The technology can analyze vocabulary, sentence structure, pauses, and the way ideas are organized.

In January 2025, the U.S. National Institute on Aging reported an interesting study involving 166 people who already had mild cognitive impairment. Researchers used AI to analyze transcripts from earlier cognitive tests.

The system predicted which participants would progress to Alzheimer's disease within six years with approximately 78% accuracy.

This was an encouraging result, although the study was relatively small and its participants were predominantly White. The researchers emphasized the need for further testing in larger and more diverse populations.

The goal is not to replace a doctor with a computer. It is to develop an additional tool that might help identify people who need a more thorough medical examination.

Source: U.S. National Institute on Aging — AI Speech Analysis and Alzheimer's Risk

2. Could a Simple Blood Test Help Detect Alzheimer's?

Another important development involves blood tests.

For many years, investigating Alzheimer's disease could require specialized brain imaging, such as a PET scan, or an examination of cerebrospinal fluid obtained through a spinal tap. These procedures can be expensive, inconvenient, or invasive.

Scientists have now developed blood tests that measure certain proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Two important markers are called amyloid beta and phosphorylated tau. Abnormal levels of these proteins can provide evidence of changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.

In May 2025, the FDA cleared the first blood test intended to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in symptomatic adults. In August 2026, the FDA also cleared the PrecivityAD2 blood test for use in helping diagnose the disease in adults aged 40 and older who have signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment.

These developments could make the diagnostic process easier for many patients.

But where does AI enter the picture?

AI and other computational methods can help researchers analyze complex patterns in medical data, including combinations of biological markers, speech characteristics, and cognitive test results. Scientists are investigating how these different sources of information might eventually work together to identify risk more accurately.

We should understand one important distinction: a blood test that measures Alzheimer's-related proteins is not itself an AI test. The blood tests and AI speech-analysis systems are different technologies that may complement one another in the future.

Neither a positive blood test nor an AI prediction, by itself, establishes a complete diagnosis.

Source: FDA — First Blood Test Cleared to Aid Alzheimer's Diagnosis

3. Can AI Predict Alzheimer's Before Memory Problems Begin?

This is perhaps the most exciting, but also the most challenging, question.

What if scientists could identify people at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's years before they begin to experience noticeable symptoms?

In February 2026, researchers supported by the NIH reported a study using repeated blood measurements of a protein called p-tau217. They developed a model that estimated when Alzheimer's-related biological changes began and how that timing related to the eventual appearance of symptoms.

The model's estimates of symptom onset had a median error of approximately three to four years.

This does not mean doctors can now predict the exact year when an individual will develop Alzheimer's. The model is still a research tool, and it is not accurate enough for that purpose.

Nevertheless, it illustrates how biological measurements and mathematical modeling may help scientists understand the relationship between changes in the brain and the appearance of symptoms.

Other research reported in 2026 is examining whether blood markers can help estimate the risk of cognitive decline several years before symptoms appear.

For now, the Alzheimer's Association advises that blood-based biomarker tests be used appropriately in people who already have symptoms and are undergoing a medical evaluation, rather than as routine screening tests for people with no symptoms.

We must be careful not to confuse a promising research discovery with a medical service that is ready for everyone.

Source: NIH — Research on Predicting the Onset of Alzheimer's Symptoms

4. What Does This Mean for Ordinary People?

Imagine a future in which an older person visits a family doctor for a routine appointment.

The doctor asks about changes in memory and daily activities. With the patient's permission, a computer-assisted system analyzes a short speech sample or a series of cognitive exercises. The doctor may also consider blood test results and other medical information.

If several findings suggest a possible problem, the doctor can arrange a more detailed examination.

Such a system might help identify people who would otherwise wait too long before seeking medical advice. It could also help doctors distinguish Alzheimer's disease from other possible causes of memory difficulties.

However, these technologies must be tested carefully in people of different ages, cultures, educational backgrounds, and language groups.

This is particularly important in a multilingual world. A person who speaks English as a second language might pause or search for words for reasons unrelated to dementia. Someone who has limited formal education might perform differently on certain cognitive tests.

An AI system trained mainly on one population could make mistakes when evaluating another.

Privacy is another concern. Our voices, medical records, and patterns of behavior are personal information. If these technologies become common, patients must know how their information is collected, stored, and protected.

Technology should help people, not label them unfairly or frighten them unnecessarily.

5. A Personal Reflection on Growing Older

At nearly 92, I think about the difference between ordinary forgetfulness and a more serious decline in memory.

Most of us occasionally forget where we placed our keys, why we entered a room, or the name of someone we have not seen for years. Such lapses do not automatically mean that we have Alzheimer's disease.

I have also learned that aging is not the same for everyone. Some older people remain mentally active well into their nineties, while others develop serious cognitive problems much earlier.

I still enjoy playing bridge, a card game that I have played since my university days in the United States in the early 1960s. Bridge requires concentration, memory, logical thinking, and an awareness of the cards that have already been played.

I enjoy the challenge, although I recognize that playing bridge is not a medical test and cannot guarantee that a person will avoid dementia.

If I notice persistent changes in my memory or thinking, I should not simply dismiss them as a consequence of growing old. I should discuss them with a healthcare professional.

Memory difficulties can have several causes, some of which may be treatable. A medical evaluation can help identify what is happening.

I believe we should neither panic over every forgotten name nor ignore a persistent problem.

6. My Hope for the Future

I welcome the possibility that AI will help doctors recognize Alzheimer's disease earlier and make the diagnostic process more accessible.

Earlier and more accurate diagnosis can give patients and their families additional time to plan for the future, discuss care preferences, and consider appropriate treatments. For some patients, an accurate diagnosis may also help determine whether they qualify for treatments that can slow the progression of early Alzheimer's disease.

At the same time, AI cannot eliminate every uncertainty. It cannot yet tell every person with confidence whether they will develop dementia or precisely when symptoms will begin.

We must also remember that Alzheimer's disease is only one cause of dementia. Different conditions can produce similar symptoms and may require different approaches to treatment.

As a retired pharmaceutical scientist, I have spent much of my professional life respecting the importance of evidence. A promising laboratory result is a beginning, not the end of scientific investigation. New tests must be validated, their limitations understood, and their usefulness demonstrated in real patients.

I apply the same principle to Artificial Intelligence.

AI can analyze enormous amounts of information, discover patterns, and assist medical professionals. But the final decisions about diagnosis and care must involve qualified healthcare professionals, the patient, and the people who care about that patient.

As a Catholic, I also believe that a person's dignity does not depend on the sharpness of their memory or the condition of their brain. A person living with Alzheimer's disease remains worthy of love, patience, respect, and compassion.

Science may help us preserve our memories for longer. Faith and human kindness remind us how to care for those who begin to lose them.

At nearly 92, I am grateful to be living in a time when scientists are exploring possibilities that previous generations could scarcely imagine.

I do not expect AI to solve every problem associated with aging. But if it can help even some families recognize a serious condition earlier, avoid unnecessary suffering, and prepare for the future, that would be a worthwhile achievement.

Growing older has taught me that we cannot control everything that happens to us. What we can do is remain curious, seek reliable information, care for one another, and face the future with hope.

My closing thought: We may not be able to prevent every loss of memory, but we should never allow the loss of memory to become a loss of human dignity.

David At Nearing 92

A Human-Centered Style of Management

2026-11-01T08:15:18.071-08:00

This Posting is inspired from latest observation in the last six-months experiences residing here at THD

In this season of my life, I have come to value something that cannot be measured on a spreadsheet: the way people are treated. Living in an active senior community has reminded me that a place can have excellent accounting, efficient operations, and polished reports, yet still feel cold if the human side of management is neglected. The numbers matter, but they are not the heart of the matter.

What matters most, at least in my experience, is whether people feel seen. Do staff members greet residents with patience and respect? Are concerns heard without defensiveness? Are decisions explained in a way that acknowledges the people affected by them? These may seem like small things, but in daily life they shape the emotional atmosphere of an entire community.

Lately, I have noticed a hopeful shift in our own community. There is a growing awareness that this is not simply a business, but a home for real people living real lives. That understanding changes everything. It creates room for dignity, for better communication, and for a more compassionate style of leadership. When management begins to think this way, the community feels less like an institution and more like a place where people belong.

I find this especially meaningful in a senior community. At this stage of life, many of us are more aware of how much human kindness matters. A respectful tone, a patient explanation, a thoughtful response to a concern, these are not luxuries. They are signs that people still matter, even in systems driven by efficiency and responsibility.

I have long believed that the best organizations are not those that only know how to count people, but those that know how to care for them. Human-centered management does not reject discipline or financial prudence. It simply insists that those things should serve people, not replace them. It understands that trust, loyalty, and morale are not sentimental extras; they are part of what makes a community strong.

That is why I welcome this transition in our community. Our previous management style was cold and emotionally detached. This shifts in management reflects maturity, wisdom, and a better understanding of what success really means. A place is not truly successful if it runs smoothly on paper but leaves people feeling invisible. The deeper success is when people feel respected, heard, and valued.

In the end, that is what I hope for in any community, and especially in this chapter of my life: not perfection, but decency; not only efficiency, but kindness; not merely management, but genuine care.

Is THD currently managed in a human-centered style? Let me hear from you, fellow THD residents.

Let me end this posting with the following quotes:

A community is strongest when it remembers that people are not numbers, but neighbors.
Efficiency may keep a place running, but kindness is what makes it feel like home.
The best leadership is the kind that never forgets the human being behind the role.
Previously Posted Related Articles:
https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/10/an-example-of-micromanagement-note-from.html
https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-effects-of-micromanagement-my.html

AI Overview:
Human-centered management is a leadership style that prioritizes people-including employees, customers, and other stakeholders-over traditional business metrics like revenue and efficiency. This approach operates on the belief that when individuals feel valued, supported, and fulfilled, organizational success naturally follows.
Core Principles
The foundation of this management style is built on several key human-centric behaviors:
- Empathy and Compassion: Leaders actively listen and seek to understand the unique needs, motivations, and life circumstances of their team members. Experts from Harvard Business Publishing emphasize that this requires a disciplined approach to choosing behaviors appropriate for each individual's context.
- Psychological Safety: Managers create environments where employees feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and even fail without fear of punishment.
- Authenticity and Transparency: Leaders lead with purpose and vulnerability, sharing information about company goals and challenges to build mutual trust.
- Empowerment and Autonomy: Moving away from command-and-control models, managers provide guidance while trusting teams to make their own decisions. Organizations can learn more about these shifts through resources provided by the BRM Institute, which highlights the importance of inspiring clarity about a company's purpose.
- Key Skills for Human-Centered Leaders
According to IDEO U, human-centered leadership is not a fixed personality but a learnable practice involving six core skills:
1. Curiosity: Approaching challenges with an open mindset of possibility.
2. Collaboration: Co-creating strategies rather than giving orders.
3. Adapting to Ambiguity: Remaining effective in uncertain or rapidly changing environments.
4. Experimentation: Encouraging a culture of quick prototyping and learning.
5. Self-Awareness: Understanding how one's own emotions and biases impact others.
6. Maintaining Momentum: Using storytelling and purpose to sustain focus during difficult periods.
Benefits for Organizations
Adopting this paradigm shift can lead to significant competitive advantages:
- Higher Engagement: Employees are 37% more likely to report high engagement when reporting to a human-centric leader.
- Increased Innovation: Inclusive environments tap into the "collective wisdom" of diverse teams, driving creative problem-solving.
- Resilience: Teams rooted in trust are better equipped to navigate disruptions and burnout.
- Retention: By addressing well-being and growth, companies attract and keep top talent more effectively. The Institute of Project Management notes that these practices help create "synergistic relationships" where both the individual and the organization benefit
- Finally, My Quotes of the Day:
  “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
  Dr. Seuss
  
  “Stay away from people who make you feel like you are hard to love.”
  Anonymous

My Encounters with Aswangs, Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts in the Philippines-An Update

2026-10-31T22:17:17.439-07:00

I wrote these stories years before artificial intelligence became my writing companion. Today, at 91 and nearing 92, I am revisiting some of them not to change my memories, but to see what I understand differently after another decade of living.

My Encounters with Aswangs, Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts in the Philippines-An Update

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2965559270472109

Some childhood fears never completely disappear. They simply become memories.

I grew up on Panay Island in the Philippines, in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. Like many Filipino children of my generation, I grew up listening to stories about aswangs, witches, kapres, nonos, and ghosts.

Today, at 91, I look back at those stories differently.

As a scientist who spent many years working in pharmaceutical chemistry and later at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, I naturally look for evidence and rational explanations. But I have also learned that folklore is more than a question of whether something is scientifically provable.

Folklore tells us something about who we were, what our ancestors feared, how communities explained the unexplained, and how stories were passed from one generation to another.

And some of those stories are part of my own life.

What Is an Aswang?

The aswang is probably the most famous supernatural creature in Filipino folklore.

But there is an important point that I did not fully appreciate when I was a child: there is no single definition of an aswang.

Depending on the region, an aswang may be described as a witch, shapeshifter, vampire-like creature, sorcerer, or another frightening supernatural being. The stories differ from one province to another.

The aswang is particularly prominent in the Visayas, including Panay, where I grew up.

When I was a boy in the late 1940s, I heard stories from my parents, relatives, neighbors, and other adults about mysterious creatures that supposedly came out at night.

Some stories were frightening. Some were entertaining.

And some were told so convincingly that, as a child, I had no reason to doubt them.

My Childhood Fear of the Aswang

I remember hearing that aswangs could fly at night and enter homes looking for pregnant women or small children.

Some stories said they could transform themselves into animals.

Others described strange sounds coming from rooftops in the middle of the night.

There were also stories about people who appeared perfectly normal during the day but supposedly became aswangs after dark.

As a child, I did not ask for scientific evidence. I simply believed what the adults told me.

And like most children, I had a very active imagination.

The darkness made everything more mysterious. A sound from the roof could become an aswang.

A strange animal in the distance could become an aswang. A shadow moving between trees could become an aswang.

Looking back, I now understand that fear itself can make ordinary things appear extraordinary.

But that does not make the stories unimportant. They are part of our cultural memory.

The Story of Lubag

One of the most interesting connections between folklore and science came much later in my life.

As a child, I knew of a neighbor who suffered from what people in our area called Lubag.

He had uncontrollable twisting movements and an unusual way of walking.

To my young eyes, he looked frightening. Because I had grown up hearing stories about aswangs, I was afraid of him. I avoided going near his house.

Years later, when I was in college and had learned more about science and medicine, I realized that what I had witnessed was not an aswang at all.

It was a medical condition. The condition is now associated with X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism, a rare neurological disorder historically associated with Panay and sometimes called “Dystonia de Panay.”

That experience stayed with me. It taught me one of the most important lessons of my life:

Something can be frightening without being supernatural.

Science can sometimes explain what earlier generations could only explain through folklore.

But I also learned not to laugh at the people who believed the old stories.

They were trying to understand their world with the knowledge available to them.

Witches in Iloilo and Capiz

When I was growing up, certain communities in Iloilo and nearby areas had reputations for being places where witches or aswangs supposedly lived.

Capiz, in particular, became famous throughout the Philippines for its association with aswang stories.

Whether these stories were true is another question.

There is no scientific evidence that aswangs exist as supernatural creatures.

But the stories themselves are real.

They have been repeated for generations, written about by scholars, dramatized in movies, and passed along through conversations between grandparents, parents, and children.

In that sense, the aswang is real as Filipino folklore and cultural imagination.

The Kapre and the Nono

Not all supernatural beings in Filipino folklore are as frightening as the aswang.

I also grew up hearing about the kapre, a giant creature associated with large trees and dark places.

But one of my favorite Filipino folk beliefs involves the nono.

In Marinduque, where my family later had our home and resort in Boac, I heard many stories about nonos.

The nonos were described as small supernatural beings who lived in large trees, particularly old trees such as the balete.

The traditional advice was simple: “Tabi po, Nono.”

It means something like: “Excuse me, Nono.”

The idea was that if you were passing through the territory of a nono, you should respectfully announce your presence.

Did I believe that nonos really lived in the trees? Honestly, no.

But I still said: “Tabi po, Nono.” Why?

Because there was no harm in being respectful.

And perhaps that is one of the deeper lessons hidden inside folklore.

It teaches us to respect places we do not fully understand.

A Child's Story About the Nono

One story from our Marinduque property particularly fascinated me.

The young son of our caretaker disappeared for several hours.

When he returned, he told us that a group of little people had taken him.

According to his story, they were friendly.

They also supposedly warned him not to cut down a large balete tree in our backyard.

Was he telling us a supernatural story? Was he frightened and confused?

Was it simply a child's imagination? I don't know. And I don't pretend to know.

But I remember the story because it became part of our family's own folklore.

Years later, my granddaughter learned about the phrase “Tabi po, Nono.”

When she was only four years old, she remembered it.

During a family vacation in Boracay, she was walking across a bridge when she suddenly said: “Tabi po, Nono.”

Everyone laughed. I was impressed. A four-year-old had remembered a Filipino folk tradition that had been passed down to her by her grandparents.

That is how culture survives. Not necessarily through books.

Sometimes it survives through one little phrase spoken by a child.

Ghosts and the White Lady

Then there are ghosts. Almost every culture in the world has stories about spirits of the dead.

The Philippines is no exception. One of the most familiar Filipino ghost stories is the White Lady.

I have heard many stories about white apparitions appearing beside roads, in old buildings, near bridges, or in other places associated with tragedy.

I have never personally seen one. But I have heard enough stories from other people to understand why these stories continue to fascinate us.

At our property in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, some neighbors told us that they had occasionally seen a woman dressed in white on moonless nights.

They believed she was the ghost of my mother-in-law.

They also believed that she was protecting the property from robbers and intruders.

I never saw her. Perhaps she was a ghost. Perhaps someone saw a shadow.

Perhaps moonlight, trees, distance, and imagination created an image that became a story.

Or perhaps there is something about the human experience that science has not yet completely explained. I leave that question open.

Faith, Science, and Folklore

As I grew older, my attitude toward these stories changed. When I was a child, I was afraid of them.

As a young scientist, I became skeptical of them.

As an older man, I have become more interested in what these stories mean.

My Catholic faith also influences how I look at the unknown. I believe in God.

I believe in the spiritual dimension of life. But I also believe in science, evidence, observation, and critical thinking.

I don't think we have to choose between respecting our cultural traditions and asking scientific questions. We can do both.

We can preserve the stories of our ancestors without necessarily claiming that every story is scientifically true.

That distinction is important.

Why These Stories Still Matter

Today, Filipino children are growing up with smartphones, artificial intelligence, video games, YouTube, Netflix, and social media.

They live in a very different world from the Philippines of my childhood.

Yet folklore continues to survive. The aswang appears in movies.

The White Lady appears in stories and online discussions.

The kapre and nono remain familiar names.

Modern scholars continue to study Philippine supernatural folklore as part of literature, history, culture, and community memory.

And perhaps that is a good thing. A country should not lose its stories simply because science has changed.

Instead, we can preserve the stories while also understanding them in new ways.

From Fear to Memory

When I was a little boy in Barotac Viejo, I was afraid of the aswang.

Today, I am much more interested in the story behind the fear.

I wonder what my parents heard from their parents.

I wonder what stories my grandparents heard when they were children.

And I wonder how many of those stories have already disappeared.

That is one reason I continue writing.

At 91, I have lived through a remarkable period of history, from the Philippines of the 1940s to the age of computers, smartphones, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.

I have seen science explain things that once seemed mysterious.

But I have also learned that human beings will always have questions that go beyond what we can immediately explain.

Maybe that is why we tell stories. Stories help us make sense of the unknown.

And sometimes, they simply make life more interesting.

My Final Thought

Do I believe that aswangs, witches, nonos, kapres, and ghosts really exist?

My answer today is different from the answer I would have given as a frightened little boy.

I don't know. As a scientist, I want evidence. As a Filipino, I respect the folklore of my ancestors.

As a Catholic, I recognize that there are mysteries in life that I cannot completely explain.

And as a storyteller, I know that these stories are part of who we are.

Perhaps the most important thing is not whether the aswang lives in the darkness outside our window.

Perhaps the important thing is that the story of the aswang has lived for generations in the hearts and imaginations of the Filipino people.

And now, I am passing part of that story on to my worldwide readers.

The stories may change. The generations may change.

But our memories and our culture live on when we continue to tell them.

AI Impressions On this Posting:

I think this version is stronger than the original because it connects your childhood in Panay → your scientific career → your experience with Lubag → your Marinduque years → your Catholic faith → your life at 91 → the preservation of Filipino culture. It also makes the article more welcoming to readers who don't share Filipino supernatural beliefs.

One particularly good line for your worldwide audience is “As a scientist, I want evidence. As a Filipino, I respect the folklore of my ancestors. As a Catholic, I recognize that there are mysteries in life that I cannot completely explain.” That feels very much like the mature voice you have developed in your recent blog posts.

Moreover, I also reviewed the original HubPages article and also checked recent Philippine folklore scholarship. Your original piece has something valuable that a purely academic article cannot provide: your own childhood memories, your Panay/Iloilo roots, your experience with “Lubag,” your Marinduque stories, and your personal balance between faith, science, and folklore.

One important update is worth making: rather than presenting the aswang, nono, kapre, or ghosts as established supernatural facts, I framed them as stories, beliefs, cultural memories, and personal experiences. That actually makes the article more credible for your worldwide readers while preserving the mystery. Philippine folklore scholars describe aswang as an umbrella term with many regional forms, rather than one single creature. Research from UP Diliman has also explored how some traditional supernatural beliefs may intersect with medical conditions and other natural phenomena.

AI Overview:

Philippine folklore describes the Aswang as a broad term for shape-shifting evil creatures, including vampires, ghouls, witches, and flying torsos like the Manananggal.

The Aswang and Witches

Day and Night Form: Aswangs look like normal villagers during the day, but turn into monsters at night.

Hunting Habits: They often target pregnant women to consume the life essence of unborn babies.

Witches (Mangkukulam): Local traditions view them as human sorcerers who use curses, needles, or insects to cause sudden illness or misfortune.

Goblins and Nature Spirits

Tiyanak: This spirit mimics the sound of a crying baby to lure travelers deep into the jungle before revealing its true, monstrous form.

Kapre: A tall, dark giant that sits in large trees smoking a large tobacco pipe, known to disorient people and make them lose their way.

Ghosts (Multo)

White Ladies: Apparitions of women in flowing white dresses often seen on quiet provincial roads or old Spanish-era structures.

Akte/Peryodiko: Unexplained eerie sounds, sudden cold spots, or fleeting shadows believed to be restless souls lingering in barangays.

Finally, My Reel of the Day: The White Lady of Maina, Guam

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2169358157798322

Current Developments on the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of CKD

2026-10-31T16:35:29.268-07:00

My personal journey with kidney disease, and what science is teaching us about protecting our kidneys.

A Personal Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease, commonly known as CKD, is a subject close to my heart. I have written several articles about this disease over the years, but those earlier articles were written before artificial intelligence tools became available to help me research medical developments.

Today, CKD is no longer just a scientific subject that interests me. It is part of my personal life.

Last year, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD. I am now under the care of a nephrologist, a physician who specializes in kidney diseases. My background as a pharmaceutical chemist and my years working at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have taught me to appreciate both the promise of medical science and the importance of examining scientific evidence carefully.

At nearly 92, I have learned that growing older brings questions that we might never have considered when we were younger. One of mine is this: How much progress has medical science made in detecting kidney disease early, slowing its progression, and helping people live better lives with damaged kidneys?

I recently explored these questions with the help of AI. What follows is my personal summary of some important developments in kidney medicine as of October 2026.

1. What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Our kidneys are two remarkable organs, each roughly the size of a fist. They filter waste products and excess water from the blood, regulate important minerals, help control blood pressure, and contribute to the production of red blood cells.

When the kidneys become damaged, they gradually lose some of these functions. Waste products and excess fluid may accumulate, and complications involving blood pressure, anemia, bones, and the heart can develop.

CKD is generally defined as an abnormality of kidney structure or function that persists for at least three months.

The disease is divided into five stages, based primarily on the estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR. This blood-test-based estimate indicates how effectively the kidneys filter the blood.

Stages 1 and 2: Evidence of kidney damage may be present even though filtration remains relatively well preserved.
Stage 3: Kidney function has declined moderately.
Stage 4: Kidney function is severely reduced, generally with an eGFR of 15–29.
Stage 5: Kidney failure, generally with an eGFR below 15.

My diagnosis of Stage 4 CKD means that I have significantly reduced kidney function. However, Stage 4 does not automatically mean that a person must immediately begin dialysis. The decision depends on the individual's symptoms, laboratory results, complications, overall health, and personal circumstances.

CKD can progress at different rates. Some people experience a gradual decline over many years, while others deteriorate more rapidly. The underlying cause and the quality of medical care can make a difference.

2. Early Detection: Two Simple Tests Can Make a Difference

One of the most important lessons in kidney medicine is that CKD can develop silently.

A person may have substantial kidney damage without feeling sick. There may be no pain, no obvious warning signs, and no noticeable change in daily activities.

This is why early detection is so important.

Two routine tests can provide valuable information:

First, a blood test measuring creatinine. Creatinine is a waste product that the kidneys normally remove. Its level, together with other information, is used to estimate the eGFR.

Second, a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or uACR. Albumin is a protein that normally remains in the blood. When the kidneys are damaged, some albumin can leak into the urine. An elevated uACR can reveal kidney damage even when the eGFR is still relatively normal.

The two tests complement each other. A normal eGFR does not necessarily rule out early kidney disease, and a urine test can reveal abnormalities that a blood test alone might miss.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, a family history of kidney disease, or a previous episode of acute kidney injury should discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare providers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized this approach in its September 2025 guidance on CKD screening. Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin when there is more kidney function to preserve.

For me, this is one of the most important messages I can share: Do not wait for symptoms before asking whether your kidneys are healthy.

3. Newer Treatments: Slowing the Disease Rather Than Simply Treating Its Symptoms

There is encouraging news in kidney medicine. Researchers have developed treatments that can slow kidney function decline and reduce the risk of complications in appropriately selected patients.

These medicines do not work for everyone, and none should be started without a clinician's assessment.

SGLT2 inhibitors: A major advance

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, usually called SGLT2 inhibitors, were initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes.

Examples include dapagliflozin and empagliflozin.

Researchers subsequently discovered that these medicines can also protect the kidneys and the heart in many patients with CKD, including some who do not have diabetes.

They work partly by changing how the kidneys handle glucose and sodium and by reducing pressure inside the kidney's filtering units. In eligible patients, they can slow kidney disease progression and reduce certain cardiovascular risks.

This has been a major change in medical practice. A medicine originally developed for diabetes can have important benefits beyond blood sugar control.

However, people with advanced CKD need individualized assessment. Whether an SGLT2 inhibitor is appropriate depends on factors including the eGFR, the cause of CKD, other medications, and the person's overall condition. Some patients already taking one may continue it as kidney function declines, while starting treatment at very low eGFR levels may not be recommended under current prescribing guidance.

GLP-1 medicines: More than diabetes and weight management

Another important development involves glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, known as GLP-1 medicines.

Semaglutide is one example. It is used for type 2 diabetes and, in certain formulations and circumstances, weight management.

Clinical research has demonstrated kidney and cardiovascular benefits in selected people with type 2 diabetes and CKD. These benefits may involve improved metabolic control, reduced inflammation, lower cardiovascular risk, and effects on kidney disease progression.

The FLOW clinical trial, published in 2024, provided important evidence that semaglutide could reduce major kidney-related and cardiovascular outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes and CKD.

This is promising, but the results should not be interpreted as proof that semaglutide is appropriate for every person with kidney disease. Its potential benefits, side effects, nutritional effects, and suitability must be evaluated individually.

Finerenone: An expanding area of research

Finerenone is a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It reduces harmful mineralocorticoid signaling involved in inflammation and scarring.

It is already used to reduce kidney and cardiovascular risks in eligible patients with CKD associated with type 2 diabetes.

A particularly interesting development occurred in June 2026, when the New England Journal of Medicine published results from the FIND-CKD trial. The study found that finerenone slowed the decline in kidney filtration over 32 months in adults with CKD who did not have diabetes.

In October 2026, the FDA accepted an application seeking to expand finerenone's use to adults with CKD without diabetes. Acceptance of an application does not mean that the expanded indication has been approved.

Finerenone can increase blood potassium, sometimes dangerously. Kidney function and potassium levels therefore require careful monitoring.

These findings are encouraging because kidney disease is not always caused by diabetes. A treatment that helps people with other forms of CKD could eventually benefit a broader population.

Sources for these developments include the FLOW and FIND-CKD clinical trials and the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical guidance.

4. What About People Already in Stage 4 CKD?

This is the question that matters most personally to me.

The treatments discussed above are not cures. They are tools that may help preserve remaining kidney function, depending on the patient's circumstances.

For people with Stage 4 CKD, medical care often focuses on several priorities:

Monitoring kidney function and the rate at which it changes.
Controlling blood pressure and diabetes when present.
Reviewing medicines that may protect the kidneys or treat complications.
Managing anemia, acid-base disturbances, and abnormal potassium or mineral levels.
Adjusting nutrition and fluid intake to individual needs.
Reducing cardiovascular risks and preserving strength and quality of life.

A nephrologist may also discuss what to expect if kidney function declines further, including dialysis, transplantation when appropriate, and comprehensive conservative kidney care.

These discussions do not mean that kidney failure is inevitable in the immediate future. They help patients understand their options and make decisions before a crisis develops.

For an older adult, treatment decisions must also take account of frailty, other illnesses, independence, and personal priorities. The most appropriate plan is not necessarily the one that involves the greatest number of medicines or procedures. It is the one that best serves the individual patient.

5. Artificial Intelligence: A New Tool for Early Detection

Artificial intelligence is beginning to influence how researchers identify and manage kidney disease.

As a longtime scientist and blogger who now uses AI to help research medical topics, I find this development especially interesting.

AI systems can examine large amounts of information, including laboratory results, medical histories, medications, and patterns in electronic health records.

A conventional review might examine a patient's latest creatinine result. An AI system may be able to analyze several years of results and detect a pattern of gradual decline that deserves attention.

Researchers are investigating several potential applications.

Early-warning systems: AI may identify patients at increased risk of developing CKD or experiencing a rapid deterioration in kidney function.

Medical-image analysis: Researchers are exploring whether AI can identify signs associated with kidney disease from medical images, including ultrasound and other imaging studies.

Risk prediction: AI may help clinicians estimate the likelihood of kidney failure or complications, potentially supporting earlier referrals and better planning.

Personalized treatment: In the future, AI may help doctors compare patient characteristics and predict which treatments are most likely to provide benefits with acceptable risks.

One interesting 2026 research report examined whether deep-learning systems could identify CKD from echocardiograms, ultrasound recordings of the heart. The researchers tested their model at multiple healthcare institutions. The results suggest that heart images may contain information useful for identifying patients who could benefit from kidney evaluation.

This is an intriguing idea because the heart and kidneys are closely connected. Disease in one organ can affect the other.

However, an experimental AI model is not the same as an established diagnostic test. Most AI applications for early CKD detection still need further evaluation to demonstrate that they improve patient outcomes in everyday clinical practice.

AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment. Its predictions must be checked against reliable medical tests, and its performance must be assessed across different populations.

I see AI as a promising additional tool in the physician's toolbox—not a substitute for the physician.

6. Prevention: Protecting the Kidneys We Have

Although not every case of CKD can be prevented, many risk factors can be reduced or managed.

The following measures are especially important.

Control blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys, while kidney disease can make blood pressure harder to control. Appropriate treatment can help interrupt this cycle.

Manage diabetes. Persistently elevated blood glucose can damage the kidney's filtering structures. Individualized glucose control and kidney-protective treatment can reduce risks.

Avoid unnecessary kidney-harming medicines. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs, include ibuprofen and naproxen. These medicines can cause kidney injury, particularly in people with CKD, dehydration, or certain other medical conditions. People with kidney disease should ask their healthcare providers or pharmacists before using them.

Be cautious about supplements. Products advertised as natural or as cures for kidney disease are not necessarily safe. Certain herbs, high-dose vitamins, and supplements can cause harm or interact with prescription medicines. Claims that a product can reverse advanced CKD should be viewed skeptically unless supported by convincing clinical evidence.

Follow an appropriate diet. A kidney-friendly diet may involve limiting sodium and adjusting protein, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid intake. However, requirements differ according to laboratory results, medications, nutritional status, and CKD stage. People with advanced CKD should work with their nephrologist or a renal dietitian rather than following a restrictive diet found online.

Stay physically active within your abilities. Appropriate exercise can support cardiovascular health, mobility, and general well-being.

Avoid smoking and maintain regular medical follow-up. Smoking increases cardiovascular risks, and cardiovascular disease is closely linked to CKD.

There is no single diet, supplement, or lifestyle practice that guarantees protection against kidney disease. The goal is to reduce avoidable damage while maintaining overall health.

7. What I Have Learned From Living With CKD

My experience with CKD has reinforced something I learned during my scientific career: knowledge is valuable only when we use it wisely.

A diagnosis of Stage 4 CKD can be unsettling. It is natural to wonder how quickly the disease will progress and what the future will bring. Yet one laboratory result cannot tell the entire story. Trends over time, the underlying cause, other health conditions, and the response to treatment all matter.

I rely on the care of my nephrologist, and I believe patients should feel comfortable asking questions. What is my latest eGFR? Is there albumin in my urine? How quickly is my kidney function changing? Which medicines are appropriate for me? Are there supplements or over-the-counter drugs I should avoid?

These are practical questions, and the answers can help patients participate more actively in their care.

I also believe that patients should be cautious about promising new treatments. A laboratory experiment is not the same as a successful clinical trial. A successful clinical trial is not the same as an approved treatment. And an approved treatment is not necessarily suitable for every patient.

Having spent years working in pharmaceutical chemistry and drug regulation, I appreciate the importance of evidence, safety, and careful evaluation.

AI can help us understand complicated medical research, but it can also make mistakes. I use it as an aid to research and writing, not as a replacement for my physician.

Conclusion: Hope, Knowledge, and Living One Day at a Time

Medical science has made meaningful progress in the fight against chronic kidney disease. Better screening, kidney-protective medicines, more accurate risk prediction, and emerging AI technologies offer reasons for cautious optimism.

Yet millions of people around the world remain unaware that their kidneys are damaged. Many could benefit from simple blood and urine tests before the disease reaches an advanced stage.

For readers who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other risk factors, I encourage you to discuss kidney screening with your healthcare provider. For those already living with CKD, regular monitoring and an individualized treatment plan remain essential.

As for me, I am approaching my 92nd birthday while living with Stage 4 CKD. I cannot predict what the coming years will bring, but I can continue learning, writing, maintaining my interests, and sharing what I discover with my readers.

I am grateful that modern technology, including AI, allows me to continue researching subjects that matter to me and to communicate with people around the world.

I do not expect medical science to solve every problem. But I welcome each genuine advance that helps people preserve their health, independence, and dignity.

Perhaps the most important lesson is this: We cannot always choose the illnesses that touch our lives, but we can choose to seek knowledge, ask questions, make informed decisions, and appreciate the days we have.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and reflects my personal interest in CKD. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. People with CKD, especially Stage 4, should consult their nephrologist before changing medicines, supplements, diet, or fluid intake.

Sources for further reading

These are useful references if you would like to add links to your blog post or explore the research further.

KDIGO 2024 CKD Clinical Practice Guideline - international recommendations on detection, risk assessment, and treatment. Read the guideline.
CDC: Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease (September 2025) - explains why people at increased risk should be screened. Read the CDC guidance.
CDC
FIND-CKD trial, New England Journal of Medicine (June 2026) - research on finerenone in CKD without diabetes. Read the clinical trial.
New England Journal of Medicine
KDIGO's 2026 guideline update announcement - explains the ongoing review of newer CKD therapies. Read the announcement.
KDIGO
Research review: Artificial intelligence in CKD - discusses AI's potential and limitations in early detection and risk prediction. Read the review.
PMC

AI suggestion before publishing: Because you are writing as someone personally living with Stage 4 CKD, the strongest feature of this post is the combination of your own experience and your scientific perspective. I would retain the personal introduction and conclusion even if you later shorten the technical sections.

AI Overview:

The landscape of managing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has transformed fundamentally. Historically viewed as an inescapable, progressive decline toward dialysis, CKD treatment has shifted into an era of precision medicine and powerful protective therapies. However, because the disease remains a global health threat, recently climbing to the ninth leading cause of death worldwide early detection and foundational lifestyle habits matter more than ever.

What Has Changed: The Era of Active Protection

For decades, the standard playbook for slowing CKD was strictly limited to controlling blood pressure and managing blood sugar using basic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors. While those foundational elements remain, a modern "four-pillar" medical framework and cutting-edge transplant science have completely redefined what is clinically possible.

1. The "Four-Pillar" Therapeutic Framework

Nephrologists now deploy a synergistic combination of medications that actively halt tissue damage and shield both the heart and kidneys:

SGLT2 Inhibitors: Originally developed for type 2 diabetes (such as Jardiance and Farxiga), these medications have become a cornerstone of CKD care. They reduce pressure inside the kidney’s filtering units and significantly slow the progression of kidney decline, regardless of whether a patient has diabetes.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Drugs like Ozempic are widely recognized for metabolic health, but clinical evidence shows they also offer profound, independent anti-inflammatory and protective benefits for the kidneys.
Non-Steroidal MRAs: Medications like Finerenone target specific pathways to directly reduce inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) in the kidneys, filling a critical gap in traditional care.
Traditional RAS Blockade: ACE inhibitors or ARBs continue to serve as the baseline pillar for blood pressure and protein stabilization.

2. Precision Therapeutics for Rare Diseases

Instead of treating all kidney issues with broad immunosuppressants, targeted treatments have arrived for specific, high-risk conditions:

C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G): Targeted complement inhibitors like iptacopan (Fabhalta) are available to directly reduce proteinuria.
IgA Nephropathy (IgAN): Therapies such as atacicept-vymj (Trutakna) target underlying biological pathways to prevent disease progression in at-risk adults.

3. High-Tech and Xenotransplantation Frontiers

When the disease reaches advanced stages, options extending beyond human-to-human organ donation are rapidly transitioning from science fiction to clinical reality:

Xenotransplantation: Successful bridge procedures utilizing genetically modified pig kidneys have cleared the path for large-scale clinical trials.
Cellular and Artificial Tech: Researchers are actively evaluating engineered CAR-T therapies to solve complex transplant rejection issues, alongside ongoing developments in artificial kidney technology.

What Still Matters Most: The Unchanging Core

While modern drugs provide unprecedented tools to slow down damage, they cannot reverse established scarring. Because early-stage CKD typically presents zero visible symptoms, the most critical defense relies on proactive screening and aggressive lifestyle management.

+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

|                           THE CKD SURVEILLANCE PAIR                             |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

| 1. eGFR (Blood Test)               | Measures how efficiently your kidneys      |
|                                    | filter waste products.             |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

| 2. uACR (Urine Test)               | Checks for micro-amounts of albumin        |
|                                    | (protein) leaking through filters. |
+------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

1. Knowing the Triggers and Intervening Early

The primary drivers of kidney damage have not changed. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high body mass index (BMI) remain responsible for the vast majority of cases. If you have any of these risk factors, routine blood and urine checks are non-negotiable.

2. Radical Cardiovascular Protection

The kidneys and the cardiovascular system are inextricably linked. Having impaired kidney function is a massive accelerator for vascular issues, contributing to roughly 12% of global cardiovascular mortality. Aggressively managing blood pressure (ideally keeping it under 130/80 mmHg) and controlling cholesterol are vital to protecting both your heart and your filters.

3. Foundations of a Kidney-Friendly Lifestyle

Pharmaceuticals work best when paired with an intentional physical routine:

Plant-Predominant Nutrition: Emphasizing whole-food, plant-heavy diets reduces the acid load on the kidneys and simplifies the management of phosphorus and fluid balances.
Careful Electrolyte Monitoring: Tracking and regulating the intake of sodium, phosphorus, and potassium prevents dangerous metabolic complications as kidney function declines.
Consistent Activity:Combining low-impact cardiovascular movement with light strength training optimizes blood pressure control, improves systemic circulation, and preserves physical mobility
My Photo of the Day- Halloween Candy Treat from my Neighbor
Thank You Sandi G, for your thoughtfulness. Happy Treat or Trick!

Some Photos from Our Halloween Happy Hour This Afternoon

2026-10-30T22:06:51.555-07:00

This year Halloween Happy Hour and Costume Contest was a bewitching success. The winner of the Costume Contest ( for residents ) was Minoo Farvar dressed as a witch. The winner for the employees was Veronica Arriaga dressed as a Grecian Goddess-Athena. Jenny S took my picture along with Veronica as follows:

I wore my Hairy T-Shirt during the Party. My shirt received a few Ah's and Oh's from the Ladies.

The music was provided by my favorite music Guru-Alek the Russian dressed as the Devil with his two red horns. I enjoyed Alek's music very very much, we even sing some of the songs along with him. Alek sang Falling In Love, which made Mary Ann D super happy.

At the party, the Employee of the Month was won by Sean ( one of our Drivers).

I had a chance to dance the Cha Cha with Marsha. For some reasons, my legs were not aching. I attributed this to my one hour massage by Indy ( Darry Choy) in the morning.

Incidentally, I feel asleep during my one -hour massage this morning before the Happy Hour.

Before the Party, I took two Selfies featuring my Hairy T-shirt , I purchased from Amazon just a couple days ago as follows:

Jenny took a few more pictures that I am posting as follows:

Look at the Witch ( Winner) at the Back of Our Table.

Mary Ann D and I enjoying the Happy Hour. Showing off my Hairy Chest!

More Dancing Photos with Marsha K.

Thanks a Million to Jenny S, our Acting General Manager for the beautiful Photos above.

Kudos to THD and Activity Director Alexis Jones for a well-planned and super successful Halloween Party and Happy Hour. I did not win the Candy Counting Contest nor the Picking Up small pumpkins and witch hats lottery.

After the Happy Hour, Mary Ann and I along with Bill Obenchain ( My neighbor) went to Dinner. I ordered the Halloween Dinner ( see Menu below). I enjoyed the Rhubarb Pie but not the Soup. I rather have Beef Nilaga or Pork Sinigang. But I am a super minority here at THD, being the only resident with Filipino ancestry out of over 160 seniors. Thus, I am happy even if we have only a Filipino dinner once a year during the Celebration of Filipino-American History Month on October every year.

Our Next Big Event Here at THD will be the Coming Thanksgiving Dinner. Looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, here's my Photo of the Day:

The Rebel with a Cause: An Introduction to Albert Camus

2026-10-30T09:40:39.593-07:00

This posting is inspired from my recent viewing of the movie, the Stranger based on one of Albert Camus literary work that I enjoyed very much. If you have heard of Albert Camus before, I salute you. You must be someone who has knowledge of world literature. Camus won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957.

The Rebel with a Cause: An Introduction to Albert Camus

Have you ever looked out at the vastness of the universe and wondered, What is the point of it all?

If you have, you are in excellent company. Decades ago, a brilliant, charismatic writer from North Africa asked the exact same question. His name was Albert Camus, and today he remains one of the most widely read, captivating, and misunderstood thinkers of the modern era.

If you are discovering his name for the very first time, here is a journey into the life, the passion, and the timeless literature of a man who looked deep into the dark void of human existence and told us to smile anyway.

The Boy from Algiers: A Life of Poverty and Passion

Albert Camus was born in 1913 in Mondovi, Algeria, into a world of extreme hardship. His father was killed in World War I when Albert was just an infant, leaving his mother, who was deaf and illiterate, to raise him in a dirt-poor neighborhood of Algiers.

By all accounts, Camus should have slipped into historical obscurity. But life had other plans. Blessed with an incredible mind, a passionate love for soccer, and the guidance of an intuitive schoolteacher who recognized his genius, Camus earned a scholarship to study philosophy.

His life was a whirlwind of dramatic chapters:

The Resistance Fighter: During World War II, when Nazi forces occupied France, Camus joined the underground French Resistance. He became the editor-in-chief of Combat, a banned, highly dangerous underground newspaper, using his pen to fight tyranny.
The Rock-Star Intellectual: With his sharp trench coats, movie-star looks (often compared to Humphrey Bogart), and fierce independence, he became an overnight celebrity in Paris.
The Nobel Laureate: In 1957, at the young age of 44, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, cementing his status as a global voice for justice and human dignity.

Tragically, just three years after winning the Nobel Prize, Camus’s life was cut short in 1960 when he died in a sudden, catastrophic car accident in France. In his briefcase, authorities found the unfinished manuscript of his final, deeply personal autobiographical novel.

✨ Shareable Quote: "In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer."

The Core Idea: What is "The Absurd"?

To understand Camus's books, you only need to understand one word: The Absurd.

Camus argued that humans have a desperate, natural desire for meaning, order, and purpose. However, the universe is cold, silent, and completely indifferent to us. This collision, the human scream for meaning meeting a silent universe, is what Camus called "the Absurd."

Many thinkers of his time thought this realization should lead to despair or giving up. Camus fiercely disagreed. He believed that recognizing life’s meaninglessness is actually the ultimate freedom. Once you realize the universe isn’t going to hand you a purpose, you are entirely free to create your own meaning through love, art, solidarity, and passion.

✨ Shareable Quote: "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."

3 Essential Masterpieces to Start With

If you want to dive into Camus's brilliant literary world, here are the three essential works that shook the world:

1. The Stranger (1942)

The Premise: This short, haunting novel follows a detached French-Algerian clerk named Meursault. When his mother dies, he doesn't cry. Shortly after, on a blindingly hot beach, he shoots an Arab man for reasons he cannot fully explain.
Why it matters: The book isn't really about the crime; it's about the trial. The court sentences Meursault to death not just because of the murder, but because society is terrified of a man who refuses to play along with social games or lie about his feelings. It is a gripping study of isolation and authenticity.

2. The Myth of Sisyphus (1942)

The Premise: In this famous philosophical essay, Camus uses an old Greek myth to explain his worldview. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to push a massive boulder up a mountain, only to watch it roll back down to the bottom for all eternity.
Why it matters: Camus looks at this endless, meaningless labor and asks: How do we survive this? His answer is revolutionary. Sisyphus conquers his punishment simply by choosing to walk back down the mountain and push the rock again with a defiant smile.

✨ Shareable Quote: "One must imagine Sisyphus happy."

3. The Plague (1947)

The Premise: A terrifying outbreak of the bubonic plague hits a coastal Algerian city, forcing the gates to close and plunging the citizens into a strict, terrifying lockdown.
Why it matters: Written as an allegory for the Nazi occupation of Europe, this epic novel tracks how different people respond to a collective crisis. While some panic or exploit the situation, a quiet doctor named Bernard Rieux risks everything to treat the sick, simply because it is the right thing to do. It is a beautiful masterpiece about human solidarity, decency, and our duty to fight against suffering, even when the odds are stacked against us.

Why Camus Matters Today

Albert Camus didn't sit in an ivory tower writing abstract theories. He lived, loved, fought in revolutions, and wrote for everyday people. He reminds us that even when the world feels chaotic, fractured, or deeply unfair, our greatest rebellion is to live honestly, love deeply, and stand up for one another.

✨ Shareable Quote: "Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

Have you read any of Camus's works, or watched any of their film adaptations? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Here's one of his popular book, the Rebel available for $490.

https://www.biblio.com/book/rebel-camus-albert-read-herbert/d/1380795149?srsltid=AYCX9vK4lL_TlHQoqJyBPT5161bR4PLpY-aeVsJ6cremkZwOLp-KO0zb

Here are several of Albert Camus’s other literary works that have been adapted into films over the decades besides the Stranger (2025):

Literary Work	Film Adaptation(s)	Current US Streaming Status
The Plague(La Peste)	The Plague (1992): Directed by Luis Puenzo, starring William Hurt, Robert Duvall, and Raul Julia.	📺 Available to stream on Netflix. (Note: It is no longer available on Prime Video or Google Play).
The Guest(L'Hôte)	Far from Men (2014): A widely acclaimed French drama inspired by his short story, starring Viggo Mortensen.	🔍 Not currently available on major subscription platforms; check VOD storefronts like Apple TV or Amazon for digital rental availability.
The First Man (Le Premier Homme)	The First Man (2011): An autobiographical adaptation directed by Gianni Amelio, covering Camus's childhood in Algeria.	🔍 Digital availability varies; occasionally streams on specialized international platforms or Kanopy depending on library access.

A Lesson from My Two Cats- Batman and Robin

2026-10-29T10:22:59.626-07:00

Batman and Robin: Two Cats, Two Personalities, Just Like People

I have two pet cats named Batman and Robin. I adopted them when they were only three months old. At that age, they looked like brothers, and I thought they would grow up to be much alike. But as I watched them grow, I discovered that they had very different personalities.

Today, Batman and Robin remind me that animals, like human beings, have their own individual temperaments, habits, and ways of expressing themselves.

Two Cats, Two Different Personalities

Batman is the bigger of the two cats. You might think that his size would make him the boss of the household. Surprisingly, that is not the case. Robin, who is smaller, dominates Batman!

Robin is the more vocal of the two. He mews frequently, especially when he wants attention. He seems to enjoy reminding me that he is there and expects me to respond. If cats could talk, I suspect Robin would have plenty to say.

Batman, on the other hand, seldom mews. He is more independent and does not demand my attention as much as Robin does. He seems content to do his own thing without constantly asking me to notice him.

Their sleeping arrangements also reflect their different personalities. Robin sleeps on my bed, close to me, while Batman prefers the chair near my bed.

Both cats share the same bedroom, but each has chosen his own place. Robin seems to prefer being close to his human companion, while Batman appears comfortable keeping a little distance.

Of course, I cannot know exactly what goes on in their minds. But after living with them, I have come to appreciate their different ways of expressing themselves.

Cats Are Like People

Watching Batman and Robin has made me think about the differences among human beings.

Some people are like Robin. They are outgoing, talkative, and eager for companionship. They enjoy conversations and social gatherings. They want to share their thoughts and feelings, and they appreciate knowing that someone is listening.

Other people are more like Batman. They are quieter, more independent, and comfortable with their own company. They may not express their feelings as openly, but that does not necessarily mean they care any less about others.

We should not assume that a quiet person is unfriendly or that a talkative person is demanding. People simply have different ways of expressing affection, friendship, and their need for companionship.

I have observed these differences throughout my life, both in my professional career and in my personal relationships. Some colleagues were outspoken, while others preferred to listen before speaking. Some friends enjoyed being surrounded by people, while others were happiest in smaller gatherings.

Neither personality was automatically better than the other. What mattered was how we treated one another.

Why Must Everyone Be the Same?

One lesson I have learned in my nearly 92 years is that we sometimes make the mistake of expecting other people to behave as we do.

We may wonder why someone is so quiet, why another person talks so much, or why a friend prefers solitude instead of joining a group activity. We sometimes judge people without understanding their personalities or circumstances.

Perhaps we would get along better if we accepted that differences are a natural part of life.

Even Batman and Robin, who grew up together and share the same home, have their own preferences. Robin wants more attention, while Batman is content with less. Yet both have a place in my life.

The same principle applies to families, friendships, and communities. We do not have to share the same interests, habits, or personalities to live together peacefully. We only need a little patience, understanding, and respect.

A Lesson from Two Cats

As I grow older, I find that some of life's simplest lessons come from ordinary experiences. We do not always need a scientific study or a complicated philosophy to remind us of something important.

Sometimes, all we need to do is observe the creatures around us.

Batman teaches me that independence and quiet companionship have their own value. Robin reminds me that asking for attention and expressing affection can also bring warmth into a home.

I love them both, even though they are so different.

Perhaps that is the lesson. Love does not require everyone to behave alike. It requires us to recognize and appreciate each individual for who he or she is.

If we could extend that understanding to our fellow human beings, our families might be happier, our friendships stronger, and our communities more peaceful.

A Final Thought

Batman and Robin are only two cats, but they remind me of something I have learned over a long lifetime: we do not have to be alike to live together, and we do not have to understand every difference to show kindness.

After all, the world would be a rather dull place if every cat and every person had the same personality.

At nearly 92, I am still learning from life. Sometimes, my teachers have four legs, whiskers, and very different ideas about where to sleep.

AI Impressions on this Posting:

I think the final line gives this post a personal touch that your worldwide readers may remember. It connects your experience of aging with the gentle humor of living with Batman and Robin, while keeping the message universal: we can love and respect one another without being alike.

Meanwhile, Do You Know that.....
On December 20, 1906, fifteen young men from Ilocos stepped off the SS Doric in Honolulu. They were the first Filipino sakadas recruited to work Hawaii's sugar plantations, and about 125,000 Filipinos followed over the next four decades.

Hawaii still marks Sakada Day every December 20 ( my birthday)

Finally, Today, October 29 is National Cat Day

We Have Far More than Five Senses- Early Signs of Dementia

2026-10-29T09:52:18.381-07:00

As I grow older, I become more fascinated by the human body and the remarkable things it can do without our even thinking about them.

For most of my life, I was taught that human beings have five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

I suspect most of us learned the same thing in elementary school.

But recently, I came across an interesting article about our senses, and it made me realize that what I learned as a young student was only the beginning. Modern science tells us that the human body has many more sensory systems than the traditional five. Depending on how scientists classify them, we may have dozens of different senses.

That discovery fascinated me.

After all, I have spent much of my life as a scientist. I earned my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago, and throughout my career I learned to appreciate how extraordinarily complicated and beautifully organized, the human body really is.

The more I learn about it, the more I realize that we are walking around every day carrying one of the most sophisticated biological systems ever created.

THE FIVE SENSES WE KNOW

Let us begin with the familiar and the traditional five.

Sight allows us to see the world around us through our eyes.

Hearing allows us to detect sound, from a friend's voice to music, birds singing, or the sound of rain.

Smell allows us to detect chemicals in the air. It can bring back memories surprisingly quickly. Sometimes one particular smell can transport me back many decades to my childhood in the Philippines.

Taste allows us to distinguish sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami flavors. For someone like me who enjoys food tasting journeys, this is certainly one of my favorite senses!

And then there is touch, which allows us to feel pressure, texture and contact with objects around us.

These five senses are so familiar that we tend to think they represent the complete story.

They don't.

THE SENSE OF BALANCE

One of the senses that we rarely think about is our vestibular sense.

This is the sensory system that helps us maintain balance and understand the orientation of our body in relation to gravity.

Deep inside our inner ear are structures that detect movement and changes in the position of our head.

Think about what happens when you stand up, walk across a room, turn your head, climb stairs or suddenly change direction.

Your brain is constantly receiving information about your body's movement and position.

You don't have to consciously tell your body:

"I am leaning to the left. Please correct yourself." It happens automatically.

As someone who has grown older, I have become much more aware of the importance of balance. When we are young, we take it for granted. As we age, however, maintaining balance becomes increasingly important.

That makes me appreciate this hidden sense even more.

PROPRIOCEPTION-KNOWING WHERE YOUR BODY IS

Another fascinating sense is called proprioception.

It is sometimes described as our body's sense of position.

Close your eyes and raise your hand.

You probably know exactly where your hand is, even though you cannot see it. How?

Your muscles, tendons and joints contain sensory receptors that continuously provide your brain with information about the position and movement of your body.

This allows you to walk without staring at your feet.

It allows me to reach for something on a table without having to calculate the exact position of my arm.

It is almost like having an internal GPS system for the body.

We rarely appreciate it because it works so quietly.

THERMOCEPTION- FEELING TEMPERATURE

We also have thermoception, our ability to sense temperature.

When you touch a cup of hot coffee, your body knows that it is hot.

When you step outside on a cold winter morning, your skin immediately tells your brain that the temperature has changed.

Special sensory receptors detect temperature changes and send signals to the nervous system.

Again, we normally don't think about this process.

We simply experience: "It's hot." Or: "It's cold."

But behind that simple experience is an extraordinary biological system.

NOCICEPTION-THE SENSE OF PAIN

Perhaps one of our least appreciated, but most important senses is nociception, the detection of potentially damaging stimuli that we experience as pain.

Nobody enjoys pain. But pain serves an extremely important purpose.

If you accidentally touch something very hot, pain tells you to move your hand away.

If you injure yourself, pain tells you that something is wrong.

Pain is essentially an alarm system.

Imagine what life would be like if our bodies could be injured but could not warn us.

Pain may be unpleasant, but it is one of the body's most important protective mechanisms.

HUNGER, THIRST AND MORE

And the list goes on. Our bodies can sense hunger and fullness, helping regulate how much we eat.

We have mechanisms that detect thirst and fluid balance.

We have systems that monitor blood pressure, blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and the chemistry of our internal environment.

Our bodies can sense the stretching of our lungs, stomach and other organs.

Our brains constantly receive information from inside our bodies—a collection of sensory information sometimes described as interoception.

In other words, we don't only sense the outside world. We also sense ourselves.

That is an idea worth thinking about.

OUR BODIES ARE CONSTANTLY TALKING TO OUR BRAINS

When I think about all these different sensory systems, I realize how much information is flowing through my body every second.

My eyes are collecting information about light and movement.

My ears are detecting sounds. My skin is detecting pressure and temperature.

My muscles and joints are reporting where my arms and legs are. My inner ear is monitoring balance.

My internal organs are sending information about what is happening inside my body.

And somehow, the brain receives, interprets and coordinates all of this information—often without our conscious awareness.

We simply go about our daily lives. We walk. We eat. We talk. We sleep. We play cards.

We enjoy music. We watch television. We smell flowers. We taste our favorite foods.

And underneath all of these ordinary activities is an incredibly complicated sensory network.

BRIDGE GIVES ME AN INTERESTING EXAMPLE

My many years of playing Bridge provide me with an interesting way to think about this.

When I sit down at the Bridge table, I am using much more than my eyes.

I listen carefully to what my partners and opponents say.

I watch their cards and movements. I handle the cards with my fingers.

I remember the cards that have already been played. I judge distances and positions.

I maintain my balance while sitting and moving around.

My brain is combining information from several sensory systems while simultaneously using memory, reasoning and probability.

Bridge is sometimes described as a game of skill and luck. I agree.

But perhaps we should also recognize that it is a wonderful exercise in human perception and cognition.

WHAT ABOUT AGING?

Learning about our many senses also makes me think about growing older.

At 91, I am much more conscious of things that I simply took for granted when I was young.

Balance matters. Walking safely matters. Being able to see and hear clearly matters.

Feeling temperature matters. Being aware of where my body is in space matters.

Our senses are not merely ways of experiencing the world. They are also essential to our independence.

This is why I believe that staying physically and mentally active is important as we grow older.

Walking, exercising, playing Bridge and Mahjong, socializing, learning new things and continuing to challenge the brain are all ways of keeping ourselves engaged with the world around us.

THE MIRACLE OF ORDINARY LIFE

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about our senses is that we rarely notice them.

We don't wake up in the morning and say: "Thank goodness my proprioception is working today!"

We simply get out of bed and walk. We don't sit down for breakfast and marvel at our taste receptors.

We simply enjoy our food. We don't think about our vestibular system when we turn our head.

We simply keep our balance. We don't think about nociception until something hurts.

That is perhaps the greatest lesson. Some of the most extraordinary things happening in our lives are the things we don't notice.

For me, learning that human beings may have far more than five senses is another reminder of how little we sometimes appreciate the miracle of being alive.

From my childhood in the Philippines to my years at the University of the Philippines and the University of Illinois, through my scientific career in pharmaceutical research and my many years in America, I have spent much of my life learning about the world.

But at 91, I am still learning something new about myself.

And perhaps that is one of the great privileges of growing older.

We continue to learn. We continue to wonder. We continue to be surprised.

So the next time someone tells you that human beings have only five senses, remember:

There is much more to the story. Our eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin are only the beginning.

Our bodies are constantly sensing movement, balance, temperature, pain, pressure, position, hunger, thirst and countless signals from inside and outside ourselves.

We are, in a very real sense, living, sensing human beings.

And that, to me, is something worth appreciating every day.

My Feedback: The draft is perfectly written. Your example on my use of the senses in playing bridge resonated with me because what you drafted are exactly what I have been doing for many years of bridge playing. Again thank you for this beautiful draft on the Senses.

AI Overview:

WE HAVE FAR MORE THAN FIVE SENSES

You are absolutely right: the idea that humans only have five senses is a massive underestimation. While the "traditional five" (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) dates all the way back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, modern neuroscience recognizes anywhere from 22 to over 33 distinct senses depending on how you define them.

Scientists define a "sense" as a system consisting of sensory cell types that respond to a specific physical phenomenon. When we break down how our bodies actually navigate the world and monitor our internal states, the list grows significantly.

The "Hidden" Somatic Senses

These are the everyday physical senses that operate constantly in the background, entirely separate from the basic sense of touch:

Proprioception (Body Awareness): The "internal GPS" that allows you to know exactly where your limbs are without looking. It's how you can scratch your nose in pitch-black darkness or walk up stairs without staring at your feet.
Vestibular Sense (Equilibrioception / Balance): Coordinated by liquid-filled canals in your inner ear, this tells your brain about gravity, acceleration, and motion. It keeps you upright and prevents you from tipping over.
Thermoception (Temperature): Separate from mechanical touch, specialized thermoreceptors in your skin detect changes in heat and cold.
Nociception (Pain): A dedicated warning system consisting of nerve endings that register mechanical, thermal, or chemical tissue damage.

Interoception: Tracking the Internal World

Interoception is the comprehensive category for how you sense your internal body chemistry and organ states. This includes receptors that signal when you are out of breath, when your blood pressure drops, when you are hungry or thirsty, or when you have a full bladder.

Splitting the Basics

Neuroscientists also point out that even the "traditional five" can be split into independent senses:

Vision relies on entirely distinct receptors for light intensity (rods) and color wavelength (cones).
Taste is driven by five completely separate receptor categories (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami).

Ultimately, our brains seamlessly blend these dozens of inputs into what feels like a unified experience, which is why the myth of the basic five has persisted for so long

Finally, here are the 10 early signs of Dementia:

Early signs of dementia can vary from person to person, but here are 10 common ones to look out for:

Memory loss: Forgetting recent events, learning new information, or recalling familiar words and names. Repeating a sentence or phrases without knowing it.

Communication and language: Difficulty finding the right words, following conversations, or understanding written or spoken language.

Disorientation: Trouble understanding time and place, getting lost in familiar places, or difficulty navigating.

Mood changes: Becoming easily agitated, anxious, or depressed, which can be triggered by memory loss or confusion.

Personality changes: Showing rapid mood swings, becoming passive, or suspicious.

Difficulty with problem-solving: Trouble with abstract thinking, making decisions, or judging time and space.

Motor function changes: Difficulty with coordination, balance, or movement.

Misplacing items: Frequently losing items or being unable to recall where they were placed.

Changes in daily tasks: Difficulty with everyday tasks like managing finances, taking medication, or performing self-care.

Vision and spatial issues: Trouble with depth perception, judging distances, or understanding visual information.

If you experience any of the above 10 items recently, consult your physician right away!

The Historic Manila Hotel and Its Buffet Offerings

2026-10-28T16:48:20.647-07:00

This article was inspired from my recent readings on the most expensive Place in Manila for All You Can Eat Buffet for P4,000-5000 per Person.

Dining with Relatives in The Manila Hotel, 1970 ( Macrine and I with the 4D's)

The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. William Howard Taft created an urban plan for the city of Manila. He hired Architect Daniel Hudson Burnham who drafted a wide and long tree-lined boulevard that would begin at the park where the end of the bay would be dominated by a magnificent hotel. To execute Burnham’s plans, Taft hired William E. Parsons, a New York city architect, who envisioned an impressive, comfortable hotel which he patterned along the lines of Californian mission style architecture. ( From the Hotel website)

The historic Manila Hotel has seen the Filipino through the best and the most challenging times. Its rich heritage is intertwined with the country’s history, and the identity of the city it lives in.

On July 4, 1912, The Manila Hotel first opened its doors to the public, as announced on the pages of what was then known as Manila Daily Bulletin. A sprawling property located in the heart of Manila, the country’s first ever five-star hotel became the address of prominence visited by the most illustrious of guests.

The hotel has served as witness to how the city has suffered so much damage during the outbreak of World War II under the Japanese invasion. It also served as the official residence of General Douglas MacArthur and his family. It is also known as the “Address of Prestige” in the Far East to prominent people–presidents, royalties, public figures, and celebrities–as well as other discerning guests.

As the “true heart of the Philippines,” the hotel also helped the city in its effort to rebuild itself and establish the city as a major economic center in the Pacific region. More than a century later, Manila Hotel’s stories continue to evoke nostalgia from people of all ages who remember the hotel as its different stages.

Today, the hotel takes pride in having its own character, which is uniquely Filipino. We have remained to be one of the most recognizable and celebrated hotels. We began welcoming guests in 1912. Our distinctive blend of history, luxury and genuine Filipino hospitality has made us a word-of-mouth across the globe. We continue that legacy with an unmatched selection of accommodations, activities and experiences that invite guests to immerse themselves in the beauty and traditions of the Filipino people. Come celebrate with us and discover the most historical hotel in Manila.

AI Overview:

THEN: 

1930s: Manila Hotel -built in 1912, the most luxurious hotel in Asia! This is where General Douglas MacArthur (Penthouse suite!) lived, Ernest Hemingway, and the Beatles stayed! White Mission-style, palm trees at Luneta, vintage sedans, everyone dressed in suits- the golden age of Manila!

NOW 2026:

STILL GRAND!  Same iconic white facade, green roof restored, PH flags waving, vintage car exhibit in front! Sunset orange at Manila Bay, tourists all taking pictures in the lobby where history happened!  1912 → 1945 MacArthur left “I shall return” → 1945 burned in war → 1970s Marcos restored → 2026 113 years old, still 5-star!

The Manila Hotel opened on July 4, 1912, as the Philippines' oldest premier five-star luxury hotel.

Origins and Early Years (1898–1935)

Urban Planning: Judge William Howard Taft and architect Daniel Hudson Burnham designed a master city plan for Manila that called for a grand hotel overlooking Manila Bay.

California Mission Style: Architect William E. Parsons designed the original H-shaped, five-story white building with green-tile roofs.

Grand Opening: It officially opened on American Independence Day in 1912 with a gala dinner for 400 guests.

World War II and the MacArthur Era (1935–1945)

General MacArthur's Home: From 1935 to 1941, General Douglas MacArthur lived in a custom penthouse suite at the hotel while serving as Military Advisor to the Philippine Commonwealth.

Japanese Occupation: Japanese forces occupied the hotel and used it as a military headquarters for over three years.

Destruction: The building suffered severe damage and caught fire during the 1945 Battle of Manila as Allied forces liberated the city.

Reconstruction and Modern Expansion (1945–Present)

Post-War Rebuilding: The hotel underwent extensive post-war reconstruction to restore its historic stature.

The 1970s Tower: A major renovation and high-rise tower addition in the late 1970s—designed by Leandro Locsin—expanded its capacity and added modern rooms.

Centennial & Landmark Status: The hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012 following a comprehensive multi-year refurbishment, cementing its legacy as a national historic landmark.

My Photo of the Day:Miag-ao Church, Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines

Miagao Church in Iloilo took ten years to build, from 1787 to 1797, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 11, 1993. Made of adobe, limestone, and coral in a Baroque-Romanesque style, it is dedicated to Saint Thomas of Villanova. Its two belfries doubled as watchtowers against Moro raids, and the facade shows Saint Christopher in local dress beside a coconut tree of life.

An Unusual Film That Made Me Think- The Stranger, 2025

2026-10-28T09:32:18.539-07:00

I recently watched The Stranger (L'Étranger), a 2025 French film written and directed by François Ozon. It is based on the famous 1942 novel by Albert Camus, a French-Algerian writer and philosopher.

I found this film unusual, but I enjoyed watching it. It is not the kind of movie that gives you an easy story, clear answers, or a happy ending. Instead, it leaves you with questions about human behavior, life, death, and the meaning of our existence.

A Man Who Does Not React Like Other People

The story takes place in Algeria during the period of French colonial rule. The main character, Meursault, is a young Frenchman who seems emotionally detached from the world around him.

When his mother dies, he does not show the sadness that other people expect. He continues with his ordinary life, including his relationship with a young woman named Marie. He appears to have little interest in career advancement or the ambitions that motivate many people.

Later, Meursault kills an Algerian man on a beach. He is arrested and put on trial. What makes the story especially disturbing is that the court seems concerned not only with the killing but also with Meursault's failure to show the emotions society expects from him.

The film asks us to consider an uncomfortable question: Are people judged only for what they do, or are they also judged for failing to behave as others believe they should?

Why I Found This Film Unusual

One thing that caught my attention was the film's black-and-white photography. Rather than making the story look old-fashioned, it gives the scenes a stark beauty. The bright sun, the sea, the streets of Algiers, and the faces of the characters become part of the storytelling.

The acting is also unusual. Meursault does not express his feelings in the familiar way we expect from a leading character. At times, it is difficult to know what he is thinking. We may feel uncomfortable with him, but we cannot easily look away.

This is not a movie that tells us what to think. It asks us to observe, reflect, and make our own judgments.

I believe that is one reason I enjoyed it. Even at nearly 92, I appreciate a film that challenges me to think rather than simply entertains me.

What Does It Mean for Life to Be Absurd?

Albert Camus is associated with a philosophical idea called the absurd. In simple terms, it describes the conflict between our human desire to find meaning in life and a world that does not always provide clear answers.

We want to understand why good people suffer, why some people die young while others live to an advanced age, and why events sometimes seem to happen without a reason that we can understand.

Camus explored these questions through his writing. Meursault represents an extreme example of a person who does not follow society's usual expectations about grief, love, ambition, and religion.

However, I do not believe that accepting life's uncertainties means that we should stop caring about other people. Nor does the idea that life can seem absurd excuse violence or remove our responsibility for our actions.

The killing at the center of the story remains a serious moral act, regardless of Meursault's feelings or lack of explanation.

My Reflections at Nearly 92

Having lived through almost 92 years, I have experienced a world that has changed enormously. I grew up in the Philippines during World War II, pursued my education, earned a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry, worked in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and eventually retired from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

I have also experienced the joys and sorrows of family life, including the loss of my beloved wife, Macrine, after more than 63 years of marriage.

These experiences have taught me that life cannot always be explained by logic alone. Science can help us understand many things about the physical world, but it does not answer every question about love, suffering, grief, or the purpose of our existence.

Unlike Meursault, I have found meaning in relationships, memories, service to others, my Catholic faith, and the simple pleasure of continuing to learn. Even now, I enjoy playing bridge, writing my blogs, and exploring new ideas.

I do not claim to understand every mystery of life. At my age, I have become more comfortable admitting that some questions may remain unanswered.

But I still believe that caring for others matters. The kindness we offer, the lives we touch, and the love we share are not made meaningless simply because life is uncertain.

A Catholic Perspective on the Film

As a Catholic, I see an important difference between Camus's philosophical outlook and my own understanding of life.

Camus asks us to confront the possibility that the universe does not provide the answers we seek. Catholic faith, on the other hand, teaches that life has meaning because we are created by God and called to love Him and our neighbors.

That does not mean a person of faith has an explanation for every tragedy. We may pray and still experience grief. We may believe in God's goodness and still struggle to understand suffering. Faith does not eliminate these difficulties.

For me, faith offers a way to live with these unanswered questions without giving up hope.

Meursault's confrontation with a prison chaplain near the end of the story brings this difference into focus. The question is no longer simply whether Meursault has followed society's rules. It becomes a question about death, belief, and whether he can accept a meaning beyond his own immediate experience.

Viewers will disagree about the answers. That is part of what makes the story worth discussing.

Another Question: Whose Story Are We Seeing?

There is also a historical dimension to the film that deserves attention.

The story takes place in colonial Algeria, where French settlers held power over the indigenous Algerian population. The man Meursault kills is not merely a figure in a private tragedy. He is also an Algerian whose life and identity have too often been overlooked in discussions of the original novel.

Ozon's adaptation gives greater attention to the Algerian characters, including the murdered man's sister. This encourages viewers to consider whose experiences are visible and whose voices are neglected.

It reminds us that a story can look very different when we examine it from another person's point of view.

This is a lesson that extends beyond the cinema. In our daily lives, we should be careful not to judge the world entirely through our own experiences. Other people have histories, struggles, and feelings that we may never fully understand.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed The Stranger because it was different from the usual films I watch. It was beautiful to look at, unsettling at times, and full of philosophical questions.

I would not recommend it to everyone who wants a straightforward story or a conventional ending. But for viewers who enjoy films that make them think, it is worth considering.

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I find myself reflecting more often on what gives life meaning. I have no simple formula for answering that question.

Perhaps the lesson I take from this film is that we should not expect life to provide all the answers before we begin living meaningfully.

We can acknowledge uncertainty while still choosing kindness. We can recognize suffering without losing compassion. And we can accept that we do not understand everything while remaining grateful for the time we have been given.

For me, life remains meaningful through faith, family, friendship, learning, and the opportunity to share my thoughts with readers around the world.

At nearly 92, I am still curious about the world. And I am grateful that an unusual film like The Stranger can give an old man something new to think about.

A Final Thought

Life may not answer every question we ask,

Nor make clear the purpose of each day.

But love, kindness, faith, and memories

Can give meaning to the journey along the way.

- David, at nearly 92

AI OVERVIEW:

The Stranger (L'Étranger) is a 2025 French-Belgian drama film directed by François Ozon. It is a highly acclaimed, black-and-white cinematic adaptation of Albert Camus's landmark 1942 existentialist novel.

The Stranger

Premise & Narrative Context

Set in 1930s French-colonized Algeria, the psychological drama follows Meursault (played by Benjamin Voisin), an emotionally detached office clerk. When his mother passes away, he attends her funeral but completely fails to perform or display standard societal grief. This profound indifference ripples across his everyday life, from his budding romance with Marie (Rebecca Marder) to his dynamic with shady neighbors.

Following a sequence of escalating neighborhood conflicts, Meursault commits a senseless murder, shooting an Arab man on a sun-drenched beach. During his subsequent trial, the legal system heavily scrutinizes his cold demeanor and sociopathic reaction to his mother's death. Ultimately, his explicit refusal to offer remorse or artificial excuses becomes the primary evidence used against his character, shaking the fragile fabric of colonial society.

Artistic Direction & Critical Reception

Unlike previous cinematic treatments of the novel, Ozon's version is heavily praised for its striking, sensuous monochrome cinematography and its uniquely sharp, modern anti-colonial focus. By intentionally expanding the perspectives of the colonized Algerians in the margins, the film delivers a fresh social critique alongside its core philosophical exploration of absurdism and dissociative privilege.

The film debuted in competition for the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and earned widespread critical praise, maintaining a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics celebrate it as an incredibly stylish, rich, and faithful re-reading of foundational existentialist literature.

Where to Watch

In the United States, you can find the movie playing across major digital storefronts:

Streaming Subscription: Available on Amazon Prime Video
Digital Rental ($4.99 - $5.99): Available to rent or buy via Fandango, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, and Apple TV.
Finally, My Photo of the Day: Our Younger Years

David B and Macrine J Katague, ( Framed and Photo Crystal), 1982

Four Generations, Four Hours, and a Lifetime of Love-Part 2 of 2

2026-10-27T14:34:45.504-07:00

I am the oldest generation in this photograph. Beside me is my daughter Dinah. Next is my granddaughter Elaine. In front of us is my great-grandson, Beau Joseph. By his side is his Dad, Kyle Joseph. Four generations are represented in one image below.

The Joseph Family, Dinah and I, Rohnert Park, CA, 9-2-26
September 2 was one of the happiest days of my life this year.

Dinah and I drove for several hours to visit my great-grandson, Beau Joseph, who lives with his parents in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. The Family were vacationing in Santa Rosa. After another four hours with him and his family, I drove home tired, but deeply happy and grateful.

The long drive was worth every mile. The last time I saw Beau was in October last year, when he was barely four months old. Today, at thirteen months, he has changed so much. He has begun to crawl, and his little personality is beginning to reveal itself. He looked at me with an expression that seemed to ask:

Who is this old man looking at me with such a loving gaze?

I smiled at him and called him guapito- my little handsome boy.

For a few precious minutes, I was able to hold him in my arms. I kissed him gently on the head for a few seconds. Those moments may seem small to someone else, but to me they were enormous. They filled my heart with happiness and gratitude.

I am grateful that I am still able to make the journey. I am grateful that my arms could still hold him, even if only for a short time. I am grateful that my eyes could watch him crawl and explore, and that my heart could feel the wonder of seeing another generation of our family grow before me.

Today, I was not only visiting Beau. I was reconnecting with four generations of love.

I spent time with his mother, my granddaughter Elaine; his father, Kyle Joseph, my grandson-in-law; and my daughter Dinah, Beau’s grandmother and my oldest daughter. To see all of them together reminded me that a family is not merely a collection of individuals. It is a living story, passed from one generation to the next.

When I look at the photograph, I see more than five faces. I see the passage of time. I see the continuity of love. I see the people who came before us, even though they are no longer visible in the picture. I also see the future embodied in Beau, who is only beginning his journey in this world.

Pride in a Young Family
I am also very proud of Elaine and Kyle.

About three months ago, they purchased a single-family home in a good neighborhood near Portland. They both have jobs, and through hard work, careful planning, and financial discipline, they were able to buy a home during the early years of their married life.

For young people today, this is not an easy achievement. In many parts of the United States, owning a home has become increasingly difficult for a young couple. The cost of housing is high, and the financial demands of beginning a family can be overwhelming.

That is why I admire what Elaine and Kyle have accomplished. Their new home represents more than bricks, walls, and a mortgage. It represents determination, responsibility, hope, and a place where Beau can grow.

I imagine him crawling across the floor, taking his first steps, learning new words, and gradually discovering the world around him. That home will hold many memories: birthdays, holidays, family dinners, laughter, disagreements, celebrations, and perhaps the sound of Beau calling for his parents.

A home becomes meaningful because of the life that takes place inside it.

The Gift of Being Present
We went to a Children Play Ground Nearby after Lunch to Enjoy the Sun and More Visit Time

As we grow older, we learn that happiness does not always arrive in grand or dramatic ways. Sometimes it comes quietly, in the form of a child resting in our arms. Sometimes it appears in a kiss on a small head, a curious look, or a few hours spent with people we love.

Today reminded me that presence is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another.

I could not stay for several days. I could not spend the night or watch every new milestone. I had only four hours with Beau and his family before beginning the long drive home. But those four hours were enough to fill my heart.

Time is measured by clocks, but meaningful time is measured by what remains in the heart.

The drive home left me physically tired. My body reminded me that I am no longer young. But my spirit felt renewed. I carried with me the memory of Beau’s face, his curious eyes, his developing personality, and the warmth of holding him.

I also carried gratitude for my daughter, my granddaughter, my grandson-in-law, and this beautiful child who connects us all.

A Lifetime in One Photograph

One day, Beau may look at this photograph and wonder about the old man standing beside him. Perhaps he will be told that I was his great-grandfather, that I traveled four hours to see him, and that I held him in my arms and kissed him on the head.

He may not remember this visit. He may not remember the word guapito. But I will remember it for the rest of my life.

And perhaps, many years from now, he will understand what this picture represents: four generations gathered together, briefly united by family, history, and love.

Today was only one day. It was only four hours. But sometimes four hours can contain a lifetime of love.

Personal Note: I have another great grandson, two months older than Beau. His name is Graham and the son of Dinah's son, Ian.

I have not seen him in person for a quite a while. I am hoping to see him on my 92nd Birthday this coming December 20.

Lastly, My Photo of the Day:

The jade vine, Strongylodon macrobotrys, is a leguminous vine endemic to the Philippines. Specimens were collected on Mount Makiling, Luzon, in 1841 by the United States Exploring Expedition, and Harvard botanist Asa Gray described it. Its claw-shaped turquoise flowers hang in trusses up to 3 meters long and are pollinated in the wild by a bat. On Luzon the flowers are eaten as a vegetable called tayabak.

Hara Hachi Bu: How Mindful Eating Can Combat Outsized Portions

2026-10-27T09:04:12.624-07:00

This article is inspired from my recent experience of our Dining Offerings here at THD. Several months ago, at the suggestions of several residents initiated by my blogs, THD management added in our menu the line : 1/2 servings Portions Available.

Most of the residents were happy, however a few informed me they will order full servings and will eat it all, so there will be no waste of foods.

Just recently, THD change its Menu Format, Adding a Full Page of " Always Available" and retain the 1/2 servings line on the Dinner Menu-an improvement.

However, in our Dinner Menu this week, I noticed the 1/2 servings line was omitted. Is this intentional? Will the Dinner servings be portions that seniors could consume without waste. Just curious, since the past weeks, I also observed that the servings I have experience is perfect for my needs of eating only to 80% of my Full Satisfaction, Thus this article:

Hara Hachi Bu: Finding Balance in a World of Outsized Portions

In our fast-paced, modern food culture, the finish line of a meal is almost always the same: feeling completely stuffed. But across the ocean, in the longevity hotspot of Okinawa, Japan, an ancient Confucian mantra dictates a healthier boundary. Hara Hachi Bu teaches practitioners to eat until they are only 80% full.

This simple shift from maximum capacity to light satisfaction is one of the foundational secrets to Okinawan health and longevity. However, importing this ancient wisdom into our modern lives isn't as simple as just deciding to eat less. We live in an environment that actively works against our body's natural cues, making the 80% threshold a moving target.

The Modern Dilemma: Outsized Portions vs. Ancient Wisdom

The biggest obstacle to practicing Hara Hachi Bu today is the dramatic inflation of modern portion sizes. Over the last few decades, restaurant plates, fast-food servings, and even packaged grocery items have grown exponentially. What we visually perceive as a "normal" single serving is often enough to feed two or three people.

This hyper-abundance distorts our internal baseline. When we are served an oversized plate, our psychology shifts from listening to our stomachs to finishing what is in front of us. This biological misalignment overrides our natural fullness signals, meaning that by the time we visually "clean our plate," we have long blown past the 80% mark and entered the zone of metabolic strain. To combat this, we must shift our focus away from the size of the plate and back to the physical sensations within our bodies.

Practical Tips to Master the 80% Threshold

Transitioning to mindful eating requires resetting your relationship with satiety. Here are practical, actionable strategies to help you recognize and honor your 80% limit:

Embrace the 20-minute delay. It takes roughly 20 minutes for your stomach to chemically signal your brain that it is full. If you eat quickly, you will hit 100% capacity before your brain even registers that you’ve started. Slow your pace, chew thoroughly, and give your internal communication system time to catch up.
Downsize your dinnerware. Trick your brain by using smaller plates and bowls. A portion that looks meager on a massive restaurant-sized plate looks abundant on a smaller salad plate. This satisfies your visual hunger before you even take your first bite.
Assess your hunger mid-meal. Halfway through your food, pause for a moment. Put down your utensils, take a breath, and ask yourself where you land on a scale from 1 to 10. If you no longer feel empty but aren't quite heavy yet, you are approaching the 80% sweet spot.
Reframe leftovers as a win. Remove the societal guilt of leaving food on your plate. Instead of viewing leftovers as a chore, see them as a gift to your future self—a free, effortless lunch for tomorrow that spared your body from unnecessary digestive stress today.
Eliminate digital distractions. Eating while scrolling on a phone, watching television, or working at a desk blindsides your awareness. When your mind is fully occupied elsewhere, your hand will mindlessly move food to your mouth long after your body has had enough.

By actively dialing back our intake and resisting the pressure of modern portion sizes, we can reclaim control over our health. Hara Hachi Bu reminds us that true dietary abundance isn’t about eating everything available, it’s about having the clarity to stop when our body is perfectly fueled.

My Photo of the Day:

One of My Favorite Pinoy Dishes: The Dish, I will order in any Filipino Restaurant.

Finally, The biggest news stories of the day include:

Justice Department Charges James Comey Again: The U.S. Justice Department has brought a third round of criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of leaking information to the media.

Trump Administration Election & Voter Fraud Moves: President Donald Trump announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of voter fraud, while the administration is facing legal battles over efforts to block vote certification in Alaska and challenge mail-in ballots in California ahead of the midterms.

Israel Election and Regional Tensions: Israeli voters participate in high-turnout national elections with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fighting for political survival following heightened military and regional developments.

Jay-Z Super Bowl Halftime Show: Rapper Jay-Z was announced to headline the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Ares Capital Acquires MidCap Financial: In major financial news, Ares Capital Corporation agreed to acquire MidCap Financial Investment Corporation in a $2.6 billion cash-and-stock deal.

Federal Judge Blocks D.C. Golf Project Trees: U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes issued an injunction halting further tree removal and course closures at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C..

The Healing Power of the Sea- Lumpia Ubod

2026-10-26T08:57:34.164-07:00

I often wonder, why I felt good after a swim in our backyard at Chateau Du Mer Beach House in my younger days during our annual winter sojourn in Marinduque, Philippines. The following article fully explained my personal experience why I feel great after  swimming in the of ocean of the Amoingon Beach, Boac, Western Marinduque.    

Recent scientific evaluations have pointed to ocean immersion as one of the most effective natural methods for regulating the nervous system and absorbing essential minerals. This finding is shifting the perspective of modern wellness, suggesting that blue spaces offer therapeutic benefits that are often more accessible and potent than synthetic alternatives. When the body interacts with the chemical composition of seawater, it undergoes a series of physiological resets that support both physical and mental health. The approach is quickly becoming a cornerstone of environmental medicine for people seeking a natural way to manage stress and mineral deficiencies.

 Balancing the Nervous System

One of the clearest benefits of the ocean is its ability to regulate the nervous system through stimulation of the vagal pathways. Submersion in water, particularly cooler ocean water, triggers the mammalian dive reflex, which slows the heart rate. That shift moves the body from a sympathetic state of fight or flight into a parasympathetic state of rest and recovery. Cortisol levels drop, and the physical symptoms of chronic stress begin to ease almost immediately upon contact with the water.

 The Role of Marine Minerals

The ocean acts as a natural mineral bath containing high concentrations of magnesium, an element involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions. Through thalassotherapy, the skin interacts with these trace minerals, allowing a form of natural replenishment that many people prefer over standard oral supplements. The exact rate of transdermal absorption is still under study, but the effects of sea salt on muscle tension and skin health are well documented. The mineral-rich environment offers a way to support the body's internal balance without synthetic additives.

 Comprehensive Physical Advantages

The physical act of swimming or floating in the sea provides a range of health benefits that work together to improve overall vitality. These advantages come from the combination of water pressure, mineral content, and the coastal environment. Notable benefits include better skin barrier function and hydration from the high saline content, improved mood from inhaling negative ions generated by crashing waves, reduced inflammation and muscle pain from the buoyancy of saltwater, and stimulation of the lymphatic system, which aids natural detoxification.

 Embracing Blue Mind Science

Integrating regular ocean visits into a wellness routine can lead to long-term improvements in how the body handles daily stressors. By providing mineral therapy and nervous system grounding at once, the sea acts as a wellness center that is available to everyone. The approach emphasizes environmental connection in maintaining internal harmony. It encourages a shift away from synthetic solutions and back toward the elements that have supported human life for centuries .

Sources: Blue Mind: The Science of Coastal Well-Being
Marine Minerals and Human Physiology
Thalassotherapy: Ancient Practice and Modern Science

AI OVERVIEW:
Our Backyard -Chateau Du Mer Beach House and David E enjoying the Sea

The ocean offers both mental and physical health benefits through its mineral-rich water, coastal air, and soothing environment.

Physical Benefits

Mineral Absorption: Seawater contains high levels of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium. Magnesium is absorbed through the skin, helping relax muscles, support cellular energy, and aid nerve function.
Skin Health: Salt water acts as a natural exfoliant, clears excess oils, and magnesium-rich seawater can help soothe skin roughness and inflammation.
Low-Impact Movement: The buoyancy of salt water reduces stress on joints, making swimming, walking, and paddleboarding easier ways to build cardiovascular strength.

Airways and Breathing: Coastal air carries fine mineral particles and sea mist that can help keep upper airways moist. Breaking waves release negative ions that promote relaxation and clear breathing.

Mental Benefits

Stress Reduction: Simply sitting or swimming by the sea lowers cortisol levels, slows the heart rate, and shifts the nervous system out of "fight-or-flight" mode.
"Soft Fascination": The rhythmic sound of waves and expansive ocean horizons allow the brain to rest from mental fatigue, a concept explored in coastal wellness and National Geographic research.
Mood Enhancement: Time spent near blue spaces helps trigger positive brain waves and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Community Perspectives

Opinions differ on the direct medicinal effects of seawater. While many view the ocean as a natural restorative, some users on Quora note that while salt water can help clean minor surface scabs, open wounds exposed to ocean bacteria can sometimes take longer to heal.

Finally, My Photo of the Day: Lumpia Ubod

Lumpiang ubod is a Filipino appetizer of julienned heart of palm and vegetables wrapped in a thin egg crepe. It comes from Silay City in Negros Occidental, where the original version is small, finger-sized and wrapped in wax paper. It can be served fresh or deep-fried. Another of my favorite Pinoy Dish during my younger years in Iloilo, Philippines

The San Francisco 49ers Lose Their First Game of the Season

2026-10-25T14:28:47.833-07:00

A painful lesson in American football: A halftime lead does not guarantee victory

Today, October 25, 2026, was a disappointing Sunday for me as a football fan. The San Francisco 49ers, one of my favorite NFL teams, lost to the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 29–20.

What made this defeat particularly disappointing was that the 49ers were leading at halftime. They started the game well, but the Falcons gradually took control and eventually handed San Francisco its first loss of the season. Until today, the 49ers had won all six of their games.

As I watched the game, I was reminded of an important lesson in sports and perhaps in life: It is not how you start that matters most, but how you finish.

How the Game Unfolded

The 49ers started strongly. Running back Christian McCaffrey scored the team's first touchdown, and backup running back Kaelon Black added another with a 30-yard run. San Francisco built a 14–3 lead in the second quarter.

However, Atlanta fought back. The Falcons scored a touchdown and a field goal before halftime, narrowing the 49ers' lead to just two points. The halftime score was San Francisco 14, Atlanta 12.

The second half was a different story. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts and Drake London, helping the Falcons take control. Penix threw three touchdown passes during the game.

The 49ers tried to rally in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Brock Purdy connected with fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a touchdown, bringing San Francisco within six points. Unfortunately, the 49ers missed the extra-point kick.

San Francisco still had opportunities to recover, but costly mistakes hurt its chances. Purdy threw two interceptions, and the 49ers lost possession of the ball on fumbles. Atlanta took advantage of these mistakes and added a field goal to secure its 29–20 victory.

The result was a surprise. The undefeated 49ers had suffered their first defeat of the season, while the Falcons earned an important home victory.

A Simple Explanation of American Football Scoring

Some of my worldwide readers may not be familiar with American football. Unlike soccer, where each goal normally counts as one point, American football awards different numbers of points for different plays.

Here are the basic rules:

Touchdown — 6 points: A player carries the ball into the opponent's end zone or catches a pass there.
Extra point — 1 point: After a touchdown, the team usually kicks the ball through the goalposts.
Two-point conversion — 2 points: Instead of kicking, a team can try to carry or pass the ball into the end zone again.
Field goal — 3 points: If a team cannot score a touchdown, it may kick the ball through the goalposts during a play.

For example, a touchdown followed by a successful extra-point kick earns seven points. That is why football scores often look quite different from soccer scores.

A game consists of four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes of playing time in the NFL. The clock frequently stops, so a game usually takes considerably longer than one hour to watch.

Teams also have limited opportunities to advance the ball. The offense generally has four downs, or attempts, to gain at least 10 yards. If it gains those 10 yards, it earns another set of four downs. If it fails, it usually must give the ball to the opposing team.

This makes every possession important. A fumble or an intercepted pass can change the direction of a game in a matter of seconds.

What Went Wrong for the 49ers?

In my opinion, the most important factor was the number of costly turnovers. The 49ers gave the ball away four times, including two interceptions and lost fumbles. The Falcons converted these mistakes into valuable scoring opportunities.

Football is a team sport. A good offense can score many points, but the team must also protect the ball and play effective defense.

The 49ers had opportunities to win, but Atlanta made the important plays when they mattered most. The Falcons deserve credit for their victory.

There is also a concern about injuries. McCaffrey, one of San Francisco's most important offensive players, left the game temporarily with a thigh injury. His condition will be worth watching as the season continues.

My Thoughts as a Football Fan Nearing 92

At my age, I have learned not to expect every day to go according to plan. The same is true of football.

A team can dominate early and lose its advantage. A player can make a brilliant play and then make a costly mistake. Sometimes, a small detail, such as a missed kick or an intercepted pass, can determine the outcome.

I have followed sports for many years, and I still enjoy the excitement and uncertainty of watching a close game. That is part of what makes sports entertaining. We can make predictions, but we cannot know the outcome until the game is over.

I will continue cheering for the San Francisco 49ers. One defeat does not erase the team's six victories or determine what will happen during the rest of the season.

For my readers who follow soccer, basketball, cricket, or other sports, the lesson is familiar: a lead is never completely safe until the contest is finished.

And for those who do not follow American football, I hope this short explanation has made the game a little easier to understand.

Win or lose, there is always another game to watch, another lesson to learn, and another Sunday to enjoy.

At nearly 92, I am grateful that I can still follow the games, share my thoughts with readers around the world, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Go, 49ers! I hope you come back stronger in your next game.

Finally My Photos of the Day:

One of My Calamansi fruit is Ripening- getting Reading for my Calamansi-Lemonade Concoction

From My Picture Window- Can you See my Cat Robin, enjoying the warm Autumn Day here in Northern California?

I Mailed My Ballot: Should We Ask Artificial Intelligence Who to Vote For?

2026-10-25T09:37:27.876-07:00

Yesterday, I mailed my ballot. At my age, approaching 92, I no longer drive. Mailing my ballot is not simply a matter of convenience. It is a necessity that allows me to continue exercising one of my most important rights as an American citizen: the right to vote.

I live at The Heritage Downtown, a senior living community in Walnut Creek, California. Although I live alone, I am not lonely. I continue to play bridge, write my blogs, follow the news, and take an interest in what is happening in our country and around the world.

Growing older may limit some of our physical activities, but it should not mean giving up our voice in the affairs of our nation.

Today, however, two news stories caught my attention. One concerned the growing number of Americans who have already voted in the upcoming November 2026 elections. The other, reported in the news, concerned Americans turning to artificial intelligence, or AI, for help in deciding which candidates deserve their votes.

The second story made me stop and think.

How Does Voting Work in America?

For my readers outside the United States, let me briefly explain the American electoral process.

The United States is a representative democracy. Citizens who are eligible to vote choose people to represent them in government. Depending on the election, they may vote for a president, members of Congress, state officials, local leaders, judges, or other positions. They may also vote on specific proposals called ballot measures.

The United States has elections at several levels of government. Federal elections concern the national government, state elections concern individual states, and local elections may determine who governs a city, county, or school district.

In November 2026, Americans will participate in the midterm elections. These elections take place halfway through a president's four-year term. Voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and approximately one-third of the United States Senate, along with many state and local officials.

Unlike countries where elections are conducted through a single national system, American elections are administered largely by individual states and local election officials. Rules concerning voter registration, identification, mail ballots, and deadlines can therefore differ from one state to another.

There are several ways Americans can vote.

Some go to a polling place on Election Day. Others vote in person before Election Day through a process called early voting. Many voters, including senior citizens like me, use mail-in ballots.

A mail-in ballot allows an eligible voter to receive a ballot, mark the choices privately, and return it according to the state's rules. Depending on the state, it may be returned through the postal service, placed in an authorized ballot drop box, or delivered to an election office.

For people who no longer drive, have mobility difficulties, or cannot easily stand in line, voting by mail can make participation in democracy much more accessible.

I mailed my ballot yesterday because I want my voice to be heard, even though I can no longer drive myself to a polling place.

Millions of Americans Are Voting Early

News reports this week described millions of Americans already casting their ballots before Election Day.

According to a report published on October 21, approximately 14.3 million Americans had voted in the 2026 general election at that point. About 9.1 million had voted by mail and 5.2 million had voted in person before Election Day.

These figures are an early snapshot, not the final national total. They show that Americans do not all wait until Election Day to exercise their voting rights.

For me, the important point is not which candidate or political party receives the most votes. It is that citizens have an opportunity to participate in deciding the future of their country.

Democracy depends not only on the people who run for public office but also on ordinary citizens who take the time to vote.

When Artificial Intelligence Enters the Voting Booth

The other news story surprised me even more.

Some Americans are asking AI chatbots to help them decide whom to vote for. They may ask a chatbot to compare candidates, explain their positions on important issues, examine their professional backgrounds, or even recommend which candidate they should support.

A Pew Research Center survey published on October 23, 2026, offers some useful perspective. Among American adults surveyed, 8 percent said they were using AI chatbots for information related to the 2026 elections.

Among those using AI for election information, many wanted to learn where candidates stood on issues or check the accuracy of claims they had heard. Forty percent of this group said they had used chatbots for suggestions about how to make their voting choices.

These findings suggest that AI is becoming another source of election information, although most Americans are not yet using it for that purpose.

I can understand why people might turn to AI. American ballots can be complicated. A voter may face several candidates for different offices, each presenting promises and arguments. There may also be ballot measures written in language that is difficult to understand.

AI can explain unfamiliar terms, summarize a candidate's stated policies, and help compare different positions. Used carefully, it can help citizens become better informed.

But there is an important difference between asking AI to explain the choices and asking AI to make the choice for us.

I Ask AI to Help Me Write, Not to Decide My Vote

I have been using AI to help me write my blogs for readers around the world.

I write about my experiences growing up in the Philippines, my years as a pharmaceutical chemist, my late wife Macrine, my Catholic faith, aging, science, and the many changes I have witnessed during my lifetime.

Sometimes I ask AI to explain a scientific discovery in simpler language. At other times, I ask it to help organize my thoughts or make an article easier for readers whose first language is not English.

I find this particularly useful because my readers come from many countries and backgrounds. I want them to understand my stories without having to struggle with complicated English.

Nevertheless, the experiences and opinions expressed in my blogs are mine. AI can help me communicate them, but it cannot replace the memories, values, and personal reflections that make them my own.

The same principle applies to voting.

I would ask AI to explain a candidate's position, but I would not ask AI to tell me whom to vote for. Why?

Because voting is not merely a mathematical exercise in which a computer compares several names and announces a winner. It is a personal decision involving our values, our experiences, our hopes for the future, and our understanding of the responsibilities of government.

Two intelligent people can examine the same facts and reach different conclusions. One may place greater importance on the economy, another on health care, and another on education, immigration, the environment, or the country's international responsibilities.

There is no reason to assume that an AI chatbot understands an individual's priorities better than that individual does.

Can We Trust Artificial Intelligence?

As a retired pharmaceutical chemist who spent many years working with scientific information, I have learned to distinguish between a claim and the evidence supporting it.

AI is an impressive technology, but it is not infallible.

It can provide outdated information, misunderstand a question, overlook important details, or present an incorrect statement in convincing language. Its responses can also be influenced by the information available to it and the way a question is framed.

Political information presents particular challenges. Candidates may change their positions, campaign advertisements may contain misleading claims, and different sources may describe the same event in different ways.

An AI-generated summary may sound balanced without necessarily giving equal attention to all the facts that matter.

Therefore, anyone using AI to research an election should check its claims against reliable sources, including official election websites, candidate statements, reputable news organizations, and independent fact-checking services.

AI can help us find and understand information. It should not become our only source of information.

And we should be especially cautious when a chatbot gives us the answer we already want to hear. Agreement can be comforting, but it is not proof that we are correct.

The Ballot Is Mine, and the Responsibility Is Mine

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I have lived through many political changes, technological advances, and international events.

I have seen the world change from an era when information traveled slowly to one in which a person can ask a computer a question and receive an answer within seconds.

This is progress, and I welcome many of its benefits.

Yet some responsibilities should remain firmly in human hands.

My ballot represents my judgment as a citizen. I may seek information from newspapers, television, conversations with other people, official documents, and even artificial intelligence. But after considering the available evidence, the final decision belongs to me.

I do not expect every reader to agree with my approach. Some may find AI useful in narrowing their choices. Others may prefer to study the candidates entirely on their own.

What matters is that we remain thoughtful, independent, and willing to examine the evidence before making a decision.

In a democracy, we should not surrender our judgment simply because a machine can produce an answer quickly.

Yesterday, I mailed my ballot. I did so because I still believe that my voice matters, even at nearly 92.

I may need a cane to walk, help with some computer tasks, and the assistance of my children for certain errands. But I can still think, reflect, and make my own decisions.

That is a privilege I do not take for granted.

A Final Reflection

Technology can help us write our stories, understand complicated subjects, and communicate with people across the world. It can also help us become better-informed voters.

But technology should assist our judgment, not replace it.

I will continue asking AI to help me write about the world I have experienced and the lessons I have learned. When it comes to voting, however, I believe the responsibility must remain my own.

My ballot carries my name, my conscience, and my responsibility as a citizen. No machine should cast my judgment for me.

At nearly 92, I have learned that growing older does not mean surrendering the right to think for ourselves.

And perhaps that is one of the most important lessons we can pass on to the next generation.

Until my next blog, may we use the gifts of technology wisely, preserve our independence of thought, and never forget the value of a single human voice.

Suggested References :

Pew Research Center — How Americans are using AI chatbots for 2026 election information.
USA.gov — Learn about voting and elections in the United States.
California Secretary of State — California voter information.

AI Impressions and Notes on this Topic:

This is an excellent subject for your David At Nearing 92 blog. Your personal experience of mailing your ballot gives the article a human touch, while the question of asking artificial intelligence for voting advice raises an important issue for our time: AI can help us understand the world, but should it decide how we vote?

For your worldwide readers, I have explain the American voting process in simple language, compare your use of AI for blogging with using AI to choose candidates, and emphasize the importance of personal judgment and civic responsibility.

Editorial note: I have treated the early-voting figures as a dated snapshot, rather than a final count. The published figures I found for October 21 were approximately 9.1 million mail ballots and 5.2 million early in-person votes.

My Photo of the Day:

Marinduque - My Island Tropical Paradise

Benefits of Singing-An Update #2

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

The Real 2026 Senate Newcomers - What Tuesday Actually Changed

1. Abdul El-Sayed – Michigan – Democrat

2. James Talarico – Texas – Democrat

3. Annie Andrews – South Carolina – Democrat

4. Chris Pappas – New Hampshire – Democrat

Generation Z is Now the World's Largest Generation

The Power of Breath and US President Ranking

Blue looked particularly beautiful last night, don’t you think ?

From a Single-Family Home to Senior Living: Finding the Right Moving Company for Seniors

From a Single-Family Home to Senior Living: Finding the Right Moving Company for Seniors

My experience with Gentle Transition

Why senior moving companies are different

Moving is also an emotional transition

Northern California companies that help seniors move

How should a senior choose a moving company?

Final thoughts

Gentle Transitions of California

A Blue Tsunami Hit America Yesterday-Historic First

Other political milestones worth watching

Why this election matters

Summary of Mid-term Elections for My World-Wide Blog Readers

U.S. midterm elections: Democrats win Congress in major setback for Trump

The main results

What international readers need to know

Why voters shifted and why the world is watching

Aging Gracefully: The Art of Becoming Who We Are-Part 3 of 3

Aging Is More Than Growing Older

We Are More Than Our Former Titles

The Courage to Let Go

We Can Still Become

Our Stories Still Matter

Aging Gracefully Is Not Aging Alone

A Different Kind of Success

My Own Definition of Aging Gracefully

For aging gracefully, here’s an active senior community option to consider.

MY Poem on Aging Gracefully- Part 2 of 3

We grow older, not smaller,

The Big Story: Midterms

National Watch

Bay Area / California

Reflections on Filipino Architecture, Food, Family Life, and Memories of Chateau Du Mer

What Exactly Is a Dirty Kitchen?

Why Is This Arrangement So Common in the Philippines?

What About the Modern Filipino Home?

Memories of Our Beach House in Marinduque

Food Is More Than Food in Filipino Culture

A Final Reflection

A Modern Architectural Gem in Jaro, Iloilo, Philippines

A Beautiful Blend of Curves, Contemporary Design, and Filipino Tropical Living

1. A Contemporary Modern Architectural Style

2. The Dramatic Curved Roof

3. Rounded Walls and Sculptural Forms

4. Windows That Become Architectural Features

5. The Balcony and the Connection Between Indoors and Outdoors

6. A Warm Palette of Colors and Materials

7. The Entrance Gate: A Design of Its Own

8. Tropical Modernism and Life in the Philippines

9. Architecture as Art and Engineering

My Personal Reflection

My Recent Readings on AI and AZ Early Diagnosis

1. AI Can Listen to the Way We Speak

2. Could a Simple Blood Test Help Detect Alzheimer's?

3. Can AI Predict Alzheimer's Before Memory Problems Begin?

4. What Does This Mean for Ordinary People?

5. A Personal Reflection on Growing Older

6. My Hope for the Future

Suggested Reading for My Readers:

A Human-Centered Style of Management

Let me end this posting with the following quotes:

My Encounters with Aswangs, Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts in the Philippines-An Update

I wrote these stories years before artificial intelligence became my writing companion. Today, at 91 and nearing 92, I am revisiting some of them not to change my memories, but to see what I understand differently after another decade of living.

My Encounters with Aswangs, Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts in the Philippines-An Update

What Is an Aswang?

My Childhood Fear of the Aswang

The Story of Lubag

Witches in Iloilo and Capiz

The Kapre and the Nono

The Joseph Family, Dinah and I, Rohnert Park, CA, 9-2-26
September 2 was one of the happiest days of my life this year.

Pride in a Young Family
I am also very proud of Elaine and Kyle.

The Gift of Being Present
We went to a Children Play Ground Nearby after Lunch to Enjoy the Sun and More Visit Time