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After being in the house for a few months at no fault of your own- a new experience other than walking to the kitchen for a snack is necessary. Nonetheless, a road trip to the Baugher's Orchards and Farm to pick your own strawberries is a spectacular experience. Taking the necessary time to select which farm to visit is important especially for the fruits or vegetables that are in season. Some farms might not have strawberries, but blueberries and raspberries. It depends on many factors for the farm selection, and luckily I made it to the strawberry picking season on time. Baugher's Orchards and Farm scheduled Friday, May 22 opening day for the people to pick their own strawberries. Unfortunately, the weather didn't allow for the best strawberry picking time so, I had to postpone my adventures until Saturday. Such a spectacular new experience, and you don't want to burn all of your energy ahead of the journey, so driving the distance had to be determined. The Baugher's Orchards and Farm destination is less than two hours from the District and takes less than a 1/2 tank of gas to get there. The farm has over 600 acres of fruits, vegetables, and activities. Due to the corona virus pandemic Baugher's Orchards and Farm had to cut back on some services such as a wagon ride to get directly to the strawberry fields. The cost is $2 per person and strawberries are price by the box you fill- a 1/2 peck was sufficient for the experience. This is a great experience for the entire family or a first date. One couple was even talking about their upcoming wedding while picking their own strawberries. The excitement had kicked in considering I've never picked my own strawberries. I'd picked pumpkins, beets, greens, apples, and raspberries before. While driving to the strawberry field, the aroma of the strawberries just filled the air, amplifying the adrenaline rush to see how many strawberries can fit in a 1/2 peck or what ever amount your purchased. After the instructions on how to pick your own strawberries - the redder the riper, I was curious to know the name of the strawberries, but perhaps when you pick them it's adding the personalized touch, so I'll call them "sure ya ripe." "Sure ya ripe," were extra ready for picking with the burst of water nutrients from Friday's rain showers. The children were fascinated by the shape, color, and taste of the strawberries, and were often very vocal about the spiders. From the experience of picking your own strawberries, you learn very fast that they are all different in size, shape, color, but the texture is mostly the same. Strawberries are a member of the rose family, which can explain the sweet aroma in the air. Make sure you pick strawberries that aren't bruised, although it is still eligible for a bite. How does the body benefit from strawberries? According to webmd.com, strawberries protects your heart, lowers blood pressure, increased good cholesterol, guards against cancer, an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, and high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols. So strawberries are a pretty big deal. There is so much to make with the strawberries if you want to put your chef hat on! I recall my uncle would dye his hair strawberry blonde, not that natural strawberries were used. There is even the Strawberry moon in June. The wild strawberries start to ripen during early summer so that's why the name is given to the moon. From that ripen harvest, one can make strawberry jams, preserves, pies, candy, cheesecake, tarts, crepes, or simply just enjoy them straight from the strawberry fields. Be sure to visit the Baugher's Orchards and Farm for an opportunity to pick your own strawberries.
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Not your casual Congressional hearing, today's US Senate Committee on Heath, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing is to examine COVID-19 focusing on safely getting back to work and back to school was held remotely due to the corona virus. Moreover, it was a rather candid camera shot to see Congress in a different light, more interactive. Let's not get too carried away, not sure this different light makes a difference in their ability to govern and address the concerns of their constituents. It's calming to know that they're capable of communicating to constituents remotely when the concerns start to pour in. It was more of an urgent care witness testimony panel starting no fault found in his frequent studies the very intriguing Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Redfield- Director US CDC and Prevention, Admiral Brett, Giroir- Assistant Secretary for Health, and Dr. Stephen Hahn- Commissioner of Food and Drugs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
This hearing comes at the height of whether or not Phase I,II, or III are sufficient for social distancing, and stay at home orders already set in place. In fact the District projected May 15 as there opening day, but due to more planning the city is scheduled to open on June 8. "What would pursued 30,000 students to go back to campus in August?," Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) presented to the distinguished remote witness panel. Dr. Fauci started of the witness testimonies sharing some of his latest findings while making an attempt to look up while speaking into the camera. He has a four point strategy to safely opening up states based on the scientific evidence. The plan entails improving fundamental knowledge about the coronavirus, develop new points of diagnostic prompting a national call for innovative technology selected by a shark tank model pool. Develop broad spectrum of antibodies through therapeutics, and convalescent plasma immune based therapy. The ethics concerns are unknown. Moreover, the data describes COVID-19 as a new disease, caused by a new coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The official name Corona Virus Disease 2019 came from the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets or when an infected person coughs, according to the Center for Disease Control. Recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may spread by people who are not showing symptoms which can include but are not limited on the spectrum of a cough, not being a super bud taster, fever, shortness of breath, and those with preexisting conditions like heart disease and diabetes are more prone to contact of the coronavirus. Late December 2019, Chinese authorities announced a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology centered in Wuhan, China, and the CDC began monitoring the outbreak. To maintain Capitol Hill decorum, Chairman Alexander emphasized the hearing is bipartisan and finger pointing suggest all of us under estimated the virus, how it travels silently, and even deadly for certain populations such as the elderly and disadvantage. Chairman Alexander even consider what his pastor once shared "I'm not worried what you do on Sunday, it's the rest of the week." And he reminded the Committee and witnesses three months ago the country was preoccupied with an impeachment, and if a finger is pointed hopefully in that direction, however staying at home indefinitely is not the solution so with testing, isolation measures like social distancing, and treatment can help control the coronavirus and citizens can start to gather again and fellowship. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) suggest families across the country are counting on Congress and they can't get the truth from President Trump, and it's time to dig into the facts - where things went wrong. Senator Murray stated President Trump is fighting against the truth of the virus with over 80,000 deaths nationally. "What is needed to safely open?," asked Senator Murray to expert witness panel. She suggests it abundantly clear, dramatically need more testing. A plan not PR plan for supply and funding needs. The federal government has the tools only if they used them that could possible streamline the standard operating procedures for opening the states up. "What good is a bridge if it only gets you to the middle of the river?," asked Senator Murray to the expert witnesses. Perhaps if they were on the impeachment cruiser then they probably did get stuck in the middle of the river of no Russia collusion. Dr. Fauci reminded the Committee they are accelerating COVID-19 clinical evaluations, assessing asymptomatic conditions but through contact tracing, washing hands, social distancing, and wearing a mask some magical decline in the spread will eventually be under control and less deadly. The introduction of serology testing will help determine the extent of infection and age specific cumulative incidence including the prevalence of asymptomatic or sub-clinical infections. The Department of Health is increasing its capacity to stop change of transmission, and technical training and providing testing in 33 states according to ADM Brett Giroir. Dr. Stephen Hahn, shared during his testimony that every decision the FDA has made is driven by data and the agency is fast tracking emergency use authorization submissions, and working at-large to provide clarity of which test have been approved by the FDA. "Only way we beat this virus is with a test," Dr. Hahn told the Committee. Therapy and vaccines need to go hand and hand making sure supply chain is robust. Dr. Fauci echoed the expression of many people want to know theyvare safe, that's what they really want to know but from the looks of his no eye contact the uncertainty remains. Let's examine those who haven't been experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 cough, fever, lost of super tastebuds what are the lasting affects of wearing a mask the majority of the day? It's been since the month of March madness that states have been measuring their response time with teleworking being a new feature for some job functions and getting the people to recognize the magnitude that which the rate of the virus transfers, from China to vulnerable disadvantage communities in America. What's interesting to examine is the response rate when natural disasters strikes and the environmental concerns thatvcan potential harm the people. Not sure if any social distancing, wash hands, stay home, or wear a masks has ever been the resolve or rhetoric. However, this has been the messaging during a communicable disease disaster public emergency crisis. Perhaps the category is what makes the coronavirus different because it has caused the entire world to separate, and stay inside while billionaire Bill Gates puts his philanthropic pennies to sort through the right RNA sequence to save the human population. These knew healthcare provisions present many unlawful privacy concerns as it pertains to patients health information, maintenance of the data, and who has control over the data with the ultimate determining factor, who will foot the bill for the variations of testing? And will the test be readily available and will insurance coverage determine the quality of testing? The surveillance and monitoring in the form of contact tracing of your DNA is really taking internal medicine to a new practice really leveraging the system based on your antibodies and area code. Congressman Bobby Rush didn't procrastinate with presenting a protection in the form of H.R. 6666 granting mobilization of coronavirus testing and contact tracing efforts with ability to hire and train individuals to operate mobile testing units as well as outreach in hospitals and medically underserved areas. At what point do we isolate using Constitutional common sense and providing adequate healthcare services for the American people that doesn't present any discriminatory practices based on their ability to fight off infections along with area code. While serving the most vulnerable, the elderly it is essential that our economy reopens to start generating some data of controlling the virus so citizens can participate in the upcoming Presidential election which is traditionally held in November. VERZUZ keeps the variety in artist showcases coming. Certainly, Saturday night's selection featuring Queens Erykah Badu and Jill Scott brought some high voltage velocity of versatility to the battle.
Swizz Beatz and Timberland have sparked a new wave creating a frequency that must transcend quarantine life and eventually have the VERZUZ tour. This incredible concept has captivated many viewers from around the world, and with over 1 billion impression on Saturday night, it's no way possible Instagram LIVE will be able to accommodate that capacity. Nonetheless, we can social distance at a venue in due time because technology has proven it can not withstand the frequency and vibration that was brought Saturday night- there was a buzz and few seconds audio delay. The magnitude of this marvelous concept is what makes it a measurable sucess and world wide phenomenon. Perhaps something beautiful can arise during times of uncertainty, and Swizz Beatz and Timberland have validated this without room for debate. What's even more remarkable is the reach the concept provides, and ability to connect to an audience that hasn't had a chance to hear these artists. The engagement and feedback are excellent also because it gives the artist an opportunity to have a direct connection with viewers awhile seeing who's watching the LIVE. Too start the VERZUZ versatility Saturday night featuring Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, there were over 400K LIVE viewers. Last night everyone was watching from Adele, Alicia Keys, Michelle Obama, DJ Nice, Lil Kim, Tamara, and many more. It was a showcase because Queens don't battle. It was special for so many reasons, but the number one is because the first showcase to feature women. Not only that, but the rules were, there were no rules - not when it accounts to Queens of the earth Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. The VERZUZ showcase was what the entire world needed last night. And if music is the universal language of love, then love healed many on Saturday night during the LIVE. It was such a spectacular representation of everything a women embodies - such beauty, grace, patience, kindness, love, healing, strength, honor, respect, dignity, and the ability to compliment each other and share some of the most vulnerable moments from a space of genuine compassion. So many people were able to unite through the sound of vibration and soul music which certainly raised the frequency for everyone watching LIVE to feel. After about two hours of vibing out, the devices the ladies were using needed a charge, but it didn't stop the flow of the show. In fact, Jill Scott played the song for Queen Badu while she needed more power for her device. It was truly a treat, and the selection of sounds were so smooth and soothing- the right pitch, tone, everything just in sync. No need for a battle when Queens come together to share their beautiful creations with the world. Erykah Badu and Jill Scott have certainly set a record for the world wide web data and has really set a standard in the showcase for women to stand on and continue to share their artistry with the world. Until the next VERZUZ battle, let's continue to keep those Badu and Jill Scott high vibrations going! |
MINDY JOFar from your traditional news, "Welcome to the Mindy Jo News Show," where she shares news that you can absolutely use! And slogan Let's Get Right To It!™ She's often copied, but none can compare. Mindy Jo has a different frequency, and delivery with a unique style of story telling. Delivering dynamic and distinguish ORIGINAL digital news content, along with vary of other original digital streaming content to the District of Columbia and around the World. Archives
April 2024
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