Thursday, October 31, 2024

POSSESSED: INSIDE THE TERRIFYING WORLD OF DEMONIC ENCOUNTERS

In this documentary, you will learn the following:


- that mediums, spiritists and occult practitioners testify to how dangerous ouija boards are;

- that since ancient times, adherents to various religions as well as philosophers have believed in demonic posession;

- that even skeptics have had to conclude that demon posession is real;

- how to get out of or avoid fooling with the demonic realm altogether.


Watch it here. Acts 2 38 

WHY I LIKE D3 SO MUCH

Why I Like D3 So Much

Living in the Pacific Northwest we just don't get a lot of sunshine. You get seven months of winter with a couple more mont:: 5 of cool temperatures, then add to that a house located where the sun hits our place after 9 a.m. and even in the summer is gone by 6 p.m.: you know we are not getting enough sun to provide our D3 needs.

Vitamin D3 can be consumed in a few food sources, supplementation or synthesized in the skin via ultraviolet radiation. I used :o think that taking a huge dose once or twice a week was fine, but research makes me think that a lighter dose each day is better. It is laughable the difference in what people think of in terms of a large dose, for some it is 1,000 IN, others, 50,000 IN. All depends on where they get their information. Many-a-year ago my family was given several large bottles of 50,000 IN from a naturalistic doctor; this was back in one of those “swine-flu “years. That seemed like a staggeringly large dose to me, again, at that time. All the not-tiny humans in my house took two or three a week (back in the large-dose infrequently days) and at the first sign of anything coming on we took one a day for three to four days in a row. That year as spring came, I realized that though we had had plenty of exposure, we had been blessed with an entire winter without a serious bug holding us up. Research shows how optimal D levels can positively affect our immune system, including supporting white blood cell function and warding off countless illness. This gets me to thinking D3 should be something I pay more attention to.

If you read some of the articles, it can become a real concern to not overdose. It was something that worried me, until we did it, three times. The first was my ten-year-old, I had some good tasting chewa- bles in a 5,000 IN strength. I was giving them a few a week when she broke out in a rash on her torso. She had never had a rash before. I asked my medical adviser (who I also called mom), she suggested to look at how much D3 she was taking. I knew I wasn’t giving her a lot. When asked, she had a very guilty look on her face. I'm not sure how much she was eating but it was more than she should have. She stopped taking it and within 48 hours the rash was completely cleared up and it never happened to her again. A few years later her sister had

When she showed me the rash and was questioned about how much D3 she was taking, the same guilty look appeared. After discontinuing taking that yummy too-large dose, within two days the rash was gone. The last time we experienced overdose symptoms, it was my husband and me. It was February, we were both feeling tired and depressed. At that time, we were doing D3 in a 5,000 IN drop. It was hard to tell just how many drops came out each time when we took it each day. Within just a few days we were feeling better, within a few weeks we were really feeling good, so we continued to take some drops each day, (not positive how many, did I get two today, or eight? Hard to say). Then we both got heart palpitations, weird for it to happen to both of us and at the same time. A little research pointed at D3. We discontinued use and again with 48 hours were back to normal. Some might think “that's scary.” Not me, I feel like now I know what too look for and go on my merry way giving us all lots of D3 especially in the fall, winter and spring.

I used to not take it or give it to my family during our few summer months. I've changed my mind on that and try to keep it going although I'm not as dedicated. We have less summer illness now I've noticed. For husband, our now-teen daughters and myself, I like 10,000 IN daily with a 50,000 IN thrown in if we are traveling, planning to be around a lot of people or have been exposed to someone who has a cold or flu. Last summer my kids helped at a kid’s playground at our local county fair and all got sick afterward. This year I got them all to take 50,000 IN of D3 the day before and the day of and they didn't come down with anything.

While sunlight can help increase natural vitamin D levels in the body, to much UV radiation can cause skin cancers, and skin carnage, which means folks are stuck in a tricky place when it comes to the sunshine vitamin. Sunscreen has only been around in its modem _se since the 30's, and with all those cancer-causing chemicals, it is >: mething my family avoids as much as possible. I do think sunshine.

it is not causing a bum, is beneficial. I encourage my family to partake liberally, but carefully. A burn is too much and can even cause remanent damage.

If you read about D3 the benefits are huge, including, thyroid tt Tth. as it helps regulate the production of thyroid hormones, beneficial to metabolism, weight, mood, sleep cycle, reproductive

 health, brain function and of course what I've been raving about, immunity. Some also say vitamin D has.shown to play a role in promoting beneficial gut bacteria. Vitamin D is also critical for your bones because it helps the body absorb minerals, like calcium and phosphorus, which are essential structural elements of our bones, helping with musculoskeletal health. Research points to at least 5,000 IN of vitamin D3 per day, regardless of where you live, the tone of your skin, or what time of year it is.

Vitamins D3 and K2 can provide greater benefit together than what each nutrient offers individually. When combined, D3 and K2 (especially in the form of MK7) can help prevent vitamin deficiency (particularly during winter months), promote normal blood clotting, oxidative stress and my favorite, supporting a healthy immune system. These two powerful, fat-soluble vitamins also work synergistically to promote healthy cognitive functioning, strong bones, and maintain a healthy circulatory system, regulate calcium levels, promote bone health, and lower the risk of heart disease. I have spoken to people who had bone spurs but after supplementing with this vitamin combination, the bone spurs cleared up.

When my son was in high school, he came to me saying he was coming down with something, what should he do? I handed him my bottle of D3, told him to take 50,000IU a day and a bottle of olive leaf and told him to take that twice a day. The bug didn't settle into his system, and he was able to kick it without slowing down. There are a lot of supplements that we take three or four times a day, I envision punching the bug and then punching it again to keep it down. I don't treat D3 that way though, we do one dose per day, in the morning with a fat containing meal. The fat aids absorption and D3 can interfere with melatonin production so later in the day might create problems with sleep.

As temperatures are starting to drop and we are spending less time outside and then we are wearing long sleeves instead of short, I am making sure that bottle of D3 is handy! /

Vitamin D3, and the D3-K2 Combo, are on sale and available from SFA.


AH: Please pardon the scanning errors.


From the Scriptures for America Dragon Slayer newsletter, Volume 10, 2024.


To contact Scriptures for America, call 307-742-7582 or go to scripturesforamerica.org.

MEDIA-RELATED STUFF: BROADCAST DIALOGUE, OCTOBER 31

I would have referred to it as the Haloween edition but the traditional media industry is scary enough these days as it is.


I see Jack FM Calgary got the CJAQ call letters that were once held by Toronto's Kiss 92.


Forgot Kiss FM Ottawa got Toronto's former CISS letters.


CKWS-TV has hired a new videographer, one of the people they layed off back in the summer. Guess Corus realized it cut its Kingston operation way too deep.


 Speaking of which, glad Monica Lapajne has landed on her feet.


"The Town Show" podcast sounds like it would be interesting for only one episode.


Community radio stations, the last thing you want is for the government to give you money. With all these government bailouts, I sometimes facetiously wonder why we don't just let CBC take over all Canadian broadcasting.


BD, could you please put all news concerning awards in its own section. Some of us really don't care.


Those new Prime Video docuseries sound interesting, especially "Hard North."


The Canadian government shouldn't have required Google to pay out anything. Both the Online News Act and the Online Streaming Act are stupid, overreaching and counterproductive.


Also, I'm surprised Broadcast Dialogue didn't mention MTV Canada going off the air. Goodbye, channel that was really hyped up when it premiered but that nobody watched.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE ABILITY OF BLIND PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Blind TikTok Brings Attention To Facial Expressions Understanding

And can AI make emotions more accessible?

We all rely on facial expressions to understand each other better—a quick smile, a raised eyebrow, a look of surprise. Such little signs add depth to conversations and help us feel connected. But for people who are blind or have very low vision, picking up on these expressions hasn’t always been possible, leading to a gap in communication that’s often overlooked. Now, with the help of assistive technology, that’s starting to change.

Based on the article, Lad Bible, Toby, who is blind, recently shared on TikTok how being blind brings challenges of social interactions as they cannot see those little signs, making it tough to interpret and know how others are feeling in a conversation. 

Why Facial Expressions Matter

Facial expressions play a big role when communicating. A big smile might tell you someone’s happy to see you, while a frown can show they’re deep in thought. For those who are blind or have low vision, not being able to “read” these expressions can make things feel a bit disconnected, as it’s hard to fully grasp the emotions that add context to conversations.

The role of AI in Facial Expressions

Now, thanks to AI technology like the accurate description on the Envision Glasses and on ally, people who are blind or have low vision can get real-time descriptions of facial expressions. Smart devices and wearables can analyze faces, detect expressions, and then translate that information into a quick spoken update. For example, the tool might notify the user that a friend is smiling or looking surprised.

Making Social Interactions More Accessible

This assistive technology is part of a bigger push to make social interactions more accessible. AI-driven tools like this don’t just identify facial expressions—they help people connect on an emotional level, giving context to interactions. By translating facial expressions into spoken descriptions, Toby’s experiences show that these tools aren’t just cool gadgets—they’re game-changers for anyone wanting to feel more connected.

Through stories like Toby’s, we can see how AI is helping create a more accessible world for everyone.

NATURE NOTES: UNSEASONABLY GREAT WEATHER

All the plants are confused. The dandelions are back.


My friend saw a flock of bluebirds a week ago.


He and I saw a great blue heron yesterday.


Great hearing the crickets at night this late in October. 

PEOPLE WITH BLINDNESS AND LOW VISION ARE SQUEEZED BY HIGH COSTS OF LIVING

People with blindness and low vision are squeezed by high costs of living − new research Zachary Morris (Survey in the US but relevant enough I guess to blind folk in tthese parts also.) TS. Colin Wong, a blind Ph.D. student, can’t forget having to pay US$100 for an Uber when he needed to take a standardized test. There was no testing center in San Francisco, where he lived, that could accommodate his disability. That kind of expensive hassle isn’t unusual. It costs nearly $7,000 more per year to live in the U.S. with his disability, according to research I, a social work scholar, conducted with four experts at the American Foundation for the Blind – a nonprofit dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion for people with blindness or low vision. For our research, we looked at survey data from a representative sample of Americans, focusing on how people with visual impairments answered. We considered anyone who said they live with a vision disability – or said that they have a lot of trouble seeing or can’t see at all, even with glasses – as a person with low vision or blindness. We calculated that people with blindness or low vision spend, on average, 27% of their household income on expenses related to their disability – about $7,000 per year. Low-income Americans with disabilities are shouldering an even bigger burden. The people who took this survey and were earning less than $25,000 per year said they spent about 40% of their income on costs related to their disability, on average, compared with 16% for those with higher incomes. That leaves them with less money for other essentials such as food and housing. About 1 in 4 of the people we surveyed said they spent less on food to cover their expenses associated with their disability. And about 2 in 3 of the people we surveyed said they frequently go without goods and services they need, including medical care, assistive technologies and transportation to get to school or go to work. Why it matters Cost-of-living issues rank at the top of all Americans’ concerns, according to a recent Gallup survey. And people with disabilities, including those with physical or mental health conditions, tend to have more trouble making ends meet than the average person. That includes the roughly 7 million Americans with blindness or vision loss who are among the more than 1 in 4 people in this country with a disability. One reason for the higher costs of living is that people with disabilities tend to incur many other extra expenses, such as spending more on transportation, prepared foods and grocery delivery services. Others struggle to afford the prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements they need. Politicians and policymakers appear to be paying more attention to this problem, which my research team calls the “disability squeeze.” Vice President Kamala Harris, for example, announced in October 2024 a proposal to expand Medicare to cover the long-term care needs for older adults and people with disabilities. What still isn’t known Our survey included 288 people with blindness or low vision. Studies with larger numbers of participants could greatly expand upon what’s known about this problem and what can be done about it. Expanding accessible public transit, making assistive technologies more affordable and increasing disability benefits might be enough for some people with disabilities to have an opportunity to thrive, but not for others. Future research could shed a brighter light on the cracks in the U.S. health and social welfare systems. For example, researchers could look into why people with health insurance from Medicaid or Medicare told us they had more unmet needs rather than fewer than those with coverage through private insurers. Other studies could examine how the disability squeeze affects the health and employment of people with disabilities over the long term. The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. 

https://theconversation.com/people-with-blindness-and-low-vision-are-squeezed-by-high-costs-of-living-new-research-241752 

WENDY'S INTRODUCES THE NEW SALTED CARAMEL FROSTY AND GIVES A MAKEOVER TO ONE BELOVED MENU ITEM FOR ITS FALL MENU

PEOPLE

 

Wendy’s Introduces New Salted Caramel Frosty and Gives a Makeover to One Beloved Item for Its New Fall Menu

Three new fall menu items will be available nationwide starting on Tuesday, Nov. 12

By Sabrina Weiss  Published on October 31, 2024 12:40PM EDT

 

Fall is for pumpkin, apples and … taco salads.

 

Wendy’s released three new fall-inspired menu items, all of which will be available starting on Nov. 12. Rather than the expected Thanksgiving-adjacent flavors, the fast food spot’s new items take on some new tastes.

 

The limited-time salted caramel Frosty is described as providing “warm and cozy comfort in every chilly bite,” per a press release. The dessert will replace the vanilla Frosty upon its arrival, a source at Wendy’s confirmed to PEOPLE. Plus, per the source, the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, the Spongebob Squarepants-inspired flavor introduced on Oct. 8, will also get the boot when the salted caramel flavor is released.

 

The mushroom bacon cheeseburger is another of the fall menu items. The funghi-forward option stacks roasted mushrooms, bacon, Muenster cheese and creamy garlic spread on top of a beefy patty.

 

The last of the new autumnal additions is an upgraded taco salad. Wendy’s has previously sold the Mexican-inspired dish but this new version has a creamy salsa dressing, fire-roasted corn, tortilla strips and chili. The original iteration had chili, tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa.

 

The vanilla Frosty’s departure was clued in as soon as it came back to menus in mid-September. A Wendy’s spokesperson told PEOPLE at the time that “nothing on our menu is meant to last forever” and that they “don’t have an exact date that the vanilla Frosty will roll off of menus.”

 

The original flavor was taken off the menu for the triple berry and orange dreamsicle flavors that were available in spring and summer 2024. Before those fruit-forward options, the vanilla Frosty was replaced by peppermint, pumpkin spice and strawberry Frostys.

 

The other departing Frosty, the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, wasn’t a seasonal flavor but was still a timely one.

 

The tropical-flavored treat was in honor of Spongebob Squarepants' 25th anniversary and part of Wendy’s Krabby Patty Kollab that became available earlier this month.

 

The Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty took inspiration from the cartoon’s iconic fruit-shaped home. This sweet choice combines Wendy’s beloved vanilla Frosty with a swirl of pineapple-mango puree.

 

The limited-time menu also included a Krabby Patty Kollab Burger, which sandwiches a beef patty, two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion and a “top-secret” Krabby Kollab sauce between a toasted bun, per a press release.