8/25/2023

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            This is what teachers call a quick write. A brain dump without editing, composing as quickly as possible. I need to head off to work with our new group of 5th graders. I will be interviewing one who hates math & am intrigued to learn more about what has led to this aversion. According to her teacher she’s an otherwise positive student & many of her classmates nominated her as a friend, so she may have dyscalculia. Since that’s my latest obsession, I am eager to see if I can discern signs of it.

            Since you are on vacation, you may not know that you are NOT in the news. The previous POTUS is all over it. His scowling face makes it hard to scroll through the front page.

            The good news of the day is that you & I practice life prolonging habits! The WP reported on a study of 720,000 U.S. veterans 40 and older & found that those who had adopted all 8 key habits lived much longer than those who hadn’t adopted any. Now, you must notice that the comparison groups are on the two extremes, all vs. none, when most folks are somewhere in between.

The habits will come as no surprise, don’t smoke, don’t binge drink, don’t take opioids, eat healthy food, move your body, manage stress, sleep, have happy relationships. I do 5 every day & 6 on most. As you well know, sometimes stress can be hard to handle, sleep can be hard to come by & loved ones can be difficult. We do our best! You have already lived a long life so you are a walking advertisement!

Without the “don’ts” & with a very important addition, it’s walk, eat, pray, love, sleep (WEPLS). A new mantra to share with the nation.

            Please also share that the junta just sentenced a hiphop artist to 20 years in prison for criticizing Gen Min Aung Hlaing. It’s not quite as bad as Putin’s latest assassination but arresting 24,410 people for speaking out is excessive!!!

            BYBS,