Glad you ended with the Good Times, Kareem. But the rest of the post is excellent too. At our age, every day is a gift to be treasured to the fullest including whatever bodily functions we can enjoy (and yes I'm talking about sex). Thanks for the shout out to NYU Langone. I have to thank their Heart Rhythm Center for my recent pulsed field ablation for my Afib. Amazing what modern medicine can accomplish if we don't accept the current backwards thinking being spewed by so-called leaders. On, on . . .
Kareem, thank you for the great advice on infection prevention, during sexual activity in seniors. Most often, questions of sexual activity are on questionnaires, but if the answer is no, they don’t believe you anyway. Then it could be that doctors, who are now looking like our grandkids, view such questions as disrespectful. When asked, I simply say, “if I didn’t have to pee, you could sew it up.”
Another great blog, Kareem. I so appreciate the way you weave together politics, culture, sports, music and humor. Today’s dog video lit up my morning. Living in DC, we daily face the disgusting defacing of public buildings and monuments with “Orange Man” vanity markings. One that would make sense is renaming measles “Trump pox”.
So sorry you suffer from migraines Kareem. They have been the bane of my life. I've had ones (before modern migraine meds) that lasted 5 days. Maternal inheritance. And I don't understand why science is just coming to an understanding of climate/migraine connection. Whenever a low pressure front sneaks into the valley mine begin. All of the symptoms. Cold weather does the same thing to me. Such a waste of time and life.
The Jim Thorpe movie. Seems interesting but I remember the old movie. Was it Burt Lancaster who portrayed him? Perhaps he always fascinated me because my father so closely resembled him - no native blood either. But I'll have to see it to decide.
And Grandpa. When I grow up I want to be like Roscoe. The shoe thief. So charming. Sometimes I wonder if humans and wolves shared part of their DNA. How otherwise could dogs become such an integral part of the human existence?
Thank you for playing Ray. Let the Good Times Roll. Yes please. Bring them back.
Happy New Year to you Kareem and all of your readers. May 2026 be a better and bolder year for freedom fighters and lovers everywhere.
Unfortunately, I don't think the following sentence is accurate: "We don’t let parents withhold other life-saving medical treatments from their children". Several states, most notably Idaho, allow faith-based decisionmaking about medical care, resulting in the needless deaths of children. (and, tbh, measles-related deaths are because someone didn't vaccinate their kid...either the kid who got measles or the kid who gave it to them). It seems that the Supreme Court has not weighed in at the federal level for a nationwide standard...but I think we know how that would go....
You are an inspiration to me. At 73, I continue to play gigs even though my anxiety level is at an all-time high. If it wasn't for music, I wouldn't leave the house. Your leadership is a key reason I continue. Thanks,
Thanks for the health themed post, Kareem. Very insightful, and thanks for a much needed dose of good news about all the medical advancements.
On that topic, a quick pitch that we can all do something as simple as donating blood or platelets (as I did on New Year’s Day) to contribute to the health of others and save lives. Find your local Red Cross donation center and make an appointment.
Well, here we are in 2026, .... as we've been hoping for!!
The info on STDs in older people, was a surprise, ... doubling in a decade?! And highest divorce rate among Boomers? -- maybe we got complacent with the Pill.
Migraines, which I haven't experienced, thank god, ..... but one of my daughters suffered with for 13-14 years, .... HELL for her. FINALLY, this past year, she found a med that works. However, we're all intrigued with the notions of how climate change is affecting our lives, ... and higher temps, pollution, and barometric pressure changes, seem to me to be prime examples. She often would get migraines after taking a flight, and I wondered if the change in pressure, was a culprit. Pollution is bad for everybody, ... for whatever.
And YES, our HHS Sec has done a number on our most prized loves, children, .... seemingly, not caring. Not surprised that at least 93% of those 2000 who contracted polio, were unvaccinated. An aside, .... in Elem School in the 50s in Montgomery, I was a Polio Pioneer, one of a thousand guinea pigs testing the Salk vaccine. Course don't know if I got the vaccine or water, but I proudly wore my Polio Pioneer pin.
And glad that medical innovations are ongoing, though I'm sure the withdrawal of federal funds, has made it more than difficult to continue, find funding.
To have a dog like Roscoe, is the best, for healing, and for love. Dogs are my favorites.
Anything by Ray Charles, is wonderful, what a voice. And finally, Jim Thorpe -- I feel that I've seen a docu on him in the past ...?? ... and this isn't airing till July 7? Thanks always, for giving us your time and wisdom, Kareem.
Loved Papa Ross and Roscoe (and Papa’s pawprint jammie pants)! They’re quite the pair. Salt-N-Pepa’s song brings back memories; I’ll bet the current administration wouldn’t allow it on the airwaves, so let’s hope some radio station plays it so we can turn the volume up to 11!
Cancel? Never! Love your Substack! Thanks for leading us into the New Year with hope and a positive mindset. I heard that in the 2026 midterms, we can do to the current administration what they did to the East wing! Let's go!
Good reminders and points on things that can get spread. Agree the Irish Christian Brothers were not discussing protection!! And an awesome video on Roscoe!! Also our dog’s name!!
Looking forward to another year of Your insights and thoughts Sir.
So refreshing to read your columns! Been following you since you played freshman ball at UCLA. And if my memory hasn't failed me, the first time I watched you play was in a Freshman game at Cal State Fullerton. Keep up the good work!
Glad you ended with the Good Times, Kareem. But the rest of the post is excellent too. At our age, every day is a gift to be treasured to the fullest including whatever bodily functions we can enjoy (and yes I'm talking about sex). Thanks for the shout out to NYU Langone. I have to thank their Heart Rhythm Center for my recent pulsed field ablation for my Afib. Amazing what modern medicine can accomplish if we don't accept the current backwards thinking being spewed by so-called leaders. On, on . . .
Kareem, thank you for the great advice on infection prevention, during sexual activity in seniors. Most often, questions of sexual activity are on questionnaires, but if the answer is no, they don’t believe you anyway. Then it could be that doctors, who are now looking like our grandkids, view such questions as disrespectful. When asked, I simply say, “if I didn’t have to pee, you could sew it up.”
🤣
Another great blog, Kareem. I so appreciate the way you weave together politics, culture, sports, music and humor. Today’s dog video lit up my morning. Living in DC, we daily face the disgusting defacing of public buildings and monuments with “Orange Man” vanity markings. One that would make sense is renaming measles “Trump pox”.
So sorry you suffer from migraines Kareem. They have been the bane of my life. I've had ones (before modern migraine meds) that lasted 5 days. Maternal inheritance. And I don't understand why science is just coming to an understanding of climate/migraine connection. Whenever a low pressure front sneaks into the valley mine begin. All of the symptoms. Cold weather does the same thing to me. Such a waste of time and life.
The Jim Thorpe movie. Seems interesting but I remember the old movie. Was it Burt Lancaster who portrayed him? Perhaps he always fascinated me because my father so closely resembled him - no native blood either. But I'll have to see it to decide.
And Grandpa. When I grow up I want to be like Roscoe. The shoe thief. So charming. Sometimes I wonder if humans and wolves shared part of their DNA. How otherwise could dogs become such an integral part of the human existence?
Thank you for playing Ray. Let the Good Times Roll. Yes please. Bring them back.
Happy New Year to you Kareem and all of your readers. May 2026 be a better and bolder year for freedom fighters and lovers everywhere.
Peace and Love. ✌️♥️
Unfortunately, I don't think the following sentence is accurate: "We don’t let parents withhold other life-saving medical treatments from their children". Several states, most notably Idaho, allow faith-based decisionmaking about medical care, resulting in the needless deaths of children. (and, tbh, measles-related deaths are because someone didn't vaccinate their kid...either the kid who got measles or the kid who gave it to them). It seems that the Supreme Court has not weighed in at the federal level for a nationwide standard...but I think we know how that would go....
What “Supreme Court “?
You are an inspiration to me. At 73, I continue to play gigs even though my anxiety level is at an all-time high. If it wasn't for music, I wouldn't leave the house. Your leadership is a key reason I continue. Thanks,
Batch
Thanks for the health themed post, Kareem. Very insightful, and thanks for a much needed dose of good news about all the medical advancements.
On that topic, a quick pitch that we can all do something as simple as donating blood or platelets (as I did on New Year’s Day) to contribute to the health of others and save lives. Find your local Red Cross donation center and make an appointment.
The last couple of Substacks have been refreshing. Some really useful information was shared. A break from political stories was much appreciated.
Well, here we are in 2026, .... as we've been hoping for!!
The info on STDs in older people, was a surprise, ... doubling in a decade?! And highest divorce rate among Boomers? -- maybe we got complacent with the Pill.
Migraines, which I haven't experienced, thank god, ..... but one of my daughters suffered with for 13-14 years, .... HELL for her. FINALLY, this past year, she found a med that works. However, we're all intrigued with the notions of how climate change is affecting our lives, ... and higher temps, pollution, and barometric pressure changes, seem to me to be prime examples. She often would get migraines after taking a flight, and I wondered if the change in pressure, was a culprit. Pollution is bad for everybody, ... for whatever.
And YES, our HHS Sec has done a number on our most prized loves, children, .... seemingly, not caring. Not surprised that at least 93% of those 2000 who contracted polio, were unvaccinated. An aside, .... in Elem School in the 50s in Montgomery, I was a Polio Pioneer, one of a thousand guinea pigs testing the Salk vaccine. Course don't know if I got the vaccine or water, but I proudly wore my Polio Pioneer pin.
And glad that medical innovations are ongoing, though I'm sure the withdrawal of federal funds, has made it more than difficult to continue, find funding.
To have a dog like Roscoe, is the best, for healing, and for love. Dogs are my favorites.
Anything by Ray Charles, is wonderful, what a voice. And finally, Jim Thorpe -- I feel that I've seen a docu on him in the past ...?? ... and this isn't airing till July 7? Thanks always, for giving us your time and wisdom, Kareem.
Loved Papa Ross and Roscoe (and Papa’s pawprint jammie pants)! They’re quite the pair. Salt-N-Pepa’s song brings back memories; I’ll bet the current administration wouldn’t allow it on the airwaves, so let’s hope some radio station plays it so we can turn the volume up to 11!
I've had one headache, a cluster headache, that is similar to a migraine. My deep respect to you for powering through one.
WWIII? Trump says the US has captured Maduro.
What will be the reaction of the rest of the world? Could it be the straw that broke Trump's hump?
Who is the next "hostage" that the terrorist Trump seizes?
I've had enough. My tax dollars are supporting a terror organization - The United States Government, and more specifically, the Trump $hit $how.
I'm eager to see the Jim Thorpe documentary! Thanks for telling us about it, Kareem.
Cancel? Never! Love your Substack! Thanks for leading us into the New Year with hope and a positive mindset. I heard that in the 2026 midterms, we can do to the current administration what they did to the East wing! Let's go!
Happy New Year Kareem and fellow Readers.
Good reminders and points on things that can get spread. Agree the Irish Christian Brothers were not discussing protection!! And an awesome video on Roscoe!! Also our dog’s name!!
Looking forward to another year of Your insights and thoughts Sir.
Appreciate You, Steve PMA ‘79
So refreshing to read your columns! Been following you since you played freshman ball at UCLA. And if my memory hasn't failed me, the first time I watched you play was in a Freshman game at Cal State Fullerton. Keep up the good work!