— 1 —

My newest addiction. I have become addicted to the music and performance videos of violinist André Rieu. He was the one who recorded Sir Anthony Hopkins’ waltz with his orchestra, the Johann Strauss Orchestra. He has such a joy and passion when he plays and conducts as well as the ability to have fun (conducting “I Will Follow Him” from Sister Act, for example). His YouTube channel is here. I also recommend anything involving him and South African musicians or the Harlem Gospel Choir as they get him dancing and jumping.

— 2 —

Because I apparently hate myself. I’m doing another plank challenge like I did in January. I hate doing planks but it is so incredibly good for my core. I’m also back to beating myself to a pulp on my core ball 2-3x a week to atone for my iced vanilla latté habit and my Coca-Cola addiction.

— 3 —

The week of epic medical appointments: Jen-style. PT went fine on Tuesday and my G-I appointment was yesterday. He recommended a probiotic called Align which has been shown to help IBS patients and ordered some bloodwork to test for various things like celiac disease (gotta love being Irish!). The BIG thing is that he ordered an endoscopy/colonoscopy for me and I consented to both. (I have PTSD from the prep for my last colonoscopy 14 years ago and refused one two years ago which, in hindsight, was stupid and could have illuminated some of the digestive issues I have.) The reason for both (and the abdominal ultrasound that I was supposed to have last month and got rescheduled to the 16th): I have IBS and a history of ulcers.

— 4 —

The week of epic medical appointments: Daniel-style. Daniel was supposed to have a sedated dentist appointment today but we had to reschedule it to next week due to some respiratory issues (coughing and needing breathing treatments). Instead, he and I went to a radiology place in Rancho Cucamonga to get some x-rays done on his legs for his orthopedist appointment tomorrow. (He wasn’t happy at having to wait but he was relatively cooperative when he was on the table.) I’m thankful that his teacher was chill with this and is fine with me picking him up tomorrow so that we can get to his appointment in Rancho on time.

— 5 —

Totally a good product for California. I’m wondering if people will start buying this in droves due to the drought.

— 6 —

The Kim Davis debacle. For those living under a rock, the Rowan County clerk in Kentucky has been ordered to jail. Kim Davis, the clerk, has refused to issue any marriage licenses to same-sex couples (and I think to any couples in general) and three courts have told her that she is required to do it based on what she was elected to do. Davis has refused based on her religious principles which are that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Here’s the problem: it’s an elected position so they can’t fire her. However, she is refusing to do the job that she was elected to do and the judges ruled on that basis. I understand her religious principles but I disagree with how she is going about this. If performing these duties is such an abhorrent thing to her, she needs to say, “I cannot uphold the civil law in these matters and for this reason, I am resigning my job.” That would be a statement that I think both sides would recognize and respect. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has even told her to do her job or resign which I think is interesting, given that Graham is against same-sex marriage.

— 7 —

Coming soon. I want to write something on my habit of prayer-walking in the morning but haven’t had the time to do it. (Silly kiddo wanting Mommy to pay attention to him!) I’m hoping to have it up in the next couple days.

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.