As many of you readers know, I have an ongoing interest in the research coming out regularly on our microbiomes. To some of you obsession might be a better word, but I gently disagree.
The microbiome is the community of microorganisms (such as fungi, bacteria and viruses) that exists in a particular environment. In humans, the term is often used to describe the microorganisms that live in or on a particular part of the body, such as the skin or gastrointestinal tract. These groups of microorganisms are dynamic and change in response to a host of environmental factors, such as exercise, diet, medication and other exposures.
National Human Genome Research Institute
And why should I follow any news I can find on the contents of my intestines and what control it might exert on my behavior? Because it would finally explain so much. All those bloopers, miscues, mistakes, boo-boos, stumbles, fumbles, gaffes, slip-ups, foulups, snafus, lapses, clangers, indiscretions, and pratfalls that I have committed over a lifetime would finally make sense to me.
Note that I am not blaming anyone else, and take full responsibility for making that inedible and disgusting liver casserole all those years ago, along with a legion of other awfulnesses that were my contribution to the world’s treasure. But it never made sense to me.
In the privacy of my room I would say to myself: What the hell? What was that about? Why did I do that? Why didn’t I see that coming? Did I really say what I think I just said? Is there any reasonable alternative, or is this the time I should just commit seppuku and be done with it?
(Note: I am presently watching the new version of the series Shogun, on Hulu, where seppuku is a common occurrence. On your average day I never think about it at all)
But … and this is all still a very preliminary but … if all of that could be laid at the fimbriated feet of a zillion bacteria sending messages to my brain via the vagus nerve which were telling it to do dumb stuff, I would finally understand my life a bit better.
Here is a TED talk on this very subject. That is, the influence of the gut microbiome on health and behavior.
I’m sorry to cut this thread off, but apparently my descending colon is uncomfortable with these secrets being revealed and is threatening to send a medievally epic diarrhea my way if I don’t quit right now. Mercy!
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The Fearless Leader of the GOP is starting to squeal a bit as New York State closes in on his wallet. I suspect that it’s the demolishing of his myths of omniscience and invulnerability that will hurt more than a building or two being seized, but how would I know?
It is totally mean-spirited of me to take pleasure in the misfortunes of another … but I am doing exactly that (sometimes I am such a baaaad little Buddhist). In fact, I look forward to many more adversities showing up on his plate.
I haven’t had this much fun since 1974 when the Nixon administration was being taken apart piece by piece and crook by crook, as the newspapers were filled each day with more bad news for Tricky Dick and his band of merry malefactors.
Hmmmmm … that was the Republicans that time, too, wasn’t it? Fancy that. Must be something in the water.
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Success in the fermented pickle department! My first batch had been a failure, with some other microorganisms having hijacked my cucumbers and turning them into something that didn’t smell promising at all.
But this time the smell was right, the pH was right, and they looked attractive, so I summoned my courage and ate one. Sharpness and a light bite from the lactic acid. Good dill and garlic flavors.
I’ll wait a couple of hours and if still alive, well, I might just have another. The mind boggles at the sheer numbers of little beasties that have done this work for me.
Kind of like cowboyin’ … ridin’ herd on a couple of zillion rambunctious lactobacilli, fermentin’ under the stars, strummin’ my guitar, shakin’ rattlers out of my blankets in the mornin’ … ahhhh, there’s the life for a man!
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Little Home In The Valley 