Category: Commentary

“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.”
-Mark Twain

The pursuit of good health has always been big business. From the snake oil salesman and quack doctors in years past to the biohackers and industrial medicine of today, there have always been “experts” ready to heal you for money. Today, with new drugs and treatments galore for every malady known to man, this health pursuit continues and can get confusing.
Most of us are sharp enough to know the bare basics of maintaining good health. Proper nutrition (eating whole and healing foods – quality meats, fruits and vegetables – avoiding highly processed factory food from a box), drinking plenty of water (staying hydrated so you don’t look and feel like a piece of leather), deep restorative sleep (only possible when we put our stupid phones down well before bedtime – screen time ruins slumber), these are all part of keeping our bodies alive and well. But the basics are not always fun. You may forget about them as you scroll through your phone with a bowl of ice cream in your lap at two in the morning. But at the risk of adding more to the pile of “should do” health advice rattling around in your head, let me share some solid info. It relates to a recent helpful discovery that I have made that is frankly too compelling not to share with my readers. This might be a game changer for those who are aging and often find themselves sick and “stove up” as the old timers used to say. And what is this great discovery? It is red light therapy.
A word of caution here – do your own research and consult your doctor before embarking on this restorative health journey. Don’t take my word for it. I am just an old, bearded guy in a ball cap, slumped over my typewriter with a cup of coffee most mornings trying to stay healthy and out of trouble. Learn about the benefits of red light for yourself.
Red light therapy has been around since the 1990s, beginning when our astronauts tried their hand at cosmic farming. At that time NASA introduced red-light omitting diode (LED) devices to help grow potatoes in space. When astronauts were tending their plants, they noticed that the red light helped heal wounds on their hands. This prompted further research, revealing that this red light fostered healing on a cellular level. The light seemed to supercharge the body’s natural healing ability.
Today both red light and NIR (near infrared light) therapy are producing massive benefits. Red light therapy is non-invasive, doesn’t burn, and is considered completely safe. When the light hits your skin, it is absorbed by your mitochondria (the energy factory within your cells) significantly boosting the production of ATP (helpful adenosine triphosphate). Simply stated, this greatly increases your body’s ability to produce energy and repair cellular damage, and in the process essentially healing itself. It’s like charging your body’s battery. Red light therapy is commonly used to promote skin care, but can also support muscle recovery, brain health, and provide serious relief from chronic pain and disease.
My personal experience with red light therapy has been overwhelmingly positive. Plagued with skin issues and the normal aches and pains of a well-seasoned old guy, we purchased a simple red-light pad recently. Concerned about some strange spots on my aging face, after using the pad for a few months, those spots are gone. In the process my beard has started to grow darker, so something strange is working. Most surprisingly, the pain in my aching shoulder, which used to keep me up at night, is now completely gone after using my pad for a short time. I now use my pad anytime and anywhere I have pain or a problem (esp. occasional knee and foot pain – gone usually after a few sessions). I think I’ll go ahead and invest in a larger full-body red light blanket to cover and heal all my parts at once.
If you would like to try red light therapy, here are a few things to consider. First, do your own research before buying anything. And see your doctor if you have any potentially serious issues that need medical attention.
There are a variety of red-light devices available. Find what works for you. I started with a small pad (17” x 24”) that could be used anywhere needed. And make sure your device offers both red light (for skin deep healing) and NIR – near infrared light (for deeper healing in muscles and joints). My little pad is rated at 660nm for red light and 850nm NIR (this seems standard) and can run both wavelengths at the same time for optimum benefit with a treatment time of 20 minutes with automatic shut-off.
It is best to test your device and use it in the morning to start. If treating muscle or bone issues you may experience initial discomfort or irritation that might keep you awake at night, so better to use early in the day to avoid compromising sleep.
If you are not as spry as you used to be, red light therapy might be just what you need as you stagger back to good health and vitality. Try it today!

© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com

“I had a terrible education. I attended a school for emotionally disturbed teachers.”
-Woody Allen

Much has been said in recent years about the lack of civics education in our public schools. Students, and even teachers it seems, often exhibit a lack of understanding as to how our government and country work. An interesting news story broke recently related to this very topic, and I was intrigued. Apparently, the fine state of Oklahoma has decided to tackle this problem head on, now requiring teachers to pass a general knowledge and civics exam before being employed and deployed in the classroom. Questions are primarily focused on civics, but included are questions regarding parental rights, biology, recent Supreme Court decisions, Constitutional freedoms, politics, and the proper role of education. Test questions are multiple choice, so most applicants could probably pass. Sorry, there are no essay questions.
For fun this week I thought I’d share some of this test with you. If you pass, you could probably teach school in Oklahoma. I passed the test but might not maintain employment if called by the Sooners for service based on my substandard social skills and suspect academic behavior in a former life. Here is a sampling of the exact questions from the test…
1- What are the first three words of the Constitution?
In God We Trust
We the People
Life/Liberty/Happiness
The United States
2- Why is freedom of religion important to America’s identity?
It protects religious choice from control of government
It makes Christianity the national religion
It bans all forms of public worship
It limits religious teaching in the public square
3- What are the two parts of the U. S. Congress?
The House of Lords and the House of Commons
The Judiciary and the Senate
The Executive and the Legislature
The Senate and House of Representatives
4- How many U. S. Senators are there?
435 b. 535
100 d. 50
5- Why do some states have more Representatives than others in Congress?
Representation is allocated by population
They cover a larger geographic area
They have held statehood for a longer period
Number is determined by Congress
6- Who signs bills into law?
The Vice President
The Chief Justice
The President
Speaker of the House
7- What is the highest court in the United States?
The Federal Court
The Court of Appeals
The District Court
The Supreme Court
8- Which of the following is explicitly listed in the Bill of Rights?
Freedom of Speech and Religion
Voting and public education
Reproductive rights & healthcare
Freedom from data collection / surveillance
9- What right does the Second Amendment protect?
The right to hunt & fish
The right to arm the military
The right to restrict certain kinds of speech
The right to keep and bear arms
10- What is the supreme law of the United States?
Presidential Executive Orders
Laws passed by Congress
Laws passed by state legislatures
The Constitution
11- When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1778
July 4, 1787
July 4, 1776
July 4, 1619
12- What was the primary reason the colonists fought the British?
To resist expansion of British Empire
To maintain slavery
To resist taxation without representation
To resist forced military service
13- Who is called the “Father of Our Country”?
Benjamin Franklin
Abraham Lincoln
Martin Luther King, Jr.
George Washington
14- What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Ended Prohibition
Freed Confederate Generals
Freed slaves in the North
Ended slavery in the rebelling Confederate states
15- From whom does the United States government derive its power?
The Supreme Court
The American people
The President
The military
*If you need help, here are correct answers: 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c, 5-a, 6-c, 7-d, 8-a, 9-d, 10-d, 11-c, 12-c, 13-d, 14-d, 15-b.
© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com

“Kilgallen was the greatest female writer in the world.”
-Ernest Hemingway

Few people today know the name of one of the most remarkable Americans ever to live. She was an intrepid journalist, gifted writer, and popular TV personality. The New York Post once described her as “the most powerful female voice in America.” As a fearless crime reporter, she was involved in many high-profile investigations, including the famous Sam Sheppard murder trial and the JFK assassination. In November of 1965, she died mysteriously, but authorities refused to investigate. Her name was Dorothy Kilgallen.
Dorothy Kilgallen was born in Chicago on July 3, 1913. Her family moved to New York City in 1920, and she grew up in Brooklyn. After graduating high school, she briefly attended New Rochelle College but dropped out at the age of 17 to become a crime reporter.
In September of 1936, while working for the New York Evening Journal, she convinced her editors to send her on a “Race Around the World” – competing against reporters from two other newspapers. Dorothy was just 23 years old. She had two days to get her passport and 16 Visas. Off and running, she traveled by plane, dirigible, train, and ship, reporting on her adventures from such places as Germany, Manila, Hong Kong, and Hawaii. The trip took her 24 days, and she came in second place. When she returned home, every house on her block was decorated with her picture and an American flag. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt even wrote to congratulate her. Dorothy later published a memoir of her trip entitled Girl Around the World.
Ever the hardworking journalist, in 1938 Dorothy launched a newspaper column, the Voice of Broadway, for the New York Journal-American. In it she documented the shenanigans of the social elite, and more. Her writing style was a mixture of juicy gossip, dark politics, and crime, peppered with odd tidbits of trivial and fun information. Dorothy cruised New York nightspots like Delmonico’s and the Copacabana, picking up story tips, writing them on matchbooks and napkins, and tossing them in her purse.
By 1950, Dorothy’s column was running in 146 newspapers earning 20 million readers. Not everyone though was enamored with her take on the celebrity world. Dishing dirt sometimes brought her enemies. Frank Sinatra was one of them. In a running feud with Dorothy, he often referred to her as the “chinless wonder.” She responded by writing about his ties to organized crime and the mob.
In 1950, along with her column and a morning live radio program, Dorothy became a regular panelist on the new game show What’s My Line?
The show was broadcast live from New York on Sunday nights and had the panelists interview contestants with unusual occupations, with contestants winning $5 for every “no” answer. Dorothy was intelligent, quick witted, and fun, more often than not correctly guessing her way through the game. During this time, Dorothy became a celebrity herself, often outshining the stars she wrote about. But writing was her gift.
Dorothy’s father, James Kilgallen, a journalist himself recalled “she had an unerring instinct for news. She had a brilliant style of writing. She was accurate and had a flair for the apt phrase. She had an uncanny ability to produce scoops and an inordinate speed in turning out copy.” And readers devoured what she wrote.
In her column on August 3, 1962, Dorothy broke the story of President Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe’s romantic relationship. She didn’t directly identify Kennedy, but readers were able to read between the lines. One day later, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home – under suspicious circumstances.
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, and life for America changed forever. Dorothy was devasted, having met the President weeks earlier on a White House visit with her young son. And as a crime reporter, she started asking questions.
Contacts within the Dallas Police Department began feeding her information. Dorothy was soon convinced that the assassination was a conspiracy, with many involved. Things got western after the man arrested for the crime, Lee Harvey Oswald, was gunned down on live TV by nightclub owner Jack Ruby. Dorothy soon obtained and published the transcript of Ruby’s testimony before the Warren Commission tasked with investigating the crime. The FBI interrogated Dorothy in an effort to discover her source. She informed the FBI that she “would rather die than reveal his identity.”
Dorothy later interviewed Jack Ruby (she was the only reporter to do so) and began carrying a file of documents with her at all times – believed to be material she was compiling for a book. She told friends that she was “going to break this case.” She believed it would be the biggest scoop of the century.
On the evening of November 7, 1965, Dorothy made her last appearance on What’s My Line? She was later spotted in the bar at the Regency Hotel having drinks with a mystery man, and then leaving the bar at about 2 a.m.
Monday morning, November 8, 1965, Dorothy had an appointment with her hairdresser Marc Sinclaire. Sinclaire arrived at her Manhattan townhouse at approximately 8:45 a.m. He found her dead.
Dorothy was found by her hairdresser in a bedroom she never slept in, dressed in clothes she would never wear to bed, with makeup, hairpiece, and false eyelashes still on, reading a book she had finished and disliked, without her reading glasses, with the lights on and A/C running full blast in the cold of November. Eight days after her death, the New York City Medical Examiners report, signed by a doctor who claimed he was never there and didn’t sign it, stated that Dorothy died of “acute barbiturate and alcohol intoxication – circumstances undetermined.” Her death was never investigated by the authorities.
The file carrying all of Dorothy’s JFK papers has never been found.
© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com

“We want to do a lot of stuff; we’re not in great shape. We didn’t get a good night’s sleep. We’re a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful little cup.”
-Jerry Seinfeld

In the space between the scary cheer of October and December’s pending Christmas glee, we have the quiet calm of November (until Thanksgiving). Sliding towards winter, with an overload of activities ahead, I find myself more and more craving peace and quiet and coffee. Nestled in my office, with my typewriter at the ready and our little dog Mac napping at my feet, all I need is a cup of coffee. It is November. And few simple things are better than November coffee.
Coffee is almost a supernatural beverage, one of God’s gifts, good for both mind and body. When the world outside seems like too much to bear, there is nothing like a warm cup of coffee to lift your spirits, boost your mood, and make you glad to be alive. As my brother-in-law Harley would say, “That’s not coffee, that’s medicine.” While coffee is of course a blessing year-round, we need that medicine, especially in November.
I often write about coffee. There are some good reasons why. Primarily, I am convinced that ingesting coffee (fresh, organic coffee) is good for our physical and mental health. Consistent coffee consumption provides our bodies (especially our brains) with a boatload of beneficial antioxidants every day. You may not want to go to the gym, or eat buckets of kale to stay healthy, but you can drink coffee. It might be the best thing you can do for your aging carcass.
Drinking coffee has been shown to protect the heart, reduce diabetes risk, support gut health, and even slow biological aging. Always on the lookout for new coffee research, I recently stumbled upon another study highlighting the benefits of coffee consumption, especially for your brain. The study was published in the Nutrition Journal in July 2025 (you can read the study here: nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-025-01173-x).
This study tracked 2,254 adult humans aged 60 and older for three years. Results showed that those who drank two or more cups of coffee per day (480 grams or 12 ounces) had a whopping 42 percent lower chance of poor cognitive performance on specific tests as opposed to non-coffee drinkers. Translation – the coffee drinkers could answer questions and think better (they remembered to wear pants).
To determine cognitive performance, participants were given three tests: the CERAD test (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease), the DSST test (Digit Symbol Substitution Test), and the Animal Fluency Test (a timed test where a person is asked to name different animals and then unique responses are counted). The study found that consuming roughly 16 ounces of coffee daily can protect your brain against cognitive decline. Drinking coffee appears to reduce oxidative damage to your neurons. Neurons are those happy brain cells that we all need to get through Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The source of these spectacular brain cell benefits appears to come from coffee’s chlorogenic acids. These are the potent polyphenols that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in our bodies. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress have been linked to disease in the human body, so anything we can do to fight them is a good thing. Coffee may be one of our best weapons. For your consideration this November, here are some coffee drinking tips that may help in this fight for health. You can practice these all year.
Whenever possible, drink fresh coffee. Once coffee beans are roasted, they are essentially perishable. As roasted coffee ages, antioxidant potency decreases. Freshly roasted coffee offers the most health benefits (best used within 30 days of roasting). To maintain freshness, store coffee in airtight containers away from heat and light.
Avoid sugar, syrup, and other bad stuff in coffee. If you need sweetener, honey is wonderful in coffee and a healthier choice.
Enjoy coffee in the morning. Research shows that morning intake aligns with your circadian rhythm supporting good sleep. Avoid coffee eight to ten hours before bed, unless you work at NORAD.
For maximum health benefits, consume two to four cups of coffee per day (16 – 32 ounces). More than this may cause sleep disruption and elevated blood pressure. It might also make your ear hair grow.
If you have any concerns over cholesterol levels, consider filtered coffee (pour over or drip) over non-filtered brewing (French press or espresso). If in doubt, always consult your doctor or other smart people you know.
Black coffee is considered to have the highest antioxidant levels, but some research suggests that adding cream offers health benefits as well. I personally enjoy both – black coffee, as well as coffee with heavy cream and honey.
Live long and drink up. Enjoy your November coffee…
© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com

“Happy are those who dare courageously to defend what they love.”
-Ovid (Roman poet)

The Vietnam War, pitting communist North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its primary ally the United States, was a long and divisive conflict. It occupied American attention and involvement for over 20 years, with our combat forces in-country and on the ground from 1965-1973. Over 58,000 Americans lost their lives in the war. Those who served in Vietnam answered their country’s call when needed. They deserve our gratitude and respect for their service.
One of those who served was Mr. Ricardo Cortez, a combat- wounded veteran from Lytle, Texas. I recently had the honor of speaking with Mr. Cortez and wanted to share his story.
Ricardo (Richard) Cortez was just 18 years old in 1965 when he was drafted into the Army during the war in Vietnam. He experienced much as a member of the U. S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division (nicknamed the Ivy Division for the pronunciation of the unit’s number in Roman Numerals – IV). While engaged in combat operations, Mr. Cortez saw plenty of action. From Camp Jackson Hole, near the Cambodian border in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam, men of the 4th Infantry were tasked with continuing search and patrol missions. They scouted and tracked enemy positions engaging North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces at every opportunity. The 4th Infantry endured some of the worst fighting of the war. After volunteering for an extra support and combat mission, Mr. Cortez was wounded when his unit was ambushed as their convoy navigated the Ho Chi Minh Trail inside Cambodia. In the midst of a firefight, the truck he was driving hit a landmine. Blown from the cab with severe injuries, he survived the fight, saved by stalwart Army medics and a medevac helicopter crew.
After treatment in-theater, he was sent to hospital in the Philippines and was later transferred to Madigan Army Medical Center in Seattle for recovery and rehab. With Purple Heart in hand, Mr. Cortez was discharged in 1967 (during his combat tours he also received a Bronze Star). In 1978 he joined the Army Reserve and went on to serve during the Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm as a 1st Sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division. He currently serves as a member of the Honor Guard with his local VFW chapter. In the past 22 years he has helped perform ceremonial duties for more than 2,000 military funerals.
Leading a proud military legacy, Mr. Cortez’s sons have also served. Army veterans Sergeant First Class Dion Cortez and Staff Sergeant Richard Cortez, Jr. are proud of their dad. Along with Mr. Cortez and his twin brother Henry, both sons served in the Gulf War. Mr. Cortez’s life has been marked by a heart for service. He loves his country, and he was proud to serve. He is an ordinary hero. And those are the best kind.
Recently, students at Lytle High School produced a short documentary film about Mr. Cortez and his family’s military service. They were awarded a bronze medal for the film in the state finals for the UIL Young Filmmakers competition. You can watch the documentary on YouTube (“He Will Continue to Serve – UIL Young Filmmakers State Bronze Medal 1-3A Documentary Award”).
Mr. Cortez’s heart for service continues today with what started out as a simple idea to raise the spirits of his comrades. And this service is tied to America’s favorite soft drink, Coca-Cola.
Historically, the Coca-Cola Company has been a great supporter of our military. During WWII, the company pledged to supply every service member in uniform with a bottle of Coke. At the request of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, they even set up portable bottling plants to supply American G.I.s and Marines in combat with Coke. Today the company continues to support the military through partnerships with the USO and other organizations.
Albert Cortez, Mr. Cortez’s youngest son, shared with me his father’s artistic bent and new creative project idea involving Coke. His dad collects empty pill bottles and other containers. After disinfecting the containers, he creates a collage on each, using pictures for a military service theme along with Coca-Cola logos. He and his boys like Coca-Cola. He then fills the bottles with candy and other small gifts, giving them out to veterans and other VFW friends. He also passes these out to patients and nurses at the local hospital. His containers are beautiful, patriotic, and show his love for America…and Coke.
Inspired, Mr. Cortez had the brilliant idea of presenting this to the Coca-Cola Company. He would like to design special commemorative Coke cans for Veterans Day. I think this idea for Veterans Day Coke cans, designed and created by a veteran, is a genius-level marketing concept. Americans would surely love patriotic Veterans Day Coke cans.
I have forwarded a copy of this column, along with Mr. Cortez’s contact info to the Coca-Cola Company in hopes that they adopt his idea and enlist his help in creating Veterans Day Coke!
Thank you, Mr. Cortez. You are an inspiration to us all. We honor you, your beautiful wife Ninfa, and your family as you continue to serve…

© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com

“A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”
-Josh Billings

We all have our preferences when it comes to pets. I prefer dogs. Maybe you are a cat, fish, or reptile person. Whatever the case, recent research has proven what we already know – pets are good for you.
Half of the households in the U.S. have a pet of some kind. Whether you have an affectionate dog, a purring cat, or a fish watching you from his watery home every morning as you stumble out of bed to make coffee, the company of a pet is comforting. Pets support our well-being. For many they offer a vital mental and physical coping mechanism.
Pets can provide us with distinct physical benefits. Dogs especially make great exercise companions (this is less of an option with cats and fish). A dog will give you a reason to exercise. For dog owners, walking becomes pretty much mandatory. An interesting systematic review of research was published recently in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes (this is a journal put out by the American Heart Association). It highlighted the fact that dog ownership is associated with better cardiovascular health. The review examined a truckload of studies published between 1950-2019 examining data from approximately four million humans. Many of these studies revealed that dog ownership was linked to improved cholesterol levels, decreased blood pressure, and lower stress response in the sympathetic nervous system. A summary of all the data showed that dog ownership was associated with a 31 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular death. It is believed that the primary reason for this increased longevity stems from the necessary exercise required of dog owners. A squirmy little dog at your feet, ready to go outside and walk your shoes off, will help you live longer.
On a personal note, Mac, our lively little Jack Russell Terrier has prompted me to walk him twice a day. Some days now we hit four miles. I feel better for it and know that walking is good for both of us.
Besides promoting physical well-being, pets can provide a plethora of mental and psychological benefits. These include reduced stress and enhanced mood. Pet ownership stimulates the reduction of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Animals seriously have the capacity to enhance our mood and mental well-being. And this is good news also for the fish and cat people. I am not much of a cat person, but I will acknowledge that cats make pretty good pets. Their sanctimonious and independent nature make them require less maintenance. They tolerate your absence well but will hang around and offer some degree of comfort when you are home. Fish I think are indifferent, but they are fun to look at, so that’s good for something. Lizards and small rodents might fall into this category as well.
But when it comes to mental health, dogs particularly provide the pure connection and affection which promotes the release of dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters synonymous with relaxation. I always feel more relaxed with little Mac curled up at my feet, or asleep on my desk as I write.
I recently had reason to stop by the designated veterans’ apartments here in town. While there I met an elderly gentleman who was a former Navy SEAL. He glided into the room in his electric wheelchair with his dog Frieda by his side. Frieda’s attention and affection for her person was obvious. This grizzled veteran told me that his beloved dog had literally saved his life. She gave him a reason to live. The bond between the two was evident beyond words.
Pets, and I would again say dogs in particular, can encourage positive social interactions as well. Dogs naturally create opportunities for social connections. Walking your dog can lead to casual conversations with neighbors and other dog owners. Many folks take their charges to the local dog park. It’s easy to meet people this way. Dogs provide a social lubricant. You are more approachable with a dog. Dogs also can help foster emotional security, encouraging people to interact in informal settings.
All pets are good for us in every way. They make our lives better by loving us, overlooking our faults, and wanting nothing more than food, water, and our attention. They are blessings beyond words. Love your pet today…
© 2025 Jody Dyer
typewriterweekly.com