Pretty flowers in the parking lot

The National Park Service has a program for people with disabilities whereby if you present proof of disability, you can get a lifetime free pass into America's national parks. Depending on the park, and the ranger I suspect, you can also get other perks as well. Normally I am opposed on principle to such programs. Why should I get a free pass just because I'm blind? If I want to be an equal member of society, why shouldn't I pay what everyone else pays?

I've had to swollow and choak on some of my principles this last year. In my current economic state I can't really afford to turn down any financial break on anything, even if I don't like the reason it's being offered.

Frankie kindly drove me to a nearby national park area so I could get the free pass and have it on hand. It wasn't far from where they live. These flowers were growing alongside the parking lot. I thought they were pretty.

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Ratner's Cheesecake

Here's another recipe from Toby! Thanks Toby......and I'll get the others posted soon! Ratner's Cheesecake and plain cookies Ratner's was a Jewish dairy restaurant in the lower East Side of Manhattan. This recipe, from my disintegrating, no longer in print Ratner's cookbook, is the closest I've ever gotten to reproducing the rich, heavy cheesecake my mother made when I was a kid. It's worth the time it takes to prepare and every last calorie. Dough Can be prepared in advance. Makes enough for two cakes. Can be frozen or used to make cookies – see recipe below. 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup shortening 1 teaspoon lemon extract 1 cup butter 2 eggs 3 cups sifted cake flour ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients with hands. Refrigerate 3 -4 hours, or preferably overnight. Filling (for

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Some good news about Pirfenidone

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Living on the frontlines

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