Comment on The sound of these elephants smashing pumpkins is so satisfying

Dear Readers: Over my 21 years writing this column, I’ve stayed in touch with many readers whose questions have particularly affected me. One such reader, whose question first ran in 2021, provided an “update,” published in 2023. He and I have continued to correspond, and I’m happy to share an update to his update, as a reminder — to all of us — that time plus wisdom can bring on a (mostly) happy ending. Below is the original question and my answer (edited for length).

Moon Alert: After 2 a.m. EDT today, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Virgo. Happy Birthday for Wednesday, June 12, 2024: You have a cheerful, positive approach to life and are generous and supportive of others. You support what you value and know what you want.

Oops. He did it again. Weeks after apologizing for using an Italian word which roughly translates to “faggotry,” Pope Francis reportedly used the same term again in a closed-door meeting with Roman priests on Tuesday—right in the middle of Pride Month. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] “There is an air of frogaccine in the Vatican,” the head of the Catholic Church said, according to Italian news agency Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA), which cited sources present at the meeting at Salesian Pontifical University in Rome.

Bird flu outbreak at dairy farms continue to raise concerns about virus spreading PBS NewsHourIowa AG officials consider new guidelines for fairs and expos as avian flu cases jump to cattle & humans WHO TV 13 Des Moines News & WeatherWith 100M birds dead, poultry industry could serve as example as dairy farmers confront bird flu The Associated PressMichigan stands out for its aggressive bird flu response.

Europe taps CSL Seqirus to produce bird flu vaccines for pandemic preparedness efforts FiercePharmaEU to secure 40 million avian flu vaccines for 15 countries - officials Reuters.comGameStop uses its Roaring Kitty spotlight to build a cash hoard Financial TimesFinland to offer bird flu vaccine to select groups of people, a possible global first STATEU Secures More Than 40 Million Bird Flu Vaccines MarketWatch

NASA’s next ISS spacewalk has an unusual objective Digital TrendsNASA Sets Coverage for U. S. Spacewalk 90 Outside Space Station NASANASA astronauts will scrape microorganisms off ISS during upcoming spacewalk Popular ScienceSpacewalk Approaches as Starliner Astronauts Extend Their Orbit SciTechDailyNASA to Discuss Upcoming Spacewalks for Station Repairs, Upgrades NASA