Lead contributor Greg Asimakoupoulos expresses his perspective on current events and life in general through verse. We have used Greg's weekly expressions since SeniorLifesytle began in 2006 and borrowed (with permission) the "Rhymes & Reasons" title used on the Partial Observer website where his work still appears.

The updated SeniorLIfestyle site includes all of the Rhymes & Reasons we have used since April 2006. 


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News & Current Events

 60 records found

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   October 14, 2023)
A call to pray for the conflict in the Middle East…
Topics: Crisis • Current Events, News • Faith • History • News • Prayer • War


Hope and Help During the Issraeli-Hamas War by James N. Watkins


(My World   October 13, 2023)
Jim shares past posts that help direct our thoughts as images of another war fill the news…
Topics: Crime, Justice, Punishment • Crisis • Current Events, News • Dying and Death • History • Hopes & Dreams • News • Prayer • Terrorism • War


Is it Really Hotter Now than Any Time in 100,000 Years? by Darrell Kauffman / The Conversation


(My World   July 28, 2023)
Recent heat waves underscore Earth’s new climate state while revealing a fascinating history…
Topics: Change • Coping • Crisis • Current Events, News • History • Nature • News • Research • Science & Technology • Weather


COVID-19 Retrospective by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   May 12, 2023)
Now that COVID's status as a global pandemic has ended, I will take a retrospective look at how USA compared to other countries in this three-year-plus ordeal…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


The Six-Minute Video Speaks Louder than Words by Garrison Keillor


(My World   April 6, 2023)
Everyone should look at that six-minute video of men moving down the hall of the Covenant School. They don't stop to confer, discuss options — lives are in danger, terrified children in lockdown, and they run forward toward gunfire…
Topics: Crime, Justice, Punishment • Crisis • Dying and Death • News • Social Issues • Tragedy


COVID-19 Perspectives for February 2023 by Stu Johnson


(Hobbies & Lesiure   March 10, 2023)
February 2023 marks the three-year point in the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as 1918, but will it be as disastrous, and will it finally transitio to an endemic in year four&hellip'
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disaster • History • News • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for January 2023 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   February 14, 2023)
Threats of a tripledemic and ever-more-contagious variants of COVID keep the pandemic alive, yet as death and hospitalization rates continue to drop, life has taken on a post-COVID tone. Where are we as the pandemic approaches the three year mark?…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for December 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   January 11, 2023)
Is it over? Afraid not. But behind the near-hysteria over a tripledemic and the latest COVID variant with the menacing name of Kracken there is still reason to be watchful. So, what in the world is going on with the pandemic that won't quit?…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • History • News • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for November 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   December 13, 2022)
For most of us in America COVID seems more nuisance now than threat, but it continues to surge in the Far East and with winter approaching there are fears of a 'tripledemic'…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for October 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   November 14, 2022)
Are we there yet? While it seems we have turned the corner from pandemic to endemic, the global situation does not yet warrant that assessment—and the winter cold and flu season approaches in countries most impacted by COVID…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


Worse Than a Crime, a Mistake by Sandra J. Saunders / Creators


(Health & Wellness   September 7, 2022)
Isolation is essential for vulnerable people who don't want to get long COVID, or worse. But it never made sense to mandate closures that create additional mental and public health problems to contain the virus…
Topics: Beliefs • Change • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Disease • Media • News • Policy, Policy Formation • Politics • Social Issues


COVID-19 Perspectives for August 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   September 7, 2022)
We'd like to think it's over, but new variants have led to recommendations for a second booster for many Americans—a tactic that has kept death rates down in other countries. So, no, we cannot dismiss it, nor stop reporting on it…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for June 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   July 12, 2022)
We may think it's over, but COVID continues its relentless spread, with more people becoming infected two or more times, though less likely leading to hospitalization and death as early in the pandemic…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • News • Statistics • Trends


Five COVID Numbers that Don't Make Sense Anymore by Katerhine Wu / The Atlantic


(Health & Wellness   July 9, 2022)
It's long past time to forget them all…
Topics: Advice, Guidance & Mentoring • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • News


COVID-19 Perspectives for April 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   May 21, 2022)
As more Asian countries face COVID surges, most of us in America know of or are part of the surge in breakthrough infections among the vaccinated, with mild symptoms and very low hospitalizations and deaths. …
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disaster • History • News • Statistics • Trends


Prayer of the Children by Kurt Bestor


(Arts & Entertainment   April 8, 2022)
Written for another war this song is a poignant reminder of the suffering in Ukraine now . . . or any war, in any place…
Topics: Crisis • History • Music • News • Prayer • War


COVID-19 Perspectives for March 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   April 6, 2022)
Omicron surge spreads around the world, making return to normal less clear. At the the same time, USA levels off after big spike in January, making a return to normal seem more likely, but are we moving too quickly?…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


A Modern-day Pieta by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   March 26, 2022)
A statue of Christ is carried to a bunker for safe keeping in Lviv Ukraine…
Topics: Crisis • Faith • News • Religion • War


Sitting Scared in Church, Thinking About Evil by Garrison Keillor


(My World   March 17, 2022)
America has been so fascinated with our own circus, we didn’t fully appreciate true evil and now here’s Putin taking his place with Lenin and Stalin…
Topics: Crisis • Faith • News • Politics • Religion • War


Reality is a Good Antedote, America, Take a Long Hard Look by Garrison Keillor


(My World   March 10, 2022)
Who will be our Zelensky?…
Topics: Coping • Crisis • Dying and Death • Government • War


COVID-19 Perspectives for February 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   March 7, 2022)
Have we seen the last giant gasp of the COVID pandemic as it morphs into an endemic, or are we rushing too quickly to return to normal? What happens in March will answer that question…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • Statistics • Trends


Praying for a Ukrainian Mother by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   March 2, 2022)
Standing with those on the run…
Topics: Compassion • Crisis • Family • Prayer • War


A Prayer for Peace by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   February 26, 2022)
Lighting a candle for peace against the backdrop of war…
Topics: Crisis • Faith • News • Prayer • War


COVID-19 Perspectives for January 2022 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   February 4, 2022)
Omicron causes seismic surge in cases, raising the societal toll, but the good news is that mortality rates (deaths as proportion of cases) continue to fall…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Social Issues • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for December 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   January 5, 2022)
Like a global game of Whack-a-Mole, omicron hits Europe hard, USA to a lesser extent, with minimal impact seen elsewhere so far in COVID statistics…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


Where Are Those Christmas Presents? by Rebecca Heilweil / Vox


(My World   December 18, 2021)
The history of the metal box that's wrecking the supply chain…
Topics: Business • Change • Christmas • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • News • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for November 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   December 3, 2021)
Europe takes the brunt of the latest surge, just as Omicron, another potentially dangerous variant, arrives to dampen the holiday season…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


America Has Lost the Plot on COVID by Sarah Zhang / The Atlantic


(Health & Wellness   November 6, 2021)
We’re avoiding the hardest questions about living with the coronavirus long term…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • Health Care • Planning • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for October 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   November 4, 2021)
South America shows improvement while USA and most of the world show little sign of flattening the COVID curve…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for September 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   October 9, 2021)
The curve continues to go the wrong way for USA, while globally it is a mixed picture, but COVID is just not going away soon…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for August 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   September 8, 2021)
After nearly seven months of 'flattening the curve' for USA, the delta variant has made its presence known here and around the world, with tightened restrictions…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


We're All Suffering 'Corona Hangover' by James N. Watkins


(Health & Wellness   August 20, 2021)
COVID-19 is going to have long-term effects on the physical and mental health around the world…
Topics: Change • Coping • COVID-19 • Crisis • Faith • Loss & Grieving • Social Issues • Trends


COVID-19 Perspectives for July 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   August 5, 2021)
While only a blip at the end of July, the delta variant and high number of unvaccinated are putting a damper on the optimism felt a month ago…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


They Waited, They Worried, They Stalled. This Week, They Got the Shot. by Julie Bosman / New York Times


(Health & Wellness   July 30, 2021)
The U.S. vaccine rollout has plateaued and the course of the coronavirus pandemic in this country may depend on how many people are ultimately swayed to get vaccinated…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • News • Social Issues • Wellness


COVID-19 Perspectives for June 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   July 3, 2021)
Celebrating a new sense of freedom for Independence Day 2021, we in America need to remind ourselves that the COVID pandemic is global and far from over…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


The Unmasked Bandit by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   June 26, 2021)
Reflecting on a year of being held hostage…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Faith • Freedom • Hopes & Dreams • Loss & Grieving • News • Wellness


COVID-19 Perspectives for May 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   June 4, 2021)
As U.S. and other countries prepare to reopen, trouble spots elsewhere show that the COVID-19 global pandemic is far from over…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics


COVID-19 Perspectives for April 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   May 4, 2021)
Bending the curve: US going in right direction, India and others now in crisis…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics


Sweden's Pandemic Experiment by Mallory Pickett / The New Yorker


(Health & Wellness   April 10, 2021)
When the coronavirus arrived, the country decided not to implement lockdowns or recommend masks. How has it fared?…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Demographics • Disease • History • News • Statistics


COVID-19 Numbers for March 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   April 3, 2021)
Vaccinations soar, but cases poised for troubling Easter surge. How does the U.S. compare to the world?…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics


COVID-19 Numbers for February 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   March 4, 2021)
A downturn in cases, vaccinations accelerating, but are we out of the woods yet? How does the U.S. compare to the world?…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics


COVID-19 Numbers for January 2021 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   February 6, 2021)
An updated look at the COVID statistics comparing the U.S. to the world (in a new visual format)…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics


COVID-19 Numbers for December 2020 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   January 8, 2021)
An updated look at the COVID statistics comparing the U.S. to the world…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics


COVID-19 Numbers for November 2020 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   December 5, 2020)
An updated look at the COVID statistics comparing the U.S. with the world…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics


COVID-19 Numbers for October 2020 by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   November 6, 2020)
October 31 update comparing the U.S. with other countries…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • History • News • Statistics • Trends


Earth and Heaven by James N. Watkins


(My World   October 2, 2020)
What it means to me to be a citizen of both…
Topics: Beliefs • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Faith • Government • Language, Meaning • News • Religion • Social Issues • Social Movements


A World of Blessing by Stu Johnson


(My World   July 16, 2020)
People unite in virtual choirs to bless cities, countries, the world…
Topics: Circumstances, Life Events • Comfort & Consolation • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Faith • God • Innovation, Invention, Creativity • Inspiration • Music • News • Relationships


Harrowing Blame Game Reported by Stu Johnson


(Health & Wellness   June 15, 2020)
Looking for answers for the COVID-19 death toll in nursing homes…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Dying and Death • Demographics • Government • Health Care • Media • News • Politics • Racism and Inequality • Social Issues • Statistics


About Those Numbers by Stu Johnson


(My World   May 19, 2020)
Putting COVID-19 numbers in perspective…
Topics: Communication • COVID-19 • Crisis • Dying and Death • Disease • Ethics & Morality • Media • News • Research • Social Issues • Trust • Writing


The Triage Trio by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   May 16, 2020)
With praise for our parademics…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Disease • Health Care • News • Risk • Service • Tribute, Testimony


No Revision Needed by George Garrison


(My World   May 15, 2020)
Finding reliable information in the age of COVID-19…
Topics: Bible • Change • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Media • News • Trust


Coronavirus: Revival or Revolution? by James N. Watkins


(My World   May 8, 2020)
What will the crisis bring?…
Topics: Change • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Faith • Future • News • Social Issues


Life Lessons by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Health & Wellness   May 3, 2020)
What we should learn from global pandemic…
Topics: Coping • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Disease • Learning • News • Wellness


With Praise for Saint Anthony by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   May 2, 2020)
A tribute to Dr. Anthony Fauci…
Topics: Character, Integrity • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Disease • History • Inspiration • News • Tribute, Testimony • Wellness


Bringing Out the Best in All of Us by George Garrison


(My World   April 24, 2020)
In it together now, but?…
Topics: Coping • COVID-19 • Crisis • Disease • Faith • Inspiration • News • Relationships


Empathy Week by George Garrison


(Faith   April 8, 2020)
A perspective on Holy Week in the midst of a global pandemic…
Topics: Coping • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Easter • History • Jesus • News • Relationships • Religion


A Lenten Season Like No Other by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   April 4, 2020)
How the coronavirus has impacted our preparation for Easter…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Disease • Easter • Faith • News • Religion


Kids, I Lost My Job by Ken Potts


(Connections   March 29, 2020)
Be open, honest with kids about your employment…
Topics: Communication • Coping • COVID-19 • Crisis • Current Events, News • Family • News • Parenting, Parents • Relationships • Unemployment • Work


The Six Feet Rule by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   March 28, 2020)
It's a matter of life or death…
Topics: COVID-19 • Crisis • Discipline • Disease • News • Relationships • Wellness


The Exodus Revisited by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(Rhymes & Reasons   September 19, 2015)
A prayer for the refugees…
Topics: Crisis • Current Events, News • Prayer • Relief Work