Today, I want to lift up the story of Gladys West, a mathametician whose work made GPS possible, who passed away last week at the age of 95. You can read about her remarkable life and contributions here.
Thank you, Gladys, for your work and example of a life well lived. May you rest in peace.
*****
Please join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/26/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-26th-2026/
I had hoped to attend vigil mass yesterday afternoon but the level of dysautonomia, pain, and fatigue I was having made it inadvisable. It was cold and I didn’t think that I could handle the amount of walking and being upright involved, even if I went to a nearby church rather than my own church which is a further drive.
Instead, I participated in an online mass through Heart of the Nation. While a local station televises the mass on Sunday, I was able to access it online on Saturday. One of my favorite homilists was presiding and viewing online gives a bit more time so I got to hear more music than in the televised version.
Back during my mother’s illness, she used to watch mass on television when she could no longer attend in person and visitors from the church would bring her communion from time to time. Eventually, I was given a pyx so that I could bring the Eucharist to her myself. It is mentioned in this poem, first published by Wilderness House Literary Review:
In my purse
cheap pens I won’t miss if they’re lost
my wallet, heavy with too many coins
ibuprofen for headaches
a pack of tissues
hair ties for windy days
a dog-eared calendar
my license to drive
a crumpled shopping list
emergency cough drops
a pyx
my favorite mechanical pencil, extra lead
credit cards – insurance cards – loyalty cards
a laminated prayer card from my mother’s funeral
One of the blessings of the pandemic shutdowns for me was the re-discovery of online or televised mass when I couldn’t attend in person. It’s comforting to have that alternative on weekends like this one.
I may need to take it more often in the future if we can’t get better control of my symptoms.
*****
Join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/25/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-25th-2026/
I started Top of JC’s Mind in September, 2013, and, sometimes, I like to take another look at some of my older posts.
It’s an eclectic blog with lots of topics and you could rummage around in old posts, too, if you like.
Sometimes, I am looking back for specific topics or events. There are also threads that weave in and out over time.
For example, I wrote a lot of comments on the eventually successful campaign to keep shale gas fracking out of New York – which had a brief, ugly reprise in the more recent effort to add CO2 fracking to our state ban. There are also renewable energy posts, including posts on heat pumps, solar panels, and EVs. We are proud to be an electrified household powered by the sun!
There are poetry posts, including posts from my residencies with the Boiler House Poets Collective at the Studios at MASS MoCA which began in fall 2015.
I’ve written quite a lot of COVID/pandemic posts. I’m humbled that one of the local historical societies has been printing those posts to place in their archives for possible research in the future.
The most poignant posts for me are the ones that involve my family. I wrote about my parents in their final years. Those posts were helpful to me at the time as a way to process what was going on but are also good to look back on from time to time.
While I’m admittedly not a great photographer, I’ve tried to include some photos. It’s handy that, during the years of Top of JC’s Mind, we have had family living in Hawai’i, and later, London. Even an amateur can take decent photos in those settings. I also like to take photos in the western Massachusetts/Southern Vermont area where I lived as a child and teen.
So, I invite you to take another look at Top of JC’s Mind.
Or a first look, if that is more applicable…
*****
Linda’s prompt for Stream of Concsiousness Saturday this week is “take another look.” Find more information on joining us for SoCS and/or Just Jot It January here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/23/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2026-daily-prompt-for-jan-24th/
Here in upstate New York, we are preparing for a few days of severe winter weather. First, cold temperatures and wind, followed by a significant snowstorm with over a foot (1/3 meter) of snow expected.
The three of us have our supplies on board and expect to be in most of the weekend. I might make it to church for vigil on Saturday or might have to do online services. I expect my Sunday afternoon rehearsal will be cancelled.
Of course, the storm could change course, but better safe than sorry.
This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/23/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-23rd-2026/
Since my hEDS diagnosis last week, I’ve been trying to arrange for a number of tests that my specialist ordered.
Some of the tests I was able to do on a walk-in basis and those went smoothly. I’ve been having trouble, though, with orders that had to be faxed. I’ve only been able to schedule one of the three tests, despite repeated phone calls and a few written messages.
It’s only been a week and a half, but I’m feeling really frustrated.
After the months and months of go-rounds of various specialists, waiting to see them, and waiting for the tests they ordered, I’m impatient for more information, in hope that we might actually be able to have some options to deal with my most troubling symptoms.
Deep breath.
More waiting, more phone calls.
What’s a few more days or weeks when we are dealing with something I’ve had my whole life.
PS: After I posted, I realized that today’s prompt for #JusJoJan was “impatience” so, yeah, guilty of that, too.
Join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/22/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-22nd-2026/
Joanne Corey at the Austin organ console in John M. Greene Hall, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, 1981 (Photo credit: Mary Wallace Strizek)
A triple dip! Today’s One-Liner Wednesday/Just Jot It January pingback with a special tie-in to Sunday’s JusJoJan prompt “organ.”
Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/21/one-liner-wednesday-jusjojan26-the-21st-truer-words/
Today, I was reading the newsletter from Ellen Morris Prewitt, an author whom I met through her blog. Ellen’s newest book, When We Were Murderous Time-Traveling Women, will be published on April 1, 2026, so, if you follow her blog, you will get all the breaking news on that, such as when pre-orders will be starting.
I thought for today’s jot, I would re-purpose a comment that I wrote on Ellen’s Jan. 19th post about bombings and other hate crimes:
“Young men seem to be especially vulnerable to being radicalized against those of a different race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. It’s horrifying, but also, as you say, Ellen, has its roots in our society. Unfortunately, in our time, white Christian nationalism has become more overt which, I think, makes hate and violence seem somehow acceptable to some. I think, though, that, for the majority, it is bringing home the reality of where hate leads and inspiring them to speak out, demonstrate, pray, or whatever mode they choose to oppose it.”
I hope you will visit Ellen’s blog and follow along. She is a fascinating writer with a compelling family and personal history to share.
*****
Join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/20/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-20th-2026/
This weekend, I did a lot of board/committee work for the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton, plus a rehearsal for spring outside gigs with our small group.
I had PT this morning and did a couple of errands but now I am lying down and expect to be in bed all afternoon.
With hEDS, these things can happen. You can sometimes tough your way through a couple of days or events but you wind up paying for it later.
It’s a balancing act.
This jot is brought to you as part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/19/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-19th-2026/
Vote for Democracy #53
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
Dear Members of Congress,
You have powers under Article I of our Constitution that you need to assert immediately.
You should go into emergency session and pass legislation that rescinds Donald Trump’s ridiculous tariffs against our European allies who oppose his wildly illegal attempts to annex Greenland. While you’re at it, rescind the rest of the tariffs Trump has imposed that infringe on trade treaties, which is the vast majority of them. These are adding to inflation for consumers and have caused uncertainty – and even closure – of US businesses, especially small businesses.
You must also make clear that only Congress can declare war. Trump, though he is commander-in-chief, has no authority to attack another sovereign country, especially our allies. He cannot attack Greenland. Period. Congress as a body should also remind the military that they are bound to follow the Constitution and must not follow illegal orders.
Speaking of illegal orders, they must also make clear that the US military is not authorized for deployment domestically. The Posse Comitatus Act forbids using the military as law enforcement within the country. Yes, there is the possibility to call in troops in the event of insurrection, but there is nowhere in the US that people are threatening to overthrow the government. (Oh, and when there was an insurrection when Trump was president on January 6, 2021, he failed to uphold the Constitution and put down the insurrection; he actually encouraged it and now denies it happened.)
You must also make clear that Congress controls spending and the president and the executive branch only execute the laws that Congress passes. You must make clear that you will not authorize funds to buy Greenland or any other sovereign territory. While you’re at it, you should stop the stealing of Venezulean oil with proceeds going to offshore accounts.
It’s time for Congress to do its job as defined by Article I of our Constitution and centuries’ worth of laws that you have passed.
Sincerely,
Joanne Corey
*****
This post is part of Linda’s Just Jot It January. Join us! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/18/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-18th-2026/
While I would usually be posting on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt today, I’m opting instead for doing an edited Just Jot It January post.
Okay, this is going to be more than a “jot” but will be something that I feel compelled to give an update to the usual crowd of SoCS participants.
Since March, 2024, I’ve been having a growing array of odd symptoms – I won’t bore you with the whole list – that have been interfering with my ability to function. The brain fog and fatigue have been especially problematic.
I’ve posted variously about these symptoms and their impact on my life. Along the way, I’ve been diagnosed with a number of conditions that affect a certain body part or system but have always felt that these different symptoms were related.
This week, I finally have an answer. I’ve been diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). hEDS is an inherited connective tissue disorder. Because we have connective tissues throughout our bodies, it impacts many different parts and systems of the body. Each individual with hEDS has their own unique combination of symptoms which may change over time. While hEDS follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, the specific genes underlying it have not yet been identified. Because there is currently no test that detects hEDS, it tends to be missed, especially because there is no medical specialty dedicated to connective tissues.
Just in case you were wondering how a 65-year-old gets an initial diagnois of a genetic disorder. My (embarrassingly large) number of medical practitioners have spent the last almost two years ruling out various diagnoses or diagnosing component parties of hEDS without putting all the pieces together. I’ve learned from patient advocacy groups that there are other people who were not diagnosed until their fifties, sixties, or even older.
I actually was pretty sure I had either hEDS or the related condition, hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), 19 months ago. A close family member was facing an unusual medical condition that required surgery and her doctor realized that her connective tissues were not responding in a typical way. She suggested that there might be a connective tissue disorder present and advised seeing a geneticist physician. In assembling a full family history and researching hEDS/HSD with my family member, I felt that my body made sense for the first time.
I was excited and told my primary care doctor, but she felt we had to rule out every other possible cause of my symptoms first. Even when my family member was diagnosed with hEDS last June and the genetic connection was clear, my medical team was still not making the diagnosis.
That changed when I was finally able to see a nurse-practitioner who specializes in integrative/supportive medicine. With my records, family history, symptoms, and physical exam, she was able to diagnose me with hEDS and, importantly, to order additional tests to help pinpoint the cause of my current symptoms. She also knows where to send me for treatment, which will be especially important if I need to have surgery.
hEDS affects more women than men, so, no surprise, the symptoms tend to be written off as stress- or hormone-induced. I particularly remember having to explain to a doctor that I could tell the difference between brain fog and writer’s block. I also faced skepticism that I could be this old without any medical professionals realizing I have a genetic disorder, but, as others have pointed out, that should be a reflection on them, not me. Education about inherited connective tissue disorders has been lacking in medical education but I am hopeful that new research will break through and raise awareness so that it’s easier for people with hEDS/HSD to be diagnosed and treated appropriately much earlier in their lives.
I am trying to do my part by sharing my story and accurate information. As my treatment plan develops, I’ll post about it.
I must say, though, that the people who have been most helpful to me have been my physical therapists. Although my lead therapist realized that I have a connective tissue disorder and has been helping me to strengthen muscles and improve my posture, along with heat, massage, and stretching, she isn’t allowed to make medical diagnoses. She is also happy that I finally have an official hEDS diagnosis. The hope is that the additional tests I will now have will give us more data on how best to address my symptoms.
Obviously, a genetic disorder like this can’t be cured, but we should be able to improve at least some of my symptoms. For now, it feels good to have validation that there are reasons why my body reacts as it does. No more doctors implying that it’s all in my head or that I just need to reduce stress. Maybe some of them will even be moved to learn more about inherited connective tissue disorders.
They may even find that there are a lot more of us than they realized…
*****
For more information on joining in with Stream of Consciousness Saturday and/or Just Jot It January, please visit Linda’s blog here: https://lindaghill.com/2026/01/16/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2026-daily-prompt-for-jan-17th/
Joanne Corey 