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Getting Through Hard Times

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/04/03/getting-through-hard-times/

Published: April 3, 2025 07:59

It was my son’s birthday this week. That can be harder, for me, than the anniversary of his death. Pain and sorrow intertwine and rise up, choking me with their rawness. Familiar and expected, yet still somehow shocking. This time, seeing one of Robert…

Allyship and U-Turns Back to Democracy

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/03/06/allyship-and-u-turns-back-to-democracy/

Published: March 6, 2025 05:06

It’s the season for new acorns here in southern Australia. The oak trees’ ancient symbolism feels heartening this year: Strength, wisdom, and stability. We need to gather all of that, globally, in the face of grotesque cuts to international aid, surging…

A Balancing Act

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/02/05/a-balancing-act/

Published: February 5, 2025 05:47

This tree stopped me in my tracks a few years ago, when my life was torn apart by grief. “Life goals,” I thought, seeing the way it had found new footing and strength after such devastation. I craved that recovery of internal balance, and the steadiness of…

Some Good News, At Least, for the Start of the Year

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/some-good-news-at-least-for-the-start-of-the-year/

Published: January 3, 2025 05:23

Last year ended with some good news for Covid vaccination: The European Medicines Agency recommended authorization for its first next generation Covid vaccine. Authorization for 30 European countries should follow in January or February. And manufacturers…

Optimism and Participating in Research

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/11/05/optimism-and-participating-in-research/

Published: November 5, 2024 06:00

It’s springtime here in Australia, and my garden is projecting optimism. I sure am grateful for it. Between personal grief, and all there is to despair or be anxious about in the world, cheery things are so very welcome. As I’m typing, the final day of…

A Little Less Doomscrolling…

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/10/04/a-little-less-doomscrolling/

Published: October 4, 2024 07:03

Sometimes, I really don’t know what I might find when I start digging seriously into a topic. Usually, though, I have a pretty good idea where I’m going to land, even if there are a few surprises along the way. Last week was one of the rare times I ended…

The Frustrating Trap of Not Comparing Like With Like…Etc

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/09/04/the-frustrating-trap-of-not-comparing-like-with-like-etc/

Published: September 4, 2024 09:01

You don’t have to be American to be intensely interested in this year’s election, and on tenterhooks over polls. As an evidence science type, all that data is simultaneously addictive and frustrating. Take today. Now that US Labor Day is over, I saw…

Cheering Women On

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/08/14/cheering-women-on/

Published: August 14, 2024 07:59

It’s been wonderful to have so many women to cheer on lately, with sunshine and exuberance pouring out from the Kamala Harris campaign and the Olympics. All that accomplishment could even rise above the head-spinning levels of racism, misogyny, sexism, and…

A New Trial of Masks… If Only…

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/07/25/a-new-trial-of-masks-if-only/

Published: July 25, 2024 08:32

There's a new trial of masks to prevent respiratory illness! How does that affect the body of evidence? In my latest newsletter, I dig into that - & wish trial reports routinely answered that question better:

How Much Evidence Do You Need?

https://hildabastian.wordpress.com/2024/06/23/how-much-evidence-do-you-need/

Published: June 23, 2024 06:45

This is the closest I’ve ever been to a black swan in the wild. They’re magnificent; such a glossy black. And very, very common around here. I stopped to take a photo of this one because evidence, and how much of it you need to be convinced about…