Spelling Bee Contest at the Heritage Downtown

Here's What I will Do, If I have to Organize a Spelling Bee in a Senior Living Community   

The above brochure attracted my attention. What a wonderful idea for The Heritage Downtown! A Spelling Bee can be both an enjoyable competition and a way to keep our minds active as we grow older. For our senior community, I recommend a friendly format with three levels: Easy, Medium, and Hard, allowing residents with different vocabulary backgrounds to participate and enjoy themselves.

I've prepared 30 words with definitions and easy-to-read pronunciation guides. I've also included a separate section on words used in major spelling competitions during the past five years. One important distinction: words from the national Scripps National Spelling Bee are generally much harder than those suitable for a community contest, so I recommend using them as bonus or championship-round words.

Part 1. Easy words -10 words

Suggested scoring: 1 point per correctly spelled word.

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Garden	GAR-dən	A place where flowers or vegetables grow.
2. Journey	JUR-nee	A trip from one place to another.
3. Neighbor	NAY-ber	A person who lives nearby.
4. Believe	bih-LEEV	To accept something as true.
5. Courage	KUR-ij	The ability to face fear or difficulty.
6. Library	LYE-brer-ee	A place where books are kept for reading or borrowing.
7. Friendly	FREND-lee	Kind and pleasant toward others.
8. Beautiful	BYOO-tih-ful	Pleasing to look at or hear.
9. Memory	MEM-uh-ree	The ability to remember people, events, or information.
10. Grateful	GRAYT-ful	Feeling thankful or appreciative.

Part 2. Medium words- 10 words

Suggested scoring: 2 points per correctly spelled word.

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Occasion	uh-KAY-zhun	A particular event or special time.
2. Embarrass	im-BAIR-us	To make someone feel awkward or self-conscious.
3. Necessary	NESS-uh-sair-ee	Needed or required.
4. Privilege	PRIV-uh-lij	A special benefit, honor, or opportunity.
5. Restaurant	RES-tuh-rahnt	A place where meals are prepared and served.
6. Cemetery	SEM-uh-ter-ee	A place where deceased people are buried.
7. Recommend	rek-uh-MEND	To suggest something as a good choice.
8. Perseverance	pur-suh-VEER-uns	Continued effort despite difficulties.
9. Independent	in-duh-PEN-dunt	Able to act or think without depending on others.
10. Acquaintance	uh-KWAYN-tuns	Someone you know but may not know very well.

Part 3. Hard words - 10 words

Suggested scoring: 3 points per correctly spelled word.

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Conscientious	kon-shee-EN-shus	Careful, responsible, and thorough in one's work.
2. Entrepreneur	ahn-truh-pruh-NUR	A person who starts and operates a business.
3. Idiosyncrasy	id-ee-oh-SING-kruh-see	A distinctive habit or unusual characteristic.
4. Miscellaneous	mis-uh-LAY-nee-us	Made up of different kinds of things.
5. Accommodate	uh-KOM-uh-dayt	To provide room for someone or adjust to a need.
6. Onomatopoeia	on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh	A word that imitates a sound, such as buzz or hiss.
7. Eccentricity	ek-sen-TRIS-ih-tee	An unusual or unconventional behavior or quality.
8. Liaison	lee-AY-zon	A person or means that connects people or groups.
9. Meticulous	muh-TIK-yuh-lus	Extremely careful about details.
10. Resilience	rih-ZIL-yuns	The ability to recover after difficulty or hardship.

Pronunciations are approximate American-English guides, with capital letters indicating the stressed syllable. Some words have accepted regional variations.

Additional Information on Spelling Bee Contest

Part 4. National Spelling Bee championship words, 2021-2025

The following are the actual winning words from the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the five completed competitions from 2021 through 2025. These make excellent advanced or tie-breaker words for our THD contest. 

Words of the Champions - Spellpundit

+3

Year	Champion	Winning word	Meaning
2021	Zaila Avant-garde	Murraya	A genus of flowering plants and shrubs.
2022	Harini Logan	Moorhen	A waterbird commonly found around marshes and ponds.
2023	Dev Shah	Psammophile	An organism that thrives in sandy environments.
2024	Bruhat Soma	Abseil	To descend a steep surface using a rope.
2025	Faizan Zaki	Éclaircissement	The clarification of something obscure; enlightenment.

Sources: Scripps competition records and published championship results. 

Notice that even the shortest word, abseil, can be tricky because of its unusual spelling. The 2025 winning word, éclaircissement, is particularly challenging because of its French origin. 

Part 5. Ten additional championship-style words

These are suitable for a final round, especially if two or more residents finish with the same score. They are drawn from words associated with national-level spelling competitions and advanced spelling lists. 

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
1. Eclaircissement	ay-klair-sees-MAHN	Clarification or enlightenment.
2. Bougainvillea	boo-gun-VIL-ee-uh	A flowering tropical vine or shrub.
3. Autochthonous	aw-TOK-thuh-nus	Originating in the place where it is found.
4. Cymotrichous	sy-moh-TRIK-us	Having wavy hair.
5. Koinonia	koy-noh-NEE-uh	Fellowship or shared community.
6. Nunatak	NOO-nuh-tak	A mountain peak projecting above surrounding ice.
7. Scherenschnitte	SHAY-ren-shnit-uh	The art of making decorative paper cutouts.
8. Appoggiatura	uh-poj-uh-TOOR-uh	A musical ornament consisting of a note that resolves into another note.
9. Onomatopoeia	on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh	A word that imitates a sound.
10. Psammophile	SAM-uh-file	An organism adapted to sandy environments.

Note: The first word is presented without the accent in its spelling above for ease of typing. In a formal spelling contest, you should accept the standard dictionary spelling and decide in advance whether accents and other diacritical marks will be required.

The official Scripps study resource, Words of the Champions, is also useful if you want a larger bank of competition words. It includes a 4,000-word study list. 

Part 6. My suggested format for the THD Spelling Bee

For our senior-community event, I would make the contest lively and welcoming rather than overly stressful.

Round 1 - Warm-up

Use the 10 easy words. Give everyone a chance to gain confidence.

Round 2 - The challenge

Use the 10 medium words. Award two points for each correct spelling.

Round 3 - The championship

Use the 10 hard words. Award three points for each correct spelling.

Tie-breaker

Use the national championship words or the additional advanced list. Give each contestant the same number of opportunities.

A few practical tips for the organizer:

• Have the pronouncer say the word, use it in a sentence, and repeat the word.

• Allow contestants to ask for the definition, language of origin, or a repetition.

• Give contestants a reasonable time limit, such as 30 seconds per word.

• Consider allowing participants to write the word on a large sheet of paper instead of spelling it aloud. This can be less intimidating and easier for residents who prefer not to speak before an audience.

• Have a dictionary available to resolve disputed spellings.

My favorite idea is to award a small prize not only to the champion but also for Best Effort, Best Vocabulary, and Most Enthusiastic Contestant. That way, the event celebrates learning, friendship, and participation as much as winning.

At THD, the real victory will be the laughter, fellowship, and shared enjoyment of words. After all, it is never too late to learn a new word!

Finally, Have you Heard of Turon?

Turon is proof that the simplest Filipino street food can also be the most perfect. Ripe saba bananas wrapped in a spring roll wrapper with a strip of jackfruit, rolled in brown sugar, and fried until the caramel shell crackles with every bite. Street vendors across the Philippines have been perfecting this recipe for generations, and somehow every lola's version tastes slightly different and equally unforgettable.

The magic of turon is in the contrast. The crispy caramelized wrapper shatters against the soft, sweet banana inside, and the jackfruit adds a floral note that turns a simple snack into something that could hold its own on any dessert menu in the world. Best eaten hot, standing on a sidewalk, wrapped in a piece of brown paper.

Can an Antioxidant Supplement Protect Our Kidneys? My Thoughts on Astaxanthin and Online Health Claims

Another Promising Health Supplement Catches My Attention

As a 91, nearing 92-year-old senior living at The Heritage Downtown, I have learned that growing older brings many blessings, but it also brings health challenges. One of the most important lessons I have learned is to be careful about what I put into my body, especially when it comes to supplements that promise remarkable health benefits.

Recently, I came across an advertisement for ClarityMD Astaxanthin, a dietary supplement containing 12 mg of astaxanthin per softgel. The advertisement caught my attention because it claimed to protect kidney cells, support healthy GFR levels, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, restore mental clarity, and provide lasting energy.

For someone like me who has Stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD), such claims naturally attract attention. Who would not want to discover something that might help preserve kidney function?

But my years as a chemist, pharmaceutical scientist, and former FDA Chemistry Team Leader taught me an important lesson: A promising scientific explanation is not the same as proof that a product works in people.

That distinction is especially important when our health is at stake.

What Is Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin is a reddish natural pigment belonging to a group of compounds called carotenoids. It is produced by certain microalgae and contributes to the color of salmon, shrimp, and other aquatic animals.

Scientists have studied astaxanthin because of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can help counter certain forms of oxidative damage in biological systems.

Oxidative stress is a legitimate subject of medical research. It has been investigated in connection with aging, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.

However, we must be careful not to jump from one scientific fact to another.

The fact that oxidative stress is associated with a disease does not automatically mean that taking an antioxidant supplement will prevent or treat that disease.

Nature offers us many fascinating substances. Some eventually become useful medicines. Others show promise in laboratory experiments but fail to demonstrate meaningful benefits in clinical trials.

We need scientific evidence to know the difference.

Can Astaxanthin Improve Kidney Function?

This is the most important question for me.

The advertisement suggests that taking astaxanthin can protect kidney cells and support healthy glomerular filtration rate, commonly known as GFR. This measurement helps doctors assess how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood.

I examined the available scientific evidence, including research reviews on antioxidant supplements in people with chronic kidney disease.

Astaxanthin has been studied in humans, including a small clinical trial involving kidney transplant recipients. However, transplant recipients are not the same population as people living with Stage 4 CKD who have not received a transplant.

The available evidence does not establish that astaxanthin improves GFR, stops the progression of Stage 4 CKD, or prevents the need for dialysis.

This does not mean that scientists should stop investigating astaxanthin. Further research may reveal useful applications in the future.

But until convincing clinical evidence becomes available, we should not confuse a possibility with a proven treatment.

For me, this is not merely an academic question. It is a personal one.

Living with advanced kidney disease has taught me to appreciate honest medical advice and to be realistic about what science can and cannot promise.

I would rather follow sound medical guidance than spend money on a supplement because an advertisement tells me what I desperately want to hear.

The Problem With Online Supplement Advertising

I am not suggesting that every supplement is worthless or that every company selling one is dishonest.

Some supplements have legitimate uses, and scientific research continues to explore others. But online advertisements sometimes combine genuine scientific terminology with claims that go far beyond the available evidence.

Words such as antioxidant, inflammation, cellular protection, and oxidative stress sound convincing because they describe real scientific concepts.

The problem begins when these concepts are used to imply that one capsule can address several complicated medical conditions at once.

Consider the claims made in the advertisement I saw:

• Protect kidney cells and support healthy GFR levels.

• Reduce digestive problems and bloating.

• Balance hormones and fight fatigue.

• Improve mental clarity.

• Make the skin firmer and more youthful.

These are separate health outcomes. Each requires appropriate evidence, and evidence supporting one possible benefit cannot automatically prove the others.

Customer testimonials and impressive star ratings may tell us that buyers are satisfied, but they cannot establish that a supplement improves kidney function.

Similarly, a money-back guarantee may reduce the financial risk of a purchase, but it does not guarantee a medical benefit.

As consumers, we should ask a simple question: Where are the well-designed human clinical trials showing that this particular product produces the advertised results?

If that evidence is missing, caution is justified.

A Personal Word About Stage 4 CKD

At my age, I have learned that protecting my health is not about chasing every new product that promises to make me younger, stronger, or healthier.

It is about making thoughtful decisions with the information available to me.

Because I have Stage 4 CKD, I would not start astaxanthin for kidney protection without first discussing it with my nephrologist or renal pharmacist. A supplement that is tolerated by some healthy adults has not necessarily been adequately studied in people with advanced kidney disease.

I would also want my healthcare professional to review possible interactions with my medications and other supplements.

There is another lesson here: we should never change prescribed treatment or abandon an established medical care plan because a supplement advertisement promises an easier solution.

Scientific progress is real, and I remain hopeful that research will continue to improve the lives of people with kidney disease. But hope should go hand in hand with evidence.

What My Years in Pharmaceutical Science Taught Me

During my professional career, I worked as a chemist and later as a Chemistry Team Leader at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. My work involved evaluating pharmaceutical chemistry and the quality of drug products.

That experience influenced how I look at health claims today.

A substance may have an interesting chemical structure. It may show antioxidant activity in a laboratory. Researchers may even find encouraging results in an early human study.

But before we conclude that it is an effective treatment, we need to ask more questions.

Was the study well designed? Were enough people involved? Was the effect clinically meaningful? Were the results reproduced independently? Were safety and long-term outcomes adequately evaluated?

And, perhaps most importantly, does the evidence actually apply to the people who are being encouraged to buy the product?

These questions are not intended to discourage innovation. They are meant to protect the public and help people make informed decisions.

As someone who spent years working in pharmaceutical science, I believe that scientific honesty is just as important as scientific discovery.

My Conclusion: Let Science, Not Advertising, Guide Us

After reviewing the available evidence, I am not convinced that ClarityMD Astaxanthin can deliver the kidney benefits promised in its advertisement.

Astaxanthin is a genuine compound worthy of scientific investigation. But its antioxidant properties do not prove that a daily 12 mg supplement can improve GFR, stop kidney decline, or prevent dialysis.

For now, I would not buy it for those purposes.

My advice to fellow seniors, people living with chronic illnesses, and anyone searching online for better health is simple: Read beyond the headline. Look beyond the testimonials. Ask for reliable clinical evidence, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new supplement.

We all want to live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives. There is nothing wrong with hoping that science will discover new ways to help us.

But we should never allow our hopes to become an invitation for unsupported promises.

At 91 nearing 92, I continue to believe that knowledge, caution, faith, and common sense are valuable companions on the journey of aging.

A final thought: The best health decision is not necessarily the one that promises the most. It is the one supported by the best available evidence.

Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal observations and a review of published scientific information. It is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. People with chronic kidney disease should consult their healthcare professionals before taking dietary supplements.

References 

1. Cochrane Library — Antioxidants for adults with chronic kidney disease. A systematic review of research on antioxidant supplements in CKD, including astaxanthin.

2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Guidance on evidence, safety, and interactions.

3. Brendler and Williamson — Astaxanthin: How much is too much? A safety review. A review of human safety studies and dose considerations.

4. Donoso and colleagues — Therapeutic uses of natural astaxanthin: An evidence-based review focused on human clinical trials. A review of the human clinical research.

   Finally, My Photo of the Day: 

   
   
   

My Monday Night Football Prediction: Rams vs. Bills

My Monday Night Football Prediction: Rams vs. Bills

One of the things I enjoy about my life at The Heritage Downtown (THD), my active senior living community in Walnut Creek, California, is that I still have plenty of opportunities to learn, observe, and share my thoughts with my worldwide blog readers.

Recently, I began a new experiment with ChatGPT, my AI companion. Since I enjoy watching American professional football, I decided to ask ChatGPT to predict the winners of the NFL's Monday Night Football games.

I thought this would be an interesting way to test how good artificial intelligence is at predicting the outcome of a sporting event. After all, AI can analyze statistics, team records, player performances, injuries, and other information that might influence the outcome of a game.

But can it predict what will actually happen on the football field?

Our latest contest was the October 12 Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills. Before the game, I asked ChatGPT to predict the winner.

Its choice was the Rams. Unfortunately for ChatGPT, the Bills had a different plan!

A Game That Kept Everyone Guessing

The game turned out to be an exciting contest that went down to the wire. The two teams traded the lead eight times, and the fourth quarter alone produced 35 combined points. Neither team was willing to surrender.

The Rams had quarterback Matthew Stafford, who completed 40 of 54 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target, Puka Nacua, caught 17 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown.

On the other side was Buffalo's quarterback Josh Allen, whose ability to pass the ball and run with it made him a constant threat.

For readers who are more familiar with soccer, imagine a match in which both teams keep scoring, the lead repeatedly changes hands, and neither side can establish control. The difference is that American football scores touchdowns worth six points, followed by opportunities to earn extra points, as well as field goals worth three points.

When regulation time ended with the score tied, the game went into overtime. In the NFL, overtime is an additional period used to determine the winner when a regular-season game is tied after four quarters.

The decisive moment came when Buffalo moved into field-goal range. Kicker Tyler Bass then connected on a 45-yard field goal, giving the Bills a thrilling 37–34 victory.

My predicted winner, the Rams, lost. The Bills went home with the victory, and ChatGPT had another prediction to explain!

Why Is Predicting Football So Difficult for AI?

I have a scientific background. I earned my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Illinois and spent many years working in the pharmaceutical industry and at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

My professional experience taught me to respect data, evidence, and careful analysis. But I also learned that scientific knowledge does not eliminate uncertainty.

Football illustrates this principle beautifully.

A team may have better statistics, a talented quarterback, and a favorable matchup. Yet one interception, one missed kick, one defensive mistake, or one extraordinary play can change everything.

AI can analyze available information and estimate which team has the better chance of winning. However, it cannot know in advance exactly how the players will perform on a particular evening.

There is an important difference between making an informed prediction and knowing the future.

ChatGPT and My Continuing NFL Experiment

I have teased ChatGPT before about its disappointing record in our Monday Night Football predictions. After this latest result, I have another reason to challenge my AI companion to improve.

But I do not consider this experiment a failure. It gives me an opportunity to learn more about artificial intelligence while enjoying one of America's most popular sports.

I also think my readers outside the United States may find this interesting. Many people around the world follow soccer, where a single goal can determine the result. American football has a different scoring system, frequent changes in possession, and special teams that can decide a game with one kick.

Both sports, however, share an essential quality: the outcome is not settled until the contest is over.

As I approach my 92nd birthday, I remain curious about the world around me. I enjoy testing new technologies, questioning their limitations, and sharing what I learn with my readers.

And I intend to keep asking ChatGPT for its NFL predictions. Perhaps it will improve its record. Perhaps it will disappoint me again.

Either way, I will be watching!

My lesson from this game is simple: Even the most sophisticated artificial intelligence can make mistakes. The important thing is not to pretend that the mistakes never happened, but to acknowledge them, learn from them, and keep an open mind.

After all, if ChatGPT could predict every football game correctly, it would not be making predictions. It would be telling us the future!

Until my next NFL prediction, may we all remain curious, humble, and willing to learn.

David At Nearing 92, The Heritage Downtown, Walnut Creek, California

AI OVERVIEW

Artificial intelligence models are increasingly used to forecast sports outcomes, but they frequently get it wrong due to inherent athletic randomness, sudden injuries, and the limitations of purely statistical modeling. While advanced algorithms can process thousands of data points, real-world football games often turn on unquantifiable human factors like a single referee call, a sudden shift in weather, or an unpredictable turnover.

Why AI Models Stumble in the NFL

Predictive AI relies heavily on historical data, regression models, and simulated match-ups. However, football introduces a high degree of variance that algorithms cannot fully anticipate:

• The "Variance" Factor: Even if an AI model assigns a 75% confidence pick to a team, that team is statistically designed to lose 25% of the time. When that 25% scenario happens, it looks like an AI failure, but it is actually normal mathematical variance.
• Market Discrepancies vs. Real Life: AI models frequently clash with human betting markets. For instance, in Week 3 of the 2026 season, six predictive AI models heavily favored Denver at 62% over the Los Angeles Rams, defying a market that favored the Rams. While Denver ultimately won 30-26, other heavy algorithmic leans—like projecting the New Orleans Saints to easily dismantle the Las Vegas Raiders—fell entirely flat when the Raiders pulled off an upset. 
• Massive Season-Long Misses: Over a full season, AI inaccuracies compound. A notable example occurred when Google's Gemini AI predicted the 2025 NFL season standings. The chatbot accurately predicted the exact record for only 4 of 32 NFL teams. Its biggest blunder was projecting the Seattle Seahawks to win just 7 games and finish last; instead, the Seahawks went 14-4 and won the Super Bowl.
  
  

Ultimately, AI platforms excel at finding long-term statistical edges rather than guaranteeing short-term weekly wins. For fans and bettors, these "wrong" predictions serve as a constant reminder that sports will always belong to human unpredictable execution rather than computer code

Finally, My Photo of the Day

I have a Calamansi tree in my Patio now still flowering, and with young and mature fruits

 

A Thrilling NFL Sunday: San Francisco 49ers Outlast Seattle Seahawks, 32–29

David At Nearing 92-Written for My Worldwide Readers who are not familiar with American Football 

A Thrilling NFL Sunday: San Francisco 49ers Outlast Seattle Seahawks, 32–29

Yesterday, I watched one of the most exciting San Francisco 49ers games I have seen this NFL season. As a longtime football fan living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I could not help but feel the tension as the 49ers battled their division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, in Seattle.

The final score was San Francisco 49ers 32, Seattle Seahawks 29. But the numbers alone do not tell the story. This was a game of dramatic turns, costly mistakes, spectacular defensive plays, and a finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final moments.

For my readers around the world who are more familiar with soccer than American football, let me explain why this particular game was so exciting.

First, a Little About American Football

Unlike soccer, where two teams continuously try to move the ball toward the opposing goal, American football is played in a series of separate plays. A team advances the ball by running with it or throwing it to a teammate.

The attacking team normally has four attempts, called downs, to advance at least 10 yards. If it succeeds, it earns another set of four attempts. The ultimate objective is to carry or catch the ball in the opponent's end zone for a touchdown, worth six points. A successful kick afterward adds one more point, while a play from close range can earn two points.

A team can also score three points by kicking the ball through the goalposts. These field goals often become crucial when a touchdown is difficult to achieve.

Think of it as a game of strategy, physical strength, and carefully planned attacks, with each play resembling a small battle within the larger contest.

The Game: A Roller Coaster of Emotions

The first half: San Francisco strikes back.

The 49ers opened the scoring with quarterback Brock Purdy throwing a short touchdown pass to veteran receiver Mike Evans. Seattle answered with a rushing touchdown, tying the game at 7–7.

The lead changed as both teams fought for control. Christian McCaffrey scored a rushing touchdown for San Francisco, while Seattle relied on several successful field goals to remain close.

Then came one of the game's most unusual moments. Just before halftime, rookie 49ers defensive lineman Gracen Halton recovered a loose ball in Seattle's end zone for a touchdown. Rather than scoring through the usual offensive attack, San Francisco's defense had delivered a major blow.

At halftime, the 49ers led 21–13. The advantage was encouraging, but the Seahawks were far from finished.

The third quarter: Seattle takes control.

The momentum shifted dramatically after the break.

Seattle's kicker Jason Myers continued to convert field goals, and quarterback Sam Darnold connected with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown. Suddenly, the Seahawks had taken control of the scoreboard.

Seattle scored 13 unanswered points during the third quarter, while San Francisco failed to score.

The Seahawks entered the final quarter leading 26–21. For 49ers fans, this was the moment to worry. Could San Francisco recover from the setback, or would Seattle pull away?

The fourth quarter: The 49ers refuse to surrender.

The final quarter delivered the drama that makes sports so memorable.

Purdy led the 49ers on an important scoring drive, finding Brandin Cooks for a touchdown pass. San Francisco then successfully completed a two-point conversion, in which Purdy connected with Mike Evans. Instead of taking the usual one-point kick, the 49ers gained two additional points.

That decision proved important. San Francisco moved ahead, 29–26.

Seattle answered with another Myers field goal, tying the game at 29–29. With the clock ticking down, it appeared that one mistake or one great play could decide everything.

Then came the decisive moment.

With less than two minutes remaining, the 49ers moved into position for kicker Eddy Piñeiro to attempt a 44-yard field goal. He made it!

San Francisco took a 32–29 lead with 1 minute and 56 seconds left.

But the game was not over. Seattle still had an opportunity to respond.

The Final Defensive Stand

The Seahawks mounted one last attempt to keep their hopes alive. With the pressure mounting, Seattle needed to advance the ball far enough to continue its drive and potentially tie or win the game.

The 49ers' defense stood firm.

On a crucial fourth-down play, Seattle quarterback Darnold's pass reached receiver Cooper Kupp, but the San Francisco defenders stopped him just short of the distance needed for a first down.

In soccer terms, imagine a team making one final attack in the dying seconds, only to have the opposing defense block its path before it can take a decisive shot at goal.

The 49ers had held on.

The final score remained San Francisco 32, Seattle 29.

The victory improved the 49ers' record to five wins and no losses, preserving their undefeated start to the 2026 season.

Why This Game Was So Memorable

What impressed me most was not simply that the 49ers won. It was how they won.

San Francisco lost its lead, watched Seattle surge ahead, and faced the possibility of defeat in a hostile stadium. Yet the team recovered through a combination of Purdy's passing, McCaffrey's running, Piñeiro's accurate kicking, and a defense that made the crucial stop when it mattered most.

Both teams also made costly mistakes, including turnovers in which possession of the ball changed hands unexpectedly. Those errors added another layer of uncertainty to an already unpredictable contest.

In American football, a team can dominate for a period and still lose because of one interception, one fumble, one missed opportunity, or one defensive breakdown. Yesterday's game was a vivid demonstration of that reality.

My Reflections as a Football Fan

At my age, I have watched many sporting events, but the excitement of a closely contested game never seems to grow old.

There is something universal about the emotions of sports. Whether we watch soccer in Europe, basketball in the Philippines, or American football here in California, we understand the anticipation of a possible victory, the disappointment of a missed opportunity, and the joy of an unexpected comeback.

For my readers who have never watched an NFL game, I hope this account gives you a better appreciation of the sport. You do not need to understand every rule to appreciate the courage, teamwork, strategy, and perseverance displayed by the athletes.

As a 49ers fan, I was delighted to see San Francisco emerge victorious. But beyond the score, I was reminded of a lesson that applies to sports and to life itself.

A temporary setback does not have to determine the final outcome.

Sometimes, the difference between winning and losing is the willingness to keep fighting when the odds seem to be turning against you.

Yesterday, the 49ers did exactly that. And what a finish it was! Go, Niners!

My Photo of the Day:

Personal Note: I have been a Loyal fan of the 49ers since  the Joe Montana Years.  

 David, at Nearing 92

The Power of Touch-An Update

From My Recent Readings

What looks like a small favor actually sets off a chain of physical reactions that pull two people closer together. A scratched back does more than ease an itch. It taps into older biological wiring that helps the body relax. Couples who share this kind of quiet contact build a sense of safety that busy days tend to crowd out.

Chemical Harmony

When fingernails drag lightly across the skin, nerve endings fire and the brain gets the message to release oxytocin, the hormone most linked to bonding. The recipient tends to feel real changes in their body and mood:

* Cortisol drops, so stress and anxiety ease up.

* The parasympathetic nervous system takes over, shifting the body from alert to settled.

* Dopamine rises, bringing a small, natural lift that makes the moment feel good.

Beyond the Itch

The mental side carries weight too. A back scratch is a wordless way of saying, I see what you need and I want to help. Nothing is asked for in return. That kind of attention makes a person feel noticed and cared for, and it gives the relationship room for the kind of openness that only comes when both people feel safe.

Better Rest

A few minutes of back scratching before bed can make sleep come easier. The steady motion and skin contact settle the mind and let the body settle too.

* Knots in the shoulders and back tend to loosen.

* Heart rate slows and steadies, which helps the body drift off.

* The focused sensation pulls attention away from phones and the day's noise, giving the brain something simple to land on.

Ancient Roots

Primates spend hours grooming each other, and that behavior keeps group bonds tight and hierarchies settled. Humans carry a version of the same drive. Setting aside time for small, grooming-style care answers a basic need for contact and connection. A habit this basic can do a lot to keep a partnership steady when life gets loud.

Meanwhile, Do you Know the 17 Potential Threats for Direct Human Extinction? 

According to The Lancet Commission on 21st Century Global Threats to Health, two threats carry the potential for direct human extinction, while the remaining 15 are major catastrophic threats projected to cause massive loss of life and health (measured in disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs) by 2100. 

Extinction-Level Threats (2)

Nuclear conflict (risk of global annihilation)
Malicious or misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) (risk of catastrophic or existential control/safety failure) 

Major Catastrophic Threats (15)

The remaining 15 major catastrophic threats projected to cause severe loss of life and health by 2100 encompass environmental, biological, lifestyle, and socioeconomic challenges. These include air pollution, climate change, and naturally occurring pandemics (excluding AI-enabled biological threats), alongside health and lifestyle factors such as antimicrobial resistance, childhood malnutrition, high alcohol use, high blood pressure, obesity(combining high BMI, poor diet, and low physical activity), poor mental health, smoking, and unhealthy ageing. Systemic and developmental challenges rounding out the list are the collapse of development assistance for health (DAH), conventional conflict, income inequality, and low educational attainment. 

Meanwhile, My Photo of the Day:

OTAP, Filipino Heritage, and the Kindness of Friends and Strangers-Part 1of 2

Sometimes, a simple gift can bring back precious memories and remind us of the goodness of people.

The other day, I received three different brands of OTAP as a gift in connection with our celebration of Filipino-American History Month here at The Heritage Downtown (THD), my home in Walnut Creek, California.

The three brands were Laura’s Buko-Pandan Flavored Otap, Magic Melt Ube Otap, and Angelina Otap. Seeing these Filipino delicacies brought a smile to my face and reminded me of my Filipino ancestry. More unexpectedly, this simple gift brought me back to several articles I wrote before the age of Artificial Intelligence about one of my favorite subjects: the kindness of friends and strangers.

At 91 and nearing 92, I have accumulated many memories during my journey through life. Some involve significant achievements in my career as a chemist, my years in the United States, and my adventures in the Philippines. Others involve seemingly ordinary encounters with people whose kindness left a lasting impression on me.

I have learned that kindness does not always come from the people we know well. Sometimes, it comes from a stranger who offers a helping hand, a friend who remembers us, or someone who takes a little time to make our day brighter.

Lessons from My Father: The Value of Talking to Strangers

In one of my earlier blog posts, My Father’s Lesson: The Value of Talking to Strangers, I recalled how my father taught us, through his example, the importance of greeting and talking to people.

During our trips between Barotac Viejo and Iloilo in the Philippines, I observed how naturally he interacted with people along the way. He did not treat every unfamiliar face as someone to avoid. Instead, he welcomed opportunities to exchange greetings and friendly conversations.

Looking back, I realize that my father was teaching us more than good manners. He was teaching us to recognize the humanity in other people.

A simple greeting can open the door to a conversation. A conversation can lead to friendship. And sometimes, a brief encounter with a stranger can become a memorable experience.

Of course, we must always exercise good judgment and be careful about whom we trust. But I believe we should not allow caution to eliminate the simple pleasures of being friendly and kind.

As I grow older, I appreciate this lesson even more.

The Importance of Kindness

Another subject I explored in my earlier writing was The Importance of Kindness.

Throughout my life, I have benefited from the generosity, encouragement, and friendship of many people. Teachers, colleagues, mentors, neighbors, friends, and even strangers have contributed in one way or another to the person I have become.

I cannot remember every kind act I have received, but I know that many of them helped me along the way.

My late wife, Macrine, and I also believed in reaching out to others. Our medical missions to Marinduque, Philippines, from 1999 to 2013 were among the meaningful experiences of our lives. Macrine often reminded me:

“You have not really lived if you have not touched the life of others.”

Those words remain with me today. They remind me that a meaningful life is not measured only by professional accomplishments, material possessions, or the number of years we live. It is also measured by the lives we touch and the kindness we leave behind.

At my present stage of life, I may no longer be able to do all the things I once did. Nevertheless, I can still share my experiences, encourage others through my writing, express gratitude, and appreciate the kindness of those around me.

OTAP: A Little Taste of the Philippines

For readers who may not be familiar with OTAP, it is a well-known Filipino pastry associated with Cebu. It is a thin, oval-shaped, flaky and crisp puff pastry, traditionally made with layers of dough and shortening, then coated with sugar.

Making OTAP requires care and patience. The dough is prepared, rolled, and folded to develop its characteristic layers. After shaping, the pastries are coated with sugar and baked until crisp and lightly golden. The result is a delicate, sweet pastry that can be enjoyed with coffee, tea, or as a snack.

The three varieties I received also reminded me of how Filipino food continues to evolve while preserving familiar traditions. Ube, or purple yam, is especially beloved in Filipino desserts. Buko-pandan combines the familiar flavors of young coconut and fragrant pandan.

For me, OTAP is more than a pastry. It represents a part of the culinary heritage that connects Filipinos living in the Philippines with those of us who have made our homes abroad.

Food has a special ability to connect generations. A familiar flavor can awaken memories of childhood, family gatherings, celebrations, and the people with whom we once shared our meals.

And sometimes, a box of pastries can remind us of something even more important: the kindness of the person who gave it to us.

Kindness at The Heritage Downtown

Since moving to The Heritage Downtown in June 2023, I have discovered that living in a senior community offers many opportunities to experience the generosity of others.

We share meals, participate in activities, exchange stories, and celebrate special occasions together. Although we come from different backgrounds and have lived very different lives, we have opportunities to learn from one another.

Our Filipino-American History Month celebration is one example. The gift of these three OTAP varieties was a thoughtful gesture that connected our celebration with Filipino culture and cuisine.

I was pleasantly surprised by the gift. More importantly, it reminded me that kindness does not have to be expensive or elaborate to be meaningful.

A small present, a sincere compliment, a friendly conversation, or a simple expression of appreciation can brighten someone's day.

I am grateful to the people who thought of sharing these Filipino treats with me. They may have intended only to offer a gift, but they also inspired me to revisit some of the lessons I have written about over the years.

Perhaps this is one of the wonderful things about kindness: it often travels farther than the giver realizes.

The person who receives a kind gesture may remember it, write about it, share it with others, and inspire still more acts of kindness.

A Reflection at 91

Looking back on my life, I realize that many of my most treasured memories are not necessarily associated with awards, degrees, promotions, or professional accomplishments.

Some are memories of people who were kind to me when they did not have to be.

My father's example taught me to be open to people. My wife, Macrine, taught me the importance of touching other lives. My friends, colleagues, and even strangers have reminded me repeatedly that goodness can appear in unexpected places.

Now, as a 91-year-old Filipino-American living at The Heritage Downtown, I continue to learn from these experiences.

I also continue to write. Before AI became part of my blogging routine, I wrote about kindness from my own observations and memories. Today, with the assistance of AI, I can revisit those themes, organize my thoughts, and share them with readers around the world. The technology may help me write, but the memories and the lessons remain mine.

I am reminded that we do not have to perform great deeds every day to make the world a better place. We can begin with a smile, a greeting, a listening ear, or a small gift given with a generous heart.

And who knows? A simple act of kindness today may become a cherished memory for someone tomorrow.

My closing thought:

At 91 and nearing 92, I have learned that kindness is a gift that never grows old. It costs little to give, means much to receive, and can remain in our hearts long after the moment has passed.

So, the next time you have an opportunity to greet a stranger, encourage a friend, or share something as simple as a piece of OTAP, remember that you may be giving more than you realize.

You may be giving someone a reason to smile and a memory worth writing about.

Finally, My Facts for the Day: