They can pop their heads out, but they’re too grounded in the pot to go very far…

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Sunday US COVID News

“To the alarm of some government health officials,
President Trump has expressed enthusiasm for the Food and Drug Administration to permit an extract from the oleander plant to be marketed as a dietary supplement or, alternatively, approved as a drug to cure COVID-19, despite lack of proof that it works. Driving the news: The experimental botanical extract, oleandrin, was promoted to Trump during an Oval Office meeting in July. It's embraced by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell, a big Trump backer,
who recently took a financial stake in the company that develops the product.” Axios News

“Two top CDC officials step down. Kyle McGowan, the chief of staff, and Amanda Campbell, the deputy chief of staff, had worked side-by-side with CDC Director Robert Redfield, including the last eight tumultuous months as the virus overwhelmed the nation. The CDC has sometimes been at odds with the Trump administration, and recently was removed from its position as overseer of the nation's COVID-19 data.” NY Times

“Birx, speaking in Kansas City, Kansas, warned that the outbreak is not just an urban issue. ‘So we are really asking all communities, whether you are urban or rural communities, to really wear a mask inside, outside, every day,’ she said. ‘Much of the spread is asymptomatic. I know we all want to believe that our family members cannot be positive. They are.’ USA Today

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- On Sunday, the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department tweeted a video that showed how quickly COVID-19 can spread and lead to death: https://www.kctv5.com/coronavirus/kcmo-health-department-tweets-video-with-somber-covid-19-warning/article_d26bcafa-e02a-11ea-9f97-cf92fee35687.html

For the 20th straight day in a row, OVER 1000 additional Americans died from COVID-19 today August 16th, 2020

“In the midst of another national tragedy that has the US approaching 170,000 deaths from Covid-19, there have been few signs of collective mourning among Americans.” CNN Most people just want to get on with their own lives & to forget that many, many others are continuing to lose their lives because of this unseen virus.

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I planted these Marigold seeds back in April. I transplanted them outdoors in May. They were supposed to be a “dwarf variety” growing no taller than 8 to 10 inches. Very disappointing, it has taken them until early August to even bud. Now they ar finally starting to bloom… a little. In contrast to the Marigolds that I wintered over last Winter, the new marigolds’ blooms seem to be smaller: plus sparse.

The plants are also now almost 3 feet tall: not just the promised 10 inches max. However being super tall, is giving them this ability to try to escape outside the bounds of the railing on the deck. Thus the photo above that has inspired thoughts that I’d like to escape, too. But can't...The tallest section of these mainly leafy plants remain inside the railing.

This Stay-at-Home isolation to avoid Covid hasn’t been easy. I wouldn’t be growing these particular marigolds (the least attractive marigold plants I’ve seen) if it wasn’t for COVID keeping me away from the garden store where I normally buy my Spring annuals. However, although unusual & not my favorite, these new plants have added variety to life’s experiences. They are at least greenery.