Author Archives: Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

“Brokedown Palace” by The Grateful Dead

This melancholy ballad comforts bereaved bohemian souls.
Posted on February 22, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Few bands have earned status as cultural icons in the way the The Grateful Dead has. The band formed in 1965 in the hippie-heyday of San Francisco. Its most recognizable member, Jerry Garcia, composed a majority of the band’s musical … Continue reading →

Posted in Expressive Music | 2 Comments

Worldwide Study Quantifies Quality End-of-Life Care

U.S. ranks poorly in providing terminally ill patients a good death
Posted on February 8, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

If a good death comes at a cost, why isn’t one of the richest nations making the grade? The United States spends more on healthcare than any other nation in the world. In 2018, the U.S. paid $365 billion for … Continue reading →

Posted in Something Special | 2 Comments

A Traditional Funeral Food as Old as Its History

Ancient cheeses aim to please more than a palate
Posted on January 23, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

It is commonplace to share a meal after the burial of a loved one. Traditional funeral foods span the globe from Irish wake cakes and Mormon potato casserroles to the comforts of southern fried chicken. For generations, the Swiss village … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Perspectives | Leave a comment

End-of-Life Medical Training Program Launches

Students learn skills to discuss death and dying with patients
Posted on January 15, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Medical programs and institutions teach physicians, nurses and allied health practitioners how to save lives. But they often fail to prepare medical students to address death and dying. Medicare reimburses physicians for time spent discussing end-of-life topics with patients since … Continue reading →

Posted in Something Special | 3 Comments

FDA Approves VR for Chronic Pain

Virtual reality therapy relieves low back aches
Posted on January 1, 2022 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Tens of millions of people suffer with chronic low back pain (cLBP). I am one of them. It is a continuously present moderate to severe pain that can become unbearable or debilitating at times. You name a remedy for it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Science of Us | Leave a comment

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”

– Benjamin Franklin
Posted on December 30, 2021 by Dana Watson (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)
Posted in A Rite of Passage | Leave a comment