Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

The Cat who Cracked a Cold Case by LT Shearer A crime gone unsolved for five years . . . The life of Lulu Lewis, a retired police detective, took an unforgettable turn when Conrad first introduced himself to her. Unforgettable because:a) Conrad is a special cat.b) Special because he told her so.Yes, that’s right, he can talk. (For obvious reasons, this ability remains a closely guarded secret while they live together on her canal boat, The Lark.) Visiting an old friend in Manchester, the pair stumble across a chilling news report about a trail of bodies found across the city that echo a string of cold case murders from Lulu’s past in London. Joining forces with the local police, the pair must use every ounce of their intuition to find a connection between the seemingly random killings – and track down a ruthless murderer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whooping Cough A national epidemic has just been declared in New Zealand. Reported 260+ cases diagnosed in past four weeks. Whooping cough is potentially a fatal disease especially in younger children and babies less than one year. Three babies died last year in New Zealand from whooping cough when we didn’t have an epidemic! What is whooping cough? Caused by a bacteria called pertussis. Damages lining of throat and lungs causing cough. Cough can go on for weeks or months – called ‘100’ day cough. Very easy to catch – spreads through the air – cough/sneezing - one person can on average spread to 12 others. What are the signs? Depends on age - Younger the child more at risk of becoming very unwell. Starts with runny nose, temp and sneezing 1-2 weeks Cough develops, very irritating, bouts of coughing with gasping for air between coughs, may last minutes and may vomit after cough. Older children typically whoop as they gasp for breath. Younger infants less than 6 months: go blue with cough spasms, stop breathing, not able to feed, get exhausted – may need hospital. Gradually over weeks, up to 3 months cough gets better. In older adults and children – symptoms less severe. Who is at risk? Partially immunized children. Babies too young for their first immunization at 6 weeks. Children with heart or lung conditions. How is it treated? Antibiotics may reduce the severity if given early and can reduce spread. However, there is no treatment for the cough once it starts. Babies: The cough may make the baby difficult to breath and unable to feed. Sometimes will need to go to hospital for oxygen treatment and feeding through a nasal tube. How do you prevent it and when to see your doctor? Immunization is the only protection. In particular pregnant mums after 16 weeks should be immunized as gives protection to baby in first6 weeks of life. Partially immunized children at risk. See your doctor if your child has difficulty breathing or looks unwell. Call ambulance if child or baby goes blue coughing, stops breathing or seizure. Current outbreak The latest ESR data, which covers the four weeks up to 8 November, showed rates were highest among infants less than a year old, those most vulnerable to severe disease, and with a high proportion requiring hospitalisation. It also identified hotspots in in Wairarapa, Southern, Whanganui and Capital and Coast health districts. Wairarapa had 13 cases, which was by far the highest rate at 25.4 cases per 100,000 people. That was followed by Southern at 11.6 (42 cases), Whanganui at 11.4 (8 cases) and Capital and Coast at 10.4 (34 cases).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don’t you love coming across something so unexpected and unusual, on a road-trip? That’s how most visitors feel when they first clap eyes on the bewitching glory and striking landforms of the Paritea Clay Cliffs. It’s one of the most popular geo-sites in the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, just minutes from Ōmarama, on Henburn Road. It is absolutely worth the 15 minute diversion off the main road to savour this serrated geological wonder, complete with a slot canyon to shimmy through. Mike Yardley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A book review in recognition of it being Movember The book I want to discuss is A Life Less Punishing by Matt Heath. I was asked to read the book in preparation for a podcast with Francesca Rudkin. My initial response was lukewarm – was worried it would be another celebrity self-help publication with lots of fridge-magnet quotes about loving life and being the best person you can. I was very pleasantly surprised about how good it was. Was so good I interviewed Matt on a webinar recently that Umbrella held for Movember. Interesting points about the book: Matt wrote it largely to try and help himself and sort his own life out Decided to read a history of world philosophy and see what he could learn – somewhat of an unconventional approach! He draws a lot on the Stoics and does a great job of explaining their philosophy of life, which is quite different to the staunch, unfeeling image often portrayed of them The book goes through a whole range of common emotions that men experience and discusses why we have these feelings and what do we do with them, particularly the difficult ones like shame, anger, guilt, sadness etc Matt is very honest about some of his own less than flattering experiences and some difficult times in his life e.g., relationship break up, death of his mum His level of honesty and self-reflection is itself inspirational for guys My main takeaway points that I believe are really helpful for guys to consider in Movember: Give away your fantasy life – the life that you could have – your imagined life Instead settle and accept that you have this moment – you can learn from the past but you don’tactually live there – you live here and now so pay attention to the here and now You can make choices about your emotions – they’re not inevitable nor uncontrollable, although they are impacted by the past Get yourself an imaginary coach or guide who is setting you challenges and helping you overcome them – for those with religious tendencies this could be a spiritual guide, for those who aren’t of that persuasion choose someone you respect and look up to – matt chose Willie Apiata I’d recommend this book to men over 40 as they’re likely to find it very relatable. I’d recommend it to men under 40 as it gives you some excellent life lessons without you having to live through them. And I’d recommend it to women who have a male partner in their lives – might give you a really good insight into what makes them tick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.