The Day of the Dead is just that -- a holiday on which deceased family and friends are remembered and celebrated. In Mexico, "Día de los Muertos" is taken so seriously that it ranks as a national holiday. Nothing creepy about the Day of the Dead, even though it occurs right after Halloween. Friendly sugar skulls and bright yellow marigolds play a big part in this celebration of life. The … [Read more...]
What is it about Rusty, Fido and Mimi?
We all love our cats and dogs and pets of all shapes, sizes and breeds. We are a nation of pet lovers, and for good reason. Studies show pets improve our wellness and mood. They offer relief from depression and isolation, thus strengthening our immune systems. No wonder we love our pets. But there is more to this story than meets the eye. In many ways, our animals are extensions of … [Read more...]
Keeping your cool in the dog days of summer
Hot enough for you? Heat and irritability both spike in the summer months. Tempers rise right along with those thermometer readings. The FBI reports that July and August are the worst months for crime, especially incidents of domestic violence. Why are we more likely to be cross in the summer? Any number of things could be in the mix. Difficulty sleeping. Heat-related disruptions of the … [Read more...]
Being of service in unexpected ways
Marking Memorial Day, we reflect with gratitude on those who have served and protected our country from harm and invasion -- honoring our right to freedom, prosperity and dignity. We might also reflect on the service we are all able to contribute from within our borders each and every day. In little and big ways, being of service can be not only of enormous help for others but also deeply … [Read more...]
The capacity to both celebrate and grieve
Ding dong, Bin Laden's dead! Yes, and we in the United States celebrate, of course. In the midst of all that cheering, though, many of us also feel grief. For while our formidable enemy now sleeps with the fishes, the memory of the thousands of innocents he killed still carries an impact of epic proportion. We mourn the dead, reach out to their loved ones and never forget the shock and the … [Read more...]