Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
One of life's most complicated relationships is the one between mother and child. Some of us are fortunate enough to enjoy or have enjoyed loving relationships with our moms, but every parental relationship is unique--even within the same families. On this Mother's Day, we would like to wish our mothers, friends/relatives who are mothers, and... Continue Reading →
This April marks 25 years since the month was designated Jazz Appreciation Month by the Smithsonian National Museum for American History as a time to celebrate and recognize the unique history and culture of the jazz movement. The goal is to serve as a tribute to this uniquely American art form and to encourage people... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I wonder when I'm talking with friends how honest to be when someone I care about asks for my opinion if I know it may not jive with theirs. Whether we're talking about a world event or how they look in their outfit, I find myself wondering whether they genuinely want to know what... Continue Reading →
If you were a teenager in the 1980s, chances are you were crushing on at least one of the members of the "Brat Pack," that intriguing group of actors that kept showing up in the hottest movies of that time: The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and St. Elmo's Fire. Those movies are... Continue Reading →
With St. Patrick's Day coming up this week, you don't have to be Irish to get out and enjoy good times with friends. Many towns have parades and celebrations in honor of their citizens with Irish heritage this weekend. Pubs and restaurants often offer specials. World events may feel a bit grim lately, so taking... Continue Reading →
My sister and I returned from a fabulous journey to Spain's Andalucia region last week. The primary reason for our visit was to view an exhibit at the contemporary art museum in Malaga devoted to the life and work of our father's Uncle Frank, who spent the latter half of his life and career in... Continue Reading →
A few years ago, I was visiting my daughter in Cleveland, Ohio, when we noticed a National Historical Landmark sign planted in the sizeable yard in front of a large brick house in this otherwise urban area. We had been exploring the University Heights neighborhood, right near Case Western Reserve University, where she was a... Continue Reading →
Massive snow drifts and frigid temperatures outside always signal to me that it's time to hunker down in a warm, comfy spot with a pile of reading material as my trusted companion. I've been reading like crazy this winter thanks to my winter hibernation tendencies, and I have a few fiction recommendations to share. The... Continue Reading →
The middle of January, one of our darkest months, seems like a fitting time for a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He shined a bright spotlight on the systemic racial injustice and inequality suffered by Black Americans, leading to major societal changes including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting... Continue Reading →
Welcome to 2026! We hope you enjoyed a festive holiday season with friends and family. Now that the new year is here, I've been looking at the calendar to see what opportunities this year has in store for making memories together with people you care about. I've found plenty of events to add to my... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 