Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
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 →
Earlier this month, I lost my beautiful friend Tracy to melanoma. Tracy and I met in the late 1990s through a mutual friend, and over the years, we shared the ups and downs of professional life, family dynamics, and travel adventures. Tracy was a person whose life radiated outward, continually widening her circle and bringing... 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 →
Spring never arrives with any consistency in the Midwest. Some days I notice the softening light or a few brave flowers trying to emerge from the ground, the next we might get an inch of snow. With the official start of spring this weekend, I find myself thinking about why this season is one of... 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 →
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 →
January is a tough month in most of the U.S. Not only is it cold and dark when I start and end my commute each day, but the return to work or school after a holiday break is just hard. Over the years, I’ve relied on a few coping techniques, such as working out more... 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 →
As one of the best-known classical musicians in the world, Yo-Yo Ma has been delighting audiences with his masterful cello performances since he began playing publicly as a child prodigy at five years old. At 70, he is still performing but he has elevated his mission to create shared connection for his audiences beyond a... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 