Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
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 →
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 →
With Thanksgiving coming up this week, I am thinking about gratitude and how important it is to our mental and physical well-being. Julia's post about World Gratitude Day in September referenced an article published by Harvard Medical School discussing how practicing gratitude not only improves our mood but it also can extend our lives. Some... Continue Reading →
When Julia and I visited Milwaukee a few weeks ago for our weekend away together, the final stop on our itinerary before we went our separate ways to travel home was The Milwaukee Art Museum. Julia had been there before, but I had only heard about it from friends and my husband, who swore it... Continue Reading →
Despite the 900+ miles that separate us, Sara and I usually try to connect at least once a week. Sometimes talking, more often texting, we find ways to stay closely connected. But nothing replaces the quality time enjoyed with a friend in person. We both realized we were long overdue for a few days of... Continue Reading →
Labor Day weekend is here, a time for Americans to enjoy a holiday intended to honor the achievements of our workers. Because this holiday comes late in the summer season, many of us coordinate our celebrations with a wrap-up of summer fun before fall temperatures kick in. I plan to spend a day at Cape... Continue Reading →
Sometimes a meaningful gift—one that is sincere, beautiful, and personal—can be a powerful reminder of a connection. Staying connected with friends in adulthood can be challenging, when work and family responsibilities seem to dominate our time. If we’ve moved across the country as adults, friendships can span states and time zones, making it even more... Continue Reading →
Our family has been hosting an 18-year-old Swedish exchange student named Lea since she arrived back in August to begin experiencing life in the United States. She fits right in with our family and has been enjoying her year, which has been flying by. Lea quickly made close friends at the local high school in... Continue Reading →
Reviews on Goodreads and other book-oriented websites are always helpful when I'm trying to choose my latest reading material, but we've said it before and we'll say it again: our best source for discovering interesting and enjoyable books is always through word of mouth. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and other connections are great sources of... Continue Reading →
It’s been over sixty years since February first became American Heart Month and since then it's become celebrated around the world. With cardiovascular diseases responsible for one in five deaths in the United States according to the CDC, creating heart healthy habits throughout our lifetimes is important. Like many things, being heart healthy can be... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 