Only a week into October and I’ve got pumpkins on my mind. They’re literally everywhere! Lining walkways up to houses, overflowing in bins at local supermarkets, and populating patches in every city in our county. Stores feature them in holiday displays, coffee shops entice patrons with pumpkin flavored ones, and fall festivals adorn booths withContinue reading “A Little Lift”
Category Archives: Heath and Well-Being
Arils of the Punica Granatum
Jane Grigson, the English cookbook author and food columnist of the late 20th century characterized it as “no more than a closet of juicy seeds”. Poets around the world have referred to its seeds as ruby-red gems, and award-winning baker Kate Lebo wrote, “Cracking one open feels like lifting the lid on a jewelry box.”Continue reading “Arils of the Punica Granatum”
Let it Rain
I’m usually quite agreeable, but I have to take issue with a song that the American pop duo Karen and Richard Carpenter released in 1971 entitled “Rainy Days and Mondays”. I don’t object to either, but it’s the refrain “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down” that I find questionable. Mondays? Well, maybe whenContinue reading “Let it Rain”
Pillow Talk
When buying things these days, there are three questions that most often come to mind. They are, is it supportive, is it comfortable, and maybe most importantly, is it machine washable? Yes, this where I am in my life now. I no longer want to make-do, settle for, or fuss with anything that isn’t justContinue reading “Pillow Talk”
Time for Calm
No matter how much I enjoy the warm sunshiny summer, I adore the cool crisp autumn, too. Changes abound! New landscape shades, new harvest offerings, new fall practices. Hello September! So glad you’re here. This month, I’m looking forward to attending the last of our outdoor jazz concerts, wearing my warm fuzzy sweaters, and samplingContinue reading “Time for Calm”
Lighten Up!
You’d be hard pressed to go through one day, perhaps even one hour, without hearing or seeing ads on any of your devices touting the benefits of lightening up. These messages are usually aimed at what we eat, exercise we do, or maybe even the clothes we wear. Just this morning, I received an emailContinue reading “Lighten Up!”
Face Value
Around for centuries, they’ve been a part of beauty routines and rituals throughout the world. Ancient Egyptians made theirs from clay, sometimes adding a touch of milk and honey. Similarly, mud ones were common in Greece. Romans were known to prepare theirs with eggs, yogurt, flower petals, and cocoa butter. In India, herbs, oils, andContinue reading “Face Value”
Stronger Everyday
This month is known for coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb. Here in Southern California the transition is a little less dramatic, but it’s something to be happy about, nonetheless. Happy March to you! Notable days this month include honoring Irish immigrants and their contributions to American culture, celebrating AlbertContinue reading “Stronger Everyday”
Apples and Oranges
I was so excited about accepting my first teaching job after receiving my credentials, but I was also so…nervous. Mrs. N. was leaving on maternity leave and would not return for the balance of the year. Even though this was a long-term sub position, it was my first chance to prove myself, to practice allContinue reading “Apples and Oranges”
Decisions, Decisions!
In deciding what to write about this week I had this thought, “On average, how many decisions does a person make in a day?” What’s your guess? 100, 200, 500…more? Yes, I know I have the luxury of thinking about such things now. Being retired I have more time to think, to do things, andContinue reading “Decisions, Decisions!”
A Journal Journey 