There’s something about the ocean that is magical. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore, the salt spray, and the tide heals and energizes. For almost forty years I have lived with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes widespread muscular pain, and affects my sleep and mood. Near-constant headaches are a pain in the neck. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.) Exercising, eating well, and minimizing stress help, but the only thing I’ve found to manage my flareups is the ocean. Many years ago, my husband and I took our kids on a beach vacation in Florida. The day before we were to return home, I suddenly recognized how […]
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The Greatest Women in History – Marie Curie
Photo by Henri Manuel, Public Domain March is Women’s History Month here in the United States of America, a time when we can collectively celebrate women’s contributions to American history. It began in 1978 as a week-long celebration in Santa Rosa, California, and a consortium of women’s groups and historians successfully lobbied for national recognition the following year. It took until 1987, but now every March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. Sadly, many of the women who changed the world remain obscure to most, a tremendous disservice to champions of science, literature, the humanities, the armed forces, politics, and business. Each day this month, I’ll be profiling […]
Read more...The True Meaning of Memorial Day
If you ask most Americans, few have any idea why we celebrate Memorial Day. A recent Gallup Poll revealed that only 28 percent of Americans know the true meaning behind this national holiday. To far too many, the last Monday in May is little more than a much-deserved day off, an opportunity to buy a car at a rock-bottom price, grill a burger in the backyard, or catch a few rays at the beach. Memorial Day is a big opportunity for racing enthusiasts, too; the Indianapolis 500 has been held on the holiday since 1911. Clearly, our modern-day Memorial Day celebration is miles away from the original intent of […]
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Visitors from Heaven
In many cultures, cardinals have long symbolized loved ones who have passed away. I saw a Cardinal in my tree, The bright red color so beautiful to see. Thoughts of loved ones brought a smile to my face, As I watched it flitter about with grace. Visitors from Heaven they are said to be, I feel blessed that you came to visit me. (author unknown) Cardinals have always reminded me of my mom. She so loved to decorate with them at Christmas that she gave me a gorgeous ornament featuring the songbird to hang on my tree once I was old enough to have one of my own. I get […]
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A Hidden Life
Last fall I watched a gorgeous movie titled A Hidden Life about Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer and devout Catholic who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II. Franz, his wife, Fani, and their three young daughters lived outside the small village of St. Radegund and were important members of the tight-knit rural community. In 1943, he and other able-bodied were called up to fight for Germany. When recruiters asked him to swear an oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler, Jägerstätter refused and was arrested and taken to prison in Linz where the most “dangerous” prisoners were housed. His family was ostracized and belittled by their friends […]
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Happy Birthday America!
On July 4, 1776, our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence to rid the thirteen colonies from the tyranny of British rule. American patriots with rudimentary weaponry fought a powerful foe to forge a new nation: The United States of America. In 1783, the United States formally became a free and independent nation. Official records state that 4,435 soldiers died from wounds suffered during the Revolutionary War. I am grateful.
Read more...Young Dr. Doolittle
I have long been an animal advocate. At Sunny Hollow Elementary school back in the 60s, my friend Carrie and I performed our own rendition of “Born Free” at the annual talent show, she playing the piano and me positioned on top of said piano. The introduction was especially moving. While she tinkled the ivories, I pled my case to the audience: There are animals living in zoos and they are living in cages. That’s just not right, because they were here first! (Or something equally passionate.) Pictures of beautiful wild animals — from Arctic foxes to zebras — flashed behind us in living color (This was long before Powerpoint, so […]
Read more...The Tick Magnet
We adopted our little Fitzgerald a few months ago from Underdog Rescue, a nonprofit pet rescue, rehabilitation, and placement organization. He is one of the best things that ever happened to me (more on that in a subsequent post). We are together pretty much 24×7. I don’t know what it is about him, but he is a real tick magnet – even with preventative meds from our vet. Maybe it has something to do with him being a stud at a puppy mill for two years… get it… chick magnet… Anyhoo, last night I was innocently watching “Shark Tank” and petting Mr. Fitz when lo and behold I found a tick stubbornly […]
Read more...Remember My Voice
The human voice is the organ of the soul~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow On my six-hour drive down to visit my daughter and her family, I listened to a wonderful documentary on Minnesota Public Radio: The Vietnam Tapes: Letters from a Willmar Soldier (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/30/mpr_news_presents). Dan Kleven and his family from Willmar, Minnesota sent cassette tapes back and forth while he was deployed during the war. He drew vivid word pictures about life in combat and they kept him tuned into daily life on the farm. One of Dan’s best friends also sent him audio letters to stay connected. The documentary was fascinating. Not only did the tapes keep a family sane and connected […]
Read more...A Founding Father’s Prediction
The Fourth of July marks the day in 1776 when delegates from the thirteen colonies approved the Declaration of Independence. Interestingly, John Adams, who would become the second president of the United States, had written his wife Abigail a letter the day before telling her what an auspicious day July 2nd had been. Wait a minute. If John Adams was supposed to be such a brilliant statesman, why did he mess up such a key date in American history? Well, the Second Continental Congress actually made its decree for freedom on July 2, 1776, by signing the Lee Resolution. A couple days of bickering over the fine points of the […]
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