In recent months we've all been reminded that we have a responsibility of being good stewards to the ecology and that recycling is a good thing. How are we doing? Better now than we had been, perhaps, but we still have a long way to go. Glass and Plastics We still spend a lot of money on things that just a few years ago we were throwing in the trash. Things like glass jars and plastic containers are huge.Now, I'm not one to try to put companies out of business but here's what I'm talking about. We went through [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Jan 142012
Meet Monte. My daughter planted Monte last year when working in a Chicago highrise office. She loves plants as much as I do. I suppose this passion for nature is embedded in our DNA. Anyway, one day she came across a seed while she was eating a grapefruit. She decided to plant it to see what would happen. As it turns out, grapefruit plants are excellent indoor plants. They are proof positive that you can enjoy the best of all worlds living in a Chicago condominium. You just need to open your eyes. It was her pride and joy and [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Jan 082012
Age has its benefits.Among those benefits is the freedom that comes from knowing that you have developed skills sufficiently that you don't have to stop and analyze every move you make. You know how to put together a wardrobe that suits your body type and personality. You probably know how to ride a bike and iron a shirt. You may know how to make the best ever Italian spaghetti sauce and how to use your local library and your computer. You know how to interact with other people. You know how to think for yourself. But wait… Don't get too [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Jan 012012
January 1, 2012 – It's arrived! at last. Personally I'm completely and utterly happy to put 2011 to bed. It was a tough year for many. I think we make a huge mistake when we dub any year – or a day – good or bad. Time just is. What's good or bad is what we all do with that day or year. If enough of us use the time for good it is good. If we cumulatively and individually can say that we have become better and have grown in age and grace. Then it was very good indeed. [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Dec 282011
As 2011 winds down we look forward – hoping that somehow 2012 will be different – better. Some of us make "New Year resolutions" the first day of each year. Setting goals for ourselves is always a good thing to do, although I really can't understand why January 1st is designated as "resolution day". Successful people set goals and resolutions much more frequently than that…often on a daily basis. New Year's resolutions are great if we follow through, act on those resolutions and hold ourselves accountable. Too often, though, those resolutions are discarded within a matter of days. Be honest, [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Dec 242011
May every joy you can imagine fill your life today and throughout the new year.
Dec 222011
Christmas is just 2 1/2 days away now and you probably still have lots to do. Here's hoping that you were able to find everything you were looking for when shopping this year. I'm guessing that you are pretty well finished with your preparations outside of wrapping, preparing holiday treats, and, perhaps, final decorations. These last two days have always been a time of considerable activity in my family. Usually we were busy making fudge.cotton balls, and (of course) potica, which is our family holiday bread. Usually we waited until Christmas Eve to put up and decorate the Christmas tree. [Click here to see the rest of the story]
Dec 162011
Are you a hopeless romantic? Caught up in the holiday season? If you are, you will understand that Christmas is a transformative holiday like no other. If you're not "into" the holiday – just can't get into the spirit, that's ok. Here's how to light the spark. Sometimes we get caught up in a buying frenzy. When we do, we lose the magic of the season. And, no, you don't have to be a staunch Christian focused only on the magnificent story of God becoming man and being born in a manger who was visited by three wise men from [Click here to see the rest of the story]
