Spring is in the air. Tonight we will “spring” the clocks ahead one hour, temperatures are rising, and just a couple days ago I spotted a bright red cardinal perched in the tree in our backyard. Spring also means spring cleaning. The change in season and warmer weather inspires us…
My day began when I received an unexpected email that immediately brought a smile to my face. Amidst the spam and advertising emails that had arrived overnight, my inbox also included an email from Ms. M., our family’s adopted soldier who is serving overseas. We found Ms. M. through an…
As the mother of a 5-year-old boy, I think that I can safely say that Star Wars has overtaken my life. Battle sequences are acted out; masses of Star Wars books come home from the library after each visit; and tiny Chewbacca, C-3PO, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Storm Trooper figurines can be…
Name-calling and off-color humor seems to be the gaffe du jour. Amidst racist jokes and crudely sexist remarks, it seems that many in this country could use a lesson in civility, respect, and accountability these days. I am sure that we have all by now heard of the sexist and…
We all like to think that we are hospitable individuals, inviting friends and families into our homes, serving meals, and entertaining our neighbors with dinner parties. But are we truly living hospitable lives? Webster’s Dictionary defines hospitality as the generous and cordial reception or welcome of guests, or an offer…
Debate surrounding the separation of church and state has once again been renewed following Rick Santorum’s comments that a 1960 John Kennedy speech regarding the separation of church and state made him “want to throw up.” In response to a question regarding the potential nausea-inducing exclusion of religion from government,…