You know you are hanging out with the right kind of friends, when, on a day you most need it, you are gifted with a beautiful starfish and the words "You make a difference every day!" The original Starfish Story was part of a 16-page essay called "The Star Thrower" written by Loren Eiseley (1907–1977) and was published in 1969 in The … [Read more...]
Only Human? So What Does That Take?
There are days when it feels like being human should be easier than it is. We are “Only Human” so what does that take… Can we recognize our fallibility without making an excuse? Can we allow others to be humble without acting superior? Can we acknowledge our limitations without creating an escape? Can we accept our … [Read more...]
Music: Augustin Hadelich’s “Fantasy of the Cats”
We listen to music for a variety of reasons -- to relax, to distract, to celebrate, to evoke a memory, to capture a moment, to alter our mood, to reflect our emotions, to enhance our brain functions... But, have you ever wondered what musicians imagine when they listen to music? Or what story they are trying to tell when they play a particular … [Read more...]
Book Review: GOODBYE, VITAMIN by Rachel Khong
"...there is a bit of magic in this author’s ability to tell a deeply affecting story with interspersed humor" I will be honest: I don’t know how to feel about this book. Prior to picking up GOODBYE, VITAMIN by Rachel Khong, I had just finished reading a heavily literary, epic novel that was almost 600 pages, and perhaps the contrast felt a bit … [Read more...]
The Myth Behind Fried Green Tomatoes
When I first moved to the south about twelve years ago, I saw fried green tomatoes on just about every menu here. While living in the north, I had not been very aware of this dish. As a home cook the recipe interested me, so I searched for some recipes. And, because I am a food historian fan, I looked into how this dish got started. Well, … [Read more...]
Music: FURTHER by Black Lab
The only thing better than finding a song that speaks to a pivotal moment in our lives, is finding a band that continues to reconnect as we journey through life. I didn't know it at the time, but I first became a fan of the alternative pop rock band Black Lab back in 2011 through their brilliantly dark and compelling song - "THIS NIGHT." For … [Read more...]
So Tell Me Again… Who Is Them?
In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "We are different so that we can know our need of one another." And yet, lately (and particularly as I watch the ever-widening political divide), it feels as if we have forgotten how very much we have in common. So here is a poem I share with love and hope for everyone ... SO TELL ME AGAIN... WHO IS … [Read more...]
Book Review: DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY by Bill Clegg
"stellar writing... unique story structure... uncannily genuine" I have to admit, when I picked up DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY by Bill Clegg, I had reservations based on the theme, which felt like it had been done a million times … “Character faces tragedy. Character builds new life with outside family.” However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. … [Read more...]
Martin Molin and the Musical Marble Machine
There is something so utterly fascinating about mechanical music machines. I don't know what captivates me the most -- whether it is the complex timing involved, the thousands of little intricacies and artistries, or the idea that so much thought, imagination and effort went into planning and creating what many times were personal entertainment … [Read more...]
Words: “… Meeting Physical Force With Soul Force”
In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. didn't just share his dream of the future and his faith in the American peoples' (and world's) ability to come together for equality and justice. He spoke not just of rights and achieving a moral outcome. He cautioned us about responsibilities and a moral process. He challenged us with the necessity "of meeting … [Read more...]
Is It Time For A Three Pyramid Food Chart?
On a very basic level, choosing what foods we eat are some of the most import decisions we make in a day . Too often, though, these decisions fall prey to other priorities -- time, energy, availability, mood. . . So we wind up making less than ideal choices on our food consumption. Every five years Health and … [Read more...]
Words: “Ingredients For Your Cognitive Salad”
Some Jason Silva inspiration for your day. When asked "Can we harness the secrets of 'Getting In The Zone?' Can we 'Hack Our Flow State?'", Jason Silva says -- Yes! "I have found that the best way is to take yourself out of context... so rest, relaxation, novel spaces, novel environments, disconnection... just a daydream space, a space to … [Read more...]
Words To Live By: “It’s A Beautiful Glass”
Wanting to understand "What is it that makes us human?" filmmaker and artist Yann Arthus-Bertrand collected images and stories from 2,000 women and men in 60 countries about love, work, poverty, death, war... for his film HUMAN. In this excerpt, John Halcyon Styn shares an inspirational story about his grandfather, Rev. Caleb Shikles. Who reminds … [Read more...]
Caterpillars — Masters of Domination
Evolution does strange and wondrous things -- like creating Caterpillars Masters of Domination! I'm proof of how little we know of nature's complexity and how much we misidentify actions through our limited knowledge... I always thought the most amazing thing about caterpillars, besides their massive appetite and rapid growth, was their ability … [Read more...]
Words: “Do Worthwhile Work”
We all want 'what we do' to be valued. And we want to be valued for what we do ... Since what we do actually builds platforms for future actions by ourselves and others... Wouldn't it make sense that the choices we make every day over what we do and how we do it will have greater impact on our future actions than anyones encouraging or … [Read more...]
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