Giving Back

The other day China fired three astronauts into space. This occurred just as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced that he too was shooting himself into outer space.

This got me thinking, how did we get here and where exactly are we going?

So today, as a public service, I give to you:

A Brief History of the Race in Space

October, 1957. The manmade satellite, Sputnik 1, sends the very ...

I woke the other morning in predawn light to a startling, ratatatat outside my bedroom window. It was a woodpecker wantonly jackhammering holes into the side of my house.

The house that we had just finished painting. The stoic house that after too many years of neglect, we had finally got around to repairing.

As with many families, the pandemic afforded us the opportunity and energy to ...

Last week I had lunch with a business colleague, Anna, who owns an interior design company. During our conversation we shared stories about things we experienced during the past year, and we discussed how we were able to keep our companies on track. One of her strategies during the pandemic was to develop a robust social media presence. To achieve her goal, Anna hired her friend’s daughter, ...

A few days ago, I was looking through photos from my childhood and I started reminiscing about family members who have passed or with whom I’ve lost contact. One memory was front and center because it jarred strong emotions within me.

My father’s cousin was a wonderful man who was a high level production executive for the ABC television network. He started as an elevator operator ...

Enjoying a wide variety of nuts has multiple health benefits. The crunchy, delicious snacks are a great source of protein, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. Nuts are naturally cholesterol-free and pack disease-fighting antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium.

A 2019 study published by the U.S. National Library of ...

Getting outside to work in the garden is a wonderful way to be physically active and soak up some natural vitamin D from the sun. If you haven’t planted anything yet or you’re aiming to increase your harvest, don’t worry. There are lots of nutrient-rich vegetables, herbs, and gorgeous flowers you can still plant in June. Here’s a list to help you get ...

A Fourth of July gathering is the classic summer event – food, fun, and friends. This year, treat your guests to some festive new dishes highlighting the red, white, and blue we all associate with this special holiday.

Star Confetti Cookies

For a fun, easy dessert that you can pair with any main dish, try these cutout star cookies. The recipe has been tested to ensure that the cookies ...

As summer swings into high gear outside, bring some of the color and brightness indoors with your home décor. Perfect for setting the mood every day and during special events, summer décor that includes florals, citrus, and coral tones is a great way to transition from the more muted spring hues to the bold colors of the brightest season. Here are five ways to incorporate these ...

In general, the bold colors found in fruits indicate a large concentration of antioxidants. These vitamins and compounds perform many different functions within the body, but all antioxidants help reduce “free radicals,” or potentially harmful atoms that interfere with normal cell functioning in our bodies. Eating a variety of colors through fruits will help ensure that you’re ...

Fresh air and fitness – a great combination for any wellness routine! As the weather warms up, consider adding some outdoor workouts to your regular exercise regimen. New surroundings can often make the same moves feel more challenging and exciting, so heading out to your backyard is an easy way to refresh any routine that’s starting to feel repetitive. Here are four great outdoor ...

If you’re daydreaming about the burble of a stream over rocks or the spray of a waterfall right in your backyard, we’ve put together a selection of outdoor water feature ideas to help you make your dream come true!

While water features may sound expensive or out of reach, there are tons of great do-it-yourself options for everything from flower pot fountains to ponds and ...

Outdoor sprinkler system on the fritz with summer around the corner? Here are seven tips and tricks for fixing it yourself and when to call the pros.

Assess and Adjust Sprinkler Heads
The first clue to any sprinkler system problem is usually a sprinkler head that’s not performing optimally. Maybe it won’t raise or lower, it’s spraying unevenly, or it’s not spraying the ...