Featured articles
A few specially selected articles from each new edition will be available in this convenient space. Access all editions here.
-
The Beauty Is the Same
It’s been more than three years since my mother died. I had just arrived in New Orleans five days prior to be with my son for a month when I got the call about my mom. She had a stroke and was put on life support. Basically, her worst-case death scenario was playing out: Having…
-
Falling for Health: Your Ultimate Autumn Guide
Stay Active Amid Fall’s Splendor The picturesque beauty of fall encourages outdoor enthusiasts to venture into colorful landscapes. Whether it’s hiking through lively trails, jogging amidst falling leaves, or practicing yoga in a park, the season offers a perfect backdrop for outdoor workouts. Embrace the crisp air and the meditative qualities of nature while engaging…
-
Antonio Barbosa:
A Golden Paradise for Expats
Portugal, the jewel of Southern Europe, is a top choice for expatriates seeking a new home. In this exclusive interview, I sat down with Antonio Barbosa, an international real estate agent and founder of Infinite Solutions, who has made it his mission to help people find their perfect piece of paradise in Portugal. Originally from…
-
Oh, DUNE It!!
Have you ever looked at the sand on a beach and said, “Hey, it would be fun to surf those dunes?” Ever felt like you just want to be free? Off-roading is very fun! It can also be very humbling. It is a sense of thrill and freedom, mixed with a healthy dose of fear. …
-
Help for Struggling Readers
End of July, I went to Shakespeare by the Sea with some friends to watch an open-air, live performance of Hamlet. It was impressive that they could shorten such a long play and still make it work. Even most movies cut plenty out of the bard’s masterpieces. The site Top 10 of Anything and Everything…
-
What the Heck Happened to Education?
All that writing was just ink on a page.The last trend I will ever experience is the most absurd of all.All students need rigorous, profound, well-rounded instruction. Instructors will excel in different ways at different times. I have worked at a suburban high school for over twenty years. We began with a mostly white and…
-
Born Magical
We’re born magical, yet that internal gift is often squelched. When we listen, we are freed from the bondage of fear.
-
Trust Times of Shadow
It was my senior year of college, the year I thought I would walk across a stage and accept my diploma. I envisioned this incredible ceremony, surrounded by friends, with a job waiting me. However, reality had a different story to tell. I clearly remember the day my life changed. I woke up feeling…
-
“I Love You with All My Heart”
I often told my mother that I love her with all my heart, even if that meant with only half of it. The other half of my heart never developed. I have a congenital defect called Hypoplastic Right Heart, Pulmonary Atresia with an intact ventricular septum. In simple terms, the ventricle that would normally pump blood…
-
A Walk through Fire
Since Covid first began, like many people, I’ve experienced complete annihilation in certain areas of my life—the parts I’ve always considered the most important. As far as I can tell, the pandemic is a forced shift away from how we’ve been doing things and towards a New and Better Way of Existing. And not just…
-
Your Dig-Down
How many people live inside my head? I do know it’s crowded, and sometimes they really get in the way of each other. I reach for the freezer door to pull out the ice cream. Voice 1 responds, “Nope, remember you’re cutting down on sugar.” Voice 2 weakly objects, “Yes but . . .” I…
-
Taken Away, Again
I am Ilze Marie Madeiros, but that wasn’t always my name. I used to be Ilze […]
-
Playing with Playlists
If I had a nickel for every playlist I’ve made in my life, I would just go ahead and […]
-
Hanging by a Thread
As I’m about to doze off, an idea strikes me. Grumbling but excited, I grab […]
-
Bring on the Party!
Yes! Bring on all the Holliday cheer that surrounds us in November and December! However, let’s not bring on the average 5-10 extra pounds everyone gains. Ever wonder why we go on diets in January? You guessed it. It’s not just to get ready for beach season. It’s also to lose the “ugh” we gained…
-
Adolescent Conformity and Groupthink on Social Media
American adolescents sacrifice individuality for the social validation of assimilation. Social media promotes assimilation as the predominant manner of connecting with others. Influencers or public figures dominate digital discourse at the expense of ordinary citizens. Some digital ideas are drowned out by the most powerful members of society. Social media platforms are conformist by design…
-
Criticism: Helpful or Harmful?
Criticism: the art of defining the qualities or merits of a thing; discrimination or discussion of character or quality. The creative writing teacher marked up the short story Emily turned in at the end of the semester—and it was virtually covered with red marks! Lots of sentences were crossed out and different words inserted instead.…
-
Dominos
By October, panic erupted in my chest when I thought about the future. How wonderful it is to create things like this! I took a deep breath, tapping the side of my keyboard nervously, wondering if I was about to make the best decision of my life or a horrible mistake. The Common App website…
-
Is It LOVE or ADDICTION?
John would lure her back, buy her presents, promise a committed future. Conflicts were fixed by sharing their true thoughts and feelings, not with sex. You are not here to struggle with anger, guilt, and resentment Surprisingly, it’s become difficult for many lovers to connect in lasting intimacy. Dating has almost become a thing of…
-
Stay Safe Out There
In an emergency, Boeing directs pilots to follow these steps: Tammy Jo Shults was a U.S. Navy pilot and the captain piloting a Boeing 737 passenger aircraft when an engine blew at 32,000 feet in 2018. She relied on the steps above along with her extensive experience and training to land the plane and save…