July/Aug 2024

Values serve as our internal compass, guiding our actions, decisions, and interactions. Identifying one’s values is crucial in understanding who we are, what drives us, and how we relate to the world. This exploration is not just a mental exercise but an emotional journey that profoundly shapes our existence. Our fundamental beliefs dictate how we…

Ah, the age-old dilemma: balancing the pursuit of cold, hard cash with the warm, fuzzy feelings of love and connection. It’s a tale as old as time—or at least as old as capitalism. You’re cruising along, career thriving, money pouring in, and suddenly, you notice your partner giving you the side-eye, wondering when you last…

A few weeks ago, I went to a Mexican Restaurant in Wickenburg, AZ, with some family and friends. The food was delicious, the service excellent, and we were having a great time catching up. Nonetheless, because there were quite a few of us and because of the outrageous cost of everything these days, dinner was…

Something really disturbs me. The rise of Artificial Intelligence girlfriends and boyfriends. Yes, this is real. AI is becoming scary! You can be talking to an AI chat bot AND have no clue that it is a bot. A video can be made of a person that looks exactly like the person. Lord knows what the…

Summer is a season of abundance, offering unique opportunities to enhance our health and well-being. The longer days and warmer weather invite us to step outside, connect with nature, and embrace a lifestyle that nurtures both body and mind. Whether you’re in sunny Southern California or anywhere else in the world, these two activities are…

“Son, I’ve made a life out of readin’ people’s faces,Knowin’ what their cards were, by the way they held their eyes,So if you don’t mind my sayin’, I can see you’re out of aces,For a taste of your whiskey, I’ll give you some advice.” Some fabulous lyrics from “The Gambler,” by veteran Nashville songwriter Don…

I’ve helped bring a lot of babies into this world, but I’ve never helped usher anyone out. Until my mother. She had a stroke on a Wednesday and was supposed to be fine. But then she wasn’t. I’m afraid to fly because I get claustrophobic. One of my children convinced me that now wasn’t the…

Growing up, we camped all over California, but this was not my favorite vacation choice. Sure, I enjoyed being outside, hiking and fishing. I loved sitting around the campfire at night with my family, eating smores, sharing stories and listening to the sounds of nature. That was always the highlight of the trip. The negative…