Dear Barb: The happiest time of the year is quickly approaching, but I am not feeling it. Most of my family members have passed away and my only son is not talking to me. He gave me an ultimatum and he didn’t get the response he wanted from me. His father and I have been… Read more »
Family, friendships, physical wellbeing, peace of mind, and spiritual fulfillment—these are obviously all important aspects of a rich, well-rounded life. But, only when indulged in in moderation. When taken too far they can become a crutch, or possibly a distraction. A distracting crutch, let’s say; one that’s being wielded about in an enclosed space filled… Read more »
At Christmas time we should worry about money, right? Some insist I need to worry about money. But I don’t. Instead, I fret about body weight, health, and thugs. All the Christmas cheer! But we all tend to worry, don’t we? For one, do you worry about dying? I worry my cell phone is killing… Read more »
Christmas in July might have been the brainchild of a mind trapped in the December holiday rush. Some rugged calendar pioneer sensed the invisible energy of fellow shoppers, buzzing thick like mountain electrical lines receiving snowflake shocks during a winter blizzard, and thought, why me, why now! Or maybe they gazed upon row upon row… Read more »
Do you want to stir smiles when you present your research? Make an audience burst into giggles at a planned pause? Have a happy crowd surround you after your speech, begging to know your speaking fees? Of course you do! Everyone wants a warm audience. But sometimes we face self-doubts: yes, the what ifs of… Read more »
HIST 383 (The Vikings) is a three-credit, senior-level humanities course that surveys the political, military, economic, social, cultural, and religious history of one of early medieval Europe’s most famous peoples. To engage students in the study of the Vikings, the course presents primary source readings from the period as well as current scholarly interpretations by… Read more »
Dear Barb: My husband and I have been friends with another couple for the past five years. We have traveled together and often hang out on the weekends. A few weeks ago we were all in our hot tub when Maureen took off her bathing suit top. I was totally shocked, but my husband seemed somewhat… Read more »
“We all shared the same symptoms; first nausea and vomiting, followed by severe stomach cramps and migraine headaches. Then fever and flu-like symptoms …. There was a continual battle of thick mucus, one that made it hard to swallow and discharge. … Around four a.m. … I was awakened to a frightful scream from my… Read more »
In Part 1, phallic symbols ran rife through our consumer goods and even the food we eat; no reasonable criticism like the extinction of fish species of global warming could rattle our cultural need to find a stable identity in what we eat and buy. So, “ok, hold on just a hot minute” you might… Read more »
I had the chance to visit Seattle in the past week. Despite its rainy, chilly weather this time of year, I had a chance to check off some boxes on my to-eat list. Seattle is known for many renowned eateries including the famous Pike Place farmers market, the original Starbucks location, and world famous clam… Read more »