Category: Life & Living

I'm sure you're all aware of Politico's leaked Supreme Court opinion outlining the possible and probable decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. For me, this is a continuing chapter in American history where white privileged men (and in this case, a woman) are trying to drag our country backward in terms of progress and the rights of its citizens. There are many strong opinions on both sides of the political spectrum regarding the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade, and rightfully so. That is our CHOICE as free Americans. But what I'm starting to understand is this isn't just about abortion any longer. It's part of a much more concerning movement to return to an America where white privileged men were all-powerful and controlling in the governmental offices they worked,…

“It is always sad for someone to leave home, unless they are simply going around the corner and will return in a few minutes with ice-cream sandwiches.” - Daniel Handler, American Writer and Musician. There are many reasons why someone would leave home. They’ve graduated high school and are heading off to college. They’re getting married and creating a new home with their spouse. They’re relocating for a new job opportunity in another state or country. These are but a few examples, and I’m sure you can think of many more. But perhaps the saddest reason to leave home is less a choice of opportunity and more a result of circumstance. My wife and I have a dear family friend who is 89 years old, though you’d never know it…

Your primary residence might be the only property you own. But the reality is that buying a house is essentially investing in real estate. At some point, either you or your beneficiaries will profit from its sale, and often updates and remodels will add to its overall value. Over the years, as my wife and I would discuss updates and remodels to our home, some would always say, “make sure you think about the ROI,” which stands for “return on investment” for those unfamiliar. The suggestion always reminded me of my great aunt’s house, where her kitchen featured a fire-engine red enamel sink with white-washed cabinets and red handles. While certainly not my taste, and no doubt would cause anxiety to some HGTV hosts, my aunt absolutely loved her kitchen…

Many of us believe that the subject of one’s mental health is only attributed to those individuals who’ve received a clinical diagnosis from a licensed professional. But the truth is that mental health issues do not discriminate, and struggles are often easily identifiable in so many of us today. According to MentalHealth.gov, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” Over the last few years, we’ve all struggled on some level with how we think, feel, and act – not to mention how we’ve managed stress.  A global pandemic has infiltrated the normalcy we all take for granted while pitting neighbor against neighbor in what has become…