Handle with care and keep smiling
Mother taught me that a person is known by the company that he keeps and that happiness is contagious. Psychologists tell us that being surrounded by optimistic people can be a positive influence.
Recent economic developments raise worldwide caution flags
Late last week and over the weekend, a flurry of developments related to the near and longer term economic outlook took place, most of which could be a cause for concern.
May 8 2012 | Posted in Jim Newton | Read More »
A frightening lack of understanding
There is nothing more frightening than a lack of understanding. I’ll never forget the anticipation (ie. feeling of absolute terror) as I removed my Army surplus backpack from the Land Rover after hours of “off-road” travel. My chaperone spoke with my Masaai foster family for a few moments and drove away, assuring me that she would be back in a few weeks. That’s when it set in. I had just been dropped off in some remote African location for two months and could not understand a single word anyone said.
May 8 2012 | Posted in RC Arseneau | Read More »
Welcome Farmer’s Market season
I love this time of year — ’tis the season for outdoor markets and they abound in Delaware County — so many opportunities, so little time. My goal this year is to make it to all of the markets below at least a few times each before it’s all over (which is much too quickly by my way of thinking).
May 8 2012 | Posted in Tuesday Trippier | Read More »
A moving experience
In my misspent youth, I had an experience that profoundly changed me and, in fact, accounts for the fact that I have been doing public work in astronomy for almost half a century.
May 6 2012 | Posted in Tom Burns | Read More »
Easy-to-grow mint
Some plants are just oh-so-satisfying to grow. They perform effortlessly with little care and grow in just about any spot they are placed. No, I am not writing about dandelions but about one of my very favorite herbs, mint. On this first Saturday in May, mint is a timely topic. As you probably know today is the Kentucky Derby; and the official (since 1938) cocktail of the Derby is the mint julep. Mint is incredibly easy to grow, fun to use and no herb garden is complete without it. The mint family, Lamiaceae or Labiatae, is richly diverse and includes most favorite herbs: basil, rosemary, sage, lavender, marjoram, oregano and of course, mint.
May 4 2012 | Posted in Master Gardener | Read More »
A librarian’s favorite inquiry
“Can you recommend a good book to me?” That question is a favorite among Delaware County District Library’s librarians, but it seems to be a question many people are reluctant to ask. I sometimes think that folks hesitate to ask us to recommend a good book because they may be concerned that their request is “not serious” or not exactly asking for information.
May 4 2012 | Posted in Mary Jane Santos | Read More »
Prescription drugs replacing marijuana as ‘gateway drug’
For decades the leading cause of accidental death for teens has been motor vehicle crashes, with firearms being the second leading cause. In 2004, accidental poisoning deaths took the second spot and according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, accidental poisoning could soon be the leading cause.
May 4 2012 | Posted in Rod Glazer | Read More »