Discomfort is one of those words that requires a scale to explain. In particular, there is a point where discomfort and pain intersect. But it's essential to be discriminant in using these terms and recognize that they are both very personal. Doctors and healthcare...
What would you do if you could do one project to improve our community that benefits all of us? Would your project take care of blight by removing abandoned and dilapidated buildings and houses? Would you enhance or eliminate streets where all of the homes are gone?...
"Aren't you curious," her friend asked. "Of course, I'm curious," she replied, "but don't you know that curiosity killed the cat!" We all know that curiosity killed the cat. At least according to conventional wisdom. However, this expression began as a line in Ben...
It's been a warm summer here in Michigan. Fortunately, we've been spared the excessive temperatures experienced by other parts of the U.S. Nevertheless, there are more above 90-degree days than in the past, and this number is expected to continue rising. And our...
We have a primary election coming up on August 2, and mail-in ballots must be in place before 8 PM on election day to be counted. In addition to nominations for candidates from each party, funding for MSU Extension appears on the ballot. Every election is essential,...
What is most important to you? Family? Good health? What values drive your everyday decisions to do the things you choose to do? Love? Fairness? In other words, why do you do the things that you do? Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers write, "Our values are the...
Mid-term elections are coming up this November. The label means that the president's four-year term is half over. This year, all 435 U.S. House of Representatives seats are on ballots, along with 35 of the 100 Senate positions. One, if not the most, significant factor...
Looking back at themes over the past several months, I noticed that we began 2022 in a conversation about the political divide in our country. For example, in my January 9 article, I wrote about the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. capital. But the most...
Over the past two months, we've focused on ways to become more aware of ourselves. Listening to our bodies makes it possible for us to try softer. We try softer by giving ourselves enough grace to find balance in a world of competing pressures. Trying softer means...
It's tempting to declare that we're beginning a new series on the first Sunday in July. It's tempting for many reasons, so why not just call our next several Sundays by a catchy title and announce a "new" topic? And I love new beginnings. Instead, welcome to Parts...