My friend Becky always made the same New Year’s resolution: to have a hot date on New Year’s Eve. That way, she had 12 months to work toward her goal, and it didn’t involve passing up beer or potato chips. I don’t recall making many resolutions myself. Way back in the 1900s, I accepted those […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Earth Talk
Dear “Earth Talk”: What are the implications of the increasing breakup of Antarctica’s large floating ice shelves in recent years? — Gaertner Olivier, Brussels, Belgium Ice shelves are thick plates of ice that float on the ocean around much of Antarctica. Snow, glaciers and ice flows feed these large plates in the colder months. In […]
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Give the gift of gardening knowledge
During the winter months, outdoor garden activities are few, but it’s still a great time to learn. Books, garden catalogs, and seed catalogs are a good way to start, but a more exciting option is to learn with others in a gardening program. Registration for an upcoming program would make a great gift for a […]
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Earth Talk
Dear “Earth Talk”: What’s better for the environment, a fake or real Christmas tree? — R.M. Brandt, Nutley, N.J. Although there is no crystal-clear answer to the age-old “real vs. fake” Christmas-tree debate, most environmentalists, “tree-huggers” among them, would agree that real trees are the better choice, at least from a personal and public-health standpoint. […]
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Ho, ho, the mistletoe!
Kissing under the mistletoe, a popular American holiday tradition, is held by some to increase the possibility of marriage in the coming year. In North America this tradition became established in the 1880s. One of the most mystical and sacred plants of European folklore, mistletoe has long been a symbol of love, peace, and goodwill. […]
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Work in progress
This time last year, I devoted a column to my son Evan. Actually, I spent the first four paragraphs hemming and hawing, apologizing in advance for delivering mush when you have every right to expect something spicier in this space. My excuse was the convergence of three signs: that November is National Adoption Awareness Month […]
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Her huge heart
There’s a specific string of words people use to describe Judy Dyer. They don’t just say she was smart; they use the word “wise.” They don’t just say she was funny; they say she was a bawdy smart-ass. And they don’t just say she was a friend; they say she made each person feel extra […]
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The worm’s turn
Have you ever wondered what an earthworm thinks? I recently purchased a children’s book, The Diary of a Worm, for my son. The book is about the life of a young earthworm. As I read this book to my son, I found myself laughing hysterically. My 6-year-old didn’t understand all the humor, but he enjoyed […]
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Pure popcorn puffery
Whether we’re at the theater or curled up on the couch watching a movie at home, popcorn is our favorite snack. Snacking may be the American way of life, but healthful choices can provide the body with the nutrients we need to keep us moving. According to the Popcorn Board, a nonprofit organization funded by […]
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The good, the bad and the expensive
There are many good cops working for Illinois State Police. Keep repeating that phrase to yourself as you read on; otherwise, you might think ISP is awash in scofflaws. There are many good cops there, many good ones. I hear from a few — some active, some retired and working for ISP on contract, some […]
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Pumpkin trivia
This week, as my children carved their second set of pumpkins (the first bunch succumbed to black mold, in part because of the warm weather), they had plenty of questions: How do pumpkins grow? How big can they get? What can you do with pumpkins besides carve them? Here are some pumpkin facts to share […]
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Plant your spring surprise now
Bulbs are a good way to add color to the garden from Feburary into June. Most gardeners are familiar with such spring bulb flowers as the tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth, but there are many more to choose from. Often the first sign of spring is the appearance of snowdrops, winter aconite, crocuses, glory-of-the-snow, netted irises, […]
