Gratitude one of many Mother's Day blessings

Many of us look forward to this Sunday as a day to celebrate Mother and honor connection. For others, however, it's a day to accept Mother as she is and honor reconciliation.

Soul-searching, stumbles led me to a new passion

I'm an arts-and-crafts-fair junkie. But at the most recent fair I attended, I got something much more valuable than a piece of pottery or turquoise jewelry.

Getting to know your neighbors - a step toward fostering community

Tucson is still healing from the Jan. 8, 2011, mass shooting and one of the lingering topics is: Is there anything we can do to help prevent another such tragedy in our city?

Unlike in Midwest, February is lively time here for a birthday

Growing up in the Midwest I always thought of early February as a rather blah time for my birthday. It was just another gray day in the middle of a cold, damp winter - way too late to take its place in the festive world of December holidays. Mother tried her best to give my birthday parties …

Inauguration framed many inspiring American stories

I got a few shivers while watching President Obama's second inauguration, but they had nothing to do with the weather - it was a beautiful day in Tucson and Washington, D.C.

Thank-you note: Still good manners

Santa's back at the North Pole with an empty sleigh. Gifts have been used, enjoyed, or maybe exchanged. Wrapping paper and ribbon have been tossed or added to the stash. There is one thing that may be left to do - acknowledge those gifts.

Oasis classes a good way to keep active

Happy new year! Many of us welcome 2013 with anticipation and maybe even a resolution or two. How about resolving to keep the gray matter percolating by taking a class? For those 50 and older, Oasis might be just the ticket.

Words, however simple, hold power to keep one going

One day some years ago while substitute-teaching in public schools, I noticed a poster taped to the wall of a middle school classroom. It said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may break my heart."

Notable locals talk Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Nothing makes folks feel more like family - even an extended family of 314 million - than partaking of a festive meal on the same day.

Most. Nov. 6 winners not on ballot

My emotions ran the gamut on Nov. 6, but they had nothing to do with what propositions won or who lost. Feelings of pride, sorrow, appreciation and intense gratitude filled my heart that sunny autumn day, one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

Nobody is great at everything; everyone has talent

Recently while hanging out in the Phoenix airport, waiting for my connecting flight to Tucson, I had time to observe folks around me. Most were huddled over some type of computerized gizmo that started with the letter "i."

Bright yellow car offers ray of hope on hot, stormy day

Do you believe in guardian angels? After a recent experience, I'm definitely open to the possibility.

Pacific Grove is magical place to visit

Pacific Grove, Calif., was my home for much of this past summer. The city, called "PG" by locals, is also known by other endearing names, such as:

Northern Calif. can give visitors a fine French fix

I didn't make it to France this year for a taste of la vie parisienne, so I headed to the Monterey Peninsula in Northern California.

Tucson's early birds enjoy refreshing summer treat

I have medical heat sensitivity. Don't look for a disorder by that name in the Merck Manual, as I recently coined the term myself. In years gone by, when I explained to folks my need to be indoors from about 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. four months a year due to heat sensitivity, they would shrug their…

Airline travel is too often taken for granted

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Super - no it really is a plane! Cool! I'm ready to board.

Making friends: Get those conversation sparks to ignite

While attending a meeting recently, I found myself sitting across the table from a woman I had met at a holiday party this past December. To start the conversational ball rolling, I asked her how she had enjoyed the party. "Not so much," was her reply. In a word, she'd felt neglected.

Friendship Day celebrates oft-complex relationships

Have you bought your hot-off-the-press 2012 calendar yet? With the plethora of places calendars can be purchased, chances are the answer is yes.

Politicos say speaking French is a handicap? Au contraire!

Holy freedom fries! Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has recently taken some heat in a few Democratic circles - not for salacious behavior and not for cheating hard-working folks out of their retirement savings, but because he speaks French! (He learned the language as a missionar…

Outgoing Walkup leaves lasting lessons for local youth

When I ran into outgoing Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup recently at an art gallery, I felt a little like the narrator in Marcel Proust's novel "Remembrance of Things Past." The narrator bites into la petite madeleine cake and memories come flooding back to him.

Contests can offer lessons, hope and ... oh yeah, wins!

I don't smoke, drink or take illegal substances; however, I do admit to one addiction - entering drawings and contests.

Remarkable mom overcomes challenges for sons

This Sunday, those of us fortunate enough to have Mother with us will express appreciation for her caring, guidance, encouragement and all the other things that have helped make us who we are today.

Speaking foreign language opens many doors

I wearily found my way to an aisle seat on the plane about to take off from Santa Barbara, Calif., the second to last leg of my recent whirlwind trip. However, I wasn't too tired for one of my favorite pastimes: people watching.

Watching Oscars a thrilling, sometimes profitable affair

Oscar fever broke Sunday night with recognition of those greats in the film industry who had won by a hair's breadth over the competition.

Encourage kids, don't browbeat them

One of my favorite parables concerns a certain Mrs. Jones, who had three boys.

A touch of French culture endures here

Joyous cries of "Joyeux Noël," (merry Christmas); "Bonne Année (happy New Year); and "Bonnes fêtes" (happy holidays) could be heard as I made my way among a tempting selection of French goodies: tarte tatin (apple upside-down cake); buche de Noël (Christmas log) and marrons glaces (glazed ch…