Experts

Every month of the year has pet awareness events. For instance, June is National Adopt a cat month, it is National Zoo and Aquarium Month, and National pet preparedness month. June also has National hug your cat day, International Corgi Day, World Pet Memorial Day, National take your cat to work day, Ugliest dog day and take your dog to work day. Why do we care about animals to give them so much attention? According to Forbes, 65.1 million U.S. households own a dog, 46.5 million households own cats and 11.1 million households own fish. 66% of US households (2/3) own pets. Americans spent $136.8... Continue Reading

Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day, is May 29, 2023. These days we remember the members of the armed forces who have died by decorating their graves, attending colorful parades with marching bands and a multitude of flags, and celebrating the national holiday. The general ambiance of the day is often solemn, but also upbeat. A deep dive into the history of Memorial Day via a multitude of internet sources reminds us that origins of this holiday are the result of four horrific years in United States history: Families were divided by choosing different sides. Communities were decimated. 620,000... Continue Reading

I consider myself to be a pretty motivated and productive guy.  Although I’m in control of much of my schedule, a typical day consists of work, physical activity such as walking and exercising, and spending quality time with my wife and often with family, neighbors, and other friends.  I know that I’m not too unique in that regard, but I don’t think that I would be as efficient or effective if I didn’t have routines for easing into the day and easing into the night. I think that a morning and evening routine is pretty important to enable your body and mind to wake up in the... Continue Reading

Baby Boomers think that we are the best generation to come along in this great country of ours. We have been running the government for the last 6 years and look at the chaos we have created. Our children are dying in record numbers from this opioid overdose epidemic and what have we done to fix this issue? And our fellow Baby Boomers are homeless in record numbers… The Supplemental Poverty Measure (PLM) used by the Census Bureau put 12.8% of seniors 65+ below the poverty level. Considering that in 1966 seniors in poverty were at 28.5%, Social Security has really worked to reduce the shame America... Continue Reading

At this time of the year, when we just celebrated Mother’s Day and prepare to celebrate Father’s Day next month, it always brings to my mind a question that I remember from my youth. It was pretty universal in my generation to ask the following question – particularly after seeing  parents receiving gifts and being honored on their special days: “If there’s a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day, why isn’t there a Children’s Day?”  I don’t know where parents learned it, but every parent seemed to know the same answer, “Every day is Children’s Day.”  I never... Continue Reading

Fortunately, with the help of recent advancements in technology and innovation, it is now easier than ever before to provide our seniors with the care they both need and deserve. The post How innovation and technology are revolutionizing senior care appeared first on McKnights Home Care.  Continue Reading

We all have bad days – and some of them are of our own making.  Of course, sometimes things don’t work out because we are treated unfairly, and sometimes we are treated fairly but we don’t get the job or the relationship or the discount or the tax break that we want.  Even on the worst of days, however, we have a special gift available to us.  That gift is called TOMORROW. Whatever today has been like, we have the chance to start over again tomorrow.  We can learn from today and plan differently, choose differently, and prepare ourselves differently so that we can hopefully... Continue Reading

I was ready to hit the road home. The rains had stopped, and it looked like smooth sailing across New Hampshire and Maine. Until…I punched in my destination on my Maps app. Four out of five possible routes had flood warnings.  Deciding not to chance being turned back half way home, I took the one that was clear. I saw parts of New Hampshire I had never seen. Luckily it’s a beautiful state so the extra time quickly passed as I wound around lakes and hills. Warning the driver of potential hazards ahead is just one of the many cool features of the Maps App. Here are seven more.     Multiple... Continue Reading

In today’s world of instant information, uncertainty, cruelty, and differences in ideas, what is the true role of parents? Obviously, parents provide their children with food, clothing, and a place to live. They also are to provide financial support, medical care, and the opportunity to receive an education. And they are to protect their children from harm and provide them with a safe environment that includes supervision and control of any situation. Because parents are the most influential people for our children, they have more power to bring the good qualities needed in our daily lives. Traits... Continue Reading

Some very compassionate people have a difficult time expressing self-compassion.  According to Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion expert at the University of Texas, the practice of self-compassion involves giving ourselves the same kindness and care that we’d give to a friend. Why do some people find that concept so difficult?  In some cases, the problem is rooted in a history of criticism by significant others or by expectations that family members or employers have placed that are impossible to meet.  In other cases, people have treated failures as reasons for self-criticism rather... Continue Reading