Commentary For most people, Omicron is a highly contagious cold. Lots will catch it, and most will get sniffles and a sore throat. Yes, even with Omicron, as with the flu, some people will get seriously ill, and a few will die. Masking, social distancing, capacity limits, lockdowns, curfews, and “vaccines” are not stopping the spread. People
In search of northern lights, photographer Marc Adamus delves into the Alaskan boreal forest, marching to the sound of ice crystals crunching beneath his snowshoes. Setting up his camera in the dying light of sunset, he has only to wait for adequate darkness to fall; aurora borealis, though omnipresent day or night, diminishes in sunlight,
They flock to visit exotic lotus ponds to take extravagant baths in India. They frolic upon the ice shelves in the extreme cold of the Antarctic southern hemisphere. They are your neighbors coming to visit you, wet their whistles, and sing sweetly to you in your own backyard. They are our dear feathered friends, birds,
What’s really worthwhile? What’s the point of all this effort and energy we expend day in and day out? Where’s the goal line? Or, to put the question another way: What’s the purpose in our lives? Many of us are so inundated with the flood of events, information, and obligations of everyday living that we
Not everyone can make small talk in work or social settings, but it’s a great icebreaker and may even lead to new friendships. Here are tips on how to master chit-chat and become an expert at brief, meaningful conversations. Say Something Nice Skip the weather and start with a compliment. The goal is to put
Christmas delivers more traditions, festivities, and entertainments than all other American holidays combined. Worshippers sing traditional carols and hymns, and light Advent candles. In their churches and homes, they set up nativity scenes, a practice created in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi. On the other side of the fence are secular holiday traditions. Originally
Laughter is the best medicine, they say. Humor can heal disharmony and build bonds between people, making us feel closer to each other—and can even help us see our counterparts in the animal kingdom with greater sympathy and compassion—which is one reason why the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards global competition was created. Aiming to protect
A robin is a treat to behold with its rust-colored breast and just as lovely to listen to with its sweet song—a robin is a bird that accentuates anyone’s day. To people living in places like America or Europe, where robins are typically red-breasted, one might be flabbergasted by the spectrum of colors displayed by
A certain quote has been making the rounds on social media this past year. Its pervasiveness is an indication of its relevance. Of unknown origin, the quote reads: “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And weak men create hard times.” It’s an accurate description of the
Generally, we avoid hard tasks, putting them off while we either do easier tasks or distract ourselves. This is understandable, as a hard task might feel daunting or overwhelming. Unfortunately, spending our hours on urgent but easy tasks versus difficult but important tasks is generally a costly choice. So let’s talk for a minute about hard
Some of the least touristy spots from far corners of the globe were highlighted in the Siena International Photo Awards (SIPA) 2021, whose winners were announced last month, and whose works are now on display in Siena, Italy. The competition garnered entries from thousands of photographers, professional and amateur, from 163 countries across the world. SIPA highlights
Live simply, like a child. An infant needs very little to be happy. Clothes, food, love, and a place to explore, that’s it. They have so few needs. And yet they’re so happy. Or when they’re not happy, it’s usually because one of their few needs is not being met. As these toddlers grow up,
Commentary As someone who has been taught to measure my words, I have had enough of the prime minister’s attempt to brand people who object to the COVID vaccines as “anti-vaxxers.” He made the most of it, of course, during the recent election campaign, when he told us that he was not going to let
One of the biggest days of your life has come and gone. You’ve stood up before a group of people and taken vows you’ve sworn to uphold. Perhaps you followed up that event with a gala, an evening of dining and dance, or perhaps you left some clerk’s office in City Hall and drove back
Karl Marx, the father of scientific socialism, once wrote that he knew was born to God but was chosen for hell, author and radio host David Jeremiah said of many of the “aha! moments” he experienced in his year-long study of socialism, during which he read everything he could find on the ideology, including what
In his book, “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic,” Matthew Kelly describes four characteristics that separate dynamic Catholics from “other” Catholics. While reading his small book, I kept thinking these same characteristics define dynamic parents as different from “ordinary” parents. I have adapted these principles as they apply to parents below. Dynamic Parents Read
In late 2020, vaccinations became available for COVID-19 under emergency use authorization. Back then, getting a shot was considered a matter of personal choice. Within a few months, however, that choice is deteriorating, as a number of employers, schools, and even the federal government now insist that the shot is a must for everyone. With
A marriage ceremony is not just the union of two humans but is a sacred and solemn occasion that is founded on faith and ties two families together. Since ancient times, people of faith have upheld that wedlock is holy in nature and should be respected. Every culture and ethnicity has its own wedding-time traditions
By Jeff Minick From that most prolific of authors, Unknown, we have this aphorism: “A grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.” That amalgam of those three little bits into “grandparent” creates one of the greatest joys life can bestow on us. Being a grandparent is
Flies are a nearly unavoidable nuisance in most homes, especially during the warmer months of the year. They’re annoying for sure, but more than just pesky, houseflies (Musca domestica) can carry and transmit disease and cause illness. Consider these seven simple ways to banish these pests from the house and keep them out for good.
