Don't get plutoed...

What? You've never heard the term? This neologism began to show up in pop culture following the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) reclassification in 2006 of Pluto from the 9^th planet in our solar system to merely a dwarf planet. The American Dialect Society chose “plutoed” as the 2006 Word of the Year in honor of this change and defines it as “to demote or devalue someone or something.”

...9-1-1...What is your emergency?

If you've ever had an emergency, hearing the operator speak those simple words can mean relief. Dialing 9-1-1 connects you to the police station, fire station or emergency medical personnel or sometimes all three, depending on the nature of the emergency. Whatever the circumstances, the right professionals are on the way to help with just one phone call. But this system wasn't always in place.

Did you hug your Valentine today? ...why?

Happy Valentine's Day! Does everyone have their sweetheart handy? If not, borrow one, just for the day. Promise you'll give it back when you're done...

For some, today was a chance to celebrate that special someone in your life, for others it's a painful reminder that they are single. But do you know why we celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14? Don't feel bad. Neither does anyone else!

Gettin' ready for Spring!

The weather report is calling for two more feet of snow here in Massachusetts. Good thing winter is almost over.

I can say that with complete confidence because tomorrow is Groundhog Day and, let's be honest, do we really think the groundhog is going to see his shadow in the middle of a blizzard? We'll be lucky if he can dig himself out of his hole in the first place!

In Remembrance of...

On January 28, 1986, I was sitting in my 8^th grade classroom in a small private school in South Jersey. Each class only had about 20 students but that day it was packed with three other classrooms worth of kids. Our's was the only classroom with a television and we were gathered to watch history.

New Year - New Attitudes

Welcome, 2011!

Well, it's a brand new year and we are faced, yet again, with a wonderful opportunity. We can approach the next 365 days with the same attitude we carried through 2010 or we can hit the mental reset button and head into the new year with a brand new attitude.

The True Spirit of Christmas...

As we get ever closer to Christmas, I look at my tree with all the presents wrapped and arranged beneath it, and I remember leaner times. Times when there were only two or three presents under the tree waiting to be unwrapped, all small and inexpensive, many hand-made because we could not afford store-bought presents, and I am reminded of the unexpected generosities I have been blessed with over the years.