People
INSPIRATIONAL: FIND THE THING THAT LIFTS YOUR SPIRITS »
Find the thing that lifts your spirits. . . Do something new. . .Go and sit in a church or synagogue. . . Speak with the priest or rabbi or minister. Maybe a total stranger. Let them lighten your load. . .
FROM UKRAINE WITH LOVE »
"When I was in Bakhmut yesterday, our heroes gave me the battle flag. The flag of those who defend Ukraine, Europe and the world at the cost of their lives. They asked me to bring this flag to the US Congress. May God protect our brave troops and citizens! May God forever bless the United States of America! Слава Україні!"
A SECOND OPINION: Time for a Jolly Christmas and a Happy New Year! »
Maybe, just maybe, 2023 will be a better year for all of us. We can do our best and hope in the future. Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Wholesome New Year!
LEG OF LAMP? »
In the 1970s, Alpedrete, Madrid, was famous for its Fiestas Navideñas. Village elders rode into the village on horseback dressed as The Three Kings in full regalia. Fast forward to 2022, the era of artificial intelligence and virtual reality, and what do we have in Northport, Long Island? A leg lamp lighting ceremony! Northport village elders feel that anybody can light a tree, or ride into town on horseback, but you have to have a certain, uh , ‘special outlook’ on life to light a lamp shaped like a leg!
INSPIRATIONAL: BRAIN FOG–ENLIGHTENING AND DELIGHTFUL »
Brain fog can be daunting, frustrating, and downright irritating, but I have decided it is enlightening and delightful. When I was lost for a word, I would insert a substitute word to take away my frustration and have a little fun. When small words evaded me, I simply substitute them with big words. The small words are so light, they just float upwards and disappear into the fog.
SNAPSHOT: SLEEP, LILIBET, SLEEP »
As the remains of the Queen were solemnly lowered into the Royal Vault at St. George’s, the Sovereign’s Piper slowly walked down the hallway, from the doorway between the chapel and the Dean's Cloister, his music fading away with him. It was a most poignant tribute, a most moving, a hauntingly beautiful rendition for a Sovereign who served her Realms so well for seven decades. “Dearie” now “sleeps” beneath St. George’s Chapel with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince Charming love of her life who passed away just 17 months ago on 9 April 2021.
SNAPSHOT: Charles Philip Arthur George, King Charles III of the United Kingdom and the Other Commonwealth Realms »
"As you may possibly have noticed from time to time, I have tended to make a habit of sticking my head above the parapet and generally getting shot off. . .If you become the sovereign, you play the role in the way that it is expected. So, clearly, I won’t be able to do the same things."
SNAPSHOT: HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II »
Her Majesty's marvelous life in three sentences
SCENES IN UKRAINE: 2. Irpin »
Irpin is newly named "Hero City of Ukraine" by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Just a stone's throw away from the center of Kyiv, the Russians thought they'd cakewalk through Irpin and take Ukraine's capital. Thwarted by Irpin, the Russians beat an ignominious retreat. Let its street art clue you in on the essence of this Hero City!
