Tips for Gardeners During a Texas Heat Wave

Summer is always a challenging time for Texas ornamental and vegetable gardens, but a record heat wave and drought have made it especially difficult to keep plants from turning brown and crispy. So, how can we manage our gardens until rain and cooler temperatures bring relief? Michael Arnold, Ph.D.

Wrong Ride, Right Attitude

“Life is a lousy spectator sport.” ~John R. Powers When it comes to thrillseeking, I’ve always embraced being one of the wimpiest of the wimpy. Why ride a roller coaster when you can watch all the fun from the sidelines? Rhetorical question, to be sure.

How to Involve More Seniors in Your Community

The negative effects of isolation are something the vast majority of the world can now relate to. The COVID-19 pandemic forced people from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe to spend less time with friends, family members, neighbors, and other acquaintances.

Prepare Meals Together as a Family

Families that want to spend more time together can find a fun way to do just that by working together on something they already do each day. Cooking meals together as a family can add some fun to a task that’s already a part of many families’ daily routines.

Community Service Projects for Kids

The importance of giving back to one’s community is a value that parents can instill in their children at an early age. Learning about worthy causes in local communities can help develop empathy in children and give them insight into those who live outside of their social and economic spheres.

Did You Know?

Alcohol-impaired driving deaths increased by a significant margin between 2019 and 2020. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,654 people died in traffic accidents that involved alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020. That marked a 14 percent increase from the year prior.

The Connection Between Appearance and Self-esteem

Body image is defined as how people feel about the way they look. The Office on Women’s Health says a healthy body image makes a person feels comfortable in his or her body, while a negative body image can put a person at higher risk of depression and eating disorders.

Mount Airy

“Why do so many people visit Mount Airy?” I ask the old man at the antique store. “Hmm?” he answers. I’m in North Carolina. Andy Griffith’s hometown. A humble American village that receives approximately three kajillion visitors each year. “Say again?” the old shopkeeper says.

Sweet Child O’ Mine

There is a knot under my right scapula so large that it deserves a proper name. A dull migraine has been brewing for days, just behind my left temple. I am certain that my right hip is out of socket. There’s a pulled muscle in my right armpit and a permanent charley horse in my left calf muscle.

Ask Aunt B

Dear Aunt B, School is about to start. It is still hotter than the blazes. How can I help the children stay cool? Oh my and then there are the sports starting. Is this the hottest summer ever? Hotter than Dear Hotter than, For the easiest question.