Tag: Steve’n’Seagulls

2020 needs a do-over. But that’s not going to happen. A lot of people are in denial right now but here is reality: Nothing is different than when things shut down. There is no vaccine. COVID-19 is still viral and kills and damages people. Permanently. Yet we’re talking about opening schools? If so, why did […]

Our students have compiled research in three topic areas. Below are the links to their research tables that can be downloaded for searching and viewing.   For a state-by-state review of Mandatory Reporter laws, click here.   For a state-by-state review of Background Check laws, click...

Our students spent the summer working on the inaugural project of the LDICP. Through their extensive research, massive databases of information on state statutes regarding the abuse of children ave been created and will be posted here as their work is finalized.   Here are...

I grew up next to the Antonine Wall in a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. The Antonine Wall was the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire between AD 154 and AD 162. It ran for almost forty miles across southern Scotland from Bo’ness on the Firth of Forth to Old Kilpatrick on the Clyde Estuary. Very […]

imagine my surprise  when coming home noticing the landscapers had mulched and manured and cleaned my garden but in doing so had removed my garden vision i’ve been nurturing for a while a huge mix of wildflower seeds a naturalized garden most on the cusp of blooming it was full and lush and green and […]

The Centennial Land Run Monument 'glorifies the pioneers and doesn’t talk about the Indigenous people who lived here before,' says co-organizer Brenda Golden, Muscogee Creek

I have no idea why I’m so tired.  Think I tried to wear more hats than my head was able to handle.  Too exhausted to list them, but I juggled a lo.  There was stuff with grad school, work, writing, … Continue reading →

It is over two years since I share the stories from Tales from The Garden that I wrote in tribute to our home in the mountains to the north of Madrid from 1999 to 2016. I went back and forth … Continue reading →

We live in the most perfect area to have a staycation. The gulf with its white sand beaches are only five minutes away. We have the best restaurants with fresh seafood and seats with the best views. The charter fishing experience is top notch. Evidently, this is not a best kept secret anymore. The only […]

Empathy and sympathy are not just two different approaches to confronting the emotional challenges of others; they are diametrically opposite responses in many important ways. Sympathy places another's problems at a distance from us, places us in a position of superiority, and "drives separation", says the film's narrator, Dr. Brené Brown. Empathy, on the other […]

Throughout the years of working on Positively Present, I've discovered that one of the most essential aspects of living a positive and present life is this: keeping an open mind. This sounds much easier than it is, so I created a digital workbook to explore what I believe are the necessary steps needed to truly […]

In re the lead photo. Yes, that’s an uber-busy “A” road. Some several dozen new-build houses built (“built”) where a … More

Image by Arno Hartmann from PixabayI'm as busy as a bee today. I'm not making honey but writing publishing contracts.As soon as I told someone I was "as busy as a bee" I wondered what the origin of that expression is.To my surprise there was a definitive source.It's from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, (the Squire's Tale), […]

Progressive Rock Through the AgesBy: Stewart BrennanProgressive Rock is one of several experimental genres that evolved out of Rock n Roll in mid 1960’s. It was a purely creative genre that carried at its initial core, reflections of morality, philosophies, political views and the social economic conditions of the times.The genre had a wide range […]

"Jacqueline Cochran was looking for WASP.  They told me I would have to be interviewed and they would contact me when they came to the Wichita area.  But I didn’t wait for that.  I went down to Houston for my interview, to speed things up.  And I think that’s one of the smartest things I […]

"My first flight was with a barnstormer at the age of five.  I loved it!  I also tried to 'fly' out of the barn loft with an umbrella.  This was less than successful..."  WASP Jean Terrell McCreery, 44-10 The indomitable Marguerite Jean Terrell Moreo McCreery has "...slipped the surly bonds of Earth. And danced the skies on […]

Boone, North Carolina, named after Daniel Boone, the famous early American explorer, is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwestern part of the state. Today’s circa 1957 featured image was taken during a parade in the town. Note all of the double-parked cars next to the Todd & Higgins Esso Service Center, and...

The first aftermarket tops for convertibles went on the market in the teens’ when the “California top” became a popular addition on roadsters and touring cars. A clear plexiglass top appeared on a Plymouth show car in 1939. After producing thousands of clear plastic domes and canopies for aircraft during WWII, a few of the...

Stock footage might not sound too sexy or fun, but hear me out, because this is an easy one to start and doesn’t require any start up funding. In fact, you can start with your smartphone camera. Ready? You Ready Are You Ready GIF from Youready GIFs   What is stock footage and how does […]

I am hoping you can help me find a book from my childhood. I think it was from the early 80s to mid 90s. It was about a boy that gets an Android robot for a brother. I think they … Continue reading →

Dirty Charmer by Emma Chase Narrated by Andi Arndt and Rupert Channing Standalone Spin-off of the Royally Series I’ve been a fan of Emma Chase since she released Tangled back in 2013 and she has never disappointed me. If you are looking for a fun, sexy, sweet, and funny romance, Emma delivers every single time. […]

July 1941. "Port Kelley, where wheat belonging to members of the Walla Walla Grain Growers is stored and shipped by barge to Portland. Walla Walla County, Washington." Medium format acetate negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.

July 1942. Washington, D.C. "Publicity photographer and model at the municipal swimming pool on Sunday." Nitrate negative by Marjory Collins, Office of War Information. View full size.

My mother Judy (on the left) hams it up with her best friend Bobbie at the New York Historical Society in 1951. It was Mom's first job after graduating from college. The picture appears to have been taken professionally, as there are others from the same shoot. Not sure what the intended use was. NYHS […]

Nathan's Original Famous Frankfurters. Purchased a few originals ten years ago.

In reply to Second City: 1941: Mr. Lee may have been using 'brownstone' as a synonym of townhouse, but these were most likely Chicago Greystones. Greystones were made from Bedford limestone mined in nearby deposits in Indiana.

In reply to Walla Walla Wheat: 1941: they named it twice, that's what the sign said in 1958.

There are many reasons why friends lose touch. Marriage, moving, and other life situations can come between people. But in today’s society, it is easier than ever to reconnect. The need for expensive services such as private detectives is a thing of the past. Regardless of the circumstances in which you met, and the reasons […]

Travel Makeup Bag Comparison habe ROWNYEON HaloVa Relavel Rownyeon Pro MelodySusie Ac.y.c Mossio B & C Chomeiu Material Nylon OxfordFabric Nylon Oxford Fabric PU...

Signs of Spring For more Wordless Wednesday, Click here.

Last week I wrote about the toxicity of silicone and revealed that while research is still limited, studies show that silicone does leach potentially harmful chemicals into food, particularly at temperatures above 300°.  Following the precautionary principle, I recommend avoiding cooking and baking with silicone.   What Do I Buy to Replace my Silicone Bakeware? […]

Silicones are made from silicon, a naturally-occurring element that is abundant in sand.  However, in order to make silicon available for industrial processes, it’s heated to very high temperatures and reacted with fossil-fuel derived hydrocarbons.1 This may explain why some people who are sensitive to petrochemicals may react to silicones.   In order to make […]

The African winds are blowing Sahara desert dust across the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of the United States. Some see this as a terrible nuisance. Some see it as a health risk (which it definitely can be). Others–like me–see this as a garden gift from the heavens. Or universe. Why? Because the dust blowing […]

A new study has discovered that bumblebees actually bite plants to induce flowering so they can get to the business of pollinating. “In a sense, the bees are signaling, Hey, we need food. Please speed up your flowering, and we’ll pollinate you.” It’s an incredible discovery. Bees can actually force plants to flower up to […]

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 12, 2020 is: frisson • \free-SAWN\  • noun : a brief moment of emotional excitement : shudder, thrill Examples: "There's that frisson of excitement when we get the text or the ring notifying us when dinner has arrived at our doorstep." — Tom Sietsema, The Washington Post, 10 Apr. […]

Our weekly thought-starter asks you (and us) a simple question each week: What pop culture did you consume this weekend, and what did you think of it? If you have suggestions for AVQ&A questions, big or small, you can email them to us here.Read more...

Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Sunday, July 12. All times are Eastern.Read more...

Of The Owl House’s three main characters, only Eda really feels like a complete character; her journey holds the most pathos and intrigue. At this point in the series, we’ve learned that this powerful, if not well-liked, witch is suffering from a curse from an unknown entity that causes her to transform into an…Read more...

It’s been a while since our last Weekend Box Office update, but we had to strike back with this one. Get it? “Strike back”? Okay, if that horrible joke hasn’t made you click out of this story already, here’s what you came for: The Empire Strikes Back took in an estimated $175,000 across 483 locations […]

A crowd favorite! Loaded with baby spinach, fresh strawberries, juicy, tender chicken thighs + the dreamiest poppy seed dressing! Say hello to my favorite part of summer: all the vibrant, beautiful, colorful salads. With juicy, grilled chicken thighs seasoned with some salt and pepper, this makes for a hearty meal for any time of the […]

FOOL-PROOF and only 4-ingredients! So hearty and rustic with the most amazing crust + fluffy, soft, chewy inside. Seriously, SO GOOD. Guys, please say hello to my COVID baby. Yes, that’s exactly right. My bread baby. My bread baby I made every single week starting in March. My first loaf was…well, it wasn’t the prettiest […]

“Put ice on it and sit and watch TV.” That advice from my doctor would have been great except he also told me to stay off the computer. I tore the ligament in my shoulder and needed to keep from using it while it healed, so I watched a lot of TV. Still not healed […]

So, the pandemic is still a thing. Christopher and I both work from home as writers and June 1st we each finished big projects. The state of the world has emphasized how important family is and we needed to safely lay eyes on our loved ones. June 15th we embarked on a road trip toward […]

"Okinawans are shocked ... We now have strong doubts that the US military has taken adequate disease prevention measures."

Dozens of COVID-19 cases have been detected at U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture, Gov. Denny Tamaki said Saturday, with the military later confirming two cluster infections