Impossible Dreams Do you remember the lyrics from The Impossible Dream? The first two verses of Mitch Leigh’s song from Man of La Mancha go like this— “To right the unrightable wrong To love pure and chaste from afar To

There are a number of ways to seed conversations and avoid having impeachment hearings, football scores or Aunt Matilda’s sciatica take center stage during your holiday meal.  To generate topics that appeal to everyone and to insure lively discussions ask

Trees fascinate me, but Douglas Furs in particular catch my imagination. They are full of life and remind me of my own journey with its many branches and diversions, yet it continues to grow straight and tall. I marvel at

I painted the above picture several years ago. It reminds me that disagreements are natural, and it takes courage to end arguments without leaving bitter feelings behind. How do you talk to people you vehemently disagree with? It s not

An acquaintance told me, “It takes twenty years to make a friend.” It’s the experiences and intimacies shared over time that build trust. He has a point, though I think the process can occur more quickly. Zach, our adopted homeless

The holidays elicit both positive and negative emotions. It is up to each of us to decide whether to enjoy the season or not. The glass can be full if you want it to be and empty if you decide

In his first inaugural address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the oft quoted remark, “The only thing we have to fear is . . .fear itself.” He said it during the great recession when the economic situation in the country

Reluctance to change Life is about change, but how do you cope when you live or work with someone with ubiquitous resistance? Refusal to change manifests itself in many ways, from foot-dragging and inertia to petty sabotage to outright rebellion. A

Who Are You? Do you know who you are? How do you think of yourself and how would you describe that self to others. I recently heard a NPR broadcast suggesting listeners state twho they believe themselves to be in

This peaceful slew is impacted by the ebb and flow of ocean tides. Coastal areas are feeling the effects of rising seas, warmer ocean temperatures, stronger storms, and altered marine ecosystems. Streams that drain the coastal range carry increased runoff