#youtoo? Taking the next step in the #metoo movement

: Written by J.J.

Whether you're on or off of Twitter it's hard to miss the #metoo firestorm that erupted on social media, spilled over to print publications, and animated conversations among friends in 2017. #metoo steamed into 2018 fanning out Internationally compelling men and women everywhere to review their interactions with the opposite sex. Were we personally involved in sexual harassment, sexual power plays or sexual abuse? For some this review may feel threatening or painful. It may bring up feelings of shame. For others perhaps it's somewhere between justice overdue or reactions out of proportion. Wherever this resonates in your life the question is what can our wisdom contribute to this discussion and how can we learn from this complex National dialogue?

2017 Year in Review

: Written by J.J.

As I look back on 2017 I wonder why I didn't notice the stories that would normally have been on my radar? Did they burn up in the worst California fire in history, flood in Houston, die in Las Vegas, or disappear somewhere in the debate about fake news? Did they shrink in comparison to the bold re-emergence of the KKK, the Russia/Trump drama, or the disturbing threats from North Korea? Were they destroyed in Puerto Rico, confounded by tax reform, eliminated in the upending of rules and policy or strung out on opiods? No, as I review I realize they were happening each and every day while we were distracted by a barrage of tweets and shocking, often troubling, developments. Consequently I'll remember 2017 as the year I was blinded by too much news!

Stock Your Winter Tables with Nutritious Anti Aging Foods

: Written by J.J.

Winter yields healthful root and forest foods: squash, beets, mushrooms, yams, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips. Pies and pastries grab our attention but winter vegetables are satisfying and add vibrant colors to everyday meals. In fact cup for cup no other season can compete with the nutritious feasts available using winter crops. Viruses are mighty this time of year yet your family will gain nutritious support by integrating root and forest vegetables in your weekly meals.

Finding Wisdom in Toys

: Written by J.J.

I'm a serious person who was born to parents that shared a philosophy of not taking life too seriously. My mother often wondered "what had happened" to me to make me so sober and she resolved to surround me with songs, corny jokes, and toys at every holiday. Most of the Halloween decorations I own: wind up Vampires, glowing ghosts, scraggly vultures, and pop up screechers are gifts from her. Throughout my life I've had ambivalence about that bounty but this year, when mother transitioned to assisted living revealing a sudden frailty, I unwrapped these old toys with new appreciation.