Does the thought of downsizing and possibly moving to a smaller, more manageable home someday scare you? Me, too. But if you decide to go for it, spring is a good time to get started.
When I was growing up, my family didn’t do Spring Break. We didn’t travel or go anywhere special. My parents worked, and if anything, Spring Break was more of a hassle. It meant finding me a babysitter, or as I got older, making sure I stayed out of trouble – though I wasn’t much for that. While other families were heading to Florida, South Padre Island, Myrtle Beach or Los Angeles, I was at home, reading a book or hanging out with neighbor kids whose families didn’t go anywhere, either. Those years without Spring Break shaped my desire as an adult to go on adventures as if my life depended on it.
President Trump has floated the idea of replacing the income tax with tariffs. As he correctly notes, tariffs were the primary funding source for the federal government until the 16th Amendment was ratified in 1913, which allows Congress to levy an income tax. However, attempting to return to tariffs to raise government revenue over a century later will encounter a practical difficulty, namely the federal government is much, much larger now than it was then.
March is a time to think green … spring is on the way! And when it comes to green & leafy foods, kale is a rock star – high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. It can even be a great snack! When made into chips, kale retains much of its nutritional value.
We are entering an exciting time of year. Angst, excitement and the sweetness of dreams in the making fill the air. Before you reach for your brackets, you should know that I am NOT talking about March Madness.
When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, images of shamrocks, leprechauns and lively celebrations probably come to mind. But no celebration of Irish heritage would be complete without the mesmerizing spectacle of Irish step dancing. From the rapid-fire footwork to the stiff upper bodies, this traditional dance form has captivated audiences for centuries.
If you are a statistics person, love and marriage go together about like divorce and marriage do. Around half of all marriages in this country end in divorce. Not very romantic, is it?
During the final days of 2024, a good friend and I were chatting about our concerns regarding the upcoming year and its many unknowns. She very wisely stated, “There is nothing we can do except take care of ourselves, and always be kind and generous to those who need it.” I wholeheartedly agreed.
Are you ready for one of the most exciting sporting events of the year? This year, Super Bowl LIX will take place on February 9 in one of my favorite cities: New Orleans. And while it is not known at the time of this writing what teams will play for the coveted Lombardi Trophy, it is always exciting to watch the best of the best do battle.
Last month, I discussed the Median Voter Theorem and how voter concerns with the economy pointed to a Trump win. This presented a puzzle, as economic indicators leading up to the election were strong. Economic growth was a healthy 3%, the unemployment rate was below 4% and inflation was 2.4%, which was above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target but falling. Why did the economy dominate voters’ concerns, which spelled trouble for the incumbent Democratic Party?
In the post-COVID world, everyone had their eyes on Europe – clamoring to buy that transatlantic ticket to attend a wedding in an exotic locale. Since we returned to our regularly scheduled programming, the event compass has shifted, and 2025 will be the year of the “at home” wedding weekend.
This Valentine’s Day, surprise your sweetheart with these easy, homemade peanut butter cups! With just four ingredients, the maple-sweetened filling is a bit healthier than the traditional Halloween fave, as is the rich, dark chocolate coating. You can go with the darkest chocolate you can find. They’re so good, you’re sure to get a little “sugar” in return!
