Category: Family & Education

The Misconstrued Virtue

“It was pride that changed angels into devils,” St. Augustine of Hippo once wrote, “it is humility that makes men as angels.” Though Augustine was addressing theological matters, if we convert his thoughts into a secular metaphor, we can still find truth in them. Pride and arrogance in tyrants, for example, can make them demonic,…


Better Biking

Bicycles are an ideal way to get exercise or ride to work or the store. This assortment of gear makes them more versatile and practical. (Courtesy of Camelback) Stay Hydrated Camelbak Rogue Light 70 oz. $85 Drinking plenty of water is essential for health, especially while doing arduous exercise such as riding a bike. This…


Take Pride in Your Ride

A freshly washed car seems to drive better than a dirty one, but to restore that new car feel, especially to a car several or many years old, a full inside-and-out cleaning is the way to go. DIY detailing, which goes beyond simply washing it with a soapy sponge, is a great way not only…


Trapped Between the Most Comfortable and the Most Stressful Era: What’s the Way Out?

On the surface, so many of us feel our lives are too busy. We’re stressed and overwhelmed and can’t find the time for all the things we want to do. On the other hand, we’ve never had more automation, convenience, and collective wealth than we do now. And according to time use surveys published online…


10 Simple Habits to Foster This Summer

Summertime is an opportune time to focus on making improvements in yourself and your life. The days are longer, the schedule is more relaxed, and there is time and space to review, reflect, and retool the areas of your life that could use some refreshing. When it comes to making improvements, often the key is…


Positive and Uplifting, Likable and Fun: Television’s Golden Age of Family Sitcoms

“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there,” wrote L.P. Hartley in his 1953 novel “The Go-Between.” If you’re looking for proof of Hartley’s claim, just tune in, as I recently did, to the early episodes of “The Donna Reed Show,” where you can time travel all the way back to 1958….


Dear Next Generation: 6 Tips for Life

My advice for the younger generations: 1. Follow Christian values, especially that of treating others the way that you want to be treated. 2. Believe in yourself, even if you’re trying to do something totally new. Research what you want to do before you start, and find people who were successful and those who were…


How One Mother Taught Her Children to Enjoy Chores and Eat Their Dinners

Ask any set of parents what they wish for their child, and they’ll likely give you some form of “happiness and success” answer. There are a cacophony of voices in today’s overbearing world telling us how to raise such happy and successful children. “Give them a good education,” one voice says, while another suggests “lots…


7 Simple Tips to Encourage Your Kids to Write

Children love to tell stories, reenact their exciting adventures, and literally give you a play by play of their entire day. Typically, this storytelling can help the transition into writing. However, some kids, whether they enjoy telling stories or not, are reluctant or simply disinterested in the whole writing process. They may struggle to think…


Summer School for Mom and Dad: Helping Our Fledglings Take Flight

Few words in the English language are sweeter to most young folks, particularly pre-teens, than summertime. No more being roused at dawn to catch a bus. No more racing around the house looking for that missing shoe or English essay. No more days scheduled by bells and classes. No more worrying about tests or homework…