Life Style & Travel

UNITED STATES—"What are you doing?" Davy asks Karen. "Prolonging the inevitable, that's what. "I can take over if you want." "She's getting to the point with Grandma. No more food and Ensure." Willow walks in and addresses Doris in the other bed. "Time for your rehab, darling." She swings her legs over the edge of the bed, she scowls and protests, then raises herself to...

UNITED STATES—Oak, which might seem to be obvious to many of us, was identified by the Arbor Day Foundation as the People's Choice for American's National Tree. We certainly like our redwoods and exotic palms in California. Quaking aspen and blue spruce are probably favorites in Colorado. Sugar maple must be the most popular in Vermont. Yet, everyone appreciates...

HOLLYWOOD—The passing of Hollywood writer, producer and director John Singleton this week thru me for an absolute loop. It just seemed to come out of nowhere and this guy was so young. He was only 51, and died from complications after he suffered a stroke. His family made a plea for many in the African-American community who suffer from...

UNITED STATES—Davy stands in the hallway, shoulder blades pressed to the wall. He gasps. "Relax, drink water," he says to himself. This place is hard work, draining, stressful, heart-warming. It's a crouching beast, even when all the lights are off at night, a vortex of love and suffering breathing slowly in a gargantuan ribcage. Slowly, slowly, Davy escapes the quicksand of...

UNITED STATES—Simply put, 'nomenclature' is how things get named. It is not exactly like naming a child or a dog, or even a new small country in the South Pacific. There is a certain technique to it that is more like naming cars. Well, it 'was' like naming cars, a long time ago when cars had simple names rather...

UNITED STATES—Crying, moaning bitching, babbling... they all want to go to that elusive place called home. "Mom, you get brownie points for the steps you took," Karen says. Davy (to his sister): "I'm blown away. Those are the first steps she's taken in over two months. This is gonna help you to get home. And I think your chances just got...

UNITED STATES—It was a scuffle and a soft whimper that led Alison Sawyer Current to the pile of logs in an unkempt abandoned lot. She loved exploring Isla Mujeres, Mexico but the sleepy, little fishing island off the coast of Cancun had an animal problem. “Earlier in the day I had rescued five hungry puppies from under a pile of...

UNITED STATES—Pampas grass, blue gum eucalyptus, giant reed, broom and Acacia dealbata are some of the best examples of the worst naturalized exotic species. They were imported for a variety of reasons or by accident, and now proliferate aggressively in the wild. With few of the pathogens they contend with in their respective native homelands, they have unfair advantages...

UNITED STATES—Spring has finally arrived America and with that being said I’m seeing more and more people outdoors. As soon as the weather gets slightly warm it’s like you see a complete change in the personality of people. I mean kids are outside playing, adults are running or jogging, the bicycles are out and yard work is being completed....

UNITED STATES—There is yet another miracle to follow. After therapy, the mother and her middle-aged children, Karen and Davy are in the door way to room #6. "Get me to my bed, get me to my bed," the mom croaks and gasps. "We're going to get you back to your bed," Willow says. "I know, I know: eventually," the mother mimics the...