Living Well Etc.

A party is a perfect time to teach children the importance of hosting.   After all, a host is attending to the needs of others.   This type of selfless giving may assist in the child learning empathy, which is difficult to teach at times.   However, a child is not hired help and shouldn’t be treated as such.   So, she/he as an assistant host should be elective.   Plus, consider what type of party you are hosting.  A loud drink-fest is not an appropriate setting for children.   Teachable Moment  Pro-Tip Parent and plan your party well.   Set expectations and practice with your child well ahead of the party. Suggestions for the Child As a door monitor, smile, maintain good eye contact, and introduce yourself to the arriving guest. When answering the door, you would initiate the introduction and handshake.  Offer to take the guest’s coat and purse and put them away. Lead guests into the home to greet the parents or to...

  Even though tipping is thought to be optional, in today’s society it is expected.   Because of the contrast of ideal and reality, we are often, rightfully, confused.   And, if we short-tip, we are viewed harshly.  To help with that confusion, what follows are a few scenarios with solutions. Going Out to Dinner with Short-Tippers So, what should we do when you’re out to dinner with your future in-laws and they leave an embarrassingly small tip on the table?   It would be ill-mannered to correct them; but if there is an inconspicuous way to leave some money on the table as all are leaving, do it.  Still, waitstaff expects some to be socially clueless.  Consequently, and unfortunately, they are prepared for the short-tipper.  How About That Generous Bartender? How much we should be tipping a bartender who has discounted our drinks all night?  Usually, we tip a bartender similarly to waitstaff: approx. 20%.  If in a ...

  The What, Where, and Why of Burgundian Wines For years I wanted to see the lush interior of France, more specifically the vineyards of Burgundy.   Still, it was the wines I was most interested in exploring.   Wines from Burgundy don't carry the clout of their nearby cousins in Bordeaux, but they are some of my favorites.   Since the wine was a huge draw for me to visit, I took every opportunity to learn more while in that special place.   What follows is what I learned.   Grapes, Grapes Everywhere & Quite a Bit to Drink Burgundian wines are primarily made from the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.   Yum!   Like most French wines, the name of the wine is based on the area or region and not the varietal as is common here in the U.S .   The white wines of Burgundy—made with Chardonnay grapes—come from these regions: Chablis, Mâconnais, Côte Chalonnaise and Côte de Beaune—some of the best.   Wines from Chablis are a dry Chardonna...

How the Drought of the '70s Compare to Today's Mega-Drought As a life-long Californian, I’ve lived through the great drought of the ‘70s and many record-breaking hot-summer days, which resulted in energy usage restrictions. During our last drought—only a few years ago—we had numerous brownouts and blackouts.  It appears that this ongoing drought may cause more of those same issues, as a headline in the Guardian recently read: “Less water means more gas: how drought will test California’s stressed power grid.” For the most part, Californians are typically requested to conserve energy during our hot summers when usage peaks due to ever-running air conditioners anyway.  However, if this continues, we may not have enough of our natural gas supply and our wind and solar doesn’t produce enough yet either.   Additionally, according to the website, California Department of Water Resources, 11 out of the 12 largest reservoirs are well below historical levels, which l...

  Pilot, Commander, and Our First Black US Air Force General Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman may be the most often mentioned Black History heroes.  However, there are many more whose names most people might not recognize.  One of these heroes is Benjamin O. Davis Jr. As the first African-American US Air Force General Benjamin O. Davis Jr is probably most well known as the commander of the World War II  Tuskegee Airmen .  General Davis grew up fully aware of racial inequality through his father's struggles as one of the only two African-American combat officers in the army.  Due to his race, he was unable to advance.  Thus, young Davis vowed to change segregation and racial inequality and was in a big part responsible for many of the changes we see today.       Even though graduating near the top of his class at West Point, he was rejected, minimalized, and not allowed to...

  Labor Day is More Than Just Hot Dogs on the Grill Americans love to celebrate Labor Day as our last summer hurrah, with many heading outdoor with our favorite refreshments.  However, how many people consider why we celebrate this one day above all others in September?  The teacher in me wants to know, I'm in research mode and taking you with me.  Let's find the reason behind this holiday.   Why do we celebrate? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, our day of picnics, barbecues , and parades was created over a century ago to celebrate American laborers.   I think you will agree that a national holiday is a much better tribute to our workers than a statue in some park—much better.    Nevertheless, why would we create a national holiday just to celebrate people doing a job and receiving a paycheck?  The premise seems a bit odd since many of us are just happy to...

  First African American Pilot “The sky is the only place there is no prejudice. Up there, everyone is equal, everyone is free.” Elizabeth Coleman Born to African American and Native American sharecropper parents in 1892 Texas, Elizabeth, Bessie, fought for her chance to become an aviator. ( video ) In her twenties, she became interested in flying thanks to WW1 returning soldiers' heroic stories.    In a deeply segregated U.S., she could find no pilot to train her, even those who were black.   Her brother, newly returned from war, entertained her with stories of the many opportunities for women in France, one of which was pilot training.   As this seemed to be her only hope, she set her sights on France. Bessie began her journey by learning French.   Along with her savings and financial backing from the African-American community, she left for France in 1920.   By 1921, she accomplished her goal and became the first American woman who earned a...

Steps to Take to Become Caretaker for a Family Member Strokes can steal away a person's speech, mobility, and can chip away at his or her personality.   This, I now know because I became the primary caregiver for my mother-in-law.    In the beginning, it wasn't an easy decision. However, for me, it was a necessary one.   Pam, my mother- in-law , was a remarkable person deserving of the best care possible.   Consequently, my husband and I decided to do what was best for all of us.   My experiences may help those of you considering if caring for a family member may be the best decision for you as well.   Making the decision, will it be home or a facility. Pam nearly died from the severe stroke that left her in a coma.   The hospital didn't keep her long and suggested placing her in a nearby convalescent home.   Good advice since she was connected to IVs and tube-fed.   After a few months, Pam woke and her feeding tube was removed....

A California Woman Who Fought for the Land and the Mechoopda Drive through Northern California and you will find a Bidwell street, park, or building in most cities.   Still, I doubt many actually know why the street bears the name.     In truth, the namesakes most probably honor John Bidwell , a California pioneer, politician, farmer, and philanthropist. Nevertheless, his wife, Annie, contributed quite a bit to our golden state of California as well.   Annie Bidwell’s Early Years Annie’s early years shaped her belief system and future.   She was born into an upper-middle-class family and raised in Washington D.C.   In her early teen years, she became a devout Presbyterian, leading her to devote her life to social issues, like conservation, women’s suffrage, and prohibition.   In fact, her many friends included Susan B. Anthony, Frances Willard, and John Muir.   Annie Marries and Begins Work on Her Passions While John was in Washington D...

Poet, Writer, and Tireless Fighter for Native Americans “...greatest American woman poet." Ralph Waldo Emerson Best known as the writer of the 1884 novel, Ramona , Helen Hunt Jackson was also an outspoken human rights activist, focusing on Native American issues.   She fought using the written word beginning with the 1881 novel Century of Dishonor , in which she unveiled the wrongdoings of our government toward Native Americans.  It is still in print.   To every member of Congress, she gave a copy inscribed with, "Look upon your hands: they are stained with the blood of your relations."  Due to her plucky personality and intellect, Helen also collected many accomplished literary friends throughout her life beginning with Emily Dickenson in childhood and later with Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Oliver Wendell Holmes. The Why Behind Her Drive Helen experienced multiple tragedies in her life, including losing her mother at an early age, and later her husb...

Living With a Mystery Disease In honor of National MS Education & Awareness Month. Here is a short personal story of my perspective about living with multiple sclerosis. Over two decades have passed and this disease is still a mystery.   Even doctors offer little insight, since the progression of multiple sclerosis is uncertain, illustrating how difficult MS is to understand.   Although there are standard symptoms, such as muscle weakness and stiffness, each person has his or her distinct experience. Increasing confusion for observers, many with MS appear healthy, as do I.   Thus, making it more difficult for others to understand how fatigued the MS inflicted often are.   Family, friends, and coworkers could help immensely if they could understand this one very thing: MS doesn't just disappear because we appear healthy.   Walking may not be an issue one day, while we require a wheelchair the next.   So, if we state that we are too tired, p...