If you think that "deadheading" has something to do with packing up all of your belongings and traveling cross-country to follow the rock band the Grateful Dead, then I know that you haven't planted any petunias, delphiniums or roses this year. Before I became a full-time homeowner and part-time garden tender, I had no idea what it meant to "deadhead" anything. Now it is something that I spend a lot of time doing...tidying up my flowering plants by picking off the dead flower heads. It never ceases to amaze me what happens soon after I pinch off the flower stem! It seems like almost immediately new flowers appear. The science behind the process is fascinating - the deadheading channels energy into the flowers, resulting in healthier plants and continued blooms. Read More

My second son recently turned 16 which means I now am teaching two teenagers how to drive. When you have been doing something for years, you may not remember what it's like to do it as a beginner. In the case of driving, I had forgotten just how many words of wisdom that need to be shared with the next generation of drivers. One of the things that I find myself saying quite often during our driving lessons is "stay in your lane." As you well know, whether you are turning left or right, you have to be sure to stay in your lane when you complete the turn. How about the "floaters" that you encounter on the highway? You know, the cars that are going back and forth between lanes and you find yourself screaming "pick a lane!" They are most definitely a driving hazard! They call into play your skills as a defensive driver and are another example of the importance of staying in your own lane. Read More

The benefits of the sun stretch far and wide – sun exposure is essential not only for vitamin D production but also for hormonal balancing, mood improvement, and even a strong immune system. Read More

We are in the middle of the NBA finals right now and there is a lot of excitement and buzz, despite the fact that it's the same two teams going head-to-head for the Championship title that have been in the finals every year since 2015 - the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the Golden State Warriors. While I admit that I am not the world's biggest basketball fan, it is hard to not get caught up in the excitement of it all. As I am writing this, the Warriors have taken a 2-0 lead in the finals. Even if you are not an avid basketball watcher, you may have heard all about how game # 1 of the series ended. The Warriors pulled out a 124-114 overtime victory against the Cavaliers after Cleveland's JR Smith did something on the court which left a lot of people scratching their heads and extremely upset. The Cavs blew a golden opportunity to beat the Golden State Warriors in game one, when Smith mistakenly thought his team was winning the game. With seconds left on the clock in Game 1 of the NBA finals, and a tie score, JR Smith grabbed a key offensive rebound from a team member's missed free throw. With enough time left in the game, and a clear shot to be able to shoot the ball, score and win the game, Smith ended up dribbling away with the ball instead of taking the shot. The clock ran out and JR was seemingly unaware that the score was tied. After the game, Smith said that he had had a plan, but he never explained why his plan did not include taking what would have been the game-winning layup shot!     My sons no longer play organized basketball, but I use the famous quote "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" all of the time when I speak with them. While this can apply to basketball (and certainly it is very fitting with the JR Smith story that I shared), it was actually the famous hockey player Wayne Gretsky that coined the phrase. I think that "missing all of the shots that you do not take" is applicable to so much more than hockey and basketball. If you are 'sitting on the sidelines' of life, then you are missing out on so many valuable and potentially life-changing opportunities. Read More