Growing Bolder Community

My husband went to pick up my 87yr old mother and bring her to our home for Sunday dinner as he does every week. As they came in the front door, I hugged my mom as I always do. As I stood there taking an extra long hug (I do this now all the time because...well, I don't know if I will get the chance again) I saw my husband in extreme animation pointing to his eyebrows and then pointing to mother....

The best music composer ever probably was Ludwig van Beethoven, born in Bonn, Germany in 1770, baptized there 17 December of that year, and died in Vienna, Austria, 26 March 1827. Beethoven’s music by most standards represents the start of the musical Romantic period. He was ill a lot. Beethoven's deathbed held the secrets to his youthful demise (he was 56) and unanswered...

Hard to believe that it wasn’t a statesman, scientist or philosopher that was one of the most influential people of our lifetime, it was a puppeteer! How unlikely is that? Can you name anyone else famous for their puppetry? Mention Jim Henson and people still shake their heads. It’s been nearly 20 years since his untimely death and his loss is still greatly felt, partly for what he did, and...

You know how a smell can trigger a memory? For me … Earl Grey tea is one of the most powerful smells around. Not because of the delicate herbs and spices -- but because Earl Grey smells like summer afternoons with my grandmother. Grandma Kathy was born in Australia, and came to the United States after marrying my grandfather. She and Grandpa Joe had two kids -- my uncle John, and my...

RADICAL RIGHTSIZING FOR TOYS Now here’s a novel idea: don’t give potentially dangerous toys for Christmas. "Why I'd NEVER do that!" you say? Since some 80-90% of all toys come from China—this isn't going to be as easy as you think. You’ll be looking elsewhere for gifts whose origins and safety you can confirm with more certainty--and that might present a problem unless you can...

Let’s face it ladies. When it comes to love, we lose all sense of balance, good judgement...