As the year 2011 comes to a close, the world teeters on the precipice of major changes.  2011 witnessed the virtual collapse of the European Union and its currency, the Arab Spring, America’s debt crisis and ongoing economic woes, and a host of meteorological, climatic, and geological calamities – even in areas of the world […]

In an unforgiving economy, small to mid-sized businesses confront the greatest challenges in terms of profitability, competitiveness, and longevity.  Without the proper direction and marketing tools, these companies cannot promote new products or services, tout the benefits of existing product-service offerings, or advertise special sales.  They cannot keep their names visible before the established clients […]

Thirty-eight Books of the Bible make reference to psychic ability as a gift from the Holy Spirit.  And yet, many Christians, in particular, pooh-pooh clairvoyance as the subterfuge of demons.   Perhaps that is why they are more open to accepting signs or omens from forces they attribute as external, such as angels. For the uninitiated, […]

Every year, before the first autumn leaf had fallen, my husband would return home from the office with his list of “football picks” for that season.  Known solely by him and a handful of co-workers, my hubbie and his buds would select the teams they projected to win, and by how many points (“spreads”).  The […]

Frequently dubbed the sport of Kings, horse racing provides the origin of the phrase “dark horse,” an unknown horse on which handicappers have difficulty in establishing betting odds.  Later, the term was broadened to apply to any unexpected winner.  In American politics, the term was first applied to James Polk who, in 1844, wrested the […]

In this job market, reinvention of one’s aptitudes is the key to career longevity.  Reinvention, however, does not necessarily equate to a total reinvention of the wheel.  Success is often attained, in this fiercely competitive economy, through continuing education.  For employees who wish to expand their base of skill and knowledge — as well as […]

The Feast of the Seven Fishes (la festa dei sette pesci), celebrated on Christmas Eve, also known as The Vigil (La Vigilia), is believed to have originated in Southern Italy. Today, it is a feast that typically consists of seven different seafood dishes (although some families may change the number to nine or eleven). This […]

Veterinarians state that cats possess IQs similar to that of a human six-year-old child.  But vets lie.  From long association with two Applehead Siamese kitties, I can tell you that a human’s IQ, at any age, is miniscule compared to that of domestic felines.  I’d learned this before the second Christmas that Gremlin — named […]

Anyone who is or has been a parent, grandparent, uncle, or aunt has some experience with the “terrible two’s,” the developmental period when toddlers begin to gain independence and learn new skills (like throwing dishes).  One of the byproducts of this burgeoning independence is the use of the answer “no” to virtually any question asked.  […]

Today, my mother turned 86 years young.  I called her to wish her a happy birthday and somehow, we got onto the topic of politics.  History has taught me nothing, for it’s impossible to have a serious discussion with my mother, the female Yogi Bera and soul sister to Lucille Ball.  This morning, I pontificated, […]