My last few posts were pretty heavy stuff. So it is time to lighten up a bit. We just moved into March and today the weather is abnormal at just under 70 degrees. Tomorrow we are supposed to get snow. Thus a typical March which is usually all mixed up. (I drafted this on Saturday…
How to Fix History Education and Make Real Change Introduction: Why Fixing History Education Feels Impossible—And Why It’s Not If reforming history education feels like trying to move a mountain with a spoon, you’re not alone. The system is deeply entrenched, tangled in bureaucracy, politics, and competing ideologies. Schools answer to local, state, and federal…
Recommendations for History Education in a Diverse World Introduction So, how do we actually implement a history curriculum that strikes this balance? That’s the big question. We don’t need a complete overhaul—what we need is a smarter, more nuanced approach that respects foundational achievements while making space for diverse perspectives. The goal is to educate…
Balancing Tradition and Inclusivity Part 1 Introduction History education isn’t just about memorizing dates and events—it’s about understanding how we got here, what shaped our world, and what lessons we can learn from the past. And let’s face it, the way history is taught has always been a bit of a battlefield. Some argue that…
1960s vs. 2020s .In looking at history and how it has a tendency to repeat, I posted an article looking a the 20s a century apart but with glaring similarities. In this article, I look at two decades separated by 60 years but with similarities as well. Having lived through the 60s which was a…
Today I am republishing the core article from my newsletter of February 2010. The article would be accompanied with a promotion of featured cookware (in this instance clay bakers which if you have not heard of or used, you should seek them out, they produce memorable meals that are easy to prepare.) I hope you…
A Century Apart, Yet Strangely Similar Does history repeat itself? Sometimes it seems to attempt to achieve similar outcomes at different points in time. Often, it is the mistakes that repeat rather than the successes. Let’s take a look! History has a way of repeating itself—sometimes in ways we expect, and other times in ways…
We are now in that part of winter between Valentines Day and Easter when the days seem long and nights seem longer. As temperatures continue to drop, there’s nothing quite like a warm and comforting meal. French cuisine is known for its rich flavors and hearty dishes, making it a cozy choice for cold winter…
The TV Shows & Movies Everyone’s Talking About Back in the good old days, if you missed the latest episode of MASH*, Dallas, or Seinfeld, you were out of the loop. TV shows and movies had their big moments, and then they were gone until reruns. Now, thanks to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime,…
In keeping with my theme on interstellar travel, I found this article which discusses one of the least discussed roadblocks for successful travel to Mars and beyond. Most of the discussions deal with finding adequate power to lift the payloads needed to build living facilities that could house astronauts and scientists on the surface of…
NASA’s Artemis Program & Private Ventures to the Moon The Moon is no longer just a distant rock in the sky—it’s quickly becoming the next big frontier for science, technology, and even business. NASA’s Artemis program and private space companies are leading the charge, setting the stage for what could be humanity’s return to the…
Valentine’s Day Breakfast Ideas Smoked Salmon & Avocado Toast with Poached Egg Elegant, delicious, and full of flavor!Ingredients: 2 slices of sourdough or multigrain bread 1 ripe avocado, mashed with a squeeze of lemon 4 slices smoked salmon 2 eggs (poached) Fresh dill Capers (optional) Black pepper & sea salt How to Make: Toast the…
Valentine’s Day is coming up soon! Here are a few ideas to make the day a bit special along with some recipes for a stimulating breakfast and for an interesting dinner one that is a bit different but not too hard to make. Fruit Bouquet In place of flowers, opt for a tasty bouquet…
It’s early February and in most places, it is cold and probably raining or possibly snowing. So now it the time for some hearty, sole warming dinners. I have accumulated a few and provide some ideas for you. Let me know if you like these suggestions and would like me to gather some more ideas…
How to Live Longer & Stay Healthier Why Longevity Matters More Than Ever Aging is inevitable, but the way we age? That’s something we have more control over than ever before. Researchers are diving deep into longevity science, uncovering ways to not just extend our lifespan but, more importantly, extend our healthspan—the years we stay…
I came across this article in my email from the Construction Physics newsletter. I is a detailed discussion of how energy sources connect to the electrical grid. There currently exists more than a thousand projects for solar, wind, nuclear and other waiting for approval. The current process takes up to five years before a project…
Or Have We Forgotten Our Place Among the Stars? I came across this article at Big Think a newsletter that provides counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories from an array of industry, education and research leaders. There is a lot of overlap with my article on interstellar travel and related concepts. This article explores the question of…
I brought out one of my old newsletters. Starting February, it will be cold here so it seemed that good chili should be in order. The is from 2009 but it is still a really good recipe. This could be the best chili recipe you’ll ever make or at least it was the blue ribbon…
President Trump’s mentioning Star Gate for his AI research project kicked up quite a bit of conversation on interstellar travel along with aliens and other esoteric topics way beyond the AI objectives. It seems the fascination over Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), now often referred to as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), is intriguing. And the speculation…
I saw this article from one of the newsletters I receive every day. I thought it was interesting that we use sports terms in our everyday speech many times without realizing it. This article points out 20 of the most used and I follow this with some additional terms. I‘m sure you probably can think…
Why Solar Makes Perfect Sense Now During the last few months alternative energy has been discussed. While the last administration seemed to promote alternative energy efforts the new administration does not seem to be positioned to support alternative energy especially offshore wind turbines or electric automobiles. However, there will be continuing development in different solutions…
Ah, the presidential inauguration—a day of pomp, circumstance, and solemn oaths. But while what we see on our televisions or mobile devices are perfectly orchestrated moments, the real magic (and chaos) happens behind the scenes. Let’s take a look at what you won’t find in the official broadcast—and have a little fun doing it. Let’s…
Learning doesn’t end with retirement or even at any age. It continues as long as there’s something interesting to learn and do. Yet, many seniors may not know how to get started with new or long-forgotten skills. The good news? There are countless options to explore. Take a look at some inspiring examples. A friend…
If you’re confused, you’re not alone. To drink or not to drink, that is the question. Personally, I like my martini or glass of wine with dinner. But many have question on this topic. I found an interesting article that covers the subject in depth at Popular Science. The article is here (it is a…
It is still pretty cold around here and it does not seem to be much better in the Midwest or East given that amount of snow they received over the last few days. This soup time! Nothing hits the spot when it is cold like a good hearty soup. So, I have included recipes for…
A Guide for Those Over 65 It happens every year: we set ambitious New Year’s resolutions, especially around fitness or diet, only to see them falter a few weeks later. On the fitness side, this is particularly common for older adults, who might face unique challenges like mobility limitations or simply feeling out of place…
A Practical Guide to Smart Integration There has been a lot of discussion over the last few years about smart appliances and how to make your kitchen more efficient. But for many of us, the transition seems to be more bother than benefit. However, the devices and appliances are getting smarter and easier to implement…
I have been a bit delinquent in getting research done and articles drafted. First, there has been too much Christmas in getting my home decorated for the neighborhood light challenge and then having to do my daughter’s house as well and then that has been too many doctor visits which take mental priority if not…
If you are confused about what is happening in the Middle East as I am, here is an article that tries to put most everything into some sort of perspective. Usually when we get reports in the news about this region, it covers one entity or another whether is it Isreal, Iran, Hamas or others….
I found this article an interesting follow up to the material on Russia and its potential for further expansion in Eastern Europe. Some of this was alluded to both fiction by Brad Thor and posts in several blogs along with articles in the Wall Street Journal. It is also an interesting follow up to my…
