2025 has been a gut-wrenching, soul-searching, rapturing, bewildering, profound, overexerting, facilitating, purposeful, nonsensical, heartbreaking year. It requires courage and focus to emerge on the other side, unbroken. So, we endure, and secure our seatbelts, for this next part of the ride. Now, let’s take a look at … New Year’s Eve traditions: 1. Eat 12 […]
Bang your pots at midnight Read More »
Gift giving at Christmas is a Christian tradition that is widely practiced around the world. However, the practice is not something that is exclusive to Christianity, as several other religions mark the end of the year with a similar custom, such as the Jewish festival of lights Hanukkah or the Hindu celebration of Pancha Ganapati,
Goodwill to men and batteries included Read More »
Amazing Christmas folklores (Part Deux): Who’s Krampus, you ask? He’s the half-man, half-goat who comes around every year to chase naughty children and maybe even drag them to hell. European versions of St. Nicholas have long had scary counterparts who dole out punishment. Krampus is one such character who comes from folklore in Austria’s Alpine
Krampus, St. Nick, and really funky spiders Read More »
He Said ~ It’s that time of year when the world falls in love Ev’ry song you hear seems to say “Merry Christmas, “May your New Year dreams come true” But, what if it isn’t? Although the (forced) optimists among us will be beyond bothered by my melancholy, I am ok with that. No one
I am not the Grinch, but I am grumpy Read More »
The Pear Tree Project has reached its 100th newsletter! Whenever we hear about this milestone, most people get excited because it is a significant landmark. And, many times there are lists that accompany the occasion. Why? Our species loves lists – shopping, to-dos, bucket, check, brainstorming, top one hundreds, twenty-fives, tens – well you get
Tyrannosaurus rex relatives and eliminating olives Read More »
He Said ~ Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a case challenging its landmark decision to legalize gay marriage nationwide. The challenge to the court’s 2015 ruling came from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky clerk who refused to issue same-sex licenses after the court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which recognized a
We Are Here, Get Used To It Read More »
“I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.” Mental Health is defined as a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stressors of life. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I believe it is accurate,
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered Read More »
“Dun dun dun dun-dun, Dun dun dun dun-dun, Dun dun dun dun-dun.“ The crinkling, crushing, crunching, whimsically-peaceful dance of the rustling leaves beneath our feet. The corn of the candied kind. The anticipatory desire of a magical, chaotic witches brew. All of the aforementioned reek of the ghoulish harvest hurtling toward us and our upcoming
Rustling leaves, psychological theories and Michael Myers Read More »
October in the U.S. sees celebrations like the Mid-Autumn Festival, (or Moon Festival), a Chinese tradition celebrating family and harvest. The history of the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back more than 3,000 years, with roots in China’s Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE). Ancient Chinese communities worshipped the moon to celebrate the end of the harvest season, offering
There is no dark side of the moon Read More »
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” The heat of summer is finally gone and the wind is cool. It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold. My favorite fall days are when the sun is shining and there is a crisp breeze. Fall nights are perfect for curling up
Pumpkin Spice, Vitamin D, and Hispanic Heritage Read More »