“Our world is but a land of a master jam, get up and dance.”  - Afrika Bombaataa During a chat with a dear friend last year, we learned that we shared a mutual appreciation for …

What is your go-to question when a conversation stalls or you are meeting someone for the first time? What was your first concert? Who would you invite to dinner if it could be anyone? …

Editor’s note: We are happy to provide this public service announcement from columnist Maria A. Montalvo. It’s one we heartily agree with. The English language boasts 170 …

“I carry you with me into the world, into the smell of rain and the words that dance between people. And for me, it will always be this way, walking in the light, remembering being alive …

“And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.” – Maya Angelou, from the poem “Touched By An Angel.” The …

Many in America – and the world – watched, riveted, by the dramatic scene in the musical “Hamilton” when Alexander Hamilton decides to vote for Thomas Jefferson to be …

Just last week, we learned that our Puget Sound pod of resident orcas, J Pod, had welcomed a new addition. Baby J60 was seen swimming with his mother (orca watchers have confirmed the new calf is …

“The wool from the black sheep is just as warm.” - Sister Margaretta, “The Sound of Music” Our traditions of the holidays may begin with the day(s) we celebrate, the foods we love, and …

Cleave: verb cleaved, or also clove/cleaved, cleft, or cloven To separate or divide, or cause something to separate or divide, often violently; to cut or break into two or more parts; to split …

"It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?" – Henry David Thoreau Busy is how most of us begin (and persist through) our days. A normal morning …

Lighten up while you still can Don't even try to understand Just find a place to make your stand And take it easy. – The Eagles Many recognize just about every song of the many …

“We could be heroes, just for one day.” – David Bowie Walking down a long hallway the other day, looking at statues of important figures from American history, I saw an unambiguous …

“To be fair …” begins many a sentence intended to present the other side of a situation or issue. It is not a phrase we hear much these days, except in jest. If you have not seen the …

Loss, noun: The act or an instance of losing; one that is lost; the condition of being deprived or bereaved of something or someone. “Loss” is a complex word. We only consider something lost …

Editor’s note: We are returning to a column published in October 2021. It seems timely with Elon Musk’s decision to replace “Twitter” with “X.” X – such a dramatic letter, …

“It’s hot. It’s like Africa-hot. Tarzan couldn’t take this kind of hot.” – Eugene Morris Jerome, "Biloxi Blues" “The Pacific Northwest is a temperate climate.” “Summer starts …

“I am talking to my daughters about things I thought I would be telling them in the past tense, but it is still true today.” – Brandi Carlile Sundays are good days. We always start the …

"Birds are mediators between heaven and earth." – Terry Tempest Williams My dad used to hold me in front of the kitchen window of our duplex in the city, and we would watch the birds outside, …

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexplicable is music." – Aldus Huxley There is something about a good song. It transports you to a place in time, a feeling, or even …

grudge v. : to be unwilling to give or admit: give or allow reluctantly or resentfully n. : a feeling of deep-seated resentment or ill will The other day at a meeting, someone made reference …