For many people in ancient times, a total solar eclipse generated fear. They thought the world would end or a great evil would follow. Myths often involved a beast trying to destroy the Sun with the fate of Earth hanging in the balance.

In Mark Twain’s book, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, the hero (who is transported back to Camelot), gets captured but avoids being hanged with a wave of his hand, seemingly making the Sun go dark. “For a lesson, I will let this darkness proceed, and spread night into the world; but whether I blot out the Sun for good, or restore it, shall rest with you.”

Total solar eclipses are a cosmic coincidence, how else do you explain that the Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun but also 400 times nearer to earth? The eclipse makes the only two disks in our sky appear the same size. It would not be the case if either were larger, smaller, nearer, or farther away.

Judaism has longstanding interconnections with astronomy. As for eclipses, Rabbi Mordechai Becher, suggests that eclipses were created by God for a profound reason. “God created a system that would remind us regularly that our choices can create darkness, even at times when there should be light.”

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, it is believed that the energy of positive and negative actions is multiplied during major astronomical events such as a solar eclipse. Some of the recommended spiritual activities on these days include chanting, mantras, and sutras.

Some Christians believe that an eclipse portends the coming of the “end times” that will precede Christ’s return to Earth as prophesied at various points in the Bible. There is a persisting belief among some Christians that an eclipse occurred during the crucifixion because three of the Bible’s four Gospels mention a three-hour period of darkness as Jesus died.

According to Art and Living Magazine, the eclipse is a good time for prayer as the Sun is connected to both the mind and body. When all three celestial bodies are aligned, so is the body with the mind making it a good time to meditate.

Last month, Jeanette Epps became the sixth Black woman to ever travel to space, according to NASA. She shared her excitement for Monday’s eclipse from her very unique perspective. “What we can see, mainly, is the shadow of the eclipse over the earth as it passes through,” she said. “We won’t be able to look directly at the sun and see the eclipse that way. But what we’ll see and we’re looking for is to see the shadow as it crosses over the earth.”

Moon Pie has released a Solar Eclipse Survival Kit, which includes four chocolate mini Moon Pies and two pair of glasses. You can buy the kit at Walmart.

Though Maryland is not in the path of totality for the solar eclipse set for Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be plenty of reasons to look to the sky here on the Eastern Shore.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

Feng Shui is an interior design philosophy that aims to harmonize humans with their environment. Harmony is achieved by positioning furniture in accordance with universal energy flow. Although there isn’t any scientific evidence that Feng Shui works, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that people are affected by their surroundings.

Feng Shui is based on the Taoist theory of Chi. Chi is the Chinese name for universal energy, and without Chi, there can be no Feng Shui. Feng Shui allows you to achieve specific life improvements by positioning or designing your surroundings with the principles of natural energy flow. The goal is to optimize those energy flows and harmony between you, your home, and your family.

Feng Shui is used today to help people design spaces that support feelings of comfort and safety. Ann Shipley, MD, a functional medical doctor, believes that when people take action on making their homes and workspaces feel and look better to them, they have a sense of feeling stronger, healthier, and happier. Creating an environmental sanctuary for the body to rest, relax, and restore allows the limbic and nervous systems to reset and balance, according to Dr. Shipley. Dr. Shipley goes on to explain that the benefits of feeling safe and comfortable with a positive mindset about the environment may lower chronic stress, which can lead to better blood sugar balance, stronger immune system, lower depression, and anxiety.

Home should be a recharge, it should be a place where you come in and feel embraced. People who follow the principles of Feng Shui attest to creating this welcoming energy in their home, and this in turn is thought to support their emotional wellness. According to Everyday Health magazine, Feng Shui is a form of self help. It isn’t about fixing your house, it’s about setting up your home to encourage the life you want to have. Transforming the energy in a room can shift your internal energy force, help you look at life differently, and bring benefits like feelings of safety, calm, peace, and more power or control in your life.

Removing clutter is important in Feng Shui, and that applies to any room in your home. By getting rid of things, you clear the way for other things to come into your life. Space equals opportunity. The most important rule to set before you begin to purge items is to make a sincere effort to bring less stuff in.

I spent a morning this week with my daughter de-cluttering my granddaughters’ bedroom. These little girls are very creative and their play can be very messy at times. It was such a delightful time clearing, cleaning, and rearranging. The room was noticeably lighter after we had finished. All of us were happier, the children immediately started playing with toys that they had forgotten about or lost.

A team of UCLA researchers has concluded that we have become a “clutter culture.” Many dual-income families don’t have the energy and time to organize the awesome array of stuff-toys, trinkets, furniture, games, electronics, clothing, and more. UCLA researchers have found that this clutter causes stress, our excess becomes a visible sign of unaccomplished work. Re-organizing and addressing clutter can be a proactive step towards improving mental well-being.

Psychology Today points out the benefits of spring cleaning and practicing Feng Shui are: better concentration, sleeping more soundly, improvement in mood, and being able to let go of the past.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

We associate spring break more with sand than we do with Socrates, but the origin of spring break can be traced back to the Greek celebration of Dionysus. The Greeks liked to blow off steam with a three-day “awakening” dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. People would dance, singers would perform, women would adorn themselves with flowers, and men would compete to see who be the fastest to drain a cup of wine.

According to OnlineSchool.org it is said that spring break began in the 1930’s in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a swim forum event. A swimming coach from Colgate University in frigid upstate New York decided to take his team down to Florida for some early training at a brand new Olympic sized pool in sunny Fort Lauderdale. The idea clicked with other college swim coaches and soon the spring training migration became an annual tradition for swimmers nationwide.

The popularity of spending a week in Florida each spring spread slowly, until it exploded in popular culture with Hollywood’s spring break movie release of “Where the Boys Are” in 1960. The movie was based on the book, “Unholy Spring” by college professor Glendon Swarthout, who wrote the novel after observing students on spring break in 1958.

In early March of 1965, my Mom had a case of “spring fever” due in part to the 40 mile wind gusts and the three feet of snow on the ground. My Dad was going to be out of town on a business trip and my mom thought that a few days spent in sunny California was the best “medicine.” After a quick call to the travel agent, we (my Mom and four children) were on our way.

Our first day in California was spent at Knott’s Berry Farm. My mom explained that when she was a little girl, her family would visit Knott’s Berry farm when it was a working berry farm. We had their famous fried chicken for lunch and bought several jars of the boysenberry jam for gifts. We rode the narrow gauge train on the Calico Railroad where the notorious Ghost Town Bandits hold up every departure from Calico Square Depot. A prospector showed us the “ropes” of panning for gold in the gold rush area. We witnessed the importance of the millions of Chinese citizens who left their homes to build the American railroads on the Calico mine ride. We learned that the amusement park and rides were created in 1935 to entertain the guests who waited hours for the mouth-watering chicken dinners.

We spent a day at Disneyland visiting the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse, the Jungle Cruise, It’s a Small World, Great Moments with Abraham Lincoln, and the Monorail. Walt Disney was fascinated by the life of Abraham Lincoln. The first Audio-Animatronics version of Lincoln debuted in 1964 at the New York’s World Fair and was so life-like that National Geographic magazine called the figure “alarming” in its realism. In 1965, the show moved to its current home at Disneyland. I had visited the 1964 New York’s World’s Fair with my grandmother, so I had seen Moments with Abraham Lincoln and had ridden on the Monorail. I was excited to be experiencing these with my family.

Day three of our trip was spent touring Olvera Street. Los Angeles was founded in 1781 by Spanish settlers on a site southeast of what is now Olvera Street near the Los Angeles River. Olvera Street is one of the oldest streets in Los Angeles and was named for the first judge for the county of Los Angeles, Augustin Olvera. On Easter Sunday in 1930, Olvera Street opened as a Mexican marketplace. Olvera Street offers a glimpse into the Mexican history of Los Angeles, it provides a cultural immersion where visitors can shop, dine, listen to music, and attend festivals and events. We ate a delicious lunch and then Mom bought each of us a pair of huaraches, some dolls wearing sarapes and some straw hats as party favors for my upcoming birthday party.

Our final day was spent with our cousins who lived on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach. Our cousins were older and much more “hip” than we were. The two boys looked exactly like The Beach Boys and were surfers. The descent to the beach was a little challenging but it was a beautiful day for a picnic. We swam but it was like a “polar Plunge,” the water was icy cold.

We flew home to more snow, perfect for spring skiing. Dad took us skiing the last day of our Spring Break, it was warm enough to ski without our parkas and hats.

The trip with Mom was very special, she was such a seasoned traveler, she had an itinerary and we accomplished everything that she had planned.

Traveling is so wonderful for our mind, body, and soul because it allows us to have new and exciting experiences and to break out of the often mundane day to day norm. Traveling of any extent provides such a great reset. Spring break is the perfect time to enjoy the weather that is warming up and to obtain the various health benefits that come from spending time in the fresh air and sunshine.

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” – Malala Yousafzai

March is Women’s History Month; this year’s theme is Women Who Advocate For Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Women’s History Month actually started as a local celebration of “Women’s History Week “ in Sonoma, California, in 1978. The movement gained such momentum and popularity that in 1980 President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week.

In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month was created to recognize, honor, and celebrate the many contributions that women have made throughout history to culture and society. The month also recognizes the struggles of women and their accomplishments over those struggles.

In the context of Women’s History Month, March has gone purple, green, and white in honor of those women who paved the way. Purple represents the dignity and determination of women who have fought for their rights throughout history. Purple is also a soothing and calming color that promotes harmony and balance. Green represents the hope and optimism that comes with progress and change. It symbolizes the new life and opportunities that women have gained through their hard work and perseverance. The color green reminds us that change is possible and that progress is within reach. White represents the purity of women’s intentions and the clarity of their message. It symbolizes the righteousness of their cause and their commitment to nonviolent protest.

My home state of Wyoming, rich in women’s history, has “The Equality State” as its nickname. Wyoming was the first state to give women the right to vote. William Bright, a resident of South Pass City, introduced the women’s suffrage bill to the Wyoming Territorial Legislature that passed in 1869. Many legislators voted for the bill hoping to increase the territory’s population. As a result, suffragette Esther Hobart Morris became South Pass City’s justice of the peace, and the first woman in the United States to hold a political office.

Nellie Tayloe Ross was an American educator and politician who served as the fourteenth governor of Wyoming from 1925 to 1927. She was the first woman in the United States to be elected governor. Nellie Tayloe Ross went on to become the first woman director of the U.S. Mint from 1933 to 1953.

On September 6, 1870, Louisa Swain, aged sixty-nine, put her apron on and walked to town to buy groceries. Louisa Swain, joining a group of women waiting to vote, was the oldest in the group and therefore the first woman allowed to vote in Laramie, Wyoming and the entire United States.

Wyoming Territory retained its woman suffrage law even when that law could have jeopardized the Territory’s application for statehood. In 1890, when Wyoming had a large enough population to become a state, Wyoming residents petitioned Congress with a constitution that included suffrage for women. Wyoming became the first state allowing its women citizens the right to vote. Wyoming women exercised their right to vote, in the 1880’s, ninety percent of women voted.

In 1880, Susan Johnson was appointed postmaster in Cheyenne and Mary Bellamy became the first woman to serve in a state legislature.

I often wonder if having free thinking parents while growing up in Wyoming was the reason that I avoided the pinch of inequality in being a woman. My parents celebrated our dreams and goals in life without question. Education was important to my parents and college was absolutely the next step after high school.

In an age (late1960s) when women wore hats and gloves, my Mother would show up to volunteer at my elementary school wearing Levi’s, rolled at the cuff, Minnetonka moccasins, and a beautiful blouse. She was an independent woman who pursued her art and music every day. Mom was a great role model who didn’t apologize for doing what she loved. She managed our family finances, invested in the stock market, and made the world’s best cream puffs. Her days included volunteer work that was always raising money to support women and children. My parents were equals, they were a team, they each had very busy careers and an active social life.

My parents had several dear friends who were ranchers. In one family, the husband was a surgeon and the wife managed the family’s cattle ranch. Another great example of equality that was the norm in my 1960’s childhood.

Unfortunately, in a 2022 U.S. News and World Report ranked Wyoming 45th out of the 50 states for gender equality. The state lagged behind other states in two categories – representation and power and family planning. The late journalist, Cokie Robert’s summarized the state’s history with gender equality during her keynote speech at a Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus conference in 2019. “Wyoming has a lot of firsts, but not a lot of seconds.” Despite having one of the highest levels of gender equality in labor force participation, the state has one of the highest gender wage gaps, though it has closed somewhat in the last twenty years.

Wyoming was a wonderful place to grow up but now it’s just a nice place to visit.

“Wyoming is the first place in God’s green earth which could consistently claim to be the land of the free.” – Susan B. Anthony

St. Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and the Lutheran Church. The day commemorates St. Patrick, the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Because St. Patrick’s Day falls during Lent, it became a day for Christians to take a break from the abstinence practiced during the weeks leading up to Easter. By the 1700’s, the holiday had started to take a decidedly more festive turn than its founders had intended.

In America, St. Patrick’s Day slowly shifted from a religious observation to a secular celebration of Irish heritage. Irish Americans in Boston held the first celebration in 1737. In 1762, New York City held its first parade, which is the oldest and largest St.Patrick’s Day parade in the world.

Saint Patrick’s given name was Maewyn Succat; when he became an ordained priest he chose the name, Patrick. Maewyn was born into a wealthy family in the fourth century in Roman Britain, possibly in the area now known as Wales. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity working as a shepherd. It was during this time that Patrick found God. After his escape, Patrick became a priest and returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. He spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted thousands. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, Patrick, described as a humble man, had established monasteries, churches, and schools.

Legends say that Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, three persons in one God, to students, by showing the example of the three-leaved plant with one stalk. In pagan Ireland, three was a significant number, the Irish had many triple deities, which may have aided Patrick in his evangelisation efforts. Icons of St. Patrick depict him with a cross in one hand and a sprig of shamrocks in the other.

Some are surprised to learn that Patrick was never canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church despite living in constant danger of martyrdom. This lack of official sainthood is because there was no formal canonization process in the 400s.

Before the nineteenth century the color linked to St. Patrick was blue. Green is now the typical hue, thanks to Irish immigrants who came to America and celebrated their Irish ancestry by wearing this symbolic color. The color green is represented in Ireland’s flag and the country is referred to as “the Emerald Isle.” According to fun folklore, you get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day for not wearing green because green makes you invisible to Leprechauns. Leprechauns are mischievous creatures, according to legend, that like to pinch people.

The original Irish shamrock is traditionally spelled seamrog, which means summer plant. The shamrock has been used as a symbol of the Emerald Isle since the late 17th century. The shamrock is a type of clover, although Botanists are divided on which species of clover. Shamrocks aren’t unique to Ireland, they grow all over Europe and the United States. The nectar of shamrock flowers is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. The shamrock or white clover is the perfect plant for organic lawn care as it fixes nitrogen. It keeps soil in better shape than grass does and it I s an excellent forage crop for livestock due to its high protein content. The shamrock is firmly established as an Irish emblem. For good luck, it is usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride and the boutonnière of the groom. Viewed as an act of rebellion in Victorian England, Irish regiments were forbidden to display the shamrock.

Since 2010, famous landmarks have been lit up in green on St. Patrick’s Day as a part of Ireland’s “Global Greening Initiative.” The Sydney Opera House and the Sky Tower in Auckland were the first to participate and since then three hundred landmarks in fifty countries across the globe have gone green for St. Patrick’s Day.

Every year, officials turn the Chicago River green in honor of St. Patrick and the many Irish immigrants who helped settle the city.

“May you all have the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows may you find a pot of gold.” -Old Irish Blessing

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

Ninety percent of American households owned a television set in 1960.

Saturdays were the best day of the week for kids growing up in the 1960’s, cartoons all morning. We had two tv’s in my house, one in the basement playroom and one in my parent’s bedroom. Television was not a social activity for my family, we watched privately as a family. A family television was eventually added to our Den in the late 1960’s, but never in the formal living room. My parents always had a television in their bedroom which was a cozy place to watch when sick or late at night.

On Saturdays we’d get up early, fix ourselves a bowl of Sugar Pops, Alpha Bits, Trix, Cap’n Crunch or Sugar Snaps cereal and head to the basement to enjoy a glorious five hours of uninterrupted cartoons. First up were Heckle and Jeckle, a pair of magpies who would cause problems for themselves and others with their bizarre antics. Heckle spoke in a rough, New York accent and Jeckle had a proper British accent.

The Jetsons was a huge favorite about a futuristic family residing in Orbit City. “Meet George Jetson,” are the first words in its catchy theme song that I can still sing to this day. George and his wife, Jane had two children, Judy and Elroy. Astro was their dog and Rosie, their robotic maid. George’s work week consisted of an hour a day, two days a week. Jetson commuted in an aero car with a transparent bubble top. The original cartoon had several devices that didn’t exist at the time but subsequently have not only been invented but are in common use: a flatscreen television, newspaper in a computer like screen, video chat, a tanning bed, and a home treadmill. The Jetsons satirized Space Age notions of a better tomorrow so when the twenty first century arrived and there weren’t any flying cars or personal jet packs, many viewers complained.

Quick Draw McGraw was a horse caricature that walked on two legs, he had “hands” that were hooves with thumbs that could hold objects such as guns. Quick Draw satirized the westerns that were popular among the American public at the time. Quick Draw was well intentioned but somewhat dim. His catchphrases were “Hold on there!” And “I’ll do the thin’in around here and don’t you forget it!” Quick Draw often accidentally shot himself with his own six-shooter, saying, “Oooh that smarts!” Baba Looey, a Mexican burro, is Quick Draw’s deputy.

Top Cat was a show about the life of a group of cats and their “get rich quick” schemes, living in a New York Alley. Top Cat, whose friends call TC, is a clever hustler who leads his faithful followers on assorted scams, gambling activities, and harebrained stunts, all in pursuit of a fast dollar. Keeping an eye on things is Officer Dribble, a beat cop who has his hands full trying to break up TC’s shenanigans.

Rocky and Bullwinkle, Yogi Bear, and Mighty Mouse were also in the queue on Saturday mornings. The morning ended with re-runs of Lassie and The Lone Ranger. We switched off the tv when college sports came on.

We eagerly anticipated the commercials on Saturday mornings that accompanied the cartoons. Fruit Stripe gum, McDonald’s, Trix Cereal, Tang, toys, and games were a few favorites that were advertised. Mattel’s commercials of kids playing with the latest Barbie’s were what I dreamt about all week. My brothers wanted the latest GI Joe action figure. Our Christmas wish lists were greatly influenced by Saturday morning commercials.

One Christmas my older brother was given the iconic Mattel’s “Vac-U-Form” which was the 1960s version of a 3-D printer. The Vac-U-Form was invented by Eddy Goldfarb, based on the industrial process of vacuum forming. A rectangular piece of plastic was clamped in a holder and heated over a metal plate. When the plastic was soft, the holder was swung to the other side, over a mold of the object to be formed. I can remember the smell of the melting plastic to this day. We would always get little burns while making creepy crawlers. We were thrilled to be making our own toys.

The reasons for the end of Saturday morning cartoons are numerous, they have their roots in Parental Advocacy Groups. The groups were concerned about the amount of time kids spent watching cartoons, cartoon depictions of violence, and stereotypes as well as the commercialism that has always been a part of TV cartoons. Kids, it turns out, had a difficult time distinguishing the shows they were watching from the ads that ran during them.

Saturday morning cartoons, like pay phones and video rental stores are one of those cultural touchstones that meant so much to older generations, but are meaningless to children today.

“When clouds look like horsetails, rain or snow will come in three days.” Every culture around the world has its own weather sayings that are a part of daily life. The weather is always a topic of discussion, especially for teachers, we keep a close watch on the weather for daily outdoor recess, but most of all, we love a “snow day.” We might be a little superstitious around snow, one fellow teacher makes a soup that has resulted in a heavy snowfall. After a particularly long week it has been jokingly suggested that it’s time to make “snow soup.”

After the mild winter of 2023, meteorologists predicted a very snowy 2024. Many work colleagues reference The Farmer’s Almanac’s prediction of snow through April. We have four extra days built into our school calendar for snow days, we’ve used one. As I look at the weather channel’s forecast, the last days of February and the beginning of March seem very mild. I can’t imagine snow in April, especially when everyone has vacations planned for June and the thought of extending the school year seems brutal.

According to Folklore, Ember Days are an ancient method of predicting the weather, they foretell the weather for the next three months. Ember Days coincide with the four seasons, they occur on successive Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Ember Days in 2024 are celebrated on February 21, 23, and 24; May 22, 24,and 25; September 18, 20, and 21; and December 18, 20, and 21. February 21 forecasts the weather for March; February 23 for April, and February 24 for May.

Ember Days also focus our attention on the blessings of nature, we give thanks for the blessings we’ve received and also remind ourselves of our need for penance and grace. The roots of Ember Days go back to the Old Testament. The book of Zechariah describes an ancient Jewish practice of fasting four times a year.

It is believed that Ember Days observances date back to the time of Pope Leo I in the 5th century, when observers would thank God for the gifts of nature, embrace those gifts in moderation, and assist the needy. Pope Gregory VII expanded the observance of Ember Days making it a large part of the Catholic faith. It is said that Ember Days may have been created in response to the excessive celebrations that surrounded the pagan festivals in Rome. Ember Days can be thought of as mini-Lent with some fasting and abstinence to refocus spiritually.

The Ember Days this month were a little warmer than typically predicted by meteorologists for the end of February, which must mean that March, April, and May will have higher temperatures. It is suggested that we are to step outside and observe the weather on each of the Ember Days. It was a sunny day on February 21 so according to folklore, March is going to be sunny. It rained all day on February 23 so April will be rainy. February 24 was a mix of early rain in the morning and partly cloudy in the afternoon, so using Ember Days’ philosophy, May will have rainy and sunny days. Nothing here suggests more snow.

Pennsylvania Dutch proverbs and sayings have a deep connection to Ember Days. Edwin Fogel, after researching Ember Days, wrote the book: Beliefs and Superstitions of the Pennsylvania Germans. In his book, Fogel recounts beliefs that people born on Ember Days can see ghosts, that rain on an Ember Day is followed by three weeks of rain, and that washing on an Ember Day is unlucky. Fogel goes on to say that; as it rains in March, so it rains in June. Thunder in March brings a fruitful year. If the wind on the first day of spring is out of the north, little fine weather should be expected until July.

Step into your yard, a nearby field, or go for a hike and look around for Mother Nature’s weather signs. Extra bushy squirrels’ tails and a very thick, black coat of a woolly worm, are a couple of signs of a harsh winter. Due to leap year, February got an extra day and spring is early this year, March 19. My daffodils and crocuses are reliable predictors of spring and they are close to blooming. Many of us who want to be sure it’s going to rain are forced to go back to the old-time reliable method of painful arthritis and aching joints that indicate wet weather.

The Old Farmers Almanac first published in 1792 includes many anecdotal weather forecast tips. Before modern meteorology, folks watched the skies to forecast the weather. Many proverbs are based on a certain truth; for example; “A halo around the Moon predicts wet or stormy weather.” A halo around the Moon usually indicates an advancing warm front, which means precipitation. For centuries, farmers and sailors-people whose livelihoods depended on the weather relied on lore to forecast the weather. They quickly connected changes in nature with rhythms or patterns of the weather.

Every morning during circle time, my class discusses the weather. They are learning new words such as blustery, foggy, and overcast, to describe the day’s weather. As the month of March approaches, I’m teaching my kindergarteners about weather folklore. We will make notes on March first; will March come in like a lion or a lamb? We will then make predictions about whether March goes out like a lion or a lamb.

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” – John Ruskin

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

Thousands of years ago Hippocrates discovered that sea water helped heal wounds, prevented infections, and eased pain.

Most afternoons when living in Coronado, California, my children and I would climb the dunes on The Strand. We’d carry beach toys, towels, and a picnic basket. Once we’d get to the beach, we’d play in the icy water and watch the Navy SEAL’s teams training. The young men would also climb up and down the dunes. The teams, in full fatigues, carried large rafts over their heads. They would perform their calisthenics, carry their boats to the water’s edge, hop on the sides of the boats, and row out to sea. My eldest, Marshall, at age four, idolized the Navy SEALs and would do the “work out” with them from a safe distance. He was always thrilled when the men would acknowledge his hard work. The Pacific Ocean was chilly until mid summer when we would finally take our “rafts” out to swim and ride the waves. That beach was our playground for three years.

Flying into Honolulu the first time, no matter what time of year, you are greeted with a temperature that varies between 68 to 87 degrees. One of the key design features of the original terminals of the Honolulu airport is the open air walkways. Just like any other airport, there is a bit of a walk from the gate to baggage claim. The wafting scent of nearby plumeria flowers is an appropriate introduction to the pleasant year round climate.

Most hotel lobbies and beach front restaurants are open air, showcasing the beauty of Waikiki . The views of Diamond Head are breathtaking and the sunsets are near perfect and unforgettable. It’s a natural paradise where the Hawaiian culture embraces the Aloha Spirit of kindness, compassion, and a sense of belonging. Hawaii is the perfect vacation destination and was my home for four years.

We spent very little time indoors, most houses have huge lanai’s (porches) and ours was waterfront, it looked out on Pearl Harbor. We never wore socks. Shoes and sandals were left in a pile at the door, we were most comfortable going barefooted. Inviting the outside in, the windows of our house were louvered to let in the breeze of the Trade Winds.

My children left their shoes on a shelf outside their open air classrooms. We would ride our bikes down the bike path from our house to their little Hale Keiki School. Art projects, lunch, and gym class were outside activities. Teachers played the ukulele while the students practiced their Hula dancing. Chicken Pox was passed around the school one year but for the most part, everyone was incredibly healthy.

As a family, we ate local foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fish. We spent our weekends at some of our favorite beaches on the Windward side of the island. We’d sail from Kaneohe Yacht Club to the sandbar for a swim and a picnic. Kailua was a great family weekend destination, the waves were perfect for bodysurfing and swimming. There were tide pools and the sand was pristine. We’d rent a cabin for the weekend and swim with the sea turtles at Bellows Beach.

When first moving to Maryland we spent many summer weekends at Assateague. We continued to ride bikes everywhere and swam outdoors as much as possible. As cold weather approached, my children began wearing shoes all day and spent very little time outside. Strep throat was a constant issue our first year. All four of my children were diagnosed with asthma in the years that followed. Summers were our healthiest time of the year when we swam, rode bikes, and sailed.

We spend everyday in winter indoors, we make walking outside a priority but it doesn’t compare to life near the Pacific Ocean. After doing some reading, I bought Himalayan salt lamps for each of the rooms in our house. Web MD claims that salt lamps boost moods, improve sleep, ease allergies, help people with asthma breathe better, and clean the air. I love the glow from the lamps but I’m not sure how effective they are. I feel best when I do a deep room clean and open the windows for fresh air.

During the Covid shutdown I read about the benefits of Vitamin D and being outside. I thought about how healthy we were living in Hawaii and began to walk barefooted in my garden. My children spent the majority of their days outside in the salt air and water, they thrived. Maryland is our home, we won’t be moving back to California or Hawaii. My goal has been to bring the healthy aspects of life in Hawaii to Maryland. I’m grateful to have the beautiful Choptank River within walking distance. I make it a priority to spend time appreciating the beauty of the water and its birds. On my way to work in the morning I’m greeted by the sunrise as I drive over the Malkus Bridge. The Blackwater Refuge is a favorite spot for biking and enjoying being in nature.

Seawater is very healing and has stood the test of time to support both mind and body balance. Ocean water can help ease muscle pain and arthritis. According to the Organic Edit, your number of red blood cells increase between 5 to 20% after a swim in the sea. The number of white blood cells increases even more. Sea water is a fantastic natural medicine for everyone. Whenever anyone is sick, I suggest a long soak in a hot tub of Epsom salts, which is also very high in magnesium, it always helps. Gargling a glass of water with a pinch of salt is great for sore mouths and throats.

In my research of the health benefits of seawater, I discovered that salt caves provide many of the same benefits of seawater. I googled salt caves near me and found The Salt Cave at Foremost Spa in Easton. My daughter, Jenny and I spent forty five minutes luxuriating on a reclining chair in The Salt Cave. We arrived without any expectations. It was a Saturday morning and we were both exhausted from a very long week of work. The cave glows like my little salt lamps which is very warm and welcoming. We were very cozy in our chairs covered with a blanket and listening to meditation music. I felt very grounded and relaxed. The forty five minutes passed quickly and we were advised to drink lots of water for the rest of the day.

I plan to add the salt cave to my monthly self care routine, especially during the winter months. The negatively-charged, ionized salt and trace minerals that are present in the cave’s atmosphere are said to naturally draw toxins and impurities out of the body, reduce inflammation, and improve respiratory ailments like asthma by clearing the lungs. Beside the health benefits, Himalayan Salt Therapy can lift your spirits by increasing your serotonin levels, the “happy hormones” that impact mood, sleep, memory, appetite, and digestion.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all,” was one of my Mom’s favorite adages. Credit for the quote is given to Aesop but Thumper, the bunny from Bambi made it famous in the scene in which Thumper is critical about Bambi’s walking ability. Thumper’s Mother scolds him for being unkind to newborn, Bambi, and reminds Thumper, “what did your father tell you this morning?” A chastened Thumper then recites: “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”

In a letter to her husband on February 1861, Lucretia Garfield came to Mary Lincoln’s defense. James Garfield (who would later fall to an assassin’s bullet just like Abraham Lincoln) had made unkind remarks in a letter about the appearances and personalities of both President Lincoln and his First Lady. Garfield stated that, “Lincoln is distressingly homely,” and that “Mary Lincoln is a stocky, sallow, pug-nosed, plain lady.” Mrs. Garfield’s response to her husband’s “catty” remarks was,” if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!”

The Proverb, “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar” was used by my mother frequently when breaking up arguments amongst my siblings and me. It is basically saying that you can win over more people by being polite and kind. Being mean and unpleasant is like being full of vinegar. You will push people away by being sour or bitter. Nice, polite requests often work better.

These have become my mottos with my children and grandchildren and I can honestly say that everyone in my family is kind. I believe it’s always best to avoid aggressive, rude, or disrespectful communication. I don’t believe that we should always say nice things to avoid conflict or disagreements, especially If someone is disrespecting or attacking you. Staying quiet might not resolve the situation. I’ve had to make the choice to not say anything at all many times, because “this too shall pass.” I have found that rude people are lashing out from a place of pain and suffering. That being said, rudeness still hurts.

I began my journey of wellness twenty years ago when Western medicine wasn’t healing my darling husband. I completed an intensive year long, herbalism course which was my first step in the alternatives available for good health. I continued with certification classes on aromatherapy and Reiki. We changed our diet to 100% plant based and expanded our garden. I took a meditation course and added QiGong to my morning Yoga routine. As a kindergarten teacher, I am happy to add Mindfulness classes to my continuing education credits. I’m currently taking a class on Somatic Yoga and breathing. I’m on a path of keeping my family healthy and vibrant, and as a teacher, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned. Every course that I have participated in fosters positivity and kindness as an integral part on the path to wellness.

Every morning I am greeted by a sweet note from my husband, who is an empath, an artist, and the kindest person I know. Don’t get me wrong, he’s never been milquetoast, he’s a very assertive and outspoken man. I have boxes of these beautiful notes with colorful cartoons of our family and dogs. It’s just a little kindness to be greeted before school with a few loving words, it sets the tone for a happy day and I am very grateful for it.

The connection between health and positivity remains murky, but researchers from John’s Hopkins suspect that people who are more positive may be better protected against the inflammatory damage of stress. This study also found that negative emotions can weaken immune response. A University of Kansas study found that smiling reduces heart rate and blood pressure during stressful situations.

When you surround yourself with positive people, you’ll hear positive outlooks, stories, and affirmations. These positive words will affect your line of thinking, giving you the tools to overcome negativity. To bring beneficial changes and improvement in your life, a positive attitude must become your predominant mental attitude.

Humor can help lighten the mood and make positive thinking more approachable. As Oscar Wilde said, “some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” We can start a positive chain reaction by adding humor and friendliness to our interactions with others. By being appreciative, surrounding ourselves with positive people, concentrating on solutions, and being present, we may teach our brains to think more positively.

“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” Mister Rogers

“Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person.” Mister Rogers

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.