One of the best things I have ever done in my adult life was to become a notary public. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I do love the little stamp. But no, that’s not the reason why I love being a notary. It’s the weddings! Being a preacher’s daughter, I’ve seen a lot […]
Lakes Region Weekly opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Sustainably Speaking: Being old in the time of global warming
I have a new friend. Her name is Susan and she lives in Reno, Nevada. We’ve only met once in person when we were serendipitously in Tuscon, Arizona, at the same time last spring. We are both old, both social workers with long careers and both heartbroken. “I didn’t think retirement would look like this, […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Biden needs to keep his promise to refugees
June 20 was World Refugee Day, but unlike the past few years, the number of displaced people surpassed 100 million this year, meaning 1 in 78 people on Earth has been forced to flee their homes. It’s a dramatic milestone that few could have expected a decade ago. President Joe Biden committed to resettling 125,000 […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: No words to describe opposition to pride crosswalk
It’s the irony of it all, the massive, overwhelming, elephant in the room-sized irony of it all, that just baffles me. I am speaking, of course, about the furor and uproar surrounding the intended-to-be-joyous celebration of Pride Month. The voices of opposition say their concern over the pride crosswalk in Brunswick “isn’t homophobia,” it is […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Let kids discover the true magic of summer
My social media is flooded with photos of kids I knew as babies, grinning from ear to ear beneath their tasseled caps, ready to leap into what’s next. Graduation season also heralds the arrival of that most anticipated moment – the last day of school. Is there any feeling so wonderful as the possibility of […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Then and now, father always knows best
Dad. He was right. Maybe 40 years ago, as I trained for a marathon, my right hip started to ache. But I said, “I must run 10 miles this week, 12 coming up soon. I must push on.” Mid-run, my body would burn to quit. But no. My mind insisted: “Go. Take aspirin. Ignore the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community
It put a grin on my face to see the rainbow crosswalk appear in downtown Brunswick just in time for Pride Month, which is celebrated in June each year. What a joyful way to make clear that our community is a welcoming space. Anticipating some of the letters that are about to head my way, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: The conversation about gun violence should begin at home
It is time parents start talking to their kids about gun violence by using examples from parents in war-torn countries. I grew up during the civil war in Somalia. Weapons were everywhere – all kinds of them, easily available for young men like myself. Yet, guns were never allowed at home; we were not permitted […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Dam removal allows fish to go with the flow
Before we moved to this neck of the woods, my kids and I lived a few hours up the coast in the town of Surry. It is where my kids were born, where they grew up, where their deepest friendships were forged. Mine, too. We love living down here, but in many ways, when we […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Pregnancy takes two – treat both genders equally
Years ago, I counseled a young couple, both more aware than most about the risks and rewards of sexual activity. They asked lots of questions. I listened. They both talked. “We want this. We don’t want that. This makes sense to us, but how does that make sense?” They used the pronouns “we” and “us.” […]