Personal expressions of the world around us through text, sight and sound.


Filter Article list:
Article Scope:  

The Author, Category and Topic selectors will reflect the Article Scope setting.

Date range:    
Current: articles posted within the last 30 Days
Recent: articles posted within the last 3 Months
Sort Order:    

Hints on searching Articles

Some articles may be restricted—viewable only to logged-in users with the appropriate Security Level.

You can narrow your search using one or all of six criteria:

  1. Article Scope:
    • This Collection Only (default) limits search results to this article "home page."
    • All includes all articles (including blog entries) on the site.
  2. Date range:
    • Current shows articles posted within the past 30 Days
    • Recent shows articles posted within the past 3 Months
    • All includes all articles within the Collection Scope.
    • NOTE: Based on the number of articles found and other filter settings, the Date Scope may be adjusted automatically. However, in most cases you can still use the form to choose a specific range.
  3. Author--regular contributors are listed by name; "special" is used for ocassional or one-time authors. (They are idenitified by name in the article list using a "byline" field in the database).
  4. Category—each article is assigned to one category ( a master category list is used for Articles, Blog Entries, Resources, and similar features on the site).
  5. Topic—each article can be assigned to multiple topics (also uses a master list). You can narrow the search by one topic at a time.
    Even though we try to keep the number of topics limited and as general as possible, the list of topics is long and constantly growing simply because of the wide scope of content covered by aritcles on the site. A good alternative to using the drop-down list is to click on a topic from the Summary View of the Article List, or the category and topic summary at the top of an Article.
    NOTE: Because topics are added over time, some topics may not be associated with earlier articles to which they could apply. From time to time, we update category and topic links.
  6. Keywords
    Looks for a word, phrase or part of a word in the component parts of the article.

Viewing the Results

In addition to the "Most Recent" and "Top Articles" lists, there are three Views of the searchable Article List: (where you are now):

  1. Quick. Shows Categories in alphabetical order, with a list of articles by post date (most recent first), title, author. This is the default view. Return to it anytime by selecting "Clear Filter" in the Article Filter.
  2. Minimal. Shows a list of Categories in which articles for this collection appear, including the number of articles in each category. Activate this view by clicking on "View Category names only" under the gray view description bar.
  3. Summary. Expands a single Category to include a brief description of each article, the primary category, and any topics assigned to it.

Actions from the Article List

  • Click on an Article title to view it.
    • A link at the bottom of the article will bring you back to this page.
    • If you have expanded the Collection Scope to All, and view an article or blog entry outside this collection, the return link will take you to the corresponding "home" page. To return to this page, use the Back button in your browser or use the Site Menu.
  • Click on a Category name to expand the list into Summary View, which will include more detals about the articles within that Category, including the topics associated with it.
    • If you have selected "All" in the Article Scope, the initial Summary View will reset the Article Scope to "This Collection only." From there, you can go back to "All" if desired.
  • Click on a Topic name (Summary View) to see recent articles associated with that topic. From there you can expand to "All" articles or narrow the search using the Filter.
    • There are some categories that also appear as topics. In this case, the filter will set the topic, since that will return the greatest number of results. From there, you can modify the Search Filter to narrow your search.

Actions from the Article (listing of Categories and Topics at top of Article)

  • Click on the Category or a Topic and you will be taken to the Article List page with the search filter set accordingly. (The notes under Article List also apply here).

Printing the List or individual Articles

Using Print this page at the upper left will print the content displayed in the Articles List or an individual Article, without any of the surrounding page elements. The filter form in the list view is replaced with a summary of the filter settings.

Please note: Using the "Print this page" option is highly recommended over the print options available through the Share utility (described below).

Additional Hint: On some smaller devices you may find it helpful to use the Print option to display a simpler content-only view. Depending on the device, you may not actually be able to print, but it may produce a view that is easier to read. You will need to close the print window to get back to the site navigation.

Sharing and Commenting on Article Lists and Individual Articles

There is a lot of discussion about the merits of commenting within a site. At this time we have decided not to integrate it into the site. The AddThis Share utility that appears at the upper left on the page as well as at the end of articles allows you to share the selected page through Facebook, Twitter, and more than 200 other social media services. Most of these options allow you to add comments.

You can also comment through the site's own social media connections, which are linked through the icons in the site masthead (only active social media accounts are shown).


7 articles found.

SUMMARY VIEW  Expanded details within a Category. Click on article title, Category, or a listed Topic

To change sort order or make another search, modify the form above

Holidays

 70 records found

Mr. Patrick is Not Happy by James N. Watkins


(March 15, 2024)
I’m guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration of his day.…
Topics: History • Holidays • Humor • Religion


Five Ways to Do Good on MLK Day by Ryan Bergeron / CNN


(January 13, 2024)
Reflecting on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. can lead to good deeds on MLK Day…
Topics: Change • Civility • Contemplation, Insight • History • Holidays • Opportunity • Service • Social Issues • Social Movements


From the South Atlantic, Blessings! by Garrison Keillor


(January 1, 2024)
The real education, however, is to discover how sweet Christmas is . . . standing at a ship's rail at night and looking up at Orion with your wife and daughter has more to do with Christmas than sleighs or chestnuts or even boughs of holly. Happy 2024!
Topics: Christmas • Contemplation, Insight • Future • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Memories • New Year's


Have a God-Directed New Year! by James N. Watkins


(December 29, 2023)
Jim updates his annual list of posts for the New Year…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • New Year's • Optimal Aging


Once Again, the Star, the Shepherds by Garrison Keillor


(December 25, 2023)
I do believe in the Christmas story, that God put his omnipotence on a shelf and became an infant child--it's in keeping with Christ telling his disciples, 'What you do for the least of these, ye do for me'…
Topics: Bible • Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Inspiration • Memories • Optimal Aging


Our Plans for Christmas and Why by Garrison Keillor


(December 21, 2023)
So our little trio is going to sea and my New Year’s resolution, as the ship heads back to New York, is to be grateful for life itself and love and friendship…
Topics: Change • Christmas • Generosity • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Memories • Optimal Aging • Relationships


The Twelve Sites of Christmas by James N. Watkins


(December 1, 2023)
Jim updates his annual list of favorite holiday posts…
Topics: Christmas • Contemplation, Insight • Faith • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Memories


Will Thanksgiving Suck Like a Turkey Baster?! (2023) by James N. Watkins


(November 4, 2023)
Jim revisits a theme introduced in 2020 when it also seemed the news was too grime to be thankful…
Topics: COVID-19 • Depresson • Faith • Family • Fears, Concerns • Gratitute • Holiday Season • Loneliness • News • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


The 12 Sites of Christmas (2022) by James N. Watkins


(December 30, 2022)
Jim updates his annual list of posts offering Hope & Humor for the holiday season and preparation for a new year…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • Metaphors, Life Lessons • New Year's


A Season for Music by Stu Johnson


(December 24, 2022)
Flash Mobs, Virtual Choirs and other ways to celebrate and extend the Christmas season with music…
Topics: Christmas • COVID-19 • Faith • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Leisure • Music • Technology


December 2022 by the Numbers by US Census Bureau Staff


(December 23, 2022)
Interesting facts and figures about the holiday season…
Topics: Christmas • Demographics • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Learning • Statistics


Waiting for Christmas, Wishing for Snow by Garrison Keillor


(December 22, 2022)
When snow falls in Manhattan, it’s magical, you’re in an O. Henry story about Christmas, and all the kids shut up in apartments come out with sheets of plastic or cardboard and go sliding on whatever slope is available…
Topics: Personal Stories (Biography/Autobiography) • Holidays • Holiday Season • Lifestyle, General • Memories • Seasons • Weather


An Old Man Thinking at the Thanksgiving Table by Garrison Keillor


(December 1, 2022)
I was the oldest person at our Thanksgiving table and I didn't say much because the kids were so lively and funny and why bring them down with a lecture about the wonders of old age, including the fact that every morning is an occasion of gratitude...
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Memories • Optimal Aging • Relationships • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Is There Life After Work? by Leona Bergstrom


(September 3, 2022)
Labor Day reflections…
Topics: Holidays • Labor Day • Optimal Aging • Planning • Retirement • Work


United States of Diversity by Michael Barnone / Washington Examiner


(July 4, 2022)
The Founders and Dobbs…
Topics: Change • Character, Integrity • Diversity & Pluralism • Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Racism and Inequality • Social Issues


Celebrating Our Day of Independence as a Wonderfully Diverse People by Robert L. Santos / Direcotr of US Census Bureau


(July 2, 2022)
Reflections on the expanding embrace of 'We the People'
Topics: Diversity & Pluralism • Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Relationships • Values


Reflections on Memorial Day by Robert Santos / Director US Censurs Burea


(May 27, 2022)
For many ithe holiday marks the bginning of summer. For others, as recalled here, it has much more profound and personal meaning.…
Topics: Character, Integrity • Dying and Death • Family • History • Holidays • Memorial Day • Memories • Relationships • Tribute, Testimony


Time to Head to the Graveyard and Pay Respects by Garrison Keillor


(May 26, 2022)
This Memorial Day there is a sense of unease that calls for a rebirth of freedom to move around and live your life without fear.…
Topics: Dying and Death • History • Holidays • Memorial Day • Service • Tribute, Testimony • War


Mr. Patrick Would Not Be Happy by James N. Watkins


(March 17, 2022)
I’m guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration of his day.…
Topics: History • Holidays • Religion


Welcome to Flight 2022 by Paulette Harris Madison


(December 31, 2021)
Are you ready for takeoff?…
Topics: Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Metaphors, Life Lessons • New Year's • Tribute, Testimony


Have a God-Directed New Year! by James N. Watkins


(December 30, 2021)
Jim's annual update on thoughts for the new year…
Topics: Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • Inspiration • New Year's


I Am Dreaming of a Light Christmas by Garrison Keillor


(December 24, 2021)
Memories of Christmases past and the promise of lengthening days this side of the winter solstice…
Topics: Christmas • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Memories


Piece on Earth by George Garrison


(December 23, 2021)
Finding wholeness in the message of Christmas when the world remains in pieces from the ravages of COVID…
Topics: Christmas • COVID-19 • Crisis • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Inspiration


12 Sites of Christmas 2021 by James N. Watkins


(December 3, 2021)
Jim's 21st annual list of cartoons, videos and columns for the Christmas season…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Relationships


What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving? by Megan Gambino / Smithsonian.com


(November 25, 2021)
The history of the holiday meals tells us that turkey was always the centerpiece, but other courses have since disappeared and much of our tradition today had not yet appeared…
Topics: Food & Nuitrition • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Words About Giving Thanks compiled by Leona Bergstrom


(November 19, 2021)
Thoughts to help us focus on gratitude during Thanksgiving…
Topics: Faith • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving Reflections by Leona Bergstrom


(November 12, 2021)
What Piglet taught me about gratittude…
Topics: Attitudes • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Giving Thanks 2021 by James N. Watkins


(November 5, 2021)
Despite pandemic, supply chain crisis…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Contentment, Satsifaction • COVID-19 • Gratitute • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Halloween by the Numbers 2021 by U.S. Census Bureau staff


(October 29, 2021)
Facts about today's observation of this tradition with ancient roots…
Topics: Demographics • Halloween • History • Holidays • Statistics


Hope and Humor and Halloween 2021 by James N. Watkins


(October 22, 2021)
Jim's annual look at really creepy stuff…
Topics: Faith • Fears, Concerns • Halloween • Holidays • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • Memories • Religion • Social Issues


Happy Fourth of July! by Barbara Greenleaf


(July 1, 2021)
Celebrating our 245th birthday…
Topics: Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)


Unhappy Mr. Patrick's Day! by James N. Watkins


(March 17, 2021)
I'm guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration this year…
Topics: History • Holidays • Spirituality, Seeking God


Martin Luther King Jr.'s Rules for Protestors by James N. Watkins


(January 18, 2021)
Wisdom for a time such as this…
Topics: Civility • Faith • Holidays • Politics • Racism and Inequality • Relationships • Social Issues • Social Movements • Social Unrest, Division


Keeping the Dream Alive in 2021 by Stu Johnson


(January 18, 2021)
Thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2021…
Topics: Civility • Current Events, News • Holidays • Hopes & Dreams • News • Patriotism • Politics • Racism and Inequality • Relationships • Social Issues • Social Media • Social Movements • Social Unrest, Division • Voting & Elections


More Than a Dropping Ball by James N. Watkins


(January 1, 2021)
Looking back and ahead while noting that more than a ball drops at midnight on New Year's Eve…
Topics: Faith • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • New Year's • Predictions & Forecasts


Christmas Trivia Quiz by James N. Watkins


(December 17, 2020)
So you think you know a lot about Christmas? Jim challenges your trivia skills…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Knowledge


How the WHO Stole Christmas by James N. Watkins


(December 3, 2020)
But Christmas cannot be stopped by coronavirus . . . or the authorities…
Topics: Christmas • COVID-19 • Faith • Government • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Jesus


Coping with COVID-era Holiday Lonliness by Rusty Wright


(November 26, 2020)
Maybe some expectations management—and realistic solutions—are in order…
Topics: Coping • COVID-19 • Holidays • Holiday Season • Living Alone • Loneliness • Relationships • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving • Wellness


Thankful Despite Pandemic by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(November 25, 2020)
The pandemic can't take away our reasons for being thankful…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • COVID-19 • Faith • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Will Thanksgiving Suck Like a Turkey Baster? by James N. Watkins


(November 21, 2020)
Thanksgiving in the year of no, no, no…
Topics: COVID-19 • Current Events, News • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving Reflections by Leona Bergstrom


(November 20, 2020)
Thinking about Piglet . . . and gratitude…
Topics: Faith • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


A Thanksgiving Like No Other by Stu Johnson


(November 20, 2020)
Virtual choirs and videos to help us be grateful during a most unusual year…
Topics: Comfort & Consolation • Coping • COVID-19 • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Music • Racism and Inequality • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving • Voting & Elections


Halloween Facts by U.S. Census Bureau staff


(October 16, 2020)
The numbers behind recent Halloweens…
Topics: COVID-19 • Halloween • Holidays • Statistics


Do You Have the 'Worst' Job? by James N. Watkins


(September 7, 2020)
Labor Day thoughts about making a living…
Topics: Humor • Labor Day • Work


Indpendence Day Q&A by James N. Watkins


(July 2, 2020)
A not-so-trivial quiz about July 4 and the Founding Fathers…
Topics: Beliefs • Freedom • God • Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Patriotism • Religion • Spirituality, Seeking God • Values


Happy Father's Day! by James N. Watkins


(June 18, 2020)
A collection of hope & humor favorites…
Topics: Family • Father's Day • Holidays • Relationships • Tribute, Testimony


Happy Real St. Patrick's Day by James N. Watkins


(March 10, 2020)
So you think you know St. Patrick…
Topics: History • Holidays • Religion


Facing 2020 by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(January 15, 2020)
Glancing back while gazing forward…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Future • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Memories • Planning


Here's to the New Year by James N. Watkins


(December 29, 2019)
May yours be happy, hopeful, and humorous…
Topics: Contentment, Satsifaction • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • New Year's


'There is no peace on earth' by James N. Watkins


(December 25, 2019)
Just a greeting card cliche?…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams


A Visit from Jeff Bezos by James N. Watkins


(December 21, 2019)
A modern Christmas tradition…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season


Hope and humor and Halloween by James N. Watkins


(October 31, 2019)
Jim's annual list of articles about creepy stuff…
Topics: Halloween • Holidays • Humor


Hope in a Hand Basket by James N. Watkins


(December 29, 2018)
Lessons from Christmas for the New Year…
Topics: Christmas • Future • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • New Year's • News


Music in the Malls 2018 compiled by Stu Johnson


(December 21, 2018)
Videos of flash mobs and other performances to help brighten your holiday season…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Music


A Very Twitter Christmas by James N. Watkins


(December 21, 2018)
What if the Christmas story was told in 140 characters?…
Topics: Bible • Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor


A Free Gift! by Bill Newell


(December 18, 2018)
A Christmas story…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season


Not Feeling Thankful? by James N. Watkins


(November 22, 2018)
Sharing some things about thanks…
Topics: Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Putting the 'thanks' in Thanksgiving isn't always easy by Ken Potts


(November 18, 2018)
Dealing with empty places or a less-than-bountiful table…
Topics: Coping • Gratitute • Holiday Season • Loneliness • Loss & Grieving • Needy People • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Memorial Day at 150 Submitted by Stu Johnson


(May 27, 2018)
The story behind our national holiday…
Topics: History • Holidays • Memorial Day • Tribute, Testimony


Twelve Sites of Christmas 2017 by James N. Watkins


(December 11, 2017)
Jim Watkins' annual list of cartoons and favorite Christmas columns…
Topics: Christian Life • Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Writing


Thanksgiving by the Numbers submitted by Stu Johnson


(November 21, 2017)
A profile from the U.S. Census Bureau
Topics: Holidays • Holiday Season • Statistics • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


60 Reasons to Give Thanks by James N. Watkins


(November 18, 2017)
. . . despite a string of bad news…
Topics: Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


The True Meaning of Christmas by Bill Nichols


(December 16, 2016)
Which piece of chicken would you choose?…
Topics: Christmas • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Love • Relationships


Twelve Sites of Christmas 2016 by James N. Watkins


(December 9, 2016)
We present Jim's annual list of cartoons and favorite Christmas columns, updated for 2016…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor


Been to Bethlehem? by Bill Nichols


(December 9, 2016)
I almost drove right by…
Topics: Christmas • Comfort & Consolation • Courage • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Jesus


Life, Liberty, and . . . by Stu Johnson


(July 4, 2016)
Is the Declaration of Independence a relic or a prized possession?
Topics: Faith • Freedom • Government • History • Holidays • Inspiration • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Politics • Values


Martin Luther King Jr.'s Ten Commandments for Cultural Change by James N. Watkins


(January 18, 2016)
Celebrating the hope for cultural change that Martin Luther King, Jr. preached in word and deed…
Topics: Change • Civility • Faith • History • Holidays • Hopes & Dreams • Social Movements


The Twelve Sites of Christmas —. . . and no partridge in a pear tree! by James N. Watkins


(December 1, 2015)
We present Jim Watkin's annual list of cartoons and favorite Christmas columns…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Popular Culture


Work Matters —The need to check our priorities by Stu Johnson


(September 7, 2015)
On this Labor Day, a look at the need to make work matter if we wish to have a strong society…
Topics: History • Labor Day • Statistics • Trends • Work


What Did We Declare? —Exploring the meaning of our founding document by Stu Johnson


(July 4, 2015)
Reading a novel inspires research about the document whose adoption we celebrate on July 4…
Topics: Beliefs • Freedom • God • Government • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)