Lead contributor Greg Asimakoupoulos expresses his perspective on current events and life in general through verse. We have used Greg's weekly expressions since SeniorLifesytle began in 2006 and borrowed (with permission) the "Rhymes & Reasons" title used on the Partial Observer website where his work still appears.
The updated SeniorLIfestyle site includes all of the Rhymes & Reasons we have used since April 2006.
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Holidays
65 records found
Mr. Patrick is Not Happy by James N. Watkins
(My World March 15, 2024)
I’m guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration of his day.…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Humor
•
Religion
Hail to the Chiefs by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons February 23, 2024)
Presidents Day is an opportunity to recall the past and pray for the future…
Topics:
Faith
•
Government
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Tribute, Testimony
Five Ways to Do Good on MLK Day by Ryan Bergeron / CNN
(My World 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
St. Nicholas Day Observed by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons December 9, 2023)
A tribute to the real-life saint who inspired the legend of Santa Claus…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Religion
The Most Unique Christmas Traditions in Every State by Gabbie Shaw / Busienss Insider
(Travel December 8, 2023)
Surfing Santas, tumbleweed Christmas trees, and 48 more unique traditions across the United States…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Seasons
•
Travel
A Final Salute by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons November 13, 2023)
Veteran's Day thoughts inspired by my mom at my dad's graveside service…
Topics:
Character, Integrity
•
Circumstances, Life Events
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Memories
•
Service
•
Veterans Day
•
War
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? by James N. Watkins
(Faith October 27, 2023)
Search Google for "Should Christians celebrate Halloween?"" and you'll get about one thousand sites covering everything from "it's completely harmless" to "it's completely hellish." Here's site number 1,001 that's somewhere in the middle…
Topics:
Beliefs
•
Faith
•
Halloween
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Social Issues
Labor Day Reflections by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons September 2, 2023)
Business cards over the years spur memories of a life at work…
Topics:
Faith
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Labor Day
•
Memories
•
Service
•
Work
'Amazing' Valentine by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons February 11, 2023)
Valentine's Day thoughts about one of Christianity's most popular hymns, celebrating its 250th anniversary …
Topics:
Faith
•
God
•
Grace
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Love
•
Relationships
•
Valentine's Day
May Your Prophets Find the Courage by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons January 14, 2023)
New hymn lyrics for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance…
Topics:
Faith
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Inspiration
•
Prayer
•
Tribute, Testimony
The Twelvth Day of Christmas by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons January 5, 2023)
On the eve of Epiphany there are a multitude of sounds to consider…
Topics:
Christmas
•
COVID-19
•
Current Events, News
•
Disaster
•
Faith
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Hopes & Dreams
•
News
•
Politics
•
Popular Culture
•
Prayer
•
Weather
The 12 Sites of Christmas (2022) by James N. Watkins
(My World 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
(My World 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
(My World December 23, 2022)
Interesting facts and figures about the holiday season…
Topics:
Christmas
•
Demographics
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Learning
•
Statistics
What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons December 17, 2022)
A short story by Philip Van Doren Stern became a screenplay we know as 'It's a Wonderful Life'…
Topics:
Books
•
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Jesus
•
Movies
•
Religion
United States of Diversity by Michael Barnone / Washington Examiner
(My World 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
(My World 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
The Home Row of Freedom by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons July 2, 2022)
A manual typewriter keys remind us of what is not automatic…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)
•
Language, Meaning
•
Metaphors, Life Lessons
•
Relationships
•
Values
Reflections on Memorial Day by Robert Santos / Director US Censurs Burea
(My World 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
(My World 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
(My World March 17, 2022)
I’m guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration of his day.…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Religion
What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving? by Megan Gambino / Smithsonian.com
(My World 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
Halloween by the Numbers 2021 by U.S. Census Bureau staff
(My World October 29, 2021)
Facts about today's observation of this tradition with ancient roots…
Topics:
Demographics
•
Halloween
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Statistics
A Trilogy of Double Holidays by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments October 28, 2021)
When the sacred and secular cross paths…
Topics:
Christmas
•
Current Events, News
•
Halloween
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving
America Once Beautiful by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons July 3, 2021)
New lyrics to a familiar tune…
Topics:
Character, Integrity
•
Faith
•
History
•
Holidays
•
July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)
•
Social Issues
•
Social Unrest, Division
•
Trends
•
Values
Happy Fourth of July! by Barbara Greenleaf
(My World July 1, 2021)
Celebrating our 245th birthday…
Topics:
Government
•
History
•
Holidays
•
July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)
Celebrating Juneteenth by Pocket editors
(Our World June 19, 2021)
Essential reading on why this newest national holiday has always been one of the most important days on the calendar…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Juneteenth
•
Racism and Inequality
Unhappy Mr. Patrick's Day! by James N. Watkins
(My World March 17, 2021)
I'm guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration this year…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Spirituality, Seeking God
More Than a Dropping Ball by James N. Watkins
(My World 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
An Average Joe by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons December 19, 2020)
Why Nativity figures should wear masks this year…
Topics:
Christmas
•
COVID-19
•
Faith
•
Government
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Jesus
Holidays and Holy Days by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments November 21, 2020)
Secular and religious traditions contribute to our holiday season…
Topics:
Family
•
Gratitute
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Memories
•
Religion
•
Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving
Veterans Day 2020 by U.S. Census Bureau staff
(Our World November 7, 2020)
Facts about American veterans…
Topics:
Demographics
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Statistics
•
Trends
•
Veterans Day
A Prayer for the Divided States of America by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons July 3, 2020)
Interceding for Uncle Sam…
Topics:
Current Events, News
•
History
•
Holidays
•
July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)
•
News
•
Prayer
•
Racism and Inequality
•
Relationships
•
Social Issues
•
Social Unrest, Division
•
Values
Indpendence Day Q&A by James N. Watkins
(My World 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
Memorial Day is a Memory Jogger by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons May 23, 2020)
Paying tribute to those who purchased our freedom…
Topics:
COVID-19
•
Freedom
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Memorial Day
•
Memories
•
Service
•
Tribute, Testimony
•
War
Happy Real St. Patrick's Day by James N. Watkins
(My World March 10, 2020)
So you think you know St. Patrick…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Religion
Halloween and Hallowing by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments October 27, 2019)
Back to the beginning…
Topics:
Halloween
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Popular Culture
•
Religion
•
Spirituality, Seeking God
A Wall that Unites Our Nation by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons May 31, 2019)
With somber gratitude for the Vietnam Memorial…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Love
•
Memorial Day
•
Service
•
Tribute, Testimony
•
War
Our Country Needs a King by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons January 19, 2019)
Longing for Martin Luther King's influence…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Hopes & Dreams
•
Inspiration
•
Leadership
•
Social Movements
A New Year's Eve Remembrance by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons January 1, 2019)
Toasting friends and loved ones who have died…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Memories
•
New Year's
•
News
•
Tribute, Testimony
Hope in a Hand Basket by James N. Watkins
(My World December 29, 2018)
Lessons from Christmas for the New Year…
Topics:
Christmas
•
Future
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Hopes & Dreams
•
New Year's
•
News
A Near Silent Night by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons December 24, 2018)
The bicentennial of the world's most beloved carol…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Music
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Silent Night by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Faith December 23, 2018)
The story behind the Christmas classic written in 1818…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Music
St. Nicholas by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments December 17, 2018)
Finding Santa's roots…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
Veteran's Day 2018 by U.S. Census Bureau staff
(Serve November 5, 2018)
Facts about those who have served…
Topics:
Demographics
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Service
•
Statistics
•
Veterans
•
Veterans Day
Memorial Day at 150 Submitted by Stu Johnson
(My World May 27, 2018)
The story behind our national holiday…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Memorial Day
•
Tribute, Testimony
A Prayer for King-size Prophets by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons January 12, 2018)
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr with a new hymn text…
Topics:
Courage
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Hopes & Dreams
•
Inspiration
•
Social Movements
•
Tribute, Testimony
Veterans Day by the Numbers submitted by Stu Johnson, editor
(Our World November 9, 2017)
The 2017 profile from the U.S. Census Bureau
Topics:
Demographics
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Service
•
Statistics
•
Tribute, Testimony
•
Veterans Day
Christmas 2016 by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments November 27, 2016)
The ancient message amidst an ever-changing mix of secular and religious celebration…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Popular Culture
Life, Liberty, and . . . by Stu Johnson
(My World 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
Graveyards and Memorial Stones by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons May 28, 2016)
Memorial Day from the Old Testament to the present…
Topics:
God
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Memorial Day
•
Memories
•
Tribute, Testimony
The Eyes of Saint Patrick by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons March 17, 2016)
New lyrics to an old Irish folk tune…
Topics:
Personal Stories (Biography/Autobiography)
•
Faith
•
History
•
Holidays
Martin Luther King Jr.'s Ten Commandments for Cultural Change by James N. Watkins
(My World 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
Veterans Day 2015 compiled by Stu Johnson
(Serve November 11, 2015)
Remembering those who serve and how we came to set aside this day…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Service
•
Veterans
•
Veterans Day
Work Matters —The need to check our priorities by Stu Johnson
(My World 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
St. Nick and Santa Claus by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments December 21, 2014)
There is some confusion between St. Nick and Santa Claus…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
The Jewish Holiday for All by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons October 5, 2014)
Taking a closer look at Yom Kippur…
Topics:
Faith
•
History
Labor Day by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments September 7, 2014)
Labor Day has many meanings…
Topics:
History
•
Labor Day
•
Work
Abraham and George by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments January 16, 2014)
A two-for-one celebration…
Topics:
History
Thanksgiving by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments November 20, 2011)
Two special days to consider…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season
•
Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving
Labor Day by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments September 4, 2011)
The word labor can evoke a variety of responses.…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Labor Day
•
Work
Happy Holidays by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments July 3, 2011)
There is reason for pride in the 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence....
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)
•
Patriotism
•
Statistics
July the Fourth by Dan Seagren
(Senior Moments July 4, 2010)
We seniors have amassed quite a few 4ths...let's make it really memorable for the next generations…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)
A Prince on Peace by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons January 18, 2009)
Reflections on Martin Luther King's 80th birthday…
Topics:
History
•
Holidays
•
Hopes & Dreams
•
Social Movements
Homeless at Christmas by Greg Asimakoupoulos
(Rhymes & Reasons December 21, 2008)
A familiar scenario challenges our bias…
Topics:
Christmas
•
History
•
Holidays
•
Holiday Season