Beyond Words

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and you know what that means: food. Lots of food! And, as much as we love all the turkey and fixings they are no bueno for something else we love: our pets.

 

In addition to lots of food, Thanksgiving is also all about lots of people and kitchen chaos, which means you may not pay attention to what your dogs eat or sneak on the side. But if you want a day without a pet emergency room visit, you might want to take note of the ASPCA’s do’s and don’ts of Thanksgiving for pet owners.

 

 

When talking turkey, it’s tough to not give your dog a little nibble of the bird but just make sure it’s fully cooked, skinless, boneless, and has no tracings of twine or foil. The skin can be especially dangerous for Fido, as it will have spices, sauces, and fats that could all be dangerous and hard to digest.

 

Bones, even those cooked like neck bones, are the worst and if ingested, will wreak havoc on a dog or cat’s digestive track. They splinter inside an animal and could lead to that dreaded emergency room visit.

 

Lastly, be sure to double bag and wrap-tie the turkey carcass and toss in an outside bin and keep all garbage away from pets.

 

 

What’s the other Thanksgiving Day standard? Pumpkin pie. The confection is my absolute favorite but raw yeast dough will not be your pet’s fave. If ingested, the yeast converts sugars in the dough into carbon dioxide, gas, and alcohol, which can result in a bloated almost drunken pet with severe pain. This could be life-threatening and comes into play when making rolls and other bread items as well.

 

Nutmeg is a key ingredient in pumpkin pie and traditional sweet potato casseroles, but it is a big no-no for dogs. In fact, the seasonal favorite can cause seizures and central nervous system problems if ingested by a pup. Pumpkin and sweet potatoes themselves are fine in moderation; just make sure they don’t have any nutmeg or other spices.

 

 

Along those same lines are onions and garlic. These two are pretty commonly known as bad for dogs, but just in case you didn’t know it, keep them away from your four-legged friends at all times. Both contain sulfides that are toxic to dogs and can lead to anemia. Between the two, onions are more toxic than garlic and cooking them does not reduce their toxicity.

 

When I think of the holidays from my childhood, I remember my parents always had a big bowl of nuts on the coffee table. They were in a special wooden bowl and were not shelled. An old-school nutcracker and shell picker were always part of the set-up but when I think about it, it’s nuts to have nuts laying around if you have dogs, which we always did.

 

Nuts, especially walnuts and macadamia nuts, are uber dangerous for your dog. If a bad reaction occurs, a dog will be unable to stand, will vomit, suffer tremors and elevated heart rate, as well as both a fever and weakness within 12 hours of digesting the nuts. Thankfully most symptoms go away but why risk it? Keep those nuts up high people.

 

Other things you should keep away from your pets

Drippings and Gravy

Turkey Stuffing

Raisins and Grapes

Mushrooms

Corn on the Cob

Butter

Chocolate

Alcohol

 

It’s not all bad news though and there are plenty of Thanksgiving Day items that can be safely added to your mutt’s menu, including:

Boneless, skinless and well-cooked turkey meat

Sweet potatoes (plain)

Plain pumpkin puree

Green beans

Cranberry sauce

Carrots (raw or cooked but plain)

Apples

 

If you think your precious pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4436. It’s a number you should probably keep handy all year long.

 

 

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and one with safe and happy pets!

I’m guessing that when you read that headline you might have thought this was going to be about everything Christmas now with Thanksgiving taking a back seat, but no, it’s actually all about Thanksgiving and its history.

 

As we gather round our tables and TVs on Thursday to celebrate the uniquely American holiday that is Thanksgiving, let’s take a minute to learn why we’re doing so and take another minute to actually be thankful.

 

 

Appropriately, the very first Thanksgiving was preceded by a series of tumultuous events, starting in September of 1620 when a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England carrying 102 passengers. The group consisted of an assortment of religious separatists who were seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and were joined by others lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in a New World. You could say the Mayflower was filled with the original faithful and original capitalists.

 

 

After a very treacherous 66 day trip, the Mayflower dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod and one month later crossed Massachusetts Bay where who we now call Pilgrims established a village at Plymouth.  It still was rough going though, as during that first brutal winter most of them remained on board and many got sick. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring.

 

 

The following March in 1621, surviving settlers moved ashore and were later visited by various Native Americans who taught them how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish, and avoid poisonous plants. In November, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited their Native American allies for what is now considered America’s first “Thanksgiving.”

 

In 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation when he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to our war of independence and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. It wasn’t until 1846, however, that Thanksgiving became a national holiday when Abraham Lincoln made it official during the height of the Civil War. His proclamation entreated all Americans to ask God to “commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of this nation.” Lincoln deemed the fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day, but in 1939 Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression.

 

 

As I write the I can’t help but think what our former leaders would think if they could see us today. Washington would probably cringe that many want to disparge our Constitution and Lincoln would think his words sadly ring as clear today as they did back then. Racial and civil strife. Heal the nation. Chills, right? And as for Roosevelt’s move, it was probably a wise one for the times, but how ironic that the holiday meant to stimulate gratitude is followed by a day when we’re cajoled to spur retail sales. We’re so thankful and yet want so much.

 

 

Even in the midst of disagreemnt out there, my hope is that we can all agree that there is always, always something to be thankful for. So this year, let’s really count our blessings. Count our joys instead of our woes, count our friends instead of our foes, count our courage instead of our fear, count our health instead of our wealth, and count our smiles instead of our tears.

 

Thanksgiving Fun Facts

Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be named the national bird instead of the bald eagle.

The tradition of the president pardoning a turkey every year started with Harry Truman.

More than 250 million turkeys are raised in the U.S. with more than 40 million gobbled up on Thanksgiving.

Male turkey gobble; females cluck.

The original Pilgrims and Native Americans probably shared rabbit, chicken, fish, goose, pigeon, squash, cabbage, beans, nuts, onions, eggs, and cheese at the first Thanksgiving, with not a green bean casserole in sight.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I’ll be spending Thanksgiving this year again with my husband’s side of the family along with our daughter, which has become an annual tradition I’ve grown to love. Another tradition I love is the serving of cranberry sauce alongside the turkey, dressing, potatoes, green beans, pies, and the likes. In fact, it’s something I often volunteer to take and will do so again this year.

 

I was never a big fan of cranberries back in the “open a can and pour out the log” days, but I’ve grown to love them with each new recipe I’ve discovered as well as my tried and true one. What about you? Yay or nay on cranberry sides? And what exactly are those little red berries that we generally only eat once a year?

 

The small, red, and tart fruit is actually very healthy and we can thank Native Americans for them as they mixed cranberries with deer meat waaaay back in the day. They may have even shared some with the Pilgrims on that first Thanksgiving Day.

 

 

History also notes sailors used cranberries as a source of Vitamin C to prevent scurvy and more recent studies suggest cranberries promote gastrointestinal and oral health, raise the good HDL cholesterol, and may even help prevent cancer.

 

 

The very first official harvesting of cranberries was by Revolutionary War veteran Henry Hall, who planted the first commercial beds in Dennis, Massachusetts in 1816. Many of today’s cranberry bogs are in fact more than 100 years old!

 

 

Cranberries grow on low-running vines in sandy marshes and are one of only three commercially grown fruits native to North America…the other two being blueberries and Concord grapes. During harvesting, the berry marshes are flooded, special equipment is used to knock the berries off the vines, and then they float to the surface. Most of the world’s cranberries are grown on some 50,000 acres in the U.S. and Canada and are harvested in September and October. Perfect timing for fresh cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving!

 

Each year, Americans eat about 400 million pounds of cranberries with 20 percent of them consumed over Thanksgiving. The fruit can be eaten both fresh and dried and is popular in muffins, trail mixes, cereals, salads, and of course juices.

 

So, what do you prefer? Fresh or canned? Whole berry canned or jellied? I prefer the whole berry and fresh but if you like that blob of gelled stuff, here’s a fun way to make it festive using cookie cutters.

 

And just in case you don’t have enough food planned (LOL!), here are some yummy recipes that use cranberries. Use them this week or all year long!

 

 

Cranberry Brie Cups (Great for Thanksgiving morning!)

1 8 oz. tube crescent rolls dough

1 8 oz. wheel of brie (can substitute cream cheese)

½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce

Optional: chopped pecans on top

 

Preheat oven to 375 and grease mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out crescent dough and pinch together seams.

Cut into 24 squares and place into muffin tin slots.

Cut cheese into small pieces and place inside crescent dough.

Top with a spoonful of cranberry sauce.

Bake until crescent pastry is golden, about 15 minutes.

 

 

Festive Pineapple Cranberry Salad (My favorite!)

1 can mandarin oranges

2 pkg. raspberry flavored gelatin

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce or 1 12 oz bag fresh or frozen cranberries thawed and boiled.

1 apple, chopped

Optional: chopped pecans

Drain oranges and pour juice into sauce pan with 3 cups cold water. Bring to boil and remove from heat. Add dry gelatin and stir 2 minutes. Stir in cranberry sauce. Pour into large bowl and add oranges and apple. Refrigerate 1 ½ hours or until slightly thickened.

 

 

Three Ingredient Cranberry Relish

(Anthony Bourdain calls this, “Delicious and truly one of the easiest recipes in the world.”)

Wash 1 large orange under warm water. Dry and coarsely chop skin, flesh, and pith. Remove seeds. Combine orange and 12 oz. fresh cranberries in food processor. Pulse until mixture appears grainy. Transfer to bowl and fold in 1 cup sugar. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold or at room temperature.

 

 

Tangy Cranberry Meatballs (great use for any leftover cranberry sauce!)

Leftover cranberry sauce

¼ rice vinegar

2 T ketchup

2 T soy sauce

2 t Worcestershire sauce

1 t brown sugar

¼ cup water

2 lb. pkg. precooked cocktail-size meatballs

 

In a large saucepan combine all ingredients except meatballs, cook on medium low, and stir until smooth.

Add meatballs and cook until heated, about 10-15 minutes.

 

 

Cranberry Nut Bread (my mom’s recipe)

2 cups fresh, whole cranberries

2 T butter

2 cups sifted flour

1 cup and 2 T sugar

1 ¾ t baking powder

1 t salt

1 egg, well beaten

1/3 cup orange juice

1 t grated orange rind

¼ cup water

Cut cranberries in half. Melt and set aside butter. Sift together dry ingredients. Combine egg, orange juice, and water. Make well in dry ingredients and add liquids. Stir in butter. Add orange rind and cranberries. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

 

 

Cranberry Salsa Dip

1 12 oz. bag fresh cranberries, rinsed

½ cup sugar

Green onions, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 lime, juiced

Pinch of salt

2 8 oz. blocks cream cheese, softened

Put all ingredients except cream cheese in food processor. Pulse until ingredients are chopped coarsely. Put in airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. After, spread softened cream cheese on serving plate and spread salsa over cream cheese. Serve at room temperature with crackers.

 

 

Cranberry Hot Tea

1 48 oz. can cranberry juice cocktail

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup orange juice

1 cup lemonade

1 cup pineapple juice

Cinnamon sticks

Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Serve warm with cinnamon stick garnish.

 

 

Cranberry Punch

2 bottles cranberry juice

1 ½ bottles water (using juice bottle to measure)

2 cans frozen orange juice, thawed

Juice of 3 lemons or 9 T lemon juice

1 pkg. red hot candies

Whole cloves and sugar to taste

Put all ingredients in pot and heat on low until red hots melt. Transfer to crock pot to serve and keep warm.

 

Cape Cod

Mix 1 part vodka with cranberry juice to taste in highball glass and fill with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

Variations:

Sea Breeze: add grapefruit juice

Bay Breeze: add pineapple juice

Cosmopolitan: add triple sec and serve in martini glass

 

 

Cranberry Kiss Cocktail

1.5 oz. cranberry vodka

2 oz. cranberry juice

1.5 oz. simple sugar

Lime wedges and mint leaves

Muddle 3 lime wedges and 8 mint leaves in a shaker. Add other ingredients and shake well with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with floating mint leaves.

 

There you have it. Lots of fun info about and lots of fun recipes for cranberries. Have a berry happy Thanksgiving!

 

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.  Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words.  Gratitude is shown in acts.”

Henri Frederic Amiel

 

I’m sad. I’m a bit mad. And most of all I’ve had it. I’ve had it with Christmas taking over Thanksgiving’s important November role:  that of being the holiday of gratitude, family, and friends. And food. And football. And fall. And simply one day for festivities and fun.

 

I LOVE Thanksgiving.  I love the food, I love the football, I love the family and friends, and I love fall.  I don’t love that people are already putting up Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Don’t get me wrong, I also love Christmas, but there’s a time and a place for everything.  And a month.

 

October is for Halloween.

November is for Thanksgiving.

December is for Christmas.

 

 

 

Holidays shouldn’t mix and match.  We don’t mesh Valentine’s Day with St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, so why Thanksgiving and Christmas? I don’t get it and it’s just wrong to be serving your turkey and dressing as you turn on the lights of your Christmas tree.  I know many of you disagree with me and countless of you may have already started your Christmas decoration deluge and I apoligize for wishing otherwise.

 

 

Thanksgiving is very important.  Giving thanks and being grateful always is, so devoting an entire day to doing so should not be overshadowed by any other holiday or event…including Black Friday, the day we want everything after the day of being thankful for what we have.

 

 

 

For those of you who don’t know or have forgotten its origins, the very first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims in answer to their prayers for an end to the drought so they would have food. Those same pilgrims worked side-by-side with their new neighbors, Native American Indians, in a show of ultimate acceptance and teamwork.  These are important moments in our nation’s history and deserve to be saluted…all by themselves.

 

 

So please, do us all a favor and put away your lights and ornaments for just two more weeks.  Let’s all give Thanksgiving the holiday and the honor it deserves. I’ll be ever so thankful if you do.

 

 

 

It’s been a long couple of months in our country and I for one am glad the vitriol is over. I posted the above photo after last Tuesday’s election and have lived by it for years both because I have lived in a city for almost 40 years that leans opposite of what I do in most things and because it’s the right thing to do. Many longtime friends lean differently then I do but, except for a handful who have come and gone, I remain friends with them after all these years. Most of them are very dear and treasured friends and we have survived many an election and I’m confident we will survive many more. Those who are no longer on the radar either chose to walk away from our friendship or on a few rare occasions, I have. And that’s okay.

 

Sadly, I’ve seen lots of inflammatory and insulting posts and a friend private messaged me regarding my above post and it was heartbreaking. Apparently, a dear friend of hers of nearly 50 years and who is considered family in so many ways, “unfriended” her. My friend is both lost and heartbroken and I was at a loss for words when she told me. What do you say?

 

What I wanted to say is “shame on her!” No one deserves that and to do it on social media is even more egregious. But such is the time we live in as much as we claim to be tolerant and as I’ve personally witnessed in posts. It’s all very sad and very, well, unfriendly.

 

This all brought up an article I recently read on doing a friendship audit and now might be as good a time as any to consider doing one. What exactly am I talking about? Basically, just taking stock of your circles of friends and whether you’re experiencing more pain than gain from them. I can honestly say I don’t feel the need to do this personally, but I have experienced these types of audits in the past so I thought I’d share what I’ve learned and what I read.

 

 

There’s no arguing that there’s no comfort in the world like a good friend or a good group of friends. I’m blessed with many and I count my blessings almost daily for each and every one of them. We all long for friends who lift us up, make us laugh, and encourage and support us. Sadly, sometimes we discover that some pals may be sapping our energy and no longer inspiring us. Those are the ones we should consider a friendship audit for. How so?

 

Psychotherapist and author Terri Cole and friendship expert and coach Shari Land shared their thoughts with “Woman’s Day” and I’ll share some with you here.

 

Cole suggests we audit our friendships once-a-year or so and to start by asking yourself three questions:

• How do I feel when I think about spending time with them?
• How do I feel when we’re together?
• How do I feel after?

If you answer anything other than some version of “good” or “great” or things like excited, happy, supported, heard, inspired, loved, uplifted, or understood, it may be time to consider cutting ties. Considering that many friends in our transient lives may live miles away, I would include “talking to” along with the “spending time with” question and to always give grace to those friends who may be going through a tough time.

 

 

The goal is to be intentional about spending time with those who make you feel your best, even when you’re not at your best. It’s also important to stay open and flexible. Not all friendships are obvious at the start and not are all meant to last. There’s a famous saying that goes “friends are there for a reason or for a season.” Be honest with yourself and be open to not clinging to friendships that drain you or fail to nurture you and also be open to gravitating to those who aren’t like you. I have many friends whose interests are different then mine but I learn from them and they open my eyes to new and different perspectives. Think Snoop Dog and Martha Stewart and you might just find that friend who surprises you and enhances your life in ways you never thought possible.

 

Finding new friends can be difficult as we get older though. When you want to meet new people, it’s recommended you join three things: a health-related local cause or class, a social club, and an arts organization. Research shows that we tend to like people better when we believe they like us and it’s no secret that people will respond warmly when you make a friendly gesture, so show someone you’d like to become closer. Be intentional too. Make time for those important to you and who make you feel your best and always be willing to take a chance.

 

Friendships happen at all stages of life so be sure to surround yourself with the right people for where you are right now. In your 20s, a friend might be one who likes the same nightlife as you do but during your parenting years, it’s likely those who have kids the same age and in the same activities. As you mature in your career, your coworkers may be your best buddies and as you age and retire, it’s often more about character and interests that you gravitate toward.

 

 

If you feel the time has come to cut the ties that bind you, don’t be bound to not letting go even though letting go of a once-cherished friendship is said to be as painful as a romantic breakup; especially if there’s a lot of history. The key is to move forward with your integrity in tact and not holding onto a friendship because you feel guilty. Let go of the guilt and let go.

 

 

Ancient philosophers and contemporary researchers agree that strong bonds with other people are keys to happiness. But they also note that the things we do to impress others rarely impresses them for long but the things we do to provide value can last a lifetime. Be honest, be kind, and be you. After that, the politics will take care of themselves and you can vote to move ahead or move on.

Every morning I have my two cups of coffee with cream (I like a little coffee with my cream!) and every evening after dinner I have my grapes. These two are like clockwork and so is something else on the daily basis: a banana. I’m kinda bananas over bananas and have one every day. My husband loves them too so when I buy them, I buy a bunch of them and I buy green ones so they last the week. I love that they’re full of nutrients but they’re also full of interesting tidbits.

 

 

 

We all know bananas are great sources of potassium, but did you know they are Walmart’s top-selling product? Crazy, right? Of the 75 million products the mega-retailer sells, bananas outsell them all; literally billions of them. Reasons vary, but perhaps it’s because they’re an easy, healthy, and affordable snack and maybe it’s because Walmart usually has them close to the checkouts. Brilliant.

 

I’m not alone is my love for bananas. Per capita, Americans eat an average of 27 pounds per year and worldwide more than 100 billion bananas are eaten annually. Yes, they’re affordable, yummy, and simple, but they’re also healthy.

 

 

A medium banana boasts more than 300 milligrams of potassium, more than two grams of fiber, and on average are only around 90 calories. They also offer additional benefits like an energy boost, blood sugar balancing, and weight control. They also contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose, and glucose, along with fiber. They are popular with athletes as they give an instant and sustained boost of energy. In fact, research shows that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. Nutritionists like to say they pack a triple punch of heart health, gut health, and brain health.

 

 

When it comes to your heart, the plant-based antioxidants in bananas help protect cells from damage and their potassium has been linked to improved blood pressure regulation. Gut-wise, bananas have prebiotic compounds that fuel “friendly” bacteria in your intestine, which help shield your immune system from bad ones that make you sick. And then there’s the brain. With a quarter of your daily B6 vitamin fix, bananas may help you think straight and calm nerves and anxiety. Diets in the this vitamin are linked to lower risk of cognitive decline and may actually protect neurological function. Other illnesses and conditions bananas have been known to help include: depression, PMS, anemia, blood pressure, constipation, hangovers, heartburn, morning sickness, mosquito bites, and ulcers.

 

Wow! I think you’ll agree that you’ll never look at a banana in the same way!

 

 

 

Author Dan Koeppel wrote an entire book on bananas simply called “Banana.” It’s described as a fascinating and surprising exploration of the fruit’s history and cultural significance and is definitely on my list of books to read. In it, he writes that Americans eat more bananas than oranges and apples combined every year. When compared to apples, America’s second most popular fruit, bananas rule. They have four times the protein as an apple as well as twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, and five times Vitamin A and iron.

 

 

 

On top of all that, who doesn’t love recipes that use bananas? The yellow gems are used to make likes of delectable banana bread and muffins, banana pudding, banana splits, ice cream sundaes, and the classic pudding and vanilla wafers dessert. I love them in a bowl of yogurt and in my smoothies. Tried and true tip: if your bananas become over-ripe, don’t panic or throw them out. Antioxidants actually increase the longer they ripen so put them in the freezer and they’re the perfect future smoothie or banana bread ingredient. Just bring one out to defrost first or if you forget, run the frozen fruit under warm water and the peel comes right off!

 

 

Fun story: when I taught preschool at our church, my aid and I had a fun game we’d do with our three-year-olds. Anytime one of us or a student had a banana, we’d play “banana phone,” calling each other and having a fruitful conversation. The kids loved it and giggled the whole time. Bananas can be fun too!

 

 

 

Some say bananas first arrived in the U.S. in Philadelphia around 1876. Although it’s hard to pin an exact date, we do know that in the 1870s, American entrepreneur Minor Keith developed a large banana plantation in Costa Rica and his company, the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita), began shipping bananas to the United States. By the early 20th century, bananas had become a staple of the American diet. Today, the United States imports billions of dollars of bananas each year.

 

 

Interestingly enough, during Victorian times it was unladylike for a woman to eat a banana but don’t tell that to Brazil’s Carmen Miranda, who famously donned them in her headdresses!

 

 

I can’t go on without talking about bananas’ tough cousin, the plantain. It’s easy to confuse the two as they look alike but they have important differences. Plantains are usually larger and tougher than bananas, with much thicker skin. They are also starchier than bananas and are primarily eaten cooked. Plantains can be boiled, baked, or fried. However, if you were to substitute a plantain for a banana in a recipe, you may be surprised by its very different taste.

 

And finally, something we hear tossed around in the news and political cycle is “Banana republic.” What exactly does it mean though?

 

 

First used in 1904 by American author O. Henry, it generally describes a politically and economically unstable country with an economy dependent on the export of natural resources such as bananas. Typically, a banana republic has a society of ranked social classes, often including a large impoverished working class working class and a wealthy ruling class composed of the business, political, and military elites. The ruling class controls the primary sector of the economy primary sector of the economy by way of exploitation of labor exploitation of labor. The term is often used to describe small Central American countries that are governed by a dictator or armed forces and one that is politically unstable. Let’s hope the U.S. remains a banana lover but not a Banana Republic!

 

 

I hope today’s blog has given you lots of food for thought that you find “a-peeling.” Just remember: when life throws you lemons or one bad apple, go bananas and smile!

 

I’m a big lamp person. I have them everywhere in our home: end tables, nightstands, desks, kitchen counters, and consoles. I love the warm glow they lend a room and the various styles I can incorporate. I’m not a big overhead light person. We rarely use the ones we have in our home and I’m okay with that.

 

This might be why I was intrigued by a magazine (yes, I love magazines!) article I recently read on the Tiffany Lamp. They’re not my absolute design favorite but I do appreciate the artistry of them and their history.

 

 

 

For more than 100 years, the Tiffany lamp has served a decorative art icon, known for its uniqueness, craftmanship, and stained-glass shade. They remain fixtures in homes and museums and their history is illuminating.

 

New York City native Louis Comfort Tiffany was born in 1848 and was the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. From an early age, he was exposed to decorative art and design and originally trained as a painter, but in his 20s he became interested in glassmaking after seeing a collection of Roman glass at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He was also influenced by a visit to the Universal Exhibition of 1889 in Paris and his work gained acclaim at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition.

 

 

 

He was particularly interested in the rustic nature of ancient glass and eventually founded a glass factory in Queens, New York as well as an interior design studio, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Associated American Artists. He thrived as a decorator, proving popular with everyone from wealthy individuals to a president of the United States but eventually dissolved the studio and created the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company in 1885.

 

In this new venture, Tiffany experimented with tone, texture, and method. He strived to create colorful pieces without using paint or enamel and developed two important innovations: farvrile glass and the copper foil technique.

 

 

You could say popularity of Tiffany’s work exploded at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago when he debuted favrile glass. Achieved by mixing different colored hot glass together, Tiffany’s method held stained glass windows together by thick lead rods soldered without any visible joints. Still wanting to be paint-free, Tiffany created a thin, flexible foil that discreetly connects pieces of glass without line or joints. This is the method he used to create the trademark Tiffany Lamps with the help of artist Clara Driscoll who served as the brains behind the beauties.

 

 

A typical Tiffany Lamp traditionally consists of a bronze stand topped by a stained-glass shade, and they soon became icons of the Art Nouveau movement. Tiffany loved nature so each shade included patterns inspired by flora and fauna with daisies and dragonflies being the most common. The icon’s most popular styles are also shaped like trees and many of the shades feature scalloped edges reminiscent of flower petals, butterfly wings, and other forms found in nature.

 

 

The lamps became collectibles also in the Arts and Crafts movement when Tiffany incorporated geometry into their creation but eventually fell out of fashion and weren’t produced after 1913. Like all great concepts though, they saw a resurgence in the 1950s and since then have become collector’s items and popular in auction houses, private collections, museums, and for the lucky thrifter: flea markets. Recent purchases have included the above Wisteria Lamp, which sold for more than $1 million. His works remain popular and many a knock-off can be found.

 

 

 

So, let’s think about it.  What do lamps do? They light up a room. They warm up a room. In short, they are light.

 

The Bible tells us many things about lamps and light. Psalm 119:105 declares “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” as the writer declares to the Lord. Proverbs 6:23 similarly says “For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light” while Luke 8:16-18 talks about the importance of letting your light shine and not holding it in or back.

 

 

In this scripture, Jesus emphasizes the importance of not hiding the light of God’s truth and He urges His listeners (and us!) to pay attention to what they hear. Boy is this timely! In short, the verse reminds us of the importance of authenticity and integrity. Perhaps the reference to letting our light shine means being our true selves and living in an open, honest, and genuine way while radiating and shining positivity and goodness.

 

As to hidden things coming to light, Luke brings to light the concept of accountability and transparency and suggest secrets or deceitful actions can’t and won’t remain hidden forever. Eventually all will be exposed. In reading this, we should hear the message that we ought to act with sincerity and honesty as the truth will always eventually come to light.

 

 

Going back to Psalm 119, the word “lamp” is “ner” in the original Hebrew and referred to a small clay lantern. The psalmist compared it to the Word of God being a lamp he could carry on his journey to keep him on the right path and not off course. We learn that just as a lamp brightens a path, the light of God’s word gives us the light and lit direction to traverse this world.

 

 

Not only do these lamps and lanterns light our way, Proverbs reminds us that the advice we should be taking is not that of random counselors, viral podcasters, or out-of-touch celebrities but rather the rock solid truth of His word when it comes to navigating difficult moral choices in our dark and fallen word. Yes, counselors and podcasters can have positive and helpful advice, but the best advice comes from the Book.

 

 

2 Peter 1:19 provides the direction we need and remind us that “we also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable and you will do well to pay attention to it as to a light shining in a dark place.”

 

All these scriptures and parables are messages that a lamp does indeed give light, but not just for itself. We see things with the shedding of light. By living with integrity and honor, we shed light on others and can illuminate what is beautiful and reveal what is ugly.

 

So, whether your lamp is Tiffany or TJ Maxx, be a beacon. A beacon of light in a world that so desperately needs it. Shine brightly my friends.

I recently golfed with a dear friend of mine when I noticed her earrings. Amazing, dazzling earrings. Come to find out she and her hubby recently celebrated a big anniversary and they were his gift to her. They were two holes in one in each of her ears for sure!

 

Ironically, just the previous day I was reading an article on recommended new books to read and three of them were about jewelry: “Precious. The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time,” “If Jewels Could Talk,” and “Sybill and David Yurman: Artists and Jewelers.” The three of them caught my eye just like my friend’s studs did. I plan to read them all and it all got me thinking about all things jewelry.

 

 

I’m a fan of jewelry, but what woman isn’t? Whether it’s some of the iconic pieces I’m lucky enough to own, inexpensive yet sentimental pieces, Native American pieces, and baubles I’ve bought on trips, I love them all. I love turquoise, pearls, and emeralds, my birthstone. So loyal am I to these, my one recent jewelry purchase in Santa Fe was a Native American made pearl and turquoise necklace. Perfection!

 

 

Funny thing is, I wear the same pieces almost all the time and every day. Diamond studs are always a go too as is my watch and wedding rings. Every now and then I’ll mix things up by wearing earrings or a necklace that just go with an outfit but nine out of 10 times, I’m wearing the same pieces. And I’m okay with that. I’m a creature of habit and pretty much over matchy-matchy pieces and buying whatever is trending today. Give me old school and give me iconic.

 

The world has long been fascinated by jewels and jewels have long played an important role as monikers of history. There are countless “most famous jewels in the world” but I’m going to list those that stand out to me here and later talk about other popular and iconic jewels.

 

 

For me, and this should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, the piece of jewelry I would want to own most (I do have a dupe!) is Princess Diana’s engagement ring. The 18-carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds is known and copied the world over and today sits on the hand of Princess Kate, given to her on her engagement to Diana’s son William. It is truly one of the most if not valuable jewels, beloved. Being a lover of emeralds, I’d also take the emerald choker Di famously wore as a headband. So beautiful. So chic.

 

 

If asked, most people would say the Hope Diamond as the most famous jewelry item, and they’re not wrong. Definitely one of the most well-known diamonds in the world, the gem is said to have originated in India and was first owned by King Louis XIV of France and today the 45.52-carat blue diamond resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

 

 

Equally impressive but perhaps not as famous is L’Incomparable Diamond that weighs in at 637 carats and is considered one of the most expensive necklaces in the world. Valued at $55 million, the deep yellow 407.48-carat diamond featured as the necklace focal point is the largest internally flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America and the necklace itself has a Guinness World Record.

 

 

Another record breaker is the stunning Cora Sun-Drop Diamond, which at 110.3-carats, is the largest known yellow pear-shaped diamond. But that’s only one of its records. Found in South Africa in 2010, it  sold for $10.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, setting a world record price for a yellow pear-shaped diamond. Including commission and taxes, the buyer is said to have paid $12.36 million.

 

 

On permanent display at Tiffany’s flagship 5^th Avenue New York City store is another famous diamond: the Tiffany Diamond.  Mined in 1877 in South Africa at a mind-boggling nearly 288-carats, the stone was purchased in 1878 by Charles Lewis Tiffany who had the stone cut to its current 128.54 carats. In 2012, the iconic yellow stones were reset into a necklace and accented by white diamonds in celebration of Tiffany’s 175^th anniversary. It is now on permanent display in the brand’s 5^th Avenue flagship New York City store.

 

 

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is equally famous and was purchased in 1966 as a rough 241-carat diamond by Harry Winston. It was later cut into a pear-shaped nearly 70-carat flawless diamond and purchased by Richard Burton as a gift for his wife Elizabeth Taylor.

 

 

Burton also bought Taylor La Peregrina Pearl in 1969. Found off the coast of Panama in the mid-16^th century (“peregrina” is Spanish for “pilgrim” and “wanderer), the pearl was gifted to King Phillip II of Spain who later presented the 58.5-carat pearl to Queen Mary of England as a bridal gift. It is said to be the most symmetrical natural pearl ever discovered.

 

 

The Koh-I-Noor Diamond, which reportedly started out at 793 carats and has been passed around by rulers for more than 5,000 years, is equally stunning. Today it is housed in the Tower of London and sits atop the 1937 coronation crown of Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother.

 

 

Being a lover of most things royal, I also love the Marie-Louise Diadem crown, which was a wedding gift from Napoleon to his bride Empress Marie-Louise. Originally consisting of emeralds set in the diadem, the green beauties were later replaced with Persian turquoise stones and today is housed at the Smithsonian. As a lover of both pearls and emeralds as I mentioned above, both versions of this crown speak to me.

 

 

Another crown, The Henckel Von Donnersmarck Tiara, boasts some of the world’s rarest emeralds. First thought to belong to Empress Eugenie of France, I love it and its regal emeralds. Who can also forget the stunning diamond and emerald Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara worn by Princess Eugenie in her wedding? I thought she was one of the most stunning royal brides in recent memory. Loved her dress. Loved this tiara. Made by famed French jeweler Boucheron in 1919, Queen Elizabeth lent it to Princess Eugenie, making it one of the most green with envy “something borrowed” items ever.

 

 

 

 

So that’s a quick wrap up of jewelry most experts agree are the most famous pieces that we mere mortals can only just look at. But there are also those somewhere in between out of reach and those we can buy albeit for a pretty penny.

 

 

 

We’ll start with one of my faves: the Cartier Love Bracelet. I love everything about it including its simplicity to its meaning. Its unassuming yet distinctive design has stood the test of time since first being introduced in 1969. That’s when Italian jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo presented a gold bangle with visible screws to Micael Thomas of Cartier. What looked like nothing special, it was unique in that it could only be put on or taken off with the help of another person. The bracelet took design inspiration from American hardware stores and was meant to signify a committed relationship. When Cartier introduced it in 1969, everyone from the Duke of Windsor (I’m not a big fan of it on men) to Ali MacGraw put their names on the waiting list for one. Today, its original motif of two screws that your lover is supposed to clasp on your wrist with the included special vermeil screwdriver, is still one-of-a-kind. Amazingly, Cipullo originally presented his Love Bracelet to Tiffany & Co. but they rejected the style. In 1978 Cipullo introduced the Love Ring, which I consider the perfect wedding band for man or woman.

 

 

I also love the Cartier Trinity ring and think it also makes a great wedding band. As with the Love Bracelet, the ring is elegantly simple, consisting of three interlocking bands of colored gold that appear to be one gold, one platinum, and one rose gold. It is definitely an “OG” on all jewelry lists and a true IFKYK item. Created by Louis Cartier in 1924, it is a welcome slice of simplicity in a world of increasingly excess. The Trinity cult includes the likes of those as classic as it, including Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, and Princess Diana. This year being its 100^th anniversary may be the perfect year to buy one.

 

Cartier watches are also classic pieces, with my faves being the Santos and the Cartier Tank. Others include the ever-popular Rolex, Patik Philippe, Omega, and other brands.

 

I feel I can’t mention Cartier without mentioning a newer creation, the Juste un Clou collection. Consisting of its signature nail design, the name literally means “Just one nail” in French, was created in ’70s New York, and reflects the bold spirit of the era. According to Cartier, its nail-inspired silhouette breaks through conventions, asserting the essence of its wearer: original, independent, fearless, and free. I’m not a huge fan but huge numbers of others are.

 

 

Next up on my list: Van Cleep & Arpels Alhambra. The clover-shaped necklaces, earrings, and bracelets were created in 1968 and inspired by the four-leaf clover. Intended to be an emblem of luck and a positive vision of life, fans include the likes of Kate Middleton, many a celebrity and Bravo-lebrity, and Princess Grace of Monaco. What I also love about the collection is that its name is derived from the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, where Moorish quatrefoil motifs adorn its exquisite architecture. I’m of Spanish descent, love the Alhambra, and have a special place in my heart for Spain.

 

 

Okay, now to all those other iconic objects of desire, some of which I like, some of which I don’t.

 

One such piece is the Bulgari Serpenti watch. Immortalized by Elizabeth Taylor in 1962 on the set of “Cleopatra,” the diamond-studded timepiece is truly indistinguishable and an eye catcher.

 

 

 

You could say the same about Jean Schlumberger bangles, first designed in 1962 and a favorite of Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis. They are available through Tiffany, which also offers more affordable but just as distinctive pieces by Elsa Perreti and Paloma Picasso along with Tiffany Setting engagement rings, introduced in 1886, it is considered the world’s most iconic engagement ring. Flawlessly engineered, the six-prong setting virtually disappears and allows the brilliant diamond to float above the band and into the light, resulting in a ring so beautiful it has been a symbol of the world’s greatest love stories for more than 130 years.

 

 

Little blue boxes from Tiffany can also be filled with the iconic Return to Tiffany^® collection, an indelible and instantly recognizable symbol of the house of Tiffany. The origins of the Return to Tiffany^® collection can be traced back to 1966, when Tiffany first began selling key tags featuring the now-famous “Please Return to Tiffany & Co. New York” phrase. The key tags were assigned a unique registration number, ensuring that if the owner and their keys were separated, they would be reunited at the legendary Tiffany Fifth Avenue flagship store. By the early 2000s, Return to Tiffany^® tags achieved iconic status and today can be found on various pieces and in various shapes.

 

 

Last but certainly not least is the great American jewelry success story of Sybil and David Yurman of the popular David Yurman brand and the subjects of the above-mentioned book. Not only are they an American jewelry success story but an American love story as well. The couple met in 1969 and have a combined love of painting (her) and sculpture (him) and launched their jewelry brand in 1980. Their work is as intertwined as their iconic Cable bracelet and I for one am a fan.

 

 

Two lines I’d like to also mention are Kendra Scott and Nadine Ghosn for two different reasons. I mention Austin’s own Kendra Scott not so much because of her jewelry, but because of her story. Yes, her Danielle earrings can be found in my jewelry box as well as other pieces and were the big rage in the late 2000s. As much as her creations can be found everywhere these days, the fact that she is one of only 20 women in the U.S. to found a billion-dollar brand is what I find most impressive. And she’s self-made. And she gives back in ways as big as her brand.

 

 

Ghosn is equally impressive. Her goal was to make ordinary products extraordinary and she achieved her five-year plan in one. Her pieces speak for themselves and I love them! My favorites are the pencils and the crayons. Bestsellers also include paper clips, BIC pens, Legos, straws, utensils, and other everyday objects she dazzles up and that serve as reminders to find wonder in the mundane.

 

 

So there you have it. Everything and anything you’ve ever wanted to know about the crème de la gems. I could go on and on and include the likes of Chopard and Bucheron, Hermes and Bvlgari, but I think you get the point here. Diamonds have and will always be a girl’s best friend and boy am I down for it.

 

 

 

 

 

Two events recently caught my eye…one the whole world was watching and the other was both watched and ridiculed. Both, however, involved a foreign language.

 

 

The first one I mention was the Olympics in Paris (oui oui!) and the second one was sorority rush (or “recruitment” as it’s now called) held on college campuses. French and Greek. Bonjour and yia sas! My dream would be to speak multiple languages but come to find out we all do! Kind of. And as for those Greeks, stay with me here; this isn’t a blog about frats or the French a little of both and something interesting I didn’t know.

 

 

Why are sororities and fraternities named after Greek letters? Good question!

 

The first fraternities were formed in 1750 at the College of William and Mary and were originally debate clubs and literary societies. Boy, have they changed! LOL. Additionally, the groups generally went by Latin names but in 1776, a group of students started their own club and, as a way of avoiding association with their predecessors and those known for partying (again, boy have things changed!), they chose to go Greek rather than Latin. Their thought was also that they wanted to be associated with Greece’s rich cultural history of intellectual innovation. This next part may surprise you.

 

 

 

The group’s motto was “Philosophia Biou Kubernetes,” which means “Love of Learning is the Guide to Life.” They later became known as Phi Beta Kappa and spread to other universities. I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of them as they are the most respected honor society in America. From there, things took a slight turn.

 

Students who literally didn’t make the grade for Phi Beta Kappa formed their own groups, established their own rules and traditions, and originally lived in separate dorms. Over time, these sororities and fraternities began to buy houses for their exclusive use and if you’ve seen any of these today, they are not your average house. They are notoriously thought to be snobbish and ridiculous, but membership can pay off big time as “brothers and sisters” can become life-long friends as well as professional contacts and colleagues. Many presidents, corporate leaders, and Fortune 500 executives are members.

 

 

 

I know this first-hand as truth be told, I’m Greek. Yeah yeah, I’m really Spanish with a tiny bit of French, but in college I pledged a sorority. Upon arrival at the University of Oklahoma, I knew nothing about sororities, soon learned Greek life is HUGE there, and somehow ended up in a really good house. I still have four really good friends who I travel with annually and who I consider “my people.” One of my closest friends in college was even Phi Beta Kappa!

 

Okay, enough about me and enough about fraternities and sororities. As for French and Greek though, many words and phrases you and I use on sometimes a daily basis are actually foreign. We know what we think we mean when we use them, but do we know their real meanings? It’s all Greek to me and maybe you, but not anymore!

 

Let’s go!

 

 

 

Some of these phrases are used without really knowing what they mean and many are very useful. Let’s look at a few, starting with the one that Mr. Berra kinda misused.

 

Déjà vu. French for “already lived.” A feeling of having previously experienced something and the experience of thinking a new situation had occurred before.

 

Ad nauseam. Latin for “to nausea.” To a sickening or excessive degree.

 

Quid pro quo. Latin for “this for that.” An equal exchange. Something given in return for something else; a favor for a favor.

 

E.G. Abbreviation for “exempli gratia” or “for example” in Latin.

 

I.E. Abbreviation for “id est” or “in other words” in Latin.

 

Alumnus and alumni. Latin male nouns.

Alumna and alumnae. Latin female nouns.

 

Faux pas. French for “false step.” A social blunder. A violation of accepted social norms.

 

Schmooze.  An English mangling of the Yiddish word shmues, which is apparently an adaptation of the Hebrew word shemuos for”tidings.” To talk casually, chat, network.

 

Vis-à-vis. French for “face-to-face.” Often also used as in comparison with and In relation to.

 

Shlep. Yiddish for “to tote.” To drag, carry with difficulty, or to travel slowly or awkwardly.

 

Je ne sais pas. French for “I don’t know.” “Je ne sais pas how the Olympic athletes do what they do but I loved watching most of them in Paris!”

 

Je ne sais quoi. French for a quality that cannot be described or named easily. Gotta admit, this is one of my favorites. I love using it when someone has a quality that is just hard to describe.

 

Persona non grata. Latin for “a person not welcome.” Unacceptable or unwelcome whether it’s someone at a party or someone walking on your lawn.

 

Piece de resistance. French for “a thing of strength or stamina.” A prized item in a collection.

 

A la carte. French for “according to the menu.” Individually priced items from a menu in a restaurant.

 

Coup de grace. French for “blow of mercy. “ A decisive finishing blow, act, or event such as an action that ends something that has been gradually getting worse.  Example:  My disastrous exam results dealt the coup de grâce to my university career.

 

RSVP. French.  Short for “répondez s’il vous plaît” or “”respond if you please.”  A phrase often used at the end of invitations meaning “please reply” as in please let us know if you’re coming or not.

 

Carte blanche. French for “blank document.” Unrestricted power to act at one’s discretion.

 

Status quo. Latin for “the state in which.” The current situation.

 

Mea culpa. Latin for “My guilt.” A formal acknowledgement of personal fault or error.

 

Carpe diem. Latin for “pluck the day.”  Seize the day. Seize the moment.

 

C’est la vie. French for “this is the life.”  Acceptance of a situation, often with a sense of resignation. Basically “that’s life!”

 

Et cetera. Latin for “and the rest.”  And so forth, and other things, all the rest.

 

Per se. Latin for “by itself.” In English, we use it to indicate that something is thought of independently, without any additional factors or context, in essence, or inherently. Example: Karen’s new restaurant is not expensive per se, but the menu can be pretty pricey.

 

Per diem. Latin for “per day.” Used generally for paid or calculated by the day.

 

Al fresco. Italian for “in the fresh” as in fresh air. Outdoor dining, painting, or activities of any kind.

 

Bona fide. Latin for “in good faith.”  Well-intentioned, fairly, genuinely, sincerely, authentic.

 

Ad hoc. Latin for “for this.” A solution designed for a specific purpose, problem, or task.

 

Hasta la vista. Spanish for “until we see (each other) again.”

 

And until we see each other again, have fun with these and let me know if I missed any!

 

Hasta la vista readers!

 

 

 

“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself.”

 

I’ve always loved that quote and have thought it in my head or out loud many times. I also love the above photo, taken in the middle of nowhere and highway on the way to Marfa, Texas.

 

 

 

Our daughter and I have a running joke consisting of simply saying to each other, “Welcome to Tempe.” It all stems from when she lived in Scottsdale and we’d venture out somewhere telling ourselves we didn’t need to use a GPS to get somewhere nearby or somewhere we’d been a million times but nine times out of 10 we’d seen that sign, which meant we went the wrong way once again. Truth be told, we are both severely directionally challenged.

 

 

 

For me personally this all came to light recently as I was visiting my mom and sister in a city I’m not totally familiar with. I’d take my sister’s car to my mom’s assisted living center but every time I had to use my GPS, which I affectionately call “Poopsie.” Poopsie got me there and back safely the first time, but, for some reason, on my second trip home the signal on my phone wasn’t working and I panicked just a bit. I literally thought to myself I’m going to have to call my brother-in-law to come get me so I could follow him home. Thankfully I smartened up and realized their car had a built-in voice navigation system. Alleluia! I got home safe and sound.

 

 

What’s sad is if I were my husband or the tens of thousands of other good navigators, I would have been able to get home simply by remembering how I got there. That doesn’t work for me and it certainly doesn’t work when Poopsie often takes me to places in different ways depending on traffic, road closures, and the likes. I can’t remember the route if that route changes!

 

I can say I always know my way around any city I’ve lived in, including shortcuts and back roads. I credit this to my days in TV news when we’d have to get somewhere every day all day and the photographers driving always figured out the easiest ways to do so. Which brings up another navigational issue: those who drive and those who ride.

 

 

I definitely fall in the latter camp as I’m not someone who always wants to drive. I’d actually prefer to just ride and enjoy the view. This is especially the case with my husband who travelled for 40+ years and as I previously mentioned, has an amazing sense of direction. I have no problem sitting in the passenger seat and letting someone else take the wheel. Trouble is, I don’t pay attention to where we’re going or how we’re getting there.

 

Come to find out there’s somewhat of a science behind all of this. Navigational skills are highly studied and I find it all fascinating.

 

 

Discovermagazine.com discovered the world is full of people like both my husband and me and those in there are “route followers” who are able to navigate by using landmarks and those who have “survey knowledge” and are able to build a sort of mental map of where they’re going. I’ll never forget the two of us driving around Switzerland and opting to drive up Furka Pass. IFKYK and we didn’t know! It was treacherous yet memorable drive and my husband navigated it like a pro while I was covering my eyes half of the time and holding a physical map to cover my window. He also did amazing driving in Scotland on the “wrong” side of the road.

 

 

Of the two, route following is considered easier and most people do pretty well at it once they’ve taken a route a few times. If I’m either, I’m definitely more of a landmark girl. Even though I’m of the age of someone who actually used printed maps in my younger years, I much prefer you tell me “Turn right at the 7-11 and then left at the park” rather then “go north until the 7-11 and then go east.”

 

 

How, though, does navigational ability develop and why do some people have it and some don’t. These have proved difficult for scientists to explain but research does suggest that to some extent, a good sense of direction is somewhat shaped by upbringing. And, if you ask many, it is also shaped by gender.

 

The classic gender stereotype is that men are good with directions but that women easily get lost. Sad to say in our marriage, this is definitely the case. Studies do show that navigational skills do have slight gender differences and that men tend to navigate by maps in their heads while ladies do so by routes and landmarks. Again, hubby and I are raising our hands on this one too. I’m happy to report, this all goes way back. And I mean waaaaay back.

 

 

Some swear by the evolutionary explanation of all this in that in hunter-gatherer days, the men hunted and the women gathered. Psycologytoday.com explains this further in that men as hunters chased game across open spaces so they needed a good sense of the lay of the landmarks, resulting in their brains evolving to navigate by mental maps. But women as gatherers collected fruits and veggies. Since plants remain n the same location, female brains evolved to navigate by routes and landmarks.

 

 

This all makes total sense, right and it may be accurate, but there are plenty of men who are bad at directions and plenty of women you are good at it. Mental mappers boast hallmarks of good navigators as they can estimate how far they’ve traveled, read and remember maps, and learn routes easily. A University of Florida study also found that better navigators are also good at using alternate strategies so that when they find themselves in a new situation, they’re better able to find their way out and around.

 

Two psychologists, Nora Newcombe and Steven Weisberg also discovered individual navigational skills can depend on actual personality traits. They first looked at motivation and found that those who performed poorly did so because they weren’t motivated to learn the layout. I get that. But, most of us do have a strong incentive and desire not to get lost.

 

Next, they considered anxiety and found that some are bad at directions because they get nervous and feel apprehensive when they need to get themselves somewhere they’ve never been. I get that too.

 

Newcombe and Weisberg then examined cognitive abilities and then personality factors including openness, extraversion, and conscientiousness…all of which contribute to a good sense of direction. Having a high level of curiosity and new experiences, an outgoing nature and high level of energy, and a diligence and determination to get things done are often the makings of a good navigator. As for me, I’m just the third one. And that’s okay.

 

 

The research team concluded that those who are good at navigating shouldn’t assume everyone is and if they’re not, they’re flawed and those who get easily lost need to remember there’s nothing wrong with them and they are definitely not alone in this.

 

What about using and relying on GPS? Yes, it’s a good thing cuz it finds the way for you but studies show the more you use it, the worse your skills to navigate get.

 

 

So, what’s a navigation failure like myself to do? One suggestion is to pay attention to compass direction and I will say I do have my version of a mental directional map in that I picture the eastside mountains in my hometown or the westside lake in my current home as well as where the sun sets and rises. From  there I can picture if I’m going north or south somewhere. I also try to remember that on the interstate, east/west highways are generally even numbers and north/south ones are odd numbers and the placement of the exit numbers above them indicate the exit will either be on the left or the right. It doesn’t always work, but Poopsie does and if by chance I see “Welcome to Tempe” sign, I’ll drive away as it’s a great place to end up!