One of our favorite places within Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is the art exhibition space. In an enormous complex completely devoted to art and nature, there’s so much to see here. But as you excitedly venture through the front doors and traverse the gorgeous new entryway, plan time to peruse a landmark art exhibition before heading to the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit in the conservatory (running now) or exploring the vast sculpture gardens (perhaps once we stay above freezing temps here in Michigan). 

In 2012, when Hurricane Sandy struck, I lived in Long Beach, NY. Living right on the ocean meant the threat of a hurricane could necessitate a water rescue. We were able to safely evacuate and had a safe place to stay. We left for our own safety—and so that no rescuers would need to risk their own life to save us. In the hurricane’s aftermath, we volunteered at the Long Beach Ice Arena, which quickly became the donation/distribution hub for the entire barrier island. Help came from everywhere.

Connection and community: as events  shift and change, so do understandings and perspectives about events and circumstances.

Music can offer a thread that pulls through, a life line, even a life boat, in times of change. There are dark times; there are lighter times. Music can be a friend along the way through all these shifts and changes.

That is something people in Ireland have known a good bit about through the long course of the island's history. One aspect that recurs in the song and tune of Ireland is the ability to lift spirits in the midst of hard times.

Where in North America can you celebrate five centuries of history? From now until June 2022, Puerto Rico is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the founding of Old San Juan. Established by the Spaniards in 1521, Old San Juan has the distinction of being “the oldest continuously inhabited post-European contact city under United States territory and the second oldest in the entire Western Hemisphere.”

Today’s world is a chaotic mess of everything. Within the past few years, we’ve dealt with plagues, weather disasters, political unrest, domestic madness, international issues, and all sorts of mayhem. Throughout the past two years of the COVID pandemic, we’ve regularly heard the mantra we’re all in this together. In truth, sadly, we’ve seen much nationalism take precedence over global community compassion.