Opinion

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Teens and Caffeinated Drinks

September 30, 2026

A parent recently asked me for guidance concerning teen overuse of a legal drug—caffeine! “When I was young, yes, we used energy drinks to get through finals. But it seems like today’s teens are leaning into caffeinated drinks daily. My own kids…

Opinion

Garden Gems: Fall Cleanup: Less is More

September 28, 2026

Fall is a wonderful time in the garden, full of color and activity. Leaves are turning, asters and goldenrods are blooming. Small mammals are skittering around, gathering food stores. Birds are fattening up on seeds and berries while bees and butterflies are…

Opinion

Generations: Accepting Life’s Milestone Birthdays

September 21, 2026

I remember the exact moment I first felt old. It was about four years ago, and I was having dinner in my hometown with two high school friends. At the end of the meal, we passed the bill to see how much…

Opinion

Garden Gems: End of Summer Favorites

September 9, 2026

At summer’s end, one of the loveliest spots in my garden is under the redbud tree. Redbuds, Cercis canadensis, are easy keepers, justly appreciated for their spring blooms. Come summer, they are garden stars for the dense shade cast by their pendulous…

Opinion

Generations: Cheering for More Than a World Cup Match

September 4, 2026

In late June, I found myself jammed into a small Belmont restaurant, surrounded by strangers while watching a World Cup soccer match. The air was thick with anticipation, and every available inch of floor space was claimed by fans pressed shoulder-to-shoulder. Every…

Opinion

Generations: Taking a Bracing Vacation

August 10, 2026

I write this month’s column not from Belmont, but from Germany. My wife is German, and part of the “deal” in our relationship is that we spend every “urlaub” (vacation) in Germany visiting with her family. That nearly always includes one week…

Opinion

Garden Gems: To Squish or Not to Squish

August 5, 2026

Gardens are home to more than plants. Birds and small mammals are often poking around, seeking sustenance. Invertebrates make their living in the garden too, and encountering them gives many gardeners pause. We may recoil, or we may want to observe. And…

Opinion

Generations: Are We There Yet? My First American Road Trip

August 4, 2026

Even before I could point to the United States on a map, I knew America through a world of talking cars. As a child growing up in Korea, I watched the “Cars” series and became fascinated by the vast land with endless…

Opinion

Generations: The Illusion of Personal Control

July 24, 2026

Our bodies belong to us, yet mostly they are strangers. They drop bad news when they feel like dropping it and rarely let us know too much beforehand. They never ask. The Buddhists don’t talk so much about “my body” as they…

Opinion

Generations: Calm and Purpose Among the Benton Stacks

June 29, 2026

On a recent Saturday, I was finally able to resume my favorite volunteer activity: working at the E.C. Benton Library. People may wonder why I would spend three precious hours of my Saturday afternoon doing volunteer work, but I honestly can’t imagine…

Opinion

The Tree That Gave Linnaeus His Name

June 22, 2026

Here’s a tree for you. It has heart-shaped leaves, is easy to grow in full sun to part shade across a range of soil conditions, and is somewhat drought-tolerant. In June, copious small, yellow, sweet-smelling flowers blanket the tree, attracting so many…

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