In “The Butterfly Effect,” the character played by Ashton Kutcher learns that attempting to avoid negative situations doesn’t necessarily lead to better outcomes. Dissatisfied with the circumstances in his life, he discovers that when he reads his childhood journals, he can travel back in time and inhabit his younger self’s…
In the seventh season of the longest-running U.S. animated series, “The Simpsons,” Homer’s bosses at the town nuclear plant attempt to implement a mandatory exercise program to promote a healthier lifestyle among the employees. As any casual viewer of the show might predict, Homer, a character known for his knack…
Years before my mother passed away, she shared with me the “secret” recipe for her savory Thanksgiving dressing. Although the recipe has multiple steps, it’s very simple. Like most traditional African American recipes passed down through families, the bulk of it doesn’t use exact measurements. There is one step that…
“We don’t really care if they can’t read,” the post on Threads read. “Just make sure they have basic self-help skills.” The sentiment was from a kindergarten teacher trying to calm a worried parent because the parent was concerned their kid hadn’t quite mastered their letters. Soon, other kindergarten and…
Even if I’d had a smartphone, my sister would’ve been way more compelling to watch. Years ago, while my sister, Gina, was on break from medical school, our mom, dad, she, and I had to take a road trip for a family reunion. Because I was still in high school…
It was one of the most beautiful and respectful corrections I’d ever seen as a child. The details are fuzzy because it happened over 35 years ago, and I don’t remember the circumstances of the moment. What I do remember is that an older woman, somewhat familiar with my family,…
With over 35 years of experience in the performing arts, I’m often the go-to expert for theatrical presentations by corporate or nonprofit organizations. Sometimes I’m asked to write or direct major shows. Other times, however, I’m asked to conduct a script assessment. This particular request arises when a program is…
As a child of the 1980s, I can’t help but remember the “bumbling dad” trope that seemed to dominate the entertainment industry. There were movies like “Mr. Mom” and “Three Men and a Baby,” television shows like “My Two Dads,” “The Hogan Family,” and “Full House,” and a weird collection…
“We should plant these flowers,” my husband suggested. Since we were both experiencing the rare phenomenon of a simultaneous day off, we decided to tackle a project that had long been evading us. The flower bed that hugs our front porch had become overrun with weeds, crabgrass, and a failed…
It never fails. Around this time of year, it’s not unusual for everyone’s cellphone in our house to emit that piercing sound to alert us of an emergency notification. And the emergency? Severe weather in our area. Residents of northern Alabama, where I live, are used to hunkering down during…
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