TherapyWorks | The Link Between Sleep and Mental Health
In our fast-paced world, productivity often takes precedence, meaning sleep is often undervalued. However, sleep has a huge impact on our overall well-being and maintaining both our physical and mental health.
This article explores the relationship between sleep and mental health and the importance of...
The Mountain Gardener | Growing Vegetables in Containers, Small Spaces or Shade
I have been gardening for a very long time. But even now I feel I know just a little bit about a whole lot of subjects. Every day I learn something new. Now that spring weather has finally arrived I’m anxious to start planting...
TherapyWorks | The Importances of Suicide Prevention and Awareness
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were almost 50,000 suicide deaths in the U.S. in 2022. That's the highest number ever recorded by the CDC.
The good news is that suicide is preventable. While...
Happy New Year
Seems like 2020 lasted for longer than just one year. I, for one, am hoping for a less eventful year in 2021. As the calendar turns to a new year these are some of my thoughts for 2020. Well maybe they’re the same thoughts...
Finance | Fundamental Analysis in Securities Investing
The market dipped 1.7% today (Feb. 21, 2025) with fears of tariff wars and inflation, but I sleep well. This CFP generally encourages securities investors to buy diversified baskets of low load mutual funds and ETFs for stocks, options or bonds.
Stockpickers usually won’t beat...
The Mountain Gardener | Finding the Fragrant Magic of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Summer has arrived, finally. Seems like it took long enough to get here, but I’m enjoying the warmer weather. The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing and the scent of fragrant flowers fills the air.
While hiking recently in Oregon, I encountered many Mock...
Recognizing Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. This disorder has particular meaning to me because when I married my dear wife Beth, I gained not only a wonderful wife but also an equally incredible Down syndrome brother-in-law named Danny. Coincidentally, Danny had been a patient...
Plain Talk About Food | Pass the Salt, Please
“Ye are the salt of the earth.” —Jesus of Nazareth
At the age of 5 years old, I would eat my bowl of oatmeal or cream of wheat while looking at the little Morton’s “salt girl” who carried her umbrella and her blue container of...
Plain Talk About Food | Is There a ‘Watch Bird’ Watching You?
Imagine being 5 years old and learning (from the other kids) it was possible, just possible…there was NO Santa Claus. This 5-year-old was devastated.
In my little and quite poor hometown, the one hope we kids had was to get our one wish for Christmas...
The Mountain Gardener | Flowers Adapt to a Changing Climate
On this rainy day, I’m picturing my garden and deck this summer filled with colorful flowers. The bumblebees will be happy, the hummingbirds will be happy, I'll be happy. Or will I?
I recently read about a study in France that suggests that humans are...
News Briefs | Published Sept. 12, 2025
Fun run, emergency preparedness fair set for Saturday
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the City of Santa Cruz will be hosting Race the Wave, a 3K...