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How to keep loving America — even when it hurts

The approach of July 4 is making my heart hurt. Love of this country is deep-dyed in my soul, but pondering how or even whether to celebrate the semiquincentennial provokes a riot of mixed feelings. The right -- and not just the MAGA right -- responds to any queasiness about this particular ...

A case for letter writing

If there were a single task that could do all the following, would you do it? (1) cultivate deeper emotional connections, (2) improve cognitive and mental health, (3) increase mindfulness, (4) reduce screen fatigue, (5) lower anxiety, (6) stimulate memory retention, and (7) create tangible ...

House bill seeks to roll back protections for Michigan’s youngest workers

The Michigan House Committee on Economic Competitiveness recently reported out House Bill (HB) 5727, which seeks to eliminate a youth work permit system set to be implemented later this year by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). The Michigan League for Public Policy has ...

Roll portable air conditioner among rooms

Dear Jim: We are empty-nesters now. Is it wise to move a portable air conditioner among rooms instead of running our central air as much to cool the entire house? - Kari K. Dear Kari: Using a portable or air conditioner is a good idea especially when two of you are going to be in the same room for an extended time. This also is effective with central air-conditioning. Even though the cooling efficiency of a newer central heat pump is generally higher than that of a portable model, using portable one can save money overall. Run the portable unit to cool just a few frequently used rooms ...

Taking care of your family

Do you have a will or a trust? Have you signed “Power of Attorney for Finances” and “Medical Power of Attorney” forms? Have you made any funeral arrangements? Have you made decisions about your children if they are minors? If this makes you uncomfortable, it certainly is ...

Men don’t have to suffer in silence

While we have traditionally celebrated Father's Day in June, this month has also been set aside to highlight awareness of men's struggles with mental health and depression. The National Alliance on Mental Illness continues to advocate for breaking the cultural stigma that men have to "tough it out" on their own while wrestling with internal issues. Current statistics show what many mental health professionals are calling a "silent crisis." Many men do not like to talk about how they are weighed down emotionally, and this suppressed affliction often leads to anxiety, stress and, in the ...