Monday Musings

Life has its good and bad moments, some rougher than others, but how we deal with the hard times molds us into better images of ourselves. How we cope  with setbacks, misfortune, and hardships varies from person to person. Not facing a dire situation in the short term may impact our mental health in the long term. Individuals mired in poverty and despair may rise above the muck by pursuing intensive studies, elevating their social and economic status. J.D. Vance outlines his upbringing and emergence in  Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis . If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless. ~ James E. Faust Have you encountered difficult periods in your lifetime? How have you managed those situations: head-on or head in the s

  On the eve of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) proceedings, protestors marched in Chicago and crashed the DNC Welcome Party at the Navy Pier. The games have begun… The  2024 Republican National Convention  was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 15 to the 18th. Donald Trump was confirmed as the Republican Presidential nominee, and JD Vance was named the Vice Presidential pick. Thousands of protestors marched nearby, but their actions were largely infrequent and peaceful, with minimal impact on the event. Today, the  2024 Democratic National Convention  (DNC) begins in Chicago, Illinois, and will run from August 19 to 22nd. The Democratic Presidential contender expected to be confirmed this week is Kamala Harris; her running mate-to-be Tim Walz. Unfortunately, the protestor element is much larger than the prior convention. The  Chicago Police Department  (CPD) predicts over 100,000 will take to the streets, dwarfing their resources. Over 500 officers from surrounding citie

Our vacation trip to Chicago was a whirlwind of entertainment, fantastic dining, a family visit, and city exploration. Our hostess, Bobi’s niece, resides in a penthouse apartment one block off Lakeshore Drive. She was the ultimate city tour guide. We had a beautiful view of Lake Michigan (close enough for an after-dinner stroll)… …rooftop gardens (perfect weather)… …and the Chicago night skyline. From our angle of the city view, two prominent buildings were the John Hancock Center, with its rooftop observatory, and 900 North Michigan (the skyscraper with four lanterns on top), which houses Bloomingdales and the Four Seasons Hotel. We were feted to the  Goodman Theatre musical presentation  of  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil . Although we’re all prolific readers, none of us had read the book. We returned to the apartment to watch the movie version and even ordered the book to return to the roots of the production. Now, we’re intrigued by the possibility of a trip to Savannah. A

  Spending a brief period out of town, enjoying a delightful visit with family. Have you had a break from your usual duties this summer? Make time for yourself! I’ll be back with another regularly occurring blog post on 08/12/24. You can follow the Author on her  Website  (jlhuffman.com) or  X (@JoanHuffmanMD).