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A look at gifted students

Parents will say how bright, smart, and gifted their amazing children are…and they may be. A child may be quite impressive in one or more areas. Maybe he or she is gifted and maybe not. Psychologists will call a child gifted when his or her performance at something is superior to how well ...

Yes, you must vote

Any time spent on social media — X in particular — makes it very clear that conservative Americans are utterly fed up with congressional Republicans. And with good reason. The current (119th) Congress has set records for what The Washington Post called "low legislative output" — second ...

The tyranny of one man’s opinion

Thomas Cromwell was the Lord Chancellor of England for much of the reign of King Henry VIII. He engineered the convictions and executions of many whom Henry wanted out of the way, including his two predecessors in office — one of whom was St. Thomas More — and even the king's second wife, ...

A Diamond experience

Our weather of late proves the truth of the axiom, “Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.” This past summer was hot and dry in our neck of the woods. Summertime conditions were so sizzling that an expectoration would evaporate before it could reach the ground. Thanks to ...

Gone antiquing

Our old neighbor Al Warnes had a knack for malapropisms that were unintentionally amusing. For instance, “transplant” always came out as “replant” as in, “She got a kidney replant.” And “rummage sale” was unfailingly pronounced as “rubbish sale.” That last turn of phrase ...

Are happiness and other pleasant emotions paths to good health?

If we are happy, content, joyful, calm, and have lots of enthusiasm, does that result in protection from developing health problems? Does being hopeful, optimistic, and cheerful limit the development or worsening of problematic health issues? Does sadness, despair, misery, or being generally ...