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Precerpt from In with the East Wind: A Mary Poppins Kind of Life - Brazil: Brasilia

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Brasilia Looking out the airplane window as we descended toward Brasília, I felt a jolt of disorientation. The city below looked—there was no other word for it— Soviet. Broad, geometric avenues. Monumental buildings arranged with almost military precision. A city planned rather than grown. I murmured something about it to the man seated beside me, a Brazilian returning home, and he smiled the patient smile of someone who has heard this comparison before. He gave me a short history lesson as we dipped lower through the haze. Brasília, he explained, was the brainchild of President Juscelino Kubitschek, who wanted to propel Brazil into the future— fifty years of progress in five , as the slogan went. The architect, Oscar Niemeyer, had been deeply influenced by European modernism, especially Le Corbusier. And yes, my seatmate admitted, there was a certain ideological kinship between the sweeping monumentalism of Brasília and the socialist aesthetics of mid‑century Eastern Europe. Niem...
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National Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week

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  This week invites us to pause and look inward — not with judgment, but with understanding. Anxiety and depression are not signs of weakness; they’re signals from the mind and body that something needs care. They remind us that healing begins with recognition, not denial. Awareness is more than knowing the words. It’s noticing the quiet struggles behind calm faces, the effort it takes to get through ordinary days, and the courage it takes to ask for help. It’s also remembering that support doesn’t always mean fixing — sometimes it means listening, sitting beside, or simply staying present. If this week touches your life personally or through someone you love, let it be a moment of gentleness. Rest. Reach out. Remind yourself that you are not alone, and that help — professional, personal, spiritual — is part of the path forward. post inspired by the works of Dr. Dennis Ortman: Anxiety Anonymous  and Depression Anonymous Book description: Break Free from the Grip of Anxiety wit...
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International Firefighter's Day - May 4

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  Today we honor the people who run toward danger when everyone else runs away. International Firefighters’ Day recognizes the bravery, skill, and sacrifice of firefighters around the world — those who protect lives, homes, forests, and communities, often at great personal risk. Firefighting is more than a profession; it’s a calling rooted in service and solidarity. Every alarm answered represents a moment of choice — to act, to help, to stand between chaos and safety. And behind every firefighter is a network of families, colleagues, and communities who share that commitment. Take a moment today to thank the firefighters in your area, remember those who have fallen, and reflect on the quiet heroism that keeps our world standing. post inspired by  Mental Health Mayday,  by Gregg Bagdade. Reviewer:  "saved my life" Book description: From their swearing-in all to the way until retirement, even the most hardened firefighters can be affected by mental health concerns. A ...
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