Young queer people need to find themselves in books — Oct. 6, 2023 Today I walked in the University of Florida’s annual Homecoming Parade with representatives from a wide swath of sexual minorities and their allies. Although I’ve been out for a long time, I’ve never been comfortable being on public display in any situation for all of my life…

Sweltering Florida heat makes it a difficult choice — With the heat index at 100 degrees or higher in many parts of the country, you might be adjusting your thermostat to save money. But some people, and a few experts, say you shouldn’t change it too frequently or by too much. An informal survey of family and friends found…

Is God really punishing the U.S. with calamitous weather? — When I saw the meme above on someone’s Facebook page, I was amused and yet anxiously reminded of how the LGBTQ+ community is facing renewed wrath from some Christians. It’s hard to argue with Christians who believe God controls everything, but would “he” claim to own only the pleasant aspects…

More than 200 others in Florida’s state universities did not — Florida politicians’ recent efforts to restrict LGBTQ rights are just another similar chapter in our state’s shameful past. Some might recall the controversy over citrus industry spokeswoman Anita Bryant’s anti-gay campaign in the 1970s, but less known is the witch hunt for gays and lesbians in state universities that started…

At any age, showing appreciation can improve your life — Expressing gratitude is important for your mental health, scientists and others say. But finding reasons to be thankful seems harder when you have more years behind you than ahead. You’re likely dealing with health problems, ranging from the pains of aging bones to something more serious. Your friends from high…

Was graduation the best part of high school? — Across the country this summer, about 30 percent of high school graduates will gather for a class reunion. That’s a common estimate, but the number could vary by the reunion number. …

Has the Fat Layer Under My Skin Thinned Out? — My grandfather was a highly frugal man. He never owned a car and vegetable gardened into his 80s. He made beautifully crafted wooden furniture, watched every penny, and walked to work for 40 some years. But when he was elderly, he heated his house in his northern city like a…

Retirees have the time for long road trips — I retired early from a job that was a poor fit for my experience and education. It also only paid what I was making in my late 30s. I left the job, and thankfully my fixed income exceeds what I was making in that job by a tad. Sounds good…

Trader Joe’s helps me to prepare interesting entrees — Growing up as a Roman Catholic, meatless Fridays were the norm, even when it wasn’t Lent. For health reasons, I still try to eat fish once a week and usually that’s my meatless weekday. But lately, I’m aiming to go without meat two days a week. It’s generally healthier and…