We are less than two weeks into the New Year and for many of us those New Year resolutions are already wishful thinking. With resolutions, people often make a pact with themselves to turn around bad habits. Instead, try embracing acceptance, gratitude, and happiness. In doing so you can turn 2015 into the year you…
Author: Rita Watson
An Italian Family Tradition: Struffoli Day
On the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day we had a tradition that came to be called Struffoli Day. It was the Italian family Christmas for all of our relatives. No one asked what foods they should bring; they simply cooked a favorite recipe. But one year, in addition to a main dish, everyone…
Spirituality: The body and soul of ballet, ProJo
R.I. dancer explores the body and soul of spirituality Published on 16 December 2013 n talking about the spirituality of ballet with Jennifer Ricci of Johnston, who has been dancing since age 4, she relates the story of two fellow members of Festival Ballet Providence. In a recent performance of “The Pieta,” husband and wife…
Bring Romance into Your Holiday, Projo
Unlike today, when the shopping frenzy begins after Thanksgiving, the tone for the holidays when we were growing up was set by television specials with Perry Como or Bing Crosby. Dad and grandpa would build a fire while mother and grandma made hot chocolate and cookies. Then we would all snuggle around the TV listening…
The Italian Christmas Tree Challenge, ProJo
The upside down wedding cake chandelier adorned the entrance parlor in Gram and Grandpa’s house on the water. Each year on the first week of December, Grandma would send us to the attic to bring down boxes of Christmas ornaments so she could decide how many new snowflakes to crochet for the tree, which was…
How to Express and Feel Gratitude, ProJo
With just days to go before Thanksgiving, many people are a bundle of nerves. If you are hosting a Thanksgiving meal, the planning alone can be overwhelming. However, by looking forward to the day with gratitude, you can feel happier, strengthen your relationships, and boost your immune system. These are some of the benefits found…
Obtaining good-quality care for the elderly is critical, ProJo
Rita Watson: Obtaining good-quality care for the elderly is critical Published on 25 November 2013 rsing home directors often tout “patient choice.” However, it is unlikely that anyone ever knocked on their doors asking, “May I give up my home and come live here?” People prefer to age in place. Yet this option can be…
Grandma's Politics and Puttanesca, ProJo
Because she never learned to read in English, Grandma appeared to be uninterested in politics. Nonetheless, politicians frequently stopped by for her Friday night puttanesca, an Italian dish of spaghetti, anchovies, olives and capers. During election season, she made this meal in huge vats. On Saturday, neighbors would stop by to ask her opinions. Little…
Spirituality of Music: Jesse Holstein
I first met violinist Jesse Holstein through an auction to support the Providence Athenaeum; he would play at a small musical salon for the highest bidder. I kept raising my hand as the bidding escalated, before joining forces with an Athenaeum board member. Just as the auctioneer finished the words, “Do I hear …,” we…
Wear A Smile, Providence Journal
If you have not as yet come up with a Halloween costume, try becoming a giant smiley face. In looking at the research on smiles recently, it seems that a particular type of smile, one that lights up the whole face, comes about through a set of facial muscles that may control our joy and…