Fascist or socialist: Name-calling defined
Here are some facts behind explosive labels
MLP: Repeat it again?
Like sunshine to the desk-chained office drudge, like the length of this sentence, useless words are tantamount to frustration for Your Mrs. Language Person. The Snitty Old Biddy beseeches you, Dear Readers: Give words their due meanings and heed these admonitions against repetition.
SHOLEH: New Hope for Alzheimer's
For folks with early-stage Alzheimer’s hope is on the horizon. A drug newly approved by the Food and Drug Administration may help slow its progression.
No speaker. Does it matter?
It’s been 100 years. And McCarthy is only the second. The last and only other time a Speaker of the House wasn’t elected on the first ballot was in 1923. Like today’s 222 of a total 435 seats, in 1923 Republicans also had a slim majority, so while it’s very unlikely, with such stark division within the troops a minority-party speaker is at least a theoretical possibility.
How does the IRA affect you?
The Inflation Reduction Act, a big bill signed into law this month, is broader than its name may imply. With tax credits and other provisions for climate change mitigation, healthcare, firefighting and more, this 730-page bill covers a fairly broad range of items potentially impacting American life both long-term and short-term. As with most things these days, there’s already a rash of misinformation out there, claiming it does more, less, or different than what’s actually in the text of the new law.
Stressed? Go fish
August is National Fishing Month. As if simply indulging in the experience isn’t enough, many studies have confirmed the benefits of spending time in nature. At least two hours each week seems to be the magic number for better health and well-being, according to a study published in the June 13, 2019 issue of Scientific Reports (White, et. al.).
Happy birthday to the nation’s first “cops”
Say “federal law enforcement” and what springs to mind is the FBI. The U.S. Marshalls or the Secret Service. In the inland northwest, maybe the BLM or Forest Service cops in national parks. While trees do come into play (pulp, anyway) none of these was first at bat. The earliest federal law enforcement officer was a kind of mailman. His name was Benjamin Franklin. Yes, that Ben Franklin.
Americans WILL road-trip in 2022
Nothing, it seems, is going to keep the average American from following through on summer road trip plans according to a slew of surveys.
Nothing, it seems, is going to keep the average American from following through on summer road trip plans according to a slew of surveys.
Idaho above average in federal dependency
With such a high sentiment of anti-federalism of late, in March personal-finance website WalletHub released updated rankings for its 2022’s Most & Least Federally Dependent States.
National debt FAQs
The national debt hit $30 trillion last month. Here's a primer on the national debt, from the definition to how it affects Americans.
Irish roots reveal surprises
Each year as March 17 approaches, this column features some glimpse of all things Irish – St. Patrick’s story (okay, so he was English, but I digress), Irish-American traditions, Celtic history, three-leafed shamrocks (no, not four), and shepherd’s pie – all necessarily repeated in 20-plus years of writing it.
Heart attacks look different in women
While men are more likely to develop heart disease, women are less likely to survive a heart attack, according to research reported by Harvard Medical School.
Anxious? Exercise will help
Major study confirms what many already knew.
Black history is American history
Brotherly love can make us stronger still.
MLP: Laughter is the best medicine
Here's irrefutable proof that puns are the highest form of humor.
Who can arrest a sheriff? The coroner
Rumor has it that talk of the next Kootenai County coroner’s race is heating up already.
Quarter reflects Maya's impact
New program will feature other amazing American women.
'Why English is so hard'
English is tough. Take it from someone who learned two languages simultaneously as an oil brat living overseas. One was a breeze; it wasn’t English.
Birds aren’t real
A fascinating twist on conspiracy theories in the internet age.
Sourcing American New Year traditions
Whether you kick off each new year with champagne or football, odds are it’s tradition.
Study: Idahoans less vulnerable to Identity theft
A WalletHub study finds Idahoans are less vulnerable to identity theft, beating 47 states and the District of Columbia.
The photophone: Does that ring a Bell?
On this day in 1880 (as Pearl Harbor tragically endured its onslaught), Alexander Graham Bell patented the photophone.
Everyday Latin you didn’t know you knew
Latin, a dead language? Hardly. Here are some Latin words and phrases you didn't know you knew.
SHOLEH Idaho healthcare workers’ recognition overdue
Idaho healthcare workers’ recognition overdue
It’s five – er, 11 – o’clock somewhere
The three-day booze fest that marked last weekend (shout-out to ER staff and first responders, who just hate working the Fourth) is as good an excuse as any to consider our drinking habits.
Critical race theory explained
Here's a brief explanation of a complex issue.
Libraries, censorship dangerous bedfellows
Don't let censors get a foothold.
Death penalty data might surprise you
For some, an “eye for an eye” is justice. To others, it makes the whole world blind.
Why D.C. residents want statehood
It's an uphill climb to become the 51st state.
Slang won hard from history
Tuesday’s column described how the pandemic and other big events in recent history leave their marks on language.
Poll: Pandemic parlance repugnant
That we’re all sick of pandemic lingo isn’t exactly news, but sometimes a collective venting relieves a little stress. So here we go.
Understanding this political 'f'-word
Everything you ever wanted to know about the political 'f'-word
Could love robots ease loneliness?
A robot for every need...
Difficult conversation? Try 10 tips
Here's how to handle difficult conversations.
High on a pandemic: Drinking, drug use at home climbs
It’s hardly a newsflash: We’ve been drinking and drugging
Electoral College in spotlight — again
Time to do away with Electoral College.
Idiomata decoded, exploited
An idiom is a non-literal expression, when a group of
Study: Idaho ninth most dangerous for workers
Eye-catching headline aside, this isn’t going where you might think
Dubois: Where time still stands still
Don’t get me wrong, North Idaho is still one of the best places to
Donkey or elephant? They’re both jokes
A clenched fist. A red-clad handmaiden. A flag striped black and blue. What of thems
The Texas flying ace
Sometimes it takes a touch to bring history from the abstract to the real.
OPAL’S HOMESTEAD HACKS Dishing up some health-helpers
Gotta love the simpler things in life. When you grow up in a family who takes pride in DIY — and I mean from digging a well to one-man home construction and “sun showers” (don’t ask), simple becomes a life philosophy. That’s Opal Harbert in a nutshell.
Opal’s Homestead Hacks: Easy-in-bulk
Today’s hack is a home economics trifecta: It extends food life, reduces waste, and saves time. All you need are used jars and Ziploc bags (remember, you can wash and reuse those too).
Opal’s homestead hacks: Easy preserves
If you’ve been following Opal Harbert’s brand of “lazy” homestead tips, you see cardboard in a new light, and your garbage can is getting lighter. Birds sing your praises in thanks for their recycled snacks. (That hokey forest scene from Sleeping Beauty comes to mind: Too far, Sholeh. Too far.)
OPAL’S HOMESTEAD HACKS Planting — with cardboard, of course
If you’ve been following Opal Harbert’s brand of “lazy” homestead tips, you may already be saving those carrot peels and lettuce ends as garden compost. Now that the sun is out again, I asked Opal for more outdoor ideas.
Opal’s homestead hacks: Feed the birds
This one really is for the birds.
Opal’s homestead hacks: Don’t trash good garbage
Opal Harbert, Queen of Homestead Hacks, has an old-fashioned approach to daily life that’s becoming new again.
Opal’s Homestead Hacks: Pickling — with olive juice, too
In case you missed Wednesday’s introduction of Opal Harbert, Queen of Homestead Hacks, here’s a recap.
OPAL’S HOMESTEAD HACKS: Practical tips to outlast the virus
Opal Harbert is feeling vindicated. Living on a rural property near Hauser in Mead, Wash., Harbert’s approach to life has always — and I do mean always — been reminiscent of those off-grid types.
Idaho teen dating violence way too high
More than one in five.