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<channel><title><![CDATA[PLUMA DESIGNS - The Snippets Blog]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog]]></link><description><![CDATA[The Snippets Blog]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:55:30 -0700</pubDate><generator>EditMySite</generator><item><title><![CDATA[The One and Only You]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/the-one-and-only-you]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/the-one-and-only-you#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:58:57 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/the-one-and-only-you</guid><description><![CDATA[I am a fan of Gary Brecka, the Ultimate Human Podcaster, a renowned human biologist and longevity expert in the science of human performance. With over two decades of experience, Gary is a leading voice in the world of biohacking, dedicated to optimizing health and extending lifespan through science-backed methods, including movement, whole foods, supplements, sleep, cold plunge, and other means of improving and maintaining the body for ultimate health and performance.&nbsp;A recent interview wi [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">I</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal"><span> </span>am a fan of Gary Brecka, the Ultimate Human Podcaster, a renowned human biologist and longevity expert in the science of human performance. With over two decades of experience, Gary is a leading voice in the world of biohacking, dedicated to optimizing health and extending lifespan through science-backed methods, including movement, whole foods, supplements, sleep, cold plunge, and other means of improving and maintaining the body for ultimate health and performance.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">A recent interview with Stephen Harvey, actor, writer, producer, comedian, radio and television host of The Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, Little Big Shots, and The Steve Harvey Morning Show, shared his story of working with Gary Brecka and his personal road to health. I am attaching a link to the interview at the bottom of this article for your assessment.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">When Gary introduced Steve Harvey on his Podcast, he said about Harvey, The one and only Steve Harvey. Whereas Harvey replied, Yes, I am the one and only! Everyone is the one and only. I thought, of course, each one of us is the ONE and ONLY. YOU are the one and only and there is no one else like you. What an amazing thought. Not in an arrogant manner but a spiritual proclamation of who we are. The ONE and ONLY of us were created.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">In the interview Harvey talks about his health transformation from poor health to the best shape he has ever been in his 66 years. He attributes Gary and his methods of ultimate health biohacking to saving his life.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Harvey stated: &ldquo;The 2 most important things you have, that everybody has is your health and your time. If you are out of either one of those, you&rsquo;re in a world of trouble. If you&rsquo;re out of time, you&rsquo;re gone. If you&rsquo;re out of health, even if you&rsquo;re here, you&rsquo;re sick. So, you have got to prioritize. And it requires discipline. Look, you&rsquo;re not going to change without discipline&hellip;. you got to be disciplined to wake up and take care of yourself and your family.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Here is the most recognizable declaration of human biologist Gary Brecka&rsquo;s philosophy: &ldquo;I believe more in what God gave us than what man has made for us.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">This mindset underscores his core approach to wellness&mdash;focusing on whole foods, natural elements, and physiological optimization rather than relying entirely on synthetic solutions or modern prescriptions. And most importantly, get to know the one and only you.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">You are the one and only you who can optimize yourself.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">With love, </span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">&#65279;the one and only Hilda&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span></span><span>Steve Harvey: How He Ditched Meds and Reclaimed His Energy<br /><br /></span><a href="https://youtu.be/SSQz2ipVLSQ" target="_blank">youtu.be/SSQz2ipVLSQ</a>&#8203;<br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:bold">What is biohacking? </span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:bold">&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">Biohacking health is the practice of using science, data, and self-experimentation to optimize physical and mental performance, prevent disease, and extend longevity. It shifts the medical approach from reactive to proactive, utilizing incremental lifestyle modifications and technology to improve your body's overall function.</span><br /><br /><span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Surprise, Surprise, Surprise]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/surprise-surprise-surprise]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/surprise-surprise-surprise#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 12:59:12 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/surprise-surprise-surprise</guid><description><![CDATA[In 1964, the Gomer Pyle Show became a popular Sitcom. A spin-off from the Andy Griffith Show. Gomer Pyle, played by Jim Nabors, a na&iuml;ve, good-natured gas station attendant, joins the U.S. Marine Corps and is stationed at Camp Henderson, California reporting to drill sergeant Vince Carter. Gomer Pyle&rsquo;s signature declaration was his honest and innocent, statement, &ldquo;Surprise, Surprise, Surprise&rdquo; &hellip;when declaring something different than what the observer (mostly sergean [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">In 1964, the Gomer Pyle Show became a popular Sitcom. A spin-off from the Andy Griffith Show. Gomer Pyle, played by Jim Nabors, a na&iuml;ve, good-natured gas station attendant, joins the U.S. Marine Corps and is stationed at Camp Henderson, California reporting to drill sergeant Vince Carter. Gomer Pyle&rsquo;s signature declaration was his honest and innocent, statement, &ldquo;Surprise, Surprise, Surprise&rdquo; &hellip;when declaring something different than what the observer (mostly sergeant Vince Carter) expected the outcome to be. A comedy sitcom, with a simple message of obstacles and outcomes of experiences which may appear &lsquo;bad&rsquo; that would be &lsquo;good&rsquo; and &lsquo;no&rsquo; that turned to &lsquo;yes&rsquo;.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&#8203;No surprise, in this time in our lives, we still experience good and bad, yes and no, and more noticeably at a certain age, aware of not this&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">OR&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">that, but this&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">AND</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&nbsp;that options! We can indeed have AND THAT instead of only OR THAT. Pondering this, my client Jackie, newly retired business owner and serial entrepreneur, and I were discussing the Surprise &lsquo;"and&rsquo;' revelation, when she stated, &ldquo;We have reached an age when we can include AND into our experience.</span></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Surprise, surprise, surprise. A place does not need to be awful - It can be awful in some ways AND awesome in others.&nbsp;There are nuances to each experience.&nbsp;It is rarely one way or another.&nbsp;We can suffer with a disease AND find our hearts opening wide in gratitude for the people who help us with healing. We can lose a loved one, feeling very sad AND feel relieved they no longer suffer.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">We can hold two or more emotions at one time. We can see the bigger picture of the meaning in events that may seem bleak.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I love the story of, &ldquo;is it so?"</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">A farmer's son comes home with a wild horse and says, "this is the best day of my life."&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Farmer says, "we'll see."&nbsp;Next day, son falls off the horse and breaks his leg.&nbsp;He says, "this is the worst day of my life." Farmer says, "we'll see." Army comes through to take young man to fight a battle, but he can't go because of broken leg.&nbsp;Son says, "this is the best day of my life." Farmer says, "we'll see." And so, the story continues - we never know what an event has in store for us.&nbsp;Could be the best and could be the worst.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Surprise, surprise, surprise - we can hold the bigger picture in our expanded picture of life as we grow older as we add AND to our outcomes.&rdquo;&nbsp;Thanks Jackie, well written.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Life will continue to surprise us at every stage of living. AND we can decide between the best and worst days&hellip;we&rsquo;ll see.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">With love,<br />Hilda</span><br /><span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hope for the Future]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/hope-for-the-future]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/hope-for-the-future#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:01:08 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/hope-for-the-future</guid><description><![CDATA[As long as there are children, we must have hope. With every birth, a new beginning, an additional story and an opportunity for another dream to be realized.&nbsp;As parents, grandparents, family members, and engaged adults with children, we have a unique opportunity to watch little ones growing and remember our own innocence and childhood dreams. Some things never change and curiosity and desire begin to germinate in early life.&nbsp;In the past weeks, four children, curious and gifted have exp [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">As long as there are children, we must have hope. With every birth, a new beginning, an additional story and an opportunity for another dream to be realized.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">As parents, grandparents, family members, and engaged adults with children, we have a unique opportunity to watch little ones growing and remember our own innocence and childhood dreams. Some things never change and curiosity and desire begin to germinate in early life.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">In the past weeks, four children, curious and gifted have expressed their sprouting talents that I&rsquo;d like to share with you.&nbsp;<br />&#8203;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">My friend Mary Beth Stern&rsquo;s 12-year-old granddaughter, Skylar, was recently featured in a book, The Ludlowe Light 2026, an annual magazine of selected students&rsquo; writings at her school in Connecticut. Through Mary Beth, I have watched Skylar&rsquo;s curiosity blossom and her use of words develop exponentially. Here is her writing:</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&#65279;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Your Life is but a Painting </span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">by Skylar Stern&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">A splash of orange for ambition,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">A blob of blue for strength,</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I wield the mighty paintbrush, </span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">An extension of my hand.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Some purple for curiosity, And yellow for the joy.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">The canvas blooms with different hues, </span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">All of my own command.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I add some green for bravery,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">And crimson for concern.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">A little here, a little there, </span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">All of my own accord.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Your life is but a painting,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">So be the artist, not the muse.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">It will be yours, and only yours, </span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">No matter which paints you choose!&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">From 12-year-old Skylar come the words of a bright and expressive writer. The world is her oyster; she has endless opportunities and the talents to achieve much.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">My grandson Finn, age 7, loves building Lego&rsquo;s. Recently I presented him with the Arctic Explores Ship Building set. Containing 815 Lego pieces, including the large ship, helicopter and landing pad, underwater voyager and equipment, little people, and cranes on deck with moving parts. A project that would have taken Joe and me 30 hours to complete, took Finn 3 hours to assemble. My son reported that during the process of building the ship, Finn had some moments of frustration and possibly a meltdown, but he calmed himself down, figured it out and moved forward, always wanting to figure it out himself. My son notes that working with Lego's are great life lessons wrapped up in an extraordinary toy. Finn is detailed and task oriented, thoughtful, inquisitive and sensitive, and a talented soccer player on the field as well. His dreams are germinating as he grows taller by the day.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Most of you will remember that our Samantha at Pluma, gave birth to a preemie baby girl four years ago. Elaina weighed only 2 pounds 8 oz. She has grown to be an absolutely beautiful child full of questions and a very strong and determined personality. This year she is attending pre-school where she spends half days and plays with others her age. Recently, coming home from her play day, she asked Samantha if she could go to school where her big brother Jonathan attends, because she wants to be in school learning and doing homework!<br />&#8203;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Although I found her statement charming and amusing, it speaks volumes to her already established determination to grow intellectually and rationally. She must take after her mother!&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">The next time you come to the salon, you will notice a new piece of artwork on our wall. My niece Veronica&rsquo;s 12-year-old daughter, Caty, has an artistic flair for creating art with pencil on paper. I have named her most recent piece in our salon, Girl in Flux. She has captured the facial features with an eye for texture and emotional sensitivity. I do believe, with guidance and her continued enthusiasm, Caty can become an amazing artist. She is also an outstanding student in school with high grades. A good balance is needed for an artist.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I have enthusiastically recommended the 8-book series The Seven Sisters written by Lucinda Riley. The Primary Protagonist Pa Sault and the D&rsquo;Apliese family (the 7-sisters) is a novel based on a man who takes the opportunity to adopt infant girls to give them better circumstances than living in orphanages or compromised family conditions. In the eighth book, Atlas &ndash; the story of Pa Salt, is a quote that incapsulates his desire to help these children, &lsquo;Hope is a Choice.&rsquo;&nbsp;<br /></span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I believe our children give us hope. And as adults we must have hope for their future. Our future depends on it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Happy 4</span>th<span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal"> of July&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">With love and hope, </span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Hilda</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&nbsp;</span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Death Finds Me, Let it Find Me Living…..in Scottsdale]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/when-death-finds-me-let-it-find-me-livingin-scottsdale]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/when-death-finds-me-let-it-find-me-livingin-scottsdale#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:57:45 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/when-death-finds-me-let-it-find-me-livingin-scottsdale</guid><description><![CDATA[A favorite client, in her eighties, still working as a therapist, a world traveler and weekend kayaker at nearby lakes, when asked what motivates her active life, answered with the quote, &lsquo;When death finds me, let it find me living.&rdquo;I could not agree more and have decided to fully live and explore my community of Scottsdale and why it is frequently ranked as a top 10 city to live in for 2026.&#8203;Scottsdale was ranked the 3rd happiest city in the US and named the #1 city for jobs i [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">A favorite client, in her eighties, still working as a therapist, a world traveler and weekend kayaker at nearby lakes, when asked what motivates her active life, answered with the quote, &lsquo;When death finds me, let it find me living.&rdquo;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I could not agree more and have decided to fully live and explore my community of Scottsdale and why it is frequently ranked as a top 10 city to live in for 2026.<br />&#8203;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdale was ranked the 3</span>rd<span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal"> happiest city in the US and named the #1 city for jobs in 2026 due to low unemployment and high quality of life.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Whether living in Scottsdale or visiting, there is much to enjoy in one of the happiest cities in our country. Here is a short list of Scottsdale and surrounding areas to explore and enjoy:&nbsp;</span></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">OUT &amp; ABOUT in SCOTTSDALE - FREE (or Nearly Free)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdale ArtWalk Old Town &mdash; Thursday evenings strolling galleries, wine in hand, totally free and social.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">McDowell Sonoran Preserve Trails &mdash; 200+ miles of scenic desert hikes from easy to inspiring.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Pinnacle Peak Park Sunset Walks &mdash; Gentle hike with spectacular golden-hour views.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdale Waterfront Walk &mdash; Easy stroll with public art, canal views, and caf&eacute;s nearby.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Old Town Scottsdale Wandering &mdash; Western charm, shops, and people-watching in a walkable district.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">SEASONAL FAVORITES</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Old Town Farmers Market (Oct&ndash;May) &mdash; Fresh produce, artisan goods, lively morning outing.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdazzle Holiday Events (Dec) &mdash; Lights, markets, and festive performances. (Old Town Scottsdale)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Spring Training (Feb&ndash;Mar) &mdash; Baseball + sunshine = classic Arizona experience.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Desert Botanical Garden Free Day (2nd Tuesday monthly) &mdash; Stunning desert blooms at no cost. (Experience Scottsdale)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Full Moon Hikes (various parks) &mdash; Guided evening hikes under desert skies. (Scottsdale)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">ARTS &amp; CULTURE</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) &mdash; Modern art + free entry times weekly.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright) &mdash; Iconic desert architecture and guided tours.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdale Arts District Galleries &mdash; Rotating exhibits and artist receptions.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Public Art Walking Tour Old Town &mdash; Self-guided discovery of sculptures and installations.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">HIDDEN GEMS&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Penske Racing Museum &mdash; Free, beautifully curated racing history experience.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Arizona Canal Path (early morning) &mdash; Peaceful walk or bike ride with desert serenity.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Arcosanti Originals Foundry &mdash; Watch bronze bells being made in a surreal setting.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdale Civic Center Park &mdash; Recently redesigned green space with art and fountains.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">MUSEUMS (Free days or modest entry)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Phoenix Art Museum (Free Wed afternoons) &mdash; Major collection without the price tag.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Heard Museum (Free First Fridays) &mdash; Deep dive into Indigenous culture and art.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Western Spirit: Scottsdale&rsquo;s Museum of the West &mdash; Engaging storytelling of the American West.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix) &mdash; Surprisingly fascinating global collection.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Museum of Illusions (Arizona Boardwalk) &mdash; Interactive, fun, and conversation-starting.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">GREAT WITH KIDS / GRANDKIDS</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park &mdash; Train rides, playgrounds, and nostalgia.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">OdySea Aquarium (Arizona Boardwalk) &mdash; Immersive marine exhibits and experiences. (Arizona Boardwalk)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Butterfly Wonderland &mdash; Walk among thousands of butterflies indoors. (Arizona Boardwalk)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Pangaea: Land of the Dinosaurs &mdash; Animatronic dinos = instant grandparent hero status. (Arizona Boardwalk)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Family Wildlife Programs (local parks Scottsdale) &mdash; Live animal education pop-ups and events.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">EASY DAY TRIPS (&le; 2.5 HOURS)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Sedona Red Rock Scenic Drive &mdash; Jaw-dropping views + lunch + light hiking.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Prescott Historic Whiskey Row &mdash; Western charm, boutiques, and caf&eacute;s.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Tonto National Monument &mdash; Cliff dwellings + short hikes + history.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Jerome Ghost Town &mdash; Artsy, quirky hillside town with galleries and views.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Salt River Tubing (seasonal) &mdash; Float, relax, and maybe spot wild horses.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">SOCIAL &amp; &ldquo;GO WITH FRIENDS&rdquo; IDEAS</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Wine Tasting Rooms (Old Town) &mdash; Walkable, relaxed, and easy to turn into an afternoon.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Scottsdale Quarter / Kierland Commons Stroll &mdash; Outdoor shopping + dining vibe.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Outdoor Yoga in the Park Scottsdale&mdash; Often free or donation-based community classes.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Local Vintage Markets (Phoenix area) &mdash; Treasure hunting + people watching. (Homes and Gardens)</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Free Concerts &amp; Community Events (Eventbrite rotation) &mdash; Constantly changing local lineup.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I hope you are inspired to enjoy your surroundings, whether in Scottsdale or any other community where you have chosen to live. There are good, talented people everywhere, creating, maintaining and excited to share the beauty of our cities. Hope to see you out and about generating happiness.&nbsp;<br /><br />With love,<br />Hilda&nbsp;</span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Who Are You and What Do You Want?]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/who-are-you-and-what-do-you-want]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/who-are-you-and-what-do-you-want#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 13:23:28 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/who-are-you-and-what-do-you-want</guid><description><![CDATA[As another birthday approaches at the end of this month, I begin the process of taking inventory of the past year. Looking back and evaluating my &ldquo;year at a glance&rdquo; daily planner for appointments, progress, events, trips, relationships, celebrations, challenges, and of course, where and with whom I have spent my time, it becomes clear who I have become and what I have welcomed into my life in the past year.&nbsp;&#8203;It&rsquo;s not complicated to look at our lives objectively and b [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">As another birthday approaches at the end of this month, I begin the process of taking inventory of the past year. Looking back and evaluating my &ldquo;year at a glance&rdquo; daily planner for appointments, progress, events, trips, relationships, celebrations, challenges, and of course, where and with whom I have spent my time, it becomes clear who I have become and what I have welcomed into my life in the past year.&nbsp;<br />&#8203;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">It&rsquo;s not complicated to look at our lives objectively and begin to see the patterns in which we schedule our time and become who we are and move toward what we truly want.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beginning with our morning routines as simple as exercising, eating, listening to or reading the news or not, do we decide to greet the day or instead regret the day? Anticipating the workday, are we happy and satisfied in our environment and the people we work with, or do we feel a sense of frustration. I hope not. Every birthday reminds us how quickly life moves through us.&nbsp;</span><br /></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">At a Stanford University commencement speech, the late Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple and Pixar, urged the graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life&rsquo;s setbacks&hellip;. including death itself. He talked about the questions that he asked himself every morning for 33 years: &ldquo;If today were the last day of the rest of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? And whenever the answers were &lsquo;no&rsquo; for too many days, I knew I had to change something. Your time is limited. Don&rsquo;t waste your time living someone else&rsquo;s life."<br /></span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Who we are is what we think about ourselves in our thinking time. What we desire to have in our lives is how we decide to spend our time imagining, creating and wanting more. Wanting more is the process for learning and growing for our future time.<br /></span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">How about happiness in who we are? In his research on happiness, Shawn Achor, author, Harvard professor on human potential, asks the question: "How happy can we be? Why are some people happier than others? What makes the difference between one person to another? How happy can we truly be? The answer is simple; Happiness is experienced not by what happens in the world, but happiness is how your brain processes the world.&rdquo;<br /></span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Again, the answers are obvious; we have only one choice in order to understand who we are, what we want, and how happy we want to be. Capture the current time, and add time to our days and weeks, by choosing to be who we are in this very moment.&nbsp;<br />&#8203;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Enjoy your time&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;. it&rsquo;s who we are and what we have.&nbsp;<br />Love,<br />Hilda</span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spring Cleaning One Task at a Time]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/spring-cleaning-one-task-at-a-time]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/spring-cleaning-one-task-at-a-time#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:48:10 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/spring-cleaning-one-task-at-a-time</guid><description><![CDATA[How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you Spring Clean? One task at a time.&nbsp;&nbsp;While browsing the internet for a simple Spring-Cleaning Checklist, I discovered Abby Lawson&rsquo;s Spring-Cleaning Checklist and Frequently Asked Questions. &ldquo;What month should you start spring cleaning? Though you can start spring cleaning whenever it best fits your schedule, beginning on or around March 20th&ndash; the first day of spring&ndash; is a good rule of thumb. Most people co [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you Spring Clean? One task at a time.&nbsp;&nbsp;While browsing the internet for a simple Spring-Cleaning Checklist, I discovered Abby Lawson&rsquo;s Spring-Cleaning Checklist and Frequently Asked Questions. &ldquo;What month should you start spring cleaning? Though you can start spring cleaning whenever it best fits your schedule, beginning on or around March 20th&ndash; the first day of spring&ndash; is a good rule of thumb. Most people complete their spring-cleaning tasks in March and April. How do I know how often I should be cleaning each area? There are some cleaning tasks that should be done daily, some that should be done weekly, others that can be done quarterly, and still other cleaning tasks that should be completed yearly. Do people still do spring cleaning? Absolutely! With more people working from home than ever, it is especially important to make sure that we have a clean, healthy environment in which to spend our time.&rdquo;</span><br /><br />&#8203;</div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">We each have an opinion about when, where to start and why spring cleaning is important. The concept began with the idea of opening doors and windows after a cold winter to let fresher air in to purify a home. The idea of letting fresh energy into our homes and getting rid of stagnant energy is a worthwhile consideration. Simply put, spring cleaning is traditionally the annual 'deep clean' of a home. Not just letting in fresh but removing anything that is no longer beneficial.&nbsp;&nbsp;This means completing tasks that aren't covered as part of a standard cleaning routine. Getting rid of germs and bacteria that can accumulate in our homes and possibly harm our well-being.</span>&#8203;<br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Beyond our living area as we accumulate more ownership; physically, mentally and emotionally, it&rsquo;s important to unclutter, remove energetic noise and simply create space for reorganizing and refreshing our physical, mental and emotional health. Even friendships need a re-fresh by reviewing, releasing or reframing and renewing the relationship. This is tricky, for it demands our honest assessment of ourselves in the relationship. After all, "People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime" emphasizes that not all relationships are meant to last forever, often serving as lessons for growth rather than lifelong companionship. These temporary connections, or "seasons," help teach us lessons, boundaries, or self-respect.</span><br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">As for spring cleaning my closet, I felt as if I had an elephant in my closet to consume. Until I met Clarisse Ringwald, a professional image consultant, styling fashion Feng Shui Master, Capsule Wardrobe consultant, and much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;With our task at hand, clearing and organizing a large walk-in, packed closet, Clarisse made it fun, informative, and a money-saving experience. Now fortified with a handy color palette, appropriate patterns and styles for my body shape to consider before purchasing, and attention to my refined maturing presence, Clarisse made it easy as we took one piece of clothing, one task at a time, and either cleared or reevaluated.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Clarisse helps people dress to the best version of themselves</span><br /><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Happy Spring Cleaning!</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">With love, <br />Hilda&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Life is Windy]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/life-is-windy]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/life-is-windy#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:35:58 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/life-is-windy</guid><description><![CDATA[March is considered a windy month primarily because it is a transitional season where the atmosphere struggles to balance warming air from the south with cold, retreating winter air from the north. This intense temperature contrast creates steep pressure gradients, resulting in high-speed, gusty winds. March serves as the bridge between winter and spring, creating a volatile atmosphere.&nbsp;Like consistent weather patterns, our lives exhibit the balance of retreating cooler times with gusting w [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">March is considered a windy month primarily because it is a transitional season where the atmosphere struggles to balance warming air from the south with cold, retreating winter air from the north. This intense temperature contrast creates steep pressure gradients, resulting in high-speed, gusty winds. March serves as the bridge between winter and spring, creating a volatile atmosphere.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Like consistent weather patterns, our lives exhibit the balance of retreating cooler times with gusting warming winds of events, through our entire lifetime. Circumstances change in everyone&rsquo;s life, no matter who you are, good and bad, right or wrong exist and the seasons come and go, and nothing lasts forever. Yet we persist in being surprised when our cool and calm personal temperature advances into high speed and gusty winds.&nbsp;</span></div>  <div class="paragraph"></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Good Friends]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/good-friends]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/good-friends#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:12:09 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/good-friends</guid><description><![CDATA[In my continual search for interesting ideas, I explore classes, books, movies, documentaries, podcasts, politics, and presentations, including talks at church.&nbsp;&#65279;For the month of December, our church pastors explored the subject of &lsquo;Good Friends&rsquo;, the friends that shape you, the friends that shape your future, and how friendships start with taking initiative and why being present matters most.&nbsp;&#8203;Here are a few initial aspects I&rsquo;ve gathered from the weekly  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">In my continual search for interesting ideas, I explore classes, books, movies, documentaries, podcasts, politics, and presentations, including talks at church.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&#65279;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">For the month of December, our church pastors explored the subject of &lsquo;Good Friends&rsquo;, the friends that shape you, the friends that shape your future, and how friendships start with taking initiative and why being present matters most.&nbsp;<br />&#8203;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Here are a few initial aspects I&rsquo;ve gathered from the weekly presentations. The quality of friends you have reveals the kind of friend you are.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Which are the four most popular TV shows on friendship of our lifetime?</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Mash&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">came in at # 1 - an American war comedy drama television series based on the Korean War aired from September 1972 to February 1983</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Cheers</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">, at # 2 &ndash; a show about nothing but good friends based in a Boston bar where locals gathered aired for eleven seasons from September 1982 to Mary 1993.</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Coming in at # 3&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Seinfeld</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&nbsp;started with a pilot episode July 1989 and launched as a regular series in May 1990 to 1998 about the continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally phobic New York City friends.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Friends&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">came in at # 4 from September 1994 to May 2004. An American sitcom becoming a cultural phenomenon about six young adults in New York City, known for its relatable characters and memorable storylines.</span></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">According to research on friendships, in the 1990s, most people had six friends they could count on. Currently, most say they have three friends. Defining friends are those you trust to be there for you, to take care of your children or animals when you become ill or travel, to share meals with and to trust fully. Why is it important to have friends? Psychologists say for every new friend you make; your physical health improves and so does your emotional well-being. And as we now know, humans thrive in community.&nbsp;<br /><br />&#8203;Where is the most common place people make friends? School. The problem is most of us are no longer in school. The number two place would be church. What is the most important action you can take to make a new friend? According to psychologists, take the initiative to invite them into your life, and perhaps go back to school and take classes or join a church.&nbsp;<br /><br />Unfortunately, most of us are too busy to initiate new friendships. Yet, this is what it takes for healthier happier lives. There are times when we will have to sacrifice our time and ego and instead remember that we is much greater than me. And in the long run, being together is better than being alone.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">What do the above most popular sitcoms have in common? Working out challenges together. We may have enjoyed watching the lives of others, in their celebrations and challenges, there were always challenges in the sitcoms, and we could certainly relate, but in the end, they were together, for each other. We must create our own friendship lives, and we don&rsquo;t have to move to New York, or hang out in a bar or be a veteran of a war. But it is highly advised to be fully present to be a friend&hellip;.it matters. Not that sending a heart, praying hands, smiling face or flowers in a text isn&rsquo;t nice, showing up in person is what matters most.&nbsp;<br /><br />Here is another principle of friendship: in five years, you will be the average of your five closest friends. Look around and see your friends. If you need new friends to take you to places you can&rsquo;t go on your own, you are going to have to take the initiative. After all, greatness begets greatness and currently there is a great need for connection and community.</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Wishing you a Happy Valentines Day my friends,</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Hilda&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Love the One You're With]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/love-the-one-youre-with]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/love-the-one-youre-with#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:35:06 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/love-the-one-youre-with</guid><description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s hard to remember life before cell phones. When we were together, we were to gather with each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;Families looked at each other across the dinner table and talked to one another. Riding in a car with friends meant talking to each other and if you didn&rsquo;t know or remember something, you asked a real person, or looked it up on Encyclopedia Britannica, which engaged your brain, and you didn&rsquo;t go straight to Google, without engaging the brain.&nbsp;&nbsp;Like the f [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">It&rsquo;s hard to remember life before cell phones. When we were together, we were to gather with each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;Families looked at each other across the dinner table and talked to one another. Riding in a car with friends meant talking to each other and if you didn&rsquo;t know or remember something, you asked a real person, or looked it up on Encyclopedia Britannica, which engaged your brain, and you didn&rsquo;t go straight to Google, without engaging the brain.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Like the frog boiling in hot water slowly, not noticing the water getting hotter, we have taken to the lonely-hearts club without warning. Yes, numerous reports and surveys suggest people are experiencing higher levels of loneliness than ever, often described as the loneliness epidemic. Contributing factors include societal individualism, the changing nature of work, and a shift towards more digital and superficial connections.&nbsp;</span></div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">From a Health article, America has a loneliness epidemic. Here are 6 steps to address it, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told All Things Considered:&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">In response to the loneliness epidemic, the advisory outlines the framework for a new national strategy. It is based on six foundational pillars, which are:</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">1.Strengthening social infrastructure, which include parks and libraries as well as public programs.</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">2.Enacting pro-connection public policies at every level of government, including things like accessible public transportation or paid family leave.</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">3.Mobilizing the health sector to address the medical needs that stem from loneliness.</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">4.Reforming digital environments to "critically evaluate our relationship with technology."</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">5.Deepening our knowledge through more robust research into the issue.</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">6.Cultivating a culture of connection.</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I personally like number 1 and number 6. Parks and libraries and cultivating a culture of connection, almost certainly with less use of cell phones.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">In case we need help to pry away from our phones, here are some extra pillars.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Amazon offers a variety of signs and labels for businesses and services and perhaps in our homes to inform the users:&nbsp;&nbsp;No Cell Phone Use Please; Please Silence your Cell Phone; Be Courteous- no cell phone use during your appointment; If you answer your cell phone during your medical appointment, the doctor will be happy to leave the room and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment' and my favorite, God may be calling YOU but probably not on your cell phone. Please turn off your cell phone during our service.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">I also found several books on cell phone etiquette: Cell Phone Etiquette by Michelle Cimino, Electronic Etiquette, Cell Phones, Netiquette, Social Media Oh My by Rebecca Black, Mobile Madness, and A Guide to Mobil Phone Etiquette by Mark Lynch. I cannot recommend any of these books since I have not read them.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">While Stephanie was in my chair for her hair appointment, her cell phone hummed. Instantly, I asked if she needed to answer. Most clients do. &ldquo;No, she answered, love the one you&rsquo;re with!&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;I asked her again, &ldquo;Do you mean, I&rsquo;m the one you&rsquo;re with and I get your love and attention?&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep! Love the one you&rsquo;re with,&rdquo;&nbsp;she replied.<br /><br />For those who have been around since the 1970&rsquo;s Stephen Stills made the song "Love the One You&rsquo;re With" popular. I loved it! It still has the same meaning for us. Stephanie said I could use her comment for my next Snippets and reference her name so here it is! It&rsquo;s worth mentioning as we are at the beginning of a new year and all resolutions are on the table to consider.&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">Happy New Year!!!!&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">With love,&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight:normal">&#65279;Hilda&nbsp;</span><br /><span></span><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[​More United Than Divided]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/more-united-than-divided]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/more-united-than-divided#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:48:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.pluma-az.com/the-snippets-blog/more-united-than-divided</guid><description><![CDATA[&#8203;In a time when we appear to be inexplicably divided, I believe we have more that unites us than divides us. We have reasons to be in agreement and in consideration to work together for the good of all, more than ever.&nbsp;At our core, we all want peace of mind. Not only in our homes and external relationships but in everyday dealings with life circumstances. Getting along with others begins with us. At the very least, considering a &lsquo;response&rsquo; instead of a &lsquo;reaction&rsqu [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">&#8203;In a time when we appear to be inexplicably divided, I believe we have more that unites us than divides us. We have reasons to be in agreement and in consideration to work together for the good of all, more than ever.&nbsp;<br />At our core, we all want peace of mind. Not only in our homes and external relationships but in everyday dealings with life circumstances. Getting along with others begins with us. At the very least, considering a &lsquo;response&rsquo; instead of a &lsquo;reaction&rsquo; could establish a peaceful conversation and resolution.<br /><br />We care about our health and the wellbeing of those who we care about. Who doesn&rsquo;t want to feel good and be happy? We enjoy good jokes and love laughing out loud and hearing a feel-good story. Nothing spells happiness like a great romantic novel or movie or series with interesting and positive characters solving the age-old problems of cracking a crime or falling in love and rendering a happy ending. Call me old fashioned, but most still love a good ending.&nbsp;</div>  <div>  <!--BLOG_SUMMARY_END--></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">How about financial security? Most people would love to feel financially secure. We certainly have that in common. I hear the secret to this monetary ambition is in the answer to the question, "are you a consumer or an investor?" It&rsquo;s like food; ingest with moderation.&nbsp;<br />And speaking of food, who doesn&rsquo;t appreciate great cooking? By the looks of our city&rsquo;s restaurant topography and grocery stores, we all love eating and sharing our meals.&nbsp; We have that in common.&nbsp;<br /><br />Freedom is another common denominator. My mother grew up in Mexico. Women were not free to make decisions for themselves. Of course, much has changed since she was a young woman in Mexico, but it has taken years for women to demand, express and live their independence. The pendulum has swung, and women have freedom, options, and opportunities, that will influence their outcomes.<br />On the popular series, The Reluctant Traveler, comedian/actor Eugene Levy, on his trip "Living the Royal Life in the UK," had a visit with Prince William. When Levy asked what he struggles with, Prince William implied that most people are all sweating about something, including work, health and family. I thought immediately that most young parents with children must have this in common with the same concerns of raising children, protecting and providing for a family.&nbsp;<br /><br />In the Blue Zone Study and other longevity theories, including a presentation at The Global Conference 2025 titled The Roadmap to Longevity, people are united by 5 variables determining longevity: 1) Nutrition 2) Sleep 3) Physical activity 4) Stress mitigation and 5) Human connections, which is the most important and least studied, according to an expert on a panel.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />I believe community and unity with others is a human necessity not only for longevity but for a healthy and happy life. Reinforcing what unites us and recovering more common ground to stand on with each other, is a worthwhile consideration. We must be the change we want to see. The bottom line is that we need each other.&nbsp;<br /><br />Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. There is much to celebrate!&nbsp;<br />With love,<br />Hilda&nbsp;</div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>