Put down the loppers and step away from the crepe myrtles. PLEASE! Every season across America’s lawns and landscapes, these beautiful trees are the poor, unsuspecting victims of a "crime" dubbed Crepe Murder. Although well intended, when the whiff of impending Spring is in the air, excited homeowners severely cut back crepe myrtles thinking they are helping the trees when in actuality, it’s the worst thing to do. Instead of healthy trees with strong, bloom-filled branches,

If you love movies, then you probably love ALL the stories about them. Okay, movie fans, check out these documentaries highlighting some of the best stories about movie makers and movie culture. All of these documentaries are available on various free and subscription streaming services or YouTube. Links to trailers and/or the full documentaries are included in the descriptions. Everything is Copy–Nora Ephron: Scripted & Unscripted Directed by Jacob Bernstein and Nick Hooke,

In 1952, the Scottish people were so outraged over a monogram they tarred public mailboxes and planted fake bombs in protest. That seems an extreme reaction over some silly letters, but in fact, those letters carry deep meaning and are steeped in history. The focus of their ire was the royal cipher (or cypher in British English) of the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, which they saw as an affront because it disregarded their beloved Mary, Queen of Scots. Tower of London gate

Jack Smith Park in Cary, N.C., is the perfect microcosm of what I look for in a “little adventure” outdoors – entertainment, creativity and natural beauty. The park has all the typical parts you’d expect like brightly-colored playground equipment and nicely landscaped green spaces, but what’s not typical are the art installations. The towering whirligig sculptures of Vollis Simpson, a farmer/machinist turned folk artist, comprise the park's delightful centerpiece. If you've e

It’s hard not to love Edinburgh, Scotland. The people are friendly, it's easy to get around and the blend of old and new is fascinating. This bustling capital city is divided between Old Town with its medieval history and New Town with its evolution from the 18th century to now. Plus, there’s a long coastline and green hills and expanses. Edinburgh sits on the remains of a 350-million-year-old volcanic island. And, with glacial erosion and time, the ancient volcanic formation

Add the marshmallows to the cocoa, grab a fuzzy blanket and cozy up on the sofa–it's the final stretch for Christmas movie marathons! "Winter Break" programming on TNT and TBS, which began in November, continues to countdown during the last days of December. Tune in for movie favorites such as, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Deck the Halls," and "Arthur Christmas." And, on December 24 at 8 p.m., settle in for the grand finale – the hugely popular 24-hour marathon of "A C

Mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy…Christmas meals are a feast of carbs. It’s all tasty, but it’s heavy. For something that’s lighter,...

Poor apples. They’re like the middle child of produce. No one ever says they’re rock stars or calls them a ‘superfood.’ Mothers don’t brag about how they snuck them into recipes as they do with kale or spinach. No, apples don’t get that kind of attention, but they should. The old phrase, ‘an apple a day, helps keep the doctor away’ is not just puffery. Food scientists and nutritionists know apples are superheroes of overall health and fighting against disease. One large apple

When we drove up to Ponce City Market in Atlanta my expectations were lukewarm. I thought we’d have a nice brunch, walk around a little...

She was a scandal. Pouty lips, rumors of wild unladylike behavior and, of course, all that money. Broadway torch singer Libby Holman married into the wealthy R.J. Reynolds family at the height of the Great Depression, but her story was anything but a dream come true. Tragedy, whispers and innuendo followed her throughout her life. Libby’s story is like a film noir screenplay. All the ingredients are there including wealth, passion, intrigue and, most importantly, a suspicious