Opinion

Nov. 22, 2011 — Family dynamics at Thanksgiving dinners have provided the subject matter for a multitude of movie scripts and blogs.

Recently I received a press release on a how-to book about surviving holiday gatherings.

It discussed the type of conversation that can make family gatherings difficult, such as negative comments, barbs, self-pity and complaints.

Nov. 15, 2011 — We may be enjoying the final gasps of fall right now, but one thing is certain — the winter driving season will soon be upon us.

Everyone who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in our region of Northeastern California should be ready and able to care for themselves and their vehicle in the event of an expected or unexpected storm.

Now is the time to make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving. Make sure you prepare your car by checking tires, windshield wipers and your battery before winter arrives.

Nov. 15, 2011 — I recently took part in a three-day yoga workshop in Truckee called “The Yoga of Possibility and Purpose.” That might sound odd to some of you.

But one of the underlying precepts of yoga is that you can take what you learn on your mat off the mat and into your life.

Here’s an example: say you feel out of balance or maybe downright uncomfortable in a pose. How do you respond to that?

Just the thought of it warms my body and relaxes my mind. Even my dog Snoofy looks forward to our quiet time.

To some, the thought of meditation may be abstract, perhaps a word mistakenly used to identify a misunderstood view of religion.