Tag: Life & Tradition

A Train Journey on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Slow down, we move too fast now. Sometimes it’s good to stop and stare, soak up nature, and remind ourselves that we’re part of a complicated, grander design. Walking through the woods is wonderful. But if you prefer the comfort of viewing nature from a sitting position, try a scenic train ride. Eight scenic rides…


Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘The Westerner’: A Brilliant Mix of Drama, Comedy, and Memorable Characters

Approved | 1h 40min | Comedy, Drama, Romance |1940 A mysterious drifter rides his horse through a harsh yet beautiful desert landscape. We see cracked earth and scrub brush in the foreground and a rugged range of mountains that sprouts up in the hazy background. Soon we see text scroll up that begins with: “After…


Better Than Gold: The Value of Friendship

Of all the gifts we might desire in life, surely friendship stands near the top of the list. Those of us who have a close friend or two feel blessed. We share our dreams and secrets with these companions of the heart: our joy and our sadness, our victories and our defeats. And when we…


Artist Profile: Beauty Through Tradition: Shen Yun

Evangeline Zhu was at Lincoln Center in New York, hours away from stepping on stage, when she got the news: The show would not go on. In the 14 years Shen Yun Performing Arts had been performing, seldom had there been a canceled show—though the Chinese Communist Party has certainly tried to have Shen Yun…


Moms of Babies Switched at Birth Raise Daughters Under Same Roof: ‘Love Is Fundamental’

Two mothers who gave birth on the same day, at the same hospital, made an unconventional decision when they found out their daughters had been accidentally switched at birth. They merged families, raising their girls under the same roof, and today they are inseparable. Marinella Alagna and Gisella Fodera, from the Sicilian town of Mazara…


Huge Humpback Whale Suddenly Bursts Into the Air Beside Boat, Leaves Sailors Shocked

Taken by photographer Douglas Croft, 60, and whale watcher Kate Cummings, a stunning photo shoot shows a humpback whale breaching through the surface right next to a boat, catching an unsuspecting fisherman in shock, before crashing down beneath the waves. The sequence was captured in Monterey Bay in Canada. “It was quite exciting! Salmon season…


The Family Table: Biscuits and Chocolate Pudding, With a Side of Kentucky Memories

Submitted by Lanie Montgomery, Ohio Biscuits and chocolate pudding might seem like an unusual pairing. But growing up, it was loved by everyone in my family, especially the kids. We had it for breakfast on Saturdays when we would spend a Friday night with my grandparents. It was usually served with a side of fried…


700lb Bed-Bound Man Drops 260lb in 8 Months, Gets Down on One Knee to Propose

Immobilized by morbid obesity, a bed-bound Oregon-based man claimed his life back after being on oxygen 24 hours a day. At over 700 pounds (317 kg), he faced an uphill battle, but then someone came along to boost his faith in himself, in love, and in a brighter future. Less than a year later, and…


Ancient Tales of Wisdom: Old Tiger and a Greedy Traveler

Ancient tales of wisdom remind us of the traditions and moral values that have been treasured all over the world. We hope the stories and messages in our Tales of Wisdom series help uplift the hearts and minds of our readers. “Old Tiger and a Greedy Traveler” is a tale about greed and how it…


Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Boyhood’ Gives New Meaning to Coming-of-Age Genre

Boyhood” is to coming-of-age movies what “Act of Valor” is to war movies.