Uncategorized

After tubing in Jamaica, my daughter is hooked on tubing rivers.  Chukka Tours writes, "Drift into a side of Jamaica that feels slower and more connected at Lethe Village, where river tubing becomes more than a ride — it becomes a cultural journey through the countryside. Glide along the peaceful Great River with rum punch in hand as the lush scenery invites you to relax, take it all in, and experience a different side of the island. Beyond the river, the experience continues through Lethe’s garden pathways, surrounded by local flora and fauna, where your guide introduces the banana plant — a fascinating look at one of the island’s most versatile natural elements. From root to leaf, the story unfolds into the tradition of making duckunoo, also known as blue draws, before you enjoy a pre-made tasting of this island treat. Blending relaxation, flavour, and local heritage, this is an authentic journey through Jamaica’s countryside and culture."   We loved it. I grew up with this on the Apple River, so I'm down too.  Apple River Tubing takes lazy river fun to the next level with over THREE miles of river adventure for the entire family! We provide the tubes and transportation. All you need is a good time. Join us for a tubing or tanking trip at the Tubing Capital of the World! For tubing in Colorado, check this out... https://www.5280.com/5-places-to-tube-in-colorado-this-summer/?utm_campaign=The%20Local&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--fpPgmxnNquF7AM9VkbJsQYvs8Y6vod9SiUt1lXHHlsshfmnwlzwwAn5J-weyHghjTWueqNjikWlAjWCQmcKkBjlTSig&_hsmi=311394301&utm_content=311394301&utm_source=hs_email

Why Padel Is Becoming the World's Favorite Racket Sport Pickleball may dominate headlines in the United States, but another racket sport is quietly taking over the rest of the world. It's called padel (pronounced PAD-el), and millions of players are discovering why it's one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet. Although padel and pickleball share a few similarities, they're very different games. Padel combines elements of tennis and squash into a fast-paced, highly social sport that rewards strategy, teamwork, and quick reflexes. Once players step onto the court, many quickly understand why it's developing such a devoted following. What Is Padel? Padel is best described as a hybrid of tennis and squash. It is always played in doubles on an enclosed court that's about 25 percent smaller than a standard tennis court. The surrounding glass and mesh walls aren't just barriers—they're part of the game. After the ball bounces on the court, players can use the walls to keep rallies alive, creating longer exchanges and more tactical play than traditional tennis. The scoring follows standard tennis rules, but the serve is always underhand. Because the court is enclosed, there's less time spent chasing balls and more time actually playing. Padel vs. Pickleball The main difference is that padel is a fast-paced, multi-directional sport played inside a glass-enclosed "cage" where the walls are in play, whereas pickleball is a slower, highly tactical game played on a smaller, open court with a signature "no-volley zone" near the net.While pickleball has historically dominated North America, padel is a massive global phenomenon that is rapidly expanding its footprint into premium clubs across the United States. Looking for a new pickleball paddle?   Try a 6.0, El Slapo, or

The homeless population in Bozeman, Montana, has seen a 50% increase since 2020, with the issue becoming more visible due to urban camping. This surge in homelessness is closely tied to soaring housing costs, particularly evident in Bozeman, which boasts the highest rents in Montana. The phenomenon of "urban camping," where individuals reside in RVs or vehicles parked on city streets, has become increasingly prevalent as housing expenses continue to escalate, affecting communities across the Western United States. Bozeman, nestled in the Rocky Mountains near Yellowstone National Park, is home to approximately 56,000 residents. According to Montana PBS, the number of Bozeman residents living in RVs or cars has skyrocketed by 200% over two years, coinciding with a 50% increase in the overall homeless population since 2020.  Montana, known as Big Sky Country, has experienced a surge of remote workers and affluent individuals relocating there in recent years, particularly in cities like Bozeman and Missoula. Many are digital nomads or thriving small business owners drawn in by the allure of *Yellowstone*. While this influx has driven up living costs, it hasn’t significantly impacted median incomes. Currently, about 17% of Montanans earn above the upper-class threshold of $135,262. The surge in homelessness corresponds with a significant spike in housing costs. City data reveals that the median listing price for a home surged from $669,000 in early 2020 to $1.2 million in 2024. Rental costs in Gallatin County, where Bozeman is situated, surged nearly 19% from 2019 to 2022, solidifying the county's status with the highest rents in Montana. In response, the city implemented an ordinance in November aimed at regulating urban camping, limiting stays at a single location to 30 days without extension and prohibiting camping

By  XAVIER MURPHY Jamaicans play “draw” style dominoes. There are many variations to the “draw” style. Jamaican style dominoes are intense and a sturdy table is needed in most cases as players slam the dominoes. Six love (6 to 0) is one type of game Jamaicans love to play. In this game you must win six rounds. In many cases you have to play this game with a partner to shorten the duration. Below are the steps to play “Jamaican Style” dominoes with four players. Steps: Count out 28 dominoes, from double blank to double six. Place all the dominoes face-down on a sturdy table. Shuffle the dominoes well. Each players take seven dominoes. The player with the highest double goes first. In this case it will be “Double Six”. It is placed horizontally. This is called the “pose”. The player to the right (counter clockwise) of the first player should plays next. Except for doubles each domino is placed vertically. In Jamaican style dominoes only two sides of the domino is used to match. The next player will play the domino with like value next to the first domino (it doesn’t matter which end). Make sure like values are always touching. If you don’t have a domino that corresponds to the ones on the layout, you must pass. Most Jamaican players will either lay down their dominoes to show they “pass” or they will “click” two dominoes together twice to show they have passed. Who wins: The first person to run out of dominoes wins OR if everybody passes (GAME BLOCKED). The winner is the person with the lowest score. You count your score by the number of dots on the tiles remaining in

My daughter asked the other day what's the definition of rich.  Here's the answer: Let’s start with the clearer economic signs. Investopedia’s analysis of 2023 shows that the top 1% of American citizens make an average of $407,500 annually. This is for individuals, though, and when it comes to households, this number goes up to $591,550. Making these means you’re making at least 7 times more than the average person. Another direct indicator is the amount of tax you pay. If you’re having to deal with a 35% or 37% tax on your income (at least $105,664, as Nerdwallet shares), then you’re basically rich. It’s important to note, however, that the super-rich billionaires actually pay less tax than the average American due to very smart financial moves. Many say wealth is in your mindset, and rightfully so. When you start making a lot of money or when you get accustomed to a high-class social environment, you start looking at opportunities differently. You look at money as a tool to create wealth, and you also use your networks for collaboration instead of competition. Although there’s no exact cutoff to receive financial aid for college, people who are rich or from rich households typically find it difficult to qualify—and it’s not always about bad grades. Even if you get financial aid, you’ll also notice that it does not cover anything close to the full cost of tuition. The richer you are, the higher your credit limits, and the cards with the highest limits are usually colored black. American Express’s most luxurious card—which is the most exclusive in the world—is even nicknamed the “Black Card.” If you own other black cards like JP Morgan’s Palladium card or the Coutts World

A guru is a spiritual teacher or guide in Indian religions, particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The term "guru" is derived from Sanskrit and literally means "dispeller of darkness." Gurus are highly respected and revered figures who are believed to have attained enlightenment or profound spiritual knowledge. They are often sought after for their wisdom, guidance, and teachings on various aspects of life, spirituality, meditation, and self-realization. In addition to spiritual matters, gurus may also provide guidance on practical aspects of life, such as morality, ethics, and social conduct. Traditionally, the relationship between a guru and their disciple is deeply personal and based on trust, respect, and devotion. photo credit my friend Darrell R. On Instagram   Eckhart Tolle's teachings on enlightenment center on living in the present moment as a path to spiritual awakening, emphasizing that it is not a future goal to be achieved but an immediate state of consciousness. He teaches that by silencing the "mind" and the "ego," and by focusing on the "Now," individuals can connect with a deeper, more peaceful reality beyond their thoughts. This awakened state is seen as a way to become more conscious, present, and free from psychological pain.   Key concepts Enlightenment as presence: Tolle argues that the mind creates pain and that to be free from it, one must be fully present in the "Now".  The "Now" is all there is: The past is gone, and the future has not yet arrived, so the only reality is the present moment. Tolle's book, The Power of Now, is a guide to living in this state.  Separating from the ego: Enlightenment involves seeing that the "self" is not the ego or the mind but a deeper, more indestructible "Being" or consciousness.  Awakening is not a