It’s mid-May, which means Triangle-area Colleges and Universities are deep into their Spring Commencement ceremonies. Graduating seniors are eagerly awaiting words of encouragement and wisdom from a fascinating variety of commencement speakers.
Case in point, former NC State Wolfpack quarterback Phillip Rivers, now the starting quarterback for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, will deliver the commencement [...]

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Legend has it that on May Day (May 1st), small baskets (called May Baskets) are filled will treats or flowers and left by a suitor on a paramour’s doorstep. Upon ringing the doorbell, the giver of the basket flees. If caught by the intended recipient of the gift, a kiss is in order. (This traditional [...]

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Chapel Hill, NC, yesterday became the first town in the nation to ban the use of hand-held and hands-free cell phones while driving. No talking, no texting, no Siri, no web-browsing. The controversial ordinance will go into effect June 1. So, as happy as I am that you’re reading our At Home in [...]

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Any month that begins with an official Fools’ Day bodes well as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately, April Fools’ Day falls on a Sunday this year, making it less likely that my co-workers will even read my updated policy memo that forbids “self-Googling.”
Then comes April 2 and the NCAA College Hoops Championship Game followed closely [...]

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Of course, there is really only one thing every North Carolinian does in March, so my other suggestions may seem superfluous. Still, that one thing is in Atlanta this year (!)…so unless you don’t mind travelling to witness the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Mar. 8-11, you need some options. This past weekend Maryland beat Georgia [...]

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So, I have an extra day this month to do anything I want. Hmmm…

Clean out a closet. (Forget that!)
Do my taxes. (See number 1.)
Hike a greenway.
Get a massage.
Prepare a special meal for my spouse, or, better yet…
Make a reservation at Magnolia Grill.
Visit my favorite independent record store.
Explore a few NC vineyards.
Play catch with my son.
Wish [...]

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Fat Tuesday is here…and like Fat Albert, a fat wallet, and Fat Bottomed Girls (the great song by Queen)…it’s something to celebrate. Fat Tuesday in French is Mardi Gras, a day with deep roots in the Christian religion. It’s become a day to overindulge and have some extravagant fun before the sober weeks of fasting that [...]

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This year 2012 is a Leap Year and we have one extra day this month to do something. Since doing something is the whole point of these monthly blog posts, we’ll take advantage of the extra day by adding an extra thing to do. It may be the shortest month, but it’s chock-full of activities [...]

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As a young child growing up near the Pennsylvania Turnpike (the nation’s first “modern” turnpike), I was convinced that my parents were paying “the troll” to enter its broad swath of concrete. I would duck onto the car’s floorboard in order to avoid laying eyes on the hideous, man-eating (but very short in stature) beast. [...]

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Did you know that the month of January, what I refer to as the month of empty pockets, is named for Janus…the God of the Doorway? (Who knew there were doorway gods?) So, let’s walk through the door to 2012 and 5 things every North Carolinian should try to do in January. (Sorry about the [...]

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