http://denver.yourhub.comThe latest blog posts in The Denver Newspaper Agency YourHub.comen-usnews@yourhub.com(c) 2009, YourHub.com5On a recent presidential visit to England, the new first lady, Michele Obama, embraced the Queen with a half hug and the world news media collectively tensed up. This was considered a faux pas of gigantic proportion. Royal protocol dictates that one must not touch Her Royal Majesty. The Quee...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~610683.aspx5/3/2009 7:04:22 AMCarol Gioia The signs of spring are apparent everywhere. Birds are returning from the south in flocks; an occasional rabbit can be spied scurrying for cover; long- hidden perennials are peeking out of the earth hungering for the sun. Opening the windows to let in the fresh air, our spirit lifts. Spring is ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~598268.aspx3/31/2009 4:58:01 PMCarol Gioia Chances are your Valentine sweetheart is going to give you something romantic on Valentine's Day to demonstrate his undying love. He has myriad choices from which to select; ranging from something as traditional as a heart-shaped box of chocolates or a dozen red roses, to something more extravaga...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~577267.aspx2/6/2009 7:33:36 AMCarol Gioia Certain milestones in life deserve special recognition, and the President of the United States agrees. The White House greeting office will send a congratulatory message to your loved one at your request. A greeting card from the President and First Lady is the ideal gift in some significant inst...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~564313.aspx1/5/2009 8:02:58 AMCarol Gioia When we are young, time often seems to stand still. We are always awaiting the next pivotal increment of time with impatience and anticipation. We can't wait to be in school, to be a teenager, to be sixteen and allowed to drive, to be twenty one and allowed to drink alcoholic beverages. We are ke...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~562462.aspx12/28/2008 12:24:59 PMCarol Gioia Christmas Spirit Santa Claus has come and gone We had a blessed day But now we know the time has come To put Christmas away Take the stockings from the mantel Leave the tree out on the curb Move the lights and ornaments To the basement undisturbed Remove the baby Jesus From...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~562253.aspx12/26/2008 8:17:31 AMCarol Gioia Getting ready for Christmas Drains my spirit, I fear I'm never prepared Though it comes every year Shopping to do Goodies to bake It's all too hectic How much can I take? Hustling, bustling Frenzied crowd Holiday music Playing too loud Decorating my home ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~561033.aspx12/22/2008 9:46:10 AMCarol Gioia Christmas is not a date on the calendar, it is a season of the heart. External forces cannot dictate when and how we celebrate Christmas. For some, Christmas is a religious tradition. They celebrate the birth of Jesus, following the timetable of events illustrated in the bible and holy script...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~558641.aspx12/15/2008 9:56:51 AMCarol Gioia Anytime I hear the phrase "gingerbread house," I am transported to another place and time, and the sweetest of memories. Christmas in Connecticut, 1966; I am a young mother of four and in the midst of the hectic activity surrounding the impossible dream of creating a perfect holiday. The budge...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~403654.aspx12/13/2007 7:09:00 AMCarol Gioia Keeping traditions alive is what makes each family unique and special. Some traditions revolve around holidays, some are religious in nature, and some get handed down through the generations because, "That's the way we always did it." Christmas is a perfect backdrop for traditions. What fun to...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~395968.aspx11/25/2007 7:05:12 AMCarol Gioia To experience the joy of unconditional love is to have grandchildren. For many years we have had the privilege of being grandparents to some very GRAND children. It is pure love, with no strings attached. We are not responsible for them; they have wonderful parents to provide their needs. The...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~387381.aspx11/4/2007 10:10:06 AMCarol Gioia Everything she treasured was stored in a box on her closet shelf... She was the oldest daughter of a New England farmer. It was difficult to keep her eleven siblings from touching and moving her things, so everything she treasured was stored in a box on her closet shelf. As years went on she ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~384008.aspx10/28/2007 10:33:02 PMCarol Gioia The earth is round, but the world is lopsided. The problem with the world is "enough." Too many do not have enough. Others have more than enough. For some, enough is never enough. The world does not have enough respect, tolerance, acceptance, morality, justice, compassion, charity, hope and l...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~381329.aspx10/22/2007 6:27:49 PMCarol Gioia Nothing makes me so peevish as to plan a meal out with my husband, and suddenly our cozy twosome becomes an irritating threesome. The food is ordered and has not yet arrived when along comes the unwelcome guest. He zooms in and perches on the edge of the table. I try to ignore him, but he gets ri...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~379381.aspx10/18/2007 8:23:23 AMCarol Gioia All across the nation public elementary schools are eliminating traditional Halloween parties stating they conflict with the religious beliefs of some students. Some schools are substituting with "Fall" parties, and others are opting out altogether, not wanting to deal with costume issues and jun...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Education-General/Blog~376884.aspx10/12/2007 3:32:45 PMCarol Gioia We can neither turn a blind eye nor a deaf ear to the daily news. As horrific and devestating as the lead stories may be, they are what is happening in our world; they are our current events. If we are to be active participants in our society, with a realistic point of view, we must stay abreast ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Broomfield/Blogs/Archive/Blog~374168.aspx10/8/2007 2:53:07 PMCarol Gioia