Scientists have recently reported on the results of a universal cancer vaccine that boosts the immune system to fight tumors and to enhance existing cancer therapies. This vaccine is designed to work across multiple types cancers.

The vaccine targeted solid tumors, which are more resistant to immunotherapy than blood cancers. This could become a universal paradigm that can be used to treat cancer and stop treated cancers from coming back.

This cancer vaccine could be especially useful for types of cancer that usually don’t trigger a strong immune response, including, pancreatic, ovarian, and some types of breast cancer. These tumors hide from the immune system making it difficult to use immunotherapy, so it’s possible that this type of vaccine could help expose these cancers to attack.

Similar to vaccines for the flu and COVID-19, cancer vaccines are designed to help the immune system by training it to recognize proteins and allow the immune system to attack. While conventional vaccines aim to prevent disease (including two cancer vaccines for HPV and Hepatitis B), cancer vaccines are being developed to remove existing cancer tumors and prevent treated cancers from returning.

Conventional vaccines and cancer vaccines typically use the same mechanism. The cancer vaccines teach immune cells to identify unique features of cancer cells and destroy them. 

The experimental vaccine was developed using messenger RNA (mRNA), which also was used for the first COVID-19 vaccines. In this early-stage cancer vaccine, the mRNA carries instructions that raises the body’s first-line immune defenses. In particular, the vaccine aims to boost the body’s production of immune messengers that spot cancerous tumors. The signals rally the immune system to attack the tumors and stop the cancer’s growth. This signaling is key to destroying tumors at the early stage of development.

The vaccine has been tested on several cancers in mice, including melanoma, brain, bone and lung cancers and the results were promising.

While human research is needed to confirm how well this approach works, the encouraging results in mice offer interesting possibilities. Future studies will address key questions around safety, consistency, and long-term effectiveness in real-world cancer patients.

That is the exciting news…however.

Recently the U.S. federal government has moved to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for mRNA vaccine development. Led by Robert Kennedy, Jr, the misinformed head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it is slashing its investment in mRNA vaccines impacting 22 projects totaling nearly $500 million.

To date, influenza, RSV, bird flu, CMV (a herpes virus that can cause serious developmental problems in infants), Zika, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis B vaccines have been targeted. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr is the founder of the anti-vaccine group the Children’s Health Defense. Despite a plethora of research stating otherwise, he claimed that mRNA vaccines “fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections” and said that the HHS will shift to funding “safer, broader vaccine platforms.” These alternatives were defined as whole-virus vaccines and unspecified technologies. Despite research showing that these are less efficient, slower, and less effective.

The arguments made by RFK Jr are not based on scientific research and correspondingly, most of his statements are false. 

Not continuing to investigate the usage of a technology that has proven itself in the COVID 19 pandemic puts Americans in harm’s way for bird flu and another pandemic.

Before mRNA technology, traditional vaccines typically took between three to five years to develop and even longer to test, with mRNA it takes months. Other countries, such as China, recognize the power of mRNA vaccines and medicines and are doubling down on their investment. If there is a pandemic, such as avian flu we’re going to be caught asking China for its vaccines. Scientists now consider the United States to be an unfriendly place for mRNA-based technology.

For now, this cancellation of funds will not impact uses of mRNA technology in cancer vaccines. Even though the cancellation was specific to infectious disease, it really discouraging to the entire industry.”

Besides cancer research, mRNA technology is also being used with CRISPR. CRISPR is a gene editing tool that has significant promise for curing genetic disorders. The limitation of CRISPR gene editing is being able to stop it. mRNA makes gene editing possible because it enables the insertion of the corrected genome and it stops it from over-replicating. CRISPR has been used (experimentally) with cancer, diabetes and sickle cell anemia. The CRISPR technology was introduced via mRNA. mRNA is safe because the body makes and then clears the mRNA as part of its normal process. 

By undermining mRNA-based work, HHS is potentially limiting the ability to use a personalized medicine approach of gene editing that could save millions of lives every year.

With the cuts in mRNA funding, there are now other countries that are recruiting American companies and scientists. In addition to moving their brick-and-mortar operations overseas, these American companies will start developing drugs for other countries. This will impact America’s leadership in biomedical discovery.

Why is there this resistance to mRNA? In a word, its complexity.

Some Americans don’t understand that mRNA is a natural substance, a natural part of our body. Every cell in our body has mRNA — thousands of copies of mRNA. With mRNA-based medicines, we’re actually taking advantage of a natural system that exists within our body and using our body to help itself. 

Let’s hope that our country can survive four years or more of this type of scientific ignorance.

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

I was watching the documentary about Billy Joel and he mentioned that he decided to stop writing songs at 44 years old. The documentary was fun to watch, as I got to listen to his music, but it got me to thinking about the issue of creativity and age.

Does creativity necessarily decline with age? The answer is a complex yes and no.

Songwriters report losing their creativity as they age. Billy Joel was most prolific in his 20s and 30s. Bob Dylan famously wrote Blowing in the Wind on the back of a napkin. Dylan claims that he can no longer write songs at the level that he used to write them. Another musical artist who reported a decline in his songwriting abilities was Bruce Springsteen. Most rock and pop musicians do not continue to write songs after their 30s or 40s.

When I was at Bell Laboratories, I worked with a number of particle physicists who informed me that this phenomenon of creativity declining with age was prominent with major physics breakthroughs. Albert Einstein was 26 when he developed the Theory of Relativity. And while he continued to work, he was never able to successfully find a solution to the Theory of Everything.

Several artists were also most creative in their younger years. Picasso invented Cubism when he was 26 years old.

Yet, many artists and musicians continued to innovate as they aged. Beethoven wrote his Ninth Symphony when he was 53 years old (and deaf). Handel wrote The Messiah when he was 56 years old. Mozart was especially productive at the end of his life (but he died at 35). 

The relationship between age and creativity depends on many factors, one of them is the field of study. Some creative domains—such as songwriting, physics, science, and mathematics tend to have early peaks and relatively rapid declines, whereas other fields that require extensive knowledge and skill such as medicine, history, some art, humanities, and philosophers—show later gradual peaks of creativity. 

Thirty-one Nobel Prize Winners in the field of economics were evaluated as to when they made their most significant contributions to the field. There were two peak cycles of creativity, one very early in their careers and another later in their life. The difference between those who experienced a peak in creativity during their mid-twenties and those who peaked in their mid-50s, was the type of creativity.

People who were conceptual innovators—those who think “out of the box,” challenge conventional wisdom, and create paradigm shifts were most creative at an earlier age. The second group built on their knowledge and discovered new and innovative methods within existing frameworks. They worked through trial and error at a more gradual pace.

Examples of young, conceptual innovators include Picasso, T.S. Eliot, Melville, and Einstein. Examples of innovators who produced their best work later in life include Cezanne, Matisse, Robert Frost, Virginia Woolf, and Darwin.

Career age is more important than chronological age. Some late bloomers do not truly hit their stride until their 60s or 70s (think of Georgia O’Keefe). They sometimes had uninspiring jobs for decades before discovering their true passion.

There are several reasons for the decline in creativity with age. Abstract reasoning may be affected by brain changes associated with aging. Speed of processing and working memory decline with age.

But one of the most important reasons for creativity decline is becoming more accepting of and steeped in the norms and a desire to work within them. When young, it is easy to dismiss the work of others, but as we age and become familiar with the work, we are more appreciative of the thought and effort that went into it.

Another reason for creativity decline may be a decrease in motivation, sometimes believing that we have accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, lessened ambition, or a feeling that a “prime time” for creativity has passed. Billy Joel cited that the tiresome nature of rhyming, his process (which required him to work alone), and that he had said all he wanted to say—had contributed to his desire to give up pop songwriting. (He did explore other genres and wrote an album of classical music.)

There are instances where creativity increases with age. Older adults have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be valuable for creative problem-solving. This is especially true when applying knowledge from one field to another. 

Our brain continues to form new neural connections throughout life. Thus, there are ways to improve and maintain creativity as we age. One way is to allow our minds to wander and wonder. Creative breakthroughs often occur when the mind is not actively focused on a specific task.

Other sources of creativity are interacting with others, learning new disciplines, and engaging in new experiences. The good news is that creativity is not a static ability that inevitably declines with age. It’s a complex process that can be maintained and even enhanced if we are willing to exercise it.

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

August 3rd marked the 10th anniversary of my husband’s death. I found myself listening to the music that we fell in love to. It felt like his death happened a lifetime ago and just yesterday at the same time.

While I am living a happy life and am blessed by family, dogs, friends, health, and comfort, it is not the life that I would have chosen.

Grief is a funny thing. I no longer feel debilitated by his loss as I did for the first three years. But grief still reappears, in bursts. Sometimes I ache for the life that we would have had…but most of the time I am happy, appreciating the accomplishments of my daughter and her husband, adoring my dogs, enjoying writing, loving my friends and family. 

But still, I believe that my life would be very different if he had not have died. 

For one thing, I imagine I would still be living in New Jersey and be near our daughter in New York City. When people think of New Jersey, most think of the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway and the ugliness of it. But those of us who have lived in New Jersey know that it is a secretly magical, beautiful place. It is a hidden landscape of rolling hills and lush summers. History, gardens and green grass surround its residents. My husband, our daughter, and I lived in an old Victorian house with a beautiful garden, complete with a 70-year-old fountain as its centerpiece.

I imagine that my husband and I would have sold that house and bought a smaller one. We would have built a garden, as we created gardens wherever we went.

I imagine that we would still be going to Key West in the winters, but the house would have been renovated. My husband loved to take a house and make it our own.

I imagine him beaming at our daughter’s wedding as she chose a simply wonderful man to spend the rest of her life with. Their wedding was a joyous event that still makes me smile. He would be pleased with all of her accomplishments.

I imagine that we would have continued entertaining. He loved to entertain. We gave large Christmas parties, hosted major family gatherings, and even held events for close friends.

I imagine that he would have started writing. He was a better writer than I am. So much better that I had him write all of the cards and notes even to family. 

I imagine that we would have spent a lot of time with our family, especially at family gatherings.

I imagine that I would be able to sleep. His snoring never bothered me; it reminded me that he was next to me.

I imagine that I would still have become a writer, but with his support and encouragement, I would have tried to publish my novel.

Of all the things that I miss, it is the loss of his love and encouragement that aches the most. No matter what I did, I knew that there was someone back home who thought that I was the best person in the world. 

But imagining is just that. He is gone forever and has been gone for 10 years. 

My life is a lot different than it would have been if he were here, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t good. I am very blessed.

But can’t help imagining, especially on the anniversary of his death…

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

Our vocabulary would not be complete without idioms and sayings. But I wondered the other day where these originated. So I compiled a list:

Cut to the chase—get to the point. This idiom comes from the film industry. Early films often had long storylines before getting to the chase scene.

Red-letter day—an auspicious, good day. This had its origins in ecclesiastical calendars. In the Middle Ages, feast and saints’ days were marked in red letters. 

Nest egg—set aside money for the future. While collecting eggs, farmers often leave one egg to encourage the chickens to continue laying eggs in the same nest. 

Baker’s dozen—usually 13 instead of 12 pastries. To stay on the right side of a Medieval law to prevent bakers from selling underweight loaves of bread, bakers started to give an extra piece of bread away with every loaf.

Sink or swim—fail or succeed entirely by one’s own efforts. During Puritan times, a person’s innocence was judged by casting them into a lake. If the victims sunk they were innocent (but, unfortunately dead), but if they floated they were guilty. 

Curry favor—to get someone to think highly of you. This came from a Dark Ages play about characters grooming a chestnut horse in order to win favor (the original word was favel which meant deceit or flattery). Eventually, the play was forgotten, but the idiom remained.

Butter someone up—flatter someone. In ancient India, the devout would throw butter balls at the statues of their gods to seek favor and forgiveness.

Dead as a doornail—completely dead. Door nails used to be hammered in the doors and then hammered sideways to prevent the nail from being pulled out. Such a nail was called a dead nail.

Bite the bullet—do something unpleasant that you have been putting off. If there was no anesthesia, doctors would ask the patient to bite down on a bullet to distract them from pain. 

Dyed in the wool—someone with a deeply ingrained belief (e.g., dyed in the wool Republican). In medieval times, people applied vegetable dye directly to raw wool rather than to yarn or finished cloth, resulting in a more consistent and durable color. 

Red herring—mislead or distract from the main issue. A dried, salted, and smoked herring takes on a reddish hue and has a pungent odor. It was used for training hounds to recognize stags for hunting. 

Give someone the cold shoulder—to ignore someone. In the Middle Ages if someone overstayed their welcome they were served leftovers, such as a cold shoulder of mutton from the previous night’s dinner.

Hue and cry—protest loudly. In the 1600s, if you saw a crime being committed, you were obliged to raise ‘hue’ and ‘cry.’

Play devil’s advocate—speak in opposition. Pope Leo X created the post of Promoter of the Faith. The official’s job was to argue against a proposed canonization of a saint by bringing up all that was unfavorable, which led to the unofficial title of Devil’s advocate.

Throw down the gauntlet—issue a challenge. The piece of armor that knights wore to protect their forearms and hands was called a gauntlet. A knight would threaten a fellow knight or enemy to a duel by throwing one of his gauntlets on the ground. 

Break the ice—get a conversation started. When trade ships got stuck in the ice, the receiving country would send small ships to “break the ice” to clear the way. 

Mad as a hatter—crazy. In earlier times hat makers were poisoned by mercury in hat felt. They would become shy, irritable, and develop tremors that made them appear crazy or “mad.”

Cat got your tongue?—doesn’t speak. The English Navy used to use a whip called “Cat-o’-nine-tails” for flogging. The pain was so severe that it caused the victim to stay quiet for a long time.

Barking up the wrong tree—misguided. This refers to hunting dogs that chased their prey up a tree. The dogs barked, assuming that the prey is still in the tree.

Bury the hatchet—make peace. When negotiating peace, Native Americans would bury all their hatchets, knives, clubs, and tomahawks.

Caught red-handed—guilty. An old English law punished anyone for butchering an animal that wasn’t his. He could only be convicted if he was caught with the animal’s blood still on his hands.

The whole nine yards—above and beyond. During World War II, fighter pilots were equipped with nine yards of ammunition. When they ran out, it meant that they had tried their best.

Let one’s hair down—relax. Aristocratic women wore elegant hairdos in public that were usually pulled up. The only time they would “let their hair down” was when they came home and relaxed.

Straight from the horse’s mouth—direct from the source. The idiom originated from horse racing, where people would get information about horses directly from their owners or trainers. 

One mistaken idiomatic origin is the origin of the rule of thumb. This is often believed to be based on a law granting husbands permission to beat wives and children as long as it was a stick less than the size of a thumb. This is simply not true. In fact, in the 17th century the term was used as a general sizing guideline by the trades before there were uniform measurements.

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

Last week’s column about the sounds of summer can’t be complete without talking about the inevitable summer doldrums brought on by relentless heat. I feel sort of listless and lack motivation to even write this column (which I normally love to do). 

So, I went on the Internet to research what to do about these summer blues. Here is what the experts recommended.

The first step is to appreciate what summer offers. Experts recommend that we embrace a positive mindset (of course if that were easy, I wouldn’t be researching how to end the summer gloom). 

As always, mindfulness is important. The experts recommend that we try to focus on the present moment, and find something to enjoy about it, such as the outdoor beauty (from inside.) This can help improve mood and motivation to engage in the activities that are offered.

Summer offers a unique freeness that is absent in the other seasons. This year, the unusual rains have brought an unexpected green and lushness to our summer landscape. The Crepe Myrtles are making a spectacular debut by ignoring the summer heat. The limelight hydrangeas are emerging and rudbeckia welcomes all with its yellow flowers and brown centers. The fireflies delight each night and there are outdoor concerts in summer evenings. Summer offers special events such as the plein air festival. It is recommended that we try to sign up for at least one event per month.

Summer would not be summer without the plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables that are available at the farm stands, farmers’ markets, and even grocery stores. A fresh salad and freshly prepared fruits and vegetables reminds us how good healthy eating feels.

Experts recommend that we prioritize self-care. This could be a nap, a relaxing shower, exercise, a massage or facial, healthy fresh vegetables and fruit, or anything that cares for your physical body. Practicing self-care reminds us that we are important. 

If we get a day that gives us a break from the heat, take advantage of it. A short walk, gardening, sitting by the pool, a brief bike ride, or anything that allows you to enjoy the outside. Exposure to sunlight and fresh air can boost mood and energy levels. 

This is a good time to set some goals. I decided to paint my bathroom. It allows me to stay indoors away from the heat and paint a room that is in desperate need of a refresh. It is important to set realistic goals, so I am going to paint the room in two days rather than try to push it into a single day. 

Try something new: prepare a new recipe with fresh vegetables, read a book, or watch a show or movie that you might not typically choose. Summer can be a great time to learn a new skill, take a class, or try a creative activity. I have decided to improve my Spanish. Duolingo is an app that provides an interesting way to learn a foreign language. It is free unless you want a deluxe version that offers AI chats in the language.

Plan a day trip. This is a time to enjoy a museum, go to the beach, visit an arboretum, or check out our historical sites, especially those along the underground railroad. Because summer is slower, we can take extra time to enjoy it. 

Consider journaling. Writing can be a powerful way to stay focused. It is good to chronicle what we have done during the day. It allows us to reinforce good habits and see what we have accomplished even if we are a little bored.

While trying new events also remember to keep some structure in your daily routine. This includes consistent sleep patterns and breaks. Each morning, I ride my bike before it gets too hot, so I have added that to my schedule and make myself ride even if I would prefer to stay indoors.

This is a good season to spend time with friends and family. Social interaction and shared experiences boost both mood and motivation. This can include joining clubs, such as a book club, hosting a party, setting up a regular game, or visiting others. 

Avoid negativity if possible. It is easy to get down on ourselves when we are isolated by the weather, so think positive thoughts and avoid those people who tend to criticize or be negative.

Because it is summer, it is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day to combat the effects of heat and fatigue. Eating healthy always improves mood, but treat yourself to those summer delights. Is there a better time for watermelon or ice cream than mid to late summer? 

Most of all remember that these “dog days” will be over soon and cooler temperatures will prevail.

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

Each season has its own scent and soundtrack. I can close my eyes, ignore the temperature and know what season it is by these sounds and the scents. 

Autumn brings the rustle from leaves being swept across the pavement, and the crunch from these leaves as we walk through them. Canada geese honk in the sky and crows caw to notify their kin of a newly harvested field. The air is dry and crisp, so the sounds from hunting and other machines are louder and more differentiated. 

Winter is cold silence, especially the surreal quiet after a snowstorm, when every sound seems to be absorbed into the surroundings. When there is no snow, echoes and sounds are louder because there is no flora to absorb them. Most birds have migrated or gone into the woods; only the cars or the lonely sound of a dog barking remain.

Spring adds warmth to the cool air, and a natural perfume wafting from the flowering bushes and trees. When the rain comes, I hear the sounds of the rain pattering onto the pavement. The birds sing endlessly as they celebrate their return and prepare their nests for their families.

Summer is also unique. In the early morning, the paradactyl squawks from the great blue heron rookery on the nature trail echo in the sky as one parent returns from night duty and the other takes flight in the morning to hunt for food. 

The whining lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and weed whackers punctuate the peaceful silence but leave the sweet smell of cut grass. There are mid-summer celebrations that bring loud pops and booms that pierce the night air. 

Then there are the thunderstorms, miraculous and frightening events where bright lightening briefly illuminates the sky, followed by the clash of thunder. Just before the rain arrives, the air takes on a metallic scent. The rain is no gentle pitter-patter as in spring, instead it pounds the ground and slaps the windshield if you are unlucky enough to be driving through it.

The spring flowers are gone, but some scented flowers remain. The honeysuckle’s sweet smell lingers in the humid air, phlox and roses share their perfume. 

Along the rivers and creeks there is a faint smell of brine, decay, and fish that lingers in the warm, humid aid. Blue-gray rivers wind leisurely around the green patches of cattails and woodland along their sandy banks. A cloudless, pastel blue sky is quiet except for an occasional lone osprey circling overhead. The houses lining the shore are grand and crisply painted, featuring long docks with shiny white sailboats and power boats. 

Mid-summer also brings the ubiquitous farm stands. You can smell the sweet scent of corn, ripe red tomatoes; dark green zucchini with white speckles; creamy yellow squashes; green and white freckled pickling cucumbers; deep red-, green- and yellow-colored peppers. The fruits come and go with the seasons, mid-summer brings the sweet smells of peaches, cherries, dirt-encrusted cantaloupes, and watermelons of all shades of green.

The chirps and melodies by the birds are fewer in the summer, but their songs provide a soprano soundtrack in the hot, humid air. Summer brings the percussion instruments. The locusts whine, a low rambling hum that reaches a crescendo, slowly dwindles to silence and recycles. The large, annual cicadas emerge from their cocoons and add to the percussion section with a sound that resembles a mechanic’s ratchet. Their relentless beat has earned them the nickname “dog day cicadas.”

At dusk, I can hear the quail (bob white) calling. Only a few chirps and tweets remain as the rest of the birds settle down on their branches or nests for the evening. As darkness falls, the sounds quiet down, the fireflies sprinkle light, the summer heat rises from the pavement and the long day ends, only to repeat itself the next day. 

There is something about summer, its soft, lazy days. But unfortunately, with this heat wave it is best enjoyed when at daybreak and during the comforting summer nights.

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

 

It is that time of the year. The hydrangeas are blooming everywhere. Mostly pink, but some blue hydrangeas are brightening our gardens. In my garden, gooseneck loosestrife is also blooming, it is a beautiful companion flower that has a white flower head in the shape of a goose neck and head.

Not only is it time to enjoy them outside, but hydrangeas also sparkle inside. It is an inexpensive way to bring beauty into our homes.

I looked for research on why bringing flowers inside is a good idea. I only found two studies, both commissioned by floral associations. 

But there is something to be said about fresh flowers in your home. They brighten up the indoors, they bring the outdoors inside. Flowers make our home just a little prettier. Some people enjoy the scents, especially those from peonies whose sweet scent wafts throughout the room. 

Flowers make us feel better. Hospitals have green areas and many patients have some kind of floral arrangement supplied by a caring person.

Just gazing at flowers can reduce stress. They make me smile every time I look at them.

Recently, I received a generous floral arrangement, it made my day. To be surrounded by such beautiful flowers that a loving person sent to me…how can I feel anything but joy?

There is some research that supports the benefits of flowers in the home and office. A Rutgers University study found that there is a link between flowers and life satisfaction. They concluded that presence of flowers in the environment triggers happy emotions and heightens feelings of satisfaction.

A study funded by a floral association in 2000 found that having fresh flowers in a workspace increased problem-solving abilities, boosted creative thoughts, and helped workers generate ideas. Participants in this eight-month study performed a series of problem-solving tasks in three common office environments: a workplace with plants and flowers, a workplace with abstract sculptures, and a workplace with no embellishments. Both male and female participants demonstrated more innovative thinking and generated more ideas and original solutions in settings with plants and flowers. Men who participated in the study generated 15% more ideas when working in the plant and flower surroundings. Females were more creative and flexible when plants and flowers were in the workspace.

Some of us just love flowers. On the Internet, I found that people who love flowers are described as having traits like kindness, sensitivity, and an appreciation for beauty and nature. Flower lovers are also frequently associated with being thoughtful, nurturing, and observant. But this is written by people who love flowers or people in the business of flowers, so I don’t give it much credence. 

But what we do know is that flowers bought in the grocery store, delivered by a florist or picked from your backyard, just make the house a little bit happier.  

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

Every morning, I rise at 5 a.m., wishing that I could sleep longer. But my circadian rhythm and the beautiful melodies of the birds prevent me from returning to my slumber. My dogs agree with the birds that it is time to rise. They are in a hurry to gulp down their meal.

I shower and dress. Then I go downstairs to make my morning tea. While the tea is steeping, I feed my impatient canines, who bark in eager anticipation.

After basic needs are cared for, I do my morning ritual of affirmation. Sometimes I light a candle but usually I just sit in a chair and thank God for all of my blessings. It is a very long list.

Then I catch up on emails and texts and read quietly. Pretty soon, it is time to take my excited little pals for a walk on the nature trail. We walk about a mile, which is as long as my elderly Maltese can manage with his damaged heart. They love their walk; it is a time to sniff all manner of scents that I cannot and do not wish to smell. They watch for bunnies and squirrels and hope that someday the leash gives out and they can catch them.

This is my routine, but I also refer to this as my ritual. So, I ask myself, what is the difference between a routine and a ritual? I typically treat the words as synonymous. But apparently there is a difference.

According to the experts, the difference between a ritual and a routine lies in their purpose. Routines are focused on efficiency and getting things done, while rituals add intention and meaning. Routines are usually done on autopilot, whereas rituals are approached with mindfulness and awareness.

So, based on this definition, most of my morning is a series of routines, with the exception of the affirmation of gratitude. While a regular walk in nature is often a ritual, my dogs prevent me from being lost in nature as I have to attend to their bodily and sensory needs.

Both routines and rituals are important. Routines allow me to get things done that I don’t want to do. Part of my morning routine is to make a list of what must be done that day…the interesting and dull. And since my list includes exercise and other healthy habits, it improves my well-being.

Routines provide structure and predictability which can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve focus and productivity. Experts believe that routines create a sense of control and predictability, reduce decision fatigue and improve concentration. If the list or routine includes healthy habits (e.g., exercise, diet, sleep schedule), it can improve physical well-being. My list allows me to schedule my day according to my tasks at hand.

Rituals, on the other hand, typically tap into a number of senses. Smell, visual, touch and hearing are all included in most rituals. Rituals have the benefit of enhancing social bonds (when it is a group ritual), connecting us to our values, reducing anxiety and stress, and increasing feelings of happiness and joy. Group rituals such as community gatherings can strengthen social connections. I play Mahjong with my neighbors, which has given me a better connection to community.

Rituals are a part of our everyday life. Religious services are full of rituals. In Christianity, it is the chants, the affirmations, the familiar songs sung in unison by the participants. The cadence and rhythm have a calming effect. Rituals are especially helpful during grief and loss, when positive energy is desperately needed. Mindfulness and affirmations can help reflect on what is important and align our actions with our values.

Routines and rituals, of course, can be hurtful if done to the extreme. Some people have obsessive-compulsive disorders that cause these rituals to take control. In addition, it is important to be gentle with ourselves, especially when we include health and wellness routines.

So, no matter how trivial, our routines and rituals are a part of our nature, and that’s a good thing.

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

We’ve been in the middle of a heat dome. The term “heat dome” is not a scientific term; it is more of a media creation, but it effectively describes these cycles of prolonged and high heat.

The term has only been around since the 2000’s and started being regularly used in 2011. The American Meteorological Society added the term to its glossary in 2022. The 2021 heat wave in the western US and Canada, brought the term heat dome into our day-to-day lingo.

A heat dome is a high-pressure system that traps hot air underneath it, leading to prolonged, dangerously high temperatures with little relief day or night. It can last days or even weeks.

A heat dome is analogous to placing a lid over a pot on the stove. The steam builds, the temperature rises, and everything inside gets hotter and hotter. That’s essentially what happens in the atmosphere during a heat dome. A high atmospheric pressure system traps hot air over a region, creating extremely high temperatures and humidity. This high-pressure system acts like a lid, keeping the warm air from dispersing.

The high pressure also causes the hot air to sink, increasing our discomfort. In the west, dry soil and sparse vegetation can create perfect conditions for heat dome systems to form and perpetuate.

Heat domes can last for several days or weeks. And because they block other weather systems from moving in and the jet stream is weaker, there’s often no rain to cool things down. An occasional thunderstorm is all the relief available, and it is only temporary.

What makes heat domes especially dangerous is that they prevent nighttime temperatures from falling. This lack of overnight relief can strain power grids, dry out vegetation, worsen droughts and take a serious toll on human health, especially in urban areas.

Climate change is creating more heat domes. Global warming is weakening the jet stream, leading to more persistent weather patterns that trap heat. Warmer ocean and land temperatures further amplify the effects of heat domes.

As our climate warms, heat domes are becoming stronger, more frequent and more persistent. The number of heat domes has nearly tripled since the 1950s.

So the sweltering continues…sigh.

Before I begin my day each morning, I spend a few minutes thinking about what I am grateful for (which is a very long list, I have been blessed).

One of the things that I was grateful for this weekend was the gift of living in a country that allows us to express our opinions publicly without fear.

I attended the “No Kings” rally in Easton. It was a chance to be with people, most of whom I did not know, who shared my values.

All of the thousand people who protested at this peaceful rally were well-behaved. And so were the people in the cars going by. People who agreed waved and honked. People who disagreed either gave a negative gesture or ignored us. 

The respect from both sides was heartening. Protest is what started this country (although the original protests resulted in the Revolutionary War). Over the years, protests have influenced politics. The Vietnam war, equal rights, women’s rights, anti-abortion, and other protests have resulted in changes to our way of life. All, for the most part, began as peaceful demonstrations of disagreement, when violence erupted it was usually from people with opposing viewpoints who were not so well-behaved.

The ability to disagree and express our opinions is foundational, the first amendment in our Constitution. And while I have taken these rights for granted in the past, I am moving them up to the top of my very long gratitude list.

The protest was affirming, and it also reminds me what a precious gift it is.

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Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.