The northwest of the United States has always been known for its natural beauty. This area includes the states of Washington, and Oregon (though sometimes Idaho and Wyoming, as well); and in these states, the traveler finds a different take on the American landscape. One of lush forests, with some considered to be rain forests; and multiple mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains, Colombia Mountains, and Cascade Range. This region of the United States was the last to be explored by the famous pioneers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition commissioned by the president at the time, Thomas Jefferson. Then, charting the rivers of the northwest was important for trade and commerce. But in modern times, these rivers provide amazing views of…

Talk is very inexpensive, as we all know. Some even refer it to being “cheap.” By and large, people are quick to “say” that they are happy, but it has been my personal observation that this is not necessarily the case. In a recent article in Florida’s Sun Sentinel Sunday Newspaper this topic caught my attention.

The writer Rex Huppke summed up his thoughts by writing, “I’m making a personal plea to business owners, bosses and managers to consider the importance of happiness.” He then recommended: “Don’t focus on boosting employee morale simply as a sneaky way of squeezing more work and loyalty out of employees. Do it because it is the right thing to do.”

There is a novel thought…doing what is right at the cost…