It's no secret that nature has the power to inspire, invigorate, restore and refresh. Research shows that nature can offer mental health benefits including decreasing stress and relieving anxiety. In fact, incorporating elements of nature into the home has been proven to improve happiness and well-being.

There was the beaded beauty from the 2010 Rock ’n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon, my first distance event. There was the heavy, ornate memento from the Marine Corps Marathon in 2012, my last distance event. In between was a compilation of collectibles from trail runs and road races for which I had trained for hours on end.

We may find ourselves carrying more weight now that we have perfected our quarantine homemade bread recipe. Working from home may be here to stay in some form or another, yet if we are really being honest, we may have not yet mastered the work-life balance juggling act.

Veterans Day weekend, Clinton and his crew of elves turned the El Dorado Casino into a Yuletime destination for the third year. Clint is an equal opportunity decorator, working his seasonal magic on a simple doorway or a huge business display.

“We wanted to have a presence in Bossier City for a while, but the timing was never right,” said Debbie W. Smith, chief executive officer for Highland Clinic. “We needed to have a presence in that part of the community to better serve Bossier City, Benton, Haughton and Minden.

Entering the year, many thought 2020 would be a year of vision and purpose. No one knew a global pandemic would shake the foundations of the way we work, learn and play. The tumult of 2020 left an indelible mark for sure.