This weekend is the beginning of the Jewish New Year 5779. We usher out the old by remembering our mortality and measuring our values against our behavior this last year. Were we kind, generous, thoughtful, respectful, and caring? is the world a better place for our having been here? Did we serve those we love and fulfill the promises we made to others? Did we make amends for our mistakes? Were we humble and hungry for growth and learning? Did we fully embrace both joy and loss? Are we better, wiser, and stronger for our experience? And what goals and values will we embrace this next year?

Ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and smoothies are among the special treats of summer. There's nothing quite like the dreamy quality of an icy delight as it melts on your tongue and enlivens your taste buds. Strawberry? Chocolate? Vanilla? Mango? Dulce de leche? Simply recalling our favorite flavors makes us salivate.

Depression is often described as not caring about anything or anyone — and not caring that you don't care. It's a pretty accurate non-medical definition. If we use it as our measure, most of us are not depressed, but we definitely have times when we feel distressed, upset, blasé, or just plain down. It's not easy to avoid stress or escape crises worry free, so here's a healthy way to gain perspective and balance.

This Washington Post headline caught my eye: “NY landlord obliterates dozens of graffiti murals. Now he owes the artists 6.7 million dollars.” Graffiti murals? Where? What subjects? Who painted them? 6.7 Million dollars? Wow! I'd like to know more.