Rock and Roll Saved My Soul

The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility. Eggs are also representative of new life, and it’s believed that decorating eggs for Easter dates back to the 13th century. Hundreds of years ago, churches had their congregations abstain from eggs during Lent, allowing them to be consumed again on Easter. According to History.com, in the 19th century Russian high society started exchanging ornately decorated eggs—even jewel encrusted—on Easter. According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature c

My favorite tradition from when I was a kid was hunting for Easter eggs at my grandparents' house. They had a huge amount of land and hid tons of eggs for us kids to all find. Sometimes I miss being a kid and being able to do stuff like that. -Kate R. My favorite Easter tradition is dying Easter eggs with my family. -Colleen R. I love hiding eggs for my kids. Mix of both plastic with candy and money and the eggs we colored as a family. Which coloring eggs is always fun as well. -Sandy A.  When I was a kid I enjoyed dying eggs. -Heather K. Easter traditions my mom usually make sure us all baskets and I contribute to everyone’s basket but my own. I also make my mom and nephew a basket. Then on Easter my family does egg dying and has a meal together at lunch time. Also, around Easter I go over to see my nephew and give him his basket. -Gina D.

What’s your cure for hiccups? Sandy:  Just try to ignore them and then they will go away. Michaelle:  I drink a bunch of water to push down the air. So, basically, guzzle a glass of water and voila, hiccups, bye, bye, bye Sid:  I just wait for them to go away, no cures have ever really worked for me. Kate: Water, lots of water!  Facebook Weighs in: I hold my breath. -Gina D. Wait it out in pain. Or eat a large spoon of plain sugar. -Katy R. Try peppa pigs cure lol (see video)  -Colleen R. Eat a big ass spoon of peanut butter -Kris M. Drink water -Carol C. I drink water from the opposite side of the glass upside down. Works EVERY SINGLE TIME LOL -Katie C. 1TSP of mustard or 1 TSP of sugar -Sara C. Hold your breath and swallow at the same time -Jenn W. Sit down straight and drink 1-3 glasses of water slowly. If hiccups still persists do some breathing excercises [take deep breathe in - slowly...deep breathe out - slowly] - repeat

Tell us how you think we embody acceptance. Define it in your own words as you think it relates to our community or give an example of how we embody acceptance. We embody acceptance by talking about things that needs to be said. And showing support through our books. -Heather K. I believe we embody acceptance by never turning away anyone who submits to our anthologies, no matter their writing skill level. Absolutely anyone can share their story. -Kate R.

WHEN IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING? The spring equinox always occurs on either March 20 or 21.  WHAT DOES THE MARCH EQUINOX MEAN? The word equinox comes from Latin words which literally means “equal night”—aequus (equal) and nox (night). On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world. With the equinox, enjoy the increasing sunlight hours, with earlier dawns and later sunsets.  Q: ACCORDING TO FOLKLORE, YOU CAN STAND A RAW EGG ON END ON THE EQUINOX. IS THIS TRUE? A: Folklore or not, this egg trick sounded like fun to us. One spring, a few minutes before the vernal equinox, several Almanac editors tried this trick. For a full workday, 17 out of 24 eggs stood standing. Three days later, we tried this trick again and found similar results. Perhaps 3 days after the equinox was still too near. Perhaps the equinox has nothing to do with it. Perhaps we just don’t like to take ourselves too seriously! Try this yourself and let us

When was the last time you got to tell someone “I told you so.”? Sandy: I can't recall one for a while. I'm sure it was to one of my kids though. lol Michaelle: Definitely to my children  Sid:  When I told a former friend "This is a bad choice, don't make it, but you'll probably do you anyways then find a way to blame me" and that made the choice and immediately blamed me for "letting" them do it. Kate: The context of mine is going to be so different from everyone else's. I always give out book, television show, and movie recommendations. And I always say "I told you you'd enjoy it." That counts, right? lol  Facebook Weighs in: Today... Lily did something and I blurted out "I told you that would happen didn't I" -Sara C. I say it to my daughter all the time. -Leanne Z. I'm in a relationship so... -Katy R. I don't remember when, but it was to my husband. -Colleen

Tell us how you think we embody compassion. Define it in your own words as you think it relates to our community or give an example of how we embody compassion. All the money we raise goes to various charities. We think about others more than ourselves. -Colleen R. By loving each and every person that is party off the team or that just likes the pages we have. We accept every worth loving arms. -Sandy A.

17 St. Patrick’s Day Superstitions: 1. Got an unstoppable itch on your left hand? That may mean a pot of gold is about to come your way. And if the itch is in your right hand, well you won’t be getting any money, but you may be making a new friend. 2. Leprechauns are one friend you don’t want to make. They have a reputation for being deceitful tricksters. However, catch a leprechaun and he’ll probably tell you where his treasure is in exchange for his freedom. Take your eyes off that little guy for even a split second and he will vanish. 3. Cleaning up your March 17 mess? Don’t drop the dishtowel, unless you’re ready for some company. Dropping it almost certainly means an unexpected visitor is on their way, according to the Irish. 4. Listen for a cuckoo on your right and you could be in for a whole year of good luck. Was the Cuckoo on your left? Yikes! Sorry to say, that’s bad luck. 5. Never accept a lock of hair from your lover or you are in for some bad

What do you think you are much better at than you actually are? Sandy: Drawing lol  Michaelle: Being organized  Sid:  I can be a bit of a know-it-all, even when I'm wrong, if that counts. Kate: Writing. I know I'm not nearly as good as people say that I am or even I think that I am most of the time. Facebook Weighs In: Word games and spelling -Joseph R. Drawing probably -Yvonne A. Adulting -Leanne Z. Writing and reading -Sara C. Writing -Joedie M. Emotional stability -Charlie P.

Tell us how you think we embody creativity. Define it in your own words as you think it relates to our community or give an example of how we embody creativity. Rock and roll saved my soul embodies creativity by allowing everyone a voice to embrace the artistic talent that they possess, whether it be story, poem or even drawing. -Gina D. Rock and Roll Saves my soul embodies creativity by always encouraging it and never making a competition out of it. -Sid L.

When Does It End? By Kate Marie Robbins I sit and stare at the news story in mute horror. All those lives lost. The words that ring in my mind...when does it all end? When does the hate end? When do the bullets stop flying? When do the hateful words stop flying from our mouths? When did we become like this? How do we change? When is enough enough? Will it end with me? Will it end with you? It should, because no one should have to die because they're different. No one should be ridiculed because of who they are. We can take a stand and make a change. It starts here. It starts today. And just maybe it will end with me and you. Submissions are due June 30th 

Where do you get most of the decorations for your home? Sid:  I like to shop at thrift stores and Goodwill. Kate: My taste is very eclectic. Just looking around my bedroom it's a shmorgishborg of so many different things from so many different places. I do tend to pick most things up from thrift shops, Dollar Tree, craft stores, and things that myself or my mom has made. And it's also filled with things given to me from the important people in my life.   Facebook Weighs In:  If by decorations, you mean books, then the internet. -Joseph R.  I make them myself. -Colleen R. Dollar Store or Michaels -Lori M. Hobby Lobby and Etsy! -Nichole W.

There are the cheesy, tender love stories and the boring, static ones; the heartbreakers and those head-shakers that never even make it past that cringeworthy pickup line. Scott Simons and Dani Buncher know theirs doesn’t fit easy description. Perhaps it’s because it’s still being written. Sure, several years ago, when Buncher came out to Simons, they stopped referring to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. The music however? That unspeakable connection that bound them together all those years, carried them through rough patches and made things work even when everything felt in wild disarray? Well, that, Simons says, was the singular element of their partnership that not only survived but blossomed. “It was our therapy,” Simons says of his and Buncher’s decision instead to forge ahead on their winding road of a relationship. Rather than lose the other, they chose to embrace their unparalleled connection, forming the synth-pop duo TeamMate. “Part of the healing process for t

March Volunteer of the Month: Sandy Ashley! A Message from the Team: Kate: You are amazing! Thank you for everything you do for the team. You rock my socks! Love you!!! Sid: Thank you for all that you do!! It's such a blessing to work with you. Aisling: You rock Sandy! Thank you for your hard work! Twinkle: Thanks Sandy for being a part of RRSMS team and for everything you d Gina: Congrats, Sandy. Keep up all the hard work, everything you do is appreciated! Radeyah: Congrats! Thanks for all that you do for RRSMS! Lori: Thank you for all you do for the team and keep up the awesome work Heather: Thanks for everything you do! I enjoy working with you. Jen: Thanks for all your hard work, and for being an awesome part of the team!! Colleen: Congrats Sandy!! You do a great job!! Michaelle: Sandy, you are truly amazing and I can't say enough good things about you. Thank you for all you do for our organization. You are a beautif