Florida Agenda

By Michael French Civility does matter! Yes, it does. Some things will always hold true. The way one conducts himself or herself is one of them. Possessing a strong sense of civility and fair play has nothing to do with race, gender or ethnicity. Since we are all equal, no group of people should think [...]

By Michael French We’ve all been behind a car that suddenly slows down, takes forever to move when the light turns green, turns suddenly without signaling, swerves in and out of lanes, doesn’t keep a steady speed, or almost hits us when we’re stopped at a light. In the past the drivers of these cars [...]

By Michael French Gossip is an unconstrained and most often derogatory conversation about other people. It can involve betraying a confidence, spreading sensitive information or making hurtful judgments. Gossip can be truly injurious to someone’s life and, in this litigious society, the perpetrator could find himself in court! Watch the movie “The Children’s Hour” with [...]

By Michael French There are few emotions more compelling than the feeling of “going home”.  “Home” has a particular meaning to each of us. Home is more than the four walls where you rest, sleep, recharge your spirit and body. It’s where you work, play and where you feel you belong. “Home” immediately conjures up [...]

By MICHAEL FRENCH Hardly a day passes without more doom and gloom about home foreclosures. Florida, as home owners know all too well, is suffering through a devastating and prolonged housing slump. Foreclosures only add fuel to the housing crisis fire, furthering the devaluation of our homes. Some predictions forecast another 5 years of tumbling [...]

By Michael French Are you desperately needing an in-home retreat? Did you ever dream of being able to go to a spa whenever the mood hit you? It sounds like it’s about time to transform your blah bathroom into a serene spa. Luxurious spas abound in Florida. One visit could cost a week’s pay and/or [...]

By Michael French Photo: The Salvador Dali museum in lovely  St. Petersburg, FL Every cloud has a silver lining.  This recession’s silver lining might be the development of the “Staycation.” (The neologism was added in the 2009 Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.) There are benefits to a staycation. A staycation gives you more hands-on control and offers [...]

By MICHAEL FRENCH You’re having a house guest come for a visit. antibiotics no prescription Living in Florida almost guarantees having an overnight house guest at some point. Whether family or friends, you want to be sure they are comfortable and have a good time. The key to being a gracious host is to ensure [...]

By Michael French With our gasping, struggling economy and Florida’s real estate market, still stuck in reverse, most home owners, are realizing they will be in their homes for the foreseeable future. Don’t let it get you down. Look at the up side. Mortgage interest, is still a tax deduction. It’s your house! You can [...]

By Michael French None of us will be spared what can seem an overwhelmingly unbearable emotion – grief. The “Grim Reaper” has always been an equal opportunity heart breaker. He’s practiced diversity since the beginning of time. This hooded harvester of life picks who he wants, when he wants to, often with no warning. No [...]