Like so many families across America, mine has been chafing under the impact of the lingering (and lingering… and lingering…) economic recession. Making do with less has quickly and effectively become a way of life – hey, we had no choice – but the necessary attitude adjustment – always a choice – has been a little slow to catch up.

The good news is this: We’re getting there. And summer’s making it easier. ‘Tis the season for simple pleasures, and I’m beginning to think the simpler they get, the better.

The best gift you can ever give yourself is presence. Whether you think this is a quote from your favorite yogi, or from Yogi Berra, there is truth in that statement. Presence can make a profound difference in every aspect of your life.

It is so easy to get lost in the digital world we live in. We are constantly distracted. How are we supposed to stay present when everything around us is pointing to something else?

Editor’s Note: “Israel’s Pig” is the winner of the Lowcountry Weekly/Short Story America Tricentennial Short Story Contest. Congratulations to writer Guy J. Tirondola. (And thanks to Jonathan Green for the use of his images.)

“Isril, I won’t lose dis child tuh hunger,” Mina said as she rocked her young son to sleep. Noah sat on her lap, head on her chest, and exhaled a plaintive moan that grew softer and softer with each breath. The wood plank floor beneath the chair squeaked with the rocking, and the sound seemed to soothe the boy. “He ain’ growin’ proper,” she added. “He too small an’ delicate fuh five year ole.”

As editor, I’ve received a lot of comments about Lowcountry Weekly over the years – mostly good, occasionally otherwise. In the “good” category: People tell me they love our design, enjoy our photography, find our ads tasteful and attractive, swear by our maps, can’t live without our “What’s Happening” calendar, and so on and so forth. In the “otherwise” category? Well, let’s just say there are lots of armchair proofreaders out there. If I had the budget, I’d love to hire one of them. But as this is not the case, I must rely on your mercy and forbearance. Typos happen. And believe me – it hurts me more than it hurts you.