Author Archives: MaryFrances Knapp (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)



”Be thankful for the bad things in life. For they opened your eyes to the good things you weren’t paying attention to before.”

- Jim Henson
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Our Weekly Tip: Estates, Spouses and The Limits of “Tax Free”

A few things to consider about leaving a portion of your estate -- tax-free -- to a spouse

Our Tip of the Week: Everything you leave to a spouse after you die is tax-free – which, naturally, means a big tax break. But your children may end up paying the price, what with your foregoing the ability to … Continue reading

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Zuckerkuchen: The German Funeral Cake

Reflecting on the traditional German funeral cake, Zuckerkuchen

The mention of German food may entice images of bratwurst, beer and sauerkraut galore – but there’s one specialty from Deutschland that holds a special place amongst its inhabitants because it represents the inextricable bond between life and death. Sound … Continue reading

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The AIDS Memorial Quilt

An ongoing project that began in San Francisco continues to remember those lost to AIDS

With World AIDS Day being this week, we thought it would be an appropriate time to reflect on the efforts of an important, ongoing project: the AIDS memorial quilt. The quilt, which is known as the largest collaborative project of … Continue reading

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Fighting Dementia with Music

There's mounting evidence that music can help combat aspects of dementia in the elderly

It’s no secret that music and memory seem to be inextricably bound – how many times does a song come on the radio and you feel instantly transported to a moment you thought you’d forgotten? This remarkable aspect of music … Continue reading

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Kazimir Malevich: Reflections on Tragic Loss

"Simultaneous Death in an Airplane and at the Railway" by Kazimir Malevich offers an empathetic vision regarding tragedy

Kazimir Severinovich Malevich (1879-1935) was a geometric “Suprematist” abstract artist whose work helped spearhead the avant-garde movement in Russia and Eastern Europe in the early 20th century. His illustration “Death of the Man on the Airplane and on the Train … Continue reading

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