The lush Powerscourt Gardens are among the most visited in Ireland.

David Lyon for The Boston Globe

The lush Powerscourt Gardens are among the most visited in Ireland.

Spring travel, green with envy

A day trip to view daffodils in Nantucket or a flight to Paris to soak in the Tuileries Garden? It is a season imbued with fresh possibilities. By Patricia Harris and David Lyon

Deb Balboni (left) and her partner, Merle Balboni, use an iPad to check a security camera view.

Home security systems evolve

The era of clunky black-and-white video monitors has given way to slick, low-cost technology homeowners control with just a few clicks.

A meditation class at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

living longer, living better

Meditation can bring health benefits

The practice of mindfulness meditation — learning to quiet the mind and get rid of negative thoughts — can reduce stress and improve your health.

Finance

Should baby boomers jump back into the stock market?

Many baby boomers are finally beginning to move back into the stock market again as the Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 hit new highs.

Living Longer, Living Better - May 2012