Just like cleaning out a refrigerator, this week's news cycle raises the question: how do you know when something has truly passed its prime? Sometimes it's by date; other times it's simply by feel. 

Let's start with the American economy. Mining and manufacturing, two industries thought "past their prime" had job gains in the latest unemployment report, defying a belief by some that the "new normal" of the American economy didn’t include these sectors. The unemployment rate continues to fall to an 18-year-low.  

In Europe, Italy tackles whether it's outgrown the European Union, while EU regulators ultimately decide its internet privacy standards have long passed their expiration and force an update. 

Stateside, a shocking headline about the U.S. government LOSING children after they arrived illegally at the border, proves sour and stale, showing yet again, context matters.

Other stories have lasting power. 

The Ford Mustang survives massive vehicle cuts by the automaker because of the "emotional connection" of American consumers.  

Disney World continues to challenge AND captivate as we learned in our new SmartHer Travel feature. 

And Mr. Rogers still makes us feel nostalgic 5 decades later. Fred Rogers spoke directly to generations of children about once taboo topics like death, race and divorce, launching in a year burning with discord. In 1968, when 'Mr. Rogers' debuted, America roiled with debate over Vietnam, experienced the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy and anxiously awaited headlines from North Korea after the capture of The Pueblo (an American spy ship).  NoKo interrogated and tortured dozens of American crew members - a reminder of our long simmering tension.

Fast forward to present day, and it's nearing "primetime" for the White House and North Korea to either engage or walkaway from the long-awaited summit on June 12 (as of this writing, the White House suggests it's a "go"). Is the opportunity for historic change missed, delayed, or prime for the taking? (BTW, we looked at meals served during important meetings, inspired by the working dinner this week between North Korea & U.S.). 

While we sift through timelines, deadlines, and expiration dates - Here's to enjoying the prime of our lives! 

Jenna  

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