Justin Nacarato - Author

 There’s something about spring that feels like a fresh start. The cold grip of winter finally lets go, the days get longer, and the world begins to bloom again. For me, spring has always carried a special kind of energy—one that made me feel alive, like anything was possible. But no spring ever compared to the one when I got my driver’s license. The Taste of Freedom Like most teenagers, getting my license felt like the ultimate level-up. No more waiting for a ride, no more asking for permission to go somewhere—I could just go . And not only did I get my license, but I got the car I had dreamed of: my 2004 Pontiac Grand Am SC/T . It was sleek, it was fast (or at least it felt fast to me), and most importantly, it had a killer sound system . Once the keys were in my hand, I was never home. My days were spent cruising the backroads of my small town , windows down, sunroof open, music blaring so loud you could hear me before you saw me . There was nothing like that feeling—just me...

 Social media has revolutionized how we connect, but for Boomers and Generation X, it has also become a minefield of security risks. While Millennials and Gen Z have grown up dodging scams and questioning everything online, older generations tend to be more trusting—making them prime targets for cybercriminals. From oversharing personal details to mindlessly resharing misinformation, Boomers and Gen Xers are handing hackers exactly what they need. Here’s why these generations are at risk—and how they can protect themselves. The Oversharing Epidemic Boomers and Gen X love to share life updates on social media. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a grandchild’s graduation, or a nostalgic throwback, these posts often contain valuable personal details. Unfortunately, hackers are watching. Think about the security questions many websites ask: “What is your mother’s maiden name?” “What was your first car?” “What city were you born in?” A quick scroll through a Facebook profile...

 For as long as I can remember, I’ve been caught between the lines—between expectations and reality, between what others wanted me to be and who I actually was. Society has a way of handing us a script, telling us how we should act, what we should like, and who we should become. But what happens when you don’t fit the mold? What happens when your story doesn’t follow the script? Growing up in a small town, I often felt like I was walking a tightrope between belonging and being true to myself. I had friends, I was involved in sports, I went to parties—but there was always a part of me that I kept locked away, unsure if the world was ready to see it. Shades of Purple: A Boy’s Journey Between the Lines was born from those moments of uncertainty, from the times I felt different but didn’t have the words to explain why. The Pressure to Conform No matter where you grow up, the pressure to conform is universal. Maybe you’ve been told you need to act a certain way to be accepted. Maybe yo...