Every week, a very important meeting is held in our backyard. No humans are invited. Mom thinks she’s in charge because she opens the gate and fills the water bowls, but once Summer arrives, Summer and Bear take over managing the Playgroup. They have rules: Rule Number One: Every yellow rubber ball belongs to whoever gets […]
The Rules of Playgroup Read More »
Friday, July 10, is National Kitten Day, a day founded by pet and family lifestyle expert, author, and animal care advocate Colleen Paige to celebrate the joy kittens bring into our lives and to encourage the adoption of those still searching for loving homes. It is hard not to smile at the sight of a
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Today, July 8, is National Chocolate with Almonds Day. I have to admit that when I first looked at today’s calendar of unusual holidays, I smiled. Lately, the news has felt especially heavy. It seems that every day brings another political disagreement, another natural disaster, another reminder that our world can be a difficult place.
National Chocolate with Almonds Day: A Sweet Reminder That Joy Matters Too Read More »
As Americans celebrate another Independence Day, many of us find ourselves with mixed emotions. We love our country. We cherish the freedoms generations before us fought to protect. We are grateful for the opportunities America has provided. Yet many of us look around and wonder whether we are becoming strangers to one another. Some people
Asking America to Live Up to its Own Ideals Read More »
For many of us, the Fourth of July is a celebration filled with family gatherings, barbecues, patriotic music, and spectacular fireworks lighting up the night sky. The colors are beautiful. The excitement is contagious. It is easy to understand why so many people look forward to this holiday every year. But while we are admiring
When Celebration Becomes Fear Read More »
There is something remarkable about a nation reaching its 250th birthday. Through triumphs and tragedies, moments of great courage and moments we would rather forget, America is still here. That alone is worth acknowledging. Generations before us dreamed, struggled, sacrificed, and sometimes gave everything they had so that the next generation might inherit something better.
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There are organizations that quietly go about changing the world without asking for recognition. One of those organizations, at least in my opinion, is the Search Dog Foundation. I have followed this remarkable nonprofit for many years. Every time a devastating earthquake, hurricane, wildfire, or other disaster strikes somewhere in the world, I find myself
When Hope Has Four Paws Read More »
Yesterday, June 24, 2026, it seemed as though the Earth was speaking all at once. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook Northern California. Later, two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela less than a minute apart, causing widespread destruction. Not long afterward, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of northern Japan. For
When the Earth Speaks in Different Languages Read More »
This Friday, June 26, is National Take Your Dog to Work Day, and for millions of dog lovers, it’s a fun opportunity to introduce their four-legged companions to coworkers and hopefully brighten everyone’s day. What many people don’t know is that the celebration has a much deeper purpose. National Take Your Dog to Work Day
National Take Your Dog to Work Day… Every Day is Bear’s Workday Read More »
Father’s Day allows us to pause and recognize the men who have helped shape our lives. It is a day filled with cards, phone calls, family gatherings, and expressions of gratitude. But much like Mother’s Day, I find myself thinking beyond the holiday itself and reflecting on this central truth: fathers matter every day of
Honoring Fathers Every Day Read More »
