Did You Know the phrase "the dog ate my homework" comes from an English expression that schoolchildren make as a common, poorly fabricated excuse to explain their failure to submit an assignment on time? Even beyond the educational context, the phrase is referenced as sarcastic. Much like the excuse "my dog at my homework," a mouse explanation might be considered false. However, the destruction of my mail is now a daily struggle.

Reading out loud sharpens young minds, boosts their listening skills, fosters their imagination, enhances communication, and much more. When teachers, parents, and grandparents read out loud to their children, they are advancing literacy development. But what if you are trying to enhance the development of their values? You can use those same principles to install your family’s vision, mission, and core values in a meaningful way for a preschooler. 

Busy parents juggle jobs, budgets, and their children's crazy schedules. Waking up before sunrise to take a child to hockey practice and then toting them to the soccer field seems to be the world's way. Organized activities from swimming lessons to gymnastics are packed into the parenting schedule. Fielding work calls from the game sidelines are just part of the work-life balancing act. Life can get complicated when you multiply that by more than one child. But if a grandparent is available, they can not only ease the burden of the daily routine; they can inject some magic into a child's life.

You may remember the famous Seinfeld line, ‘No soup for you!’ Today, people use it jokingly when something expected is suddenly withheld or taken back. The word "soup" may be replaced with the object at hand; the reference to the show can still be unmistakably recognized if the speaker uses the correct tone of voice.

In today's world, there are many reasons to be anxious; the war in Ukraine, the Climate Crisis, the Rise in Crime, the threat of being Cancelled, Inflation, Unemployment, and COVID. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, tension, or unease, typically about an upcoming event or something with an unclear outcome. But some people suffer from this disorder even without these impending doom and gloom events. Clinical anxiety is a nervous disorder characterized by excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with obsessive behavior or panic attacks. It is a chemical imbalance. Sometimes, the person suffering from the affliction needs time to stop peopling and getaway.

"Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is." – Vicki Harrison

You are probably wondering what the heck have I been drinking to come up with a headline like this. Well, celebrating (?) the passing of my grandma, the loss of my husband, and everyone in between has caused me to ponder.

The contemplation? How to stop death!

"Footprints," also known as "Footprints in the Sand," is an inspirational poem about having faith in God. My husband shared a popular story with me last weekend as we took a walk on the beach. The tracks represent stages of our life. Jesus promises to walk next to us, and the story describes a person who sees two pairs of footprints in the sand, one of which belonged to Jesus and another to him or herself.

What is new about war? Nothing…but you knew that!

Conflicts, battles, and wars are as old as time. They are fought for various reasons ranging from independence to the expansion of national borders. If we counted the American Wars, not to include the wars of others that the US soldiers were part of, we are currently at 12.