Father's Day is here again, and I've been reflecting—well, mostly laughing—about one specific dad role that grandpas everywhere have perfected. Long before influencers took over social media, grandpas had cornered the market as the original dad joke influencers. Believe me, as a grandma who's spent decades rolling my eyes lovingly at these jokes, I should know. Take my husband, for example. Grandpa Ira never encountered a joke he couldn't butcher or repeat endlessly, and somehow, it just gets funnier with time (at least, he thinks so!).

As children with no money to buy gifts for anyone, much less our dad, it required creative thinking.

Let's start with the beginning. My parents had five daughters and no sons. I have no doubt this initially disappointed my dad. He probably was looking forward to teaching his son everything he learned, fixing cars and appliances, and doing handyman stuff around the house. You know, like electrical and plumbing, carpentry, and house painting. Realize this was way before YouTube, my dad knew how to do these things without having to rely on learning how to repair anything from a YouTube video.

I was the firstborn. Two more baby girls came quickly after me. So tag, I was it. I was my dad's new apprentice.

If you're anything like me, you've probably stood in your kitchen, wrestling with a so-called childproof bottle, muttering under your breath. The harder you push, the more the lid seems to defy physics. Eventually, you give up and shout, "Who even invented this thing?" Meanwhile, the bottle just sits there smugly, like it's won this round. Childproof bottles—a true triumph in safety design—or are they?

I love Memorial Day. To me it’s the unofficial start to summer, the gateway to backyard barbecues. While the day holds deep significance as a time to honor those who served and sacrificed for the country, it has also transformed into the uncovering of the BBQ grills where overcooked hot dogs are roasted, and that one mysterious Jell-O mold is dusted off and wiggles its way to the picnic tables.

One special day meant everything to my mom: Mother’s Day. It was her day, a time for her to be celebrated once a year. She always made sure to spend that day with her family. Even though I was a mom too, it was her moment to shine. In my world, Mother’s Day was usually spent on the soccer field. One thoughtful coach acknowledged mothers' sacrifices to be there for the game and throughout the year. He honored us by giving each player a rose. The boys would run across the field with a flower in hand, not only for their moms but also for their grandmothers. This is a cherished memory of a rose, particularly because it was my mom’s flower.

Mother's Day can be one of the most emotional days for those who have lost their mother. While others celebrate with hugs and gifts, you may navigate a wave of grief and remembrance. However, this day can also serve as an opportunity to celebrate your mother’s life, her legacy, and the love she gave. Honoring her memory can be a beautiful and healing way to keep her spirit alive. Although it has now been ten years since she passed away, I decided to share some unique ways to memorialize the mothers we have lost but not forgotten.

Easter is a time of faith, renewal, and cherished family traditions. For my family, it's more than just a holiday—a beautiful blend of spiritual reflection, joyous celebrations, and a touch of friendly competition! From the Polish Catholic tradition of blessing Easter baskets to our long-standing Easter egg hunt (yes, even for my grown children!) and our beloved Lamb Cake competition, Easter in our home is a time of laughter, love, and meaningful moments.

Let me tell you something—back in the '80s, I was raising a kid, holding down a full-time job, and still managing diaper duty, dinner (okay, mostly reheated), and everything in between. I didn’t have a parenting app or a social media guru showing me the ropes. Gourmet meals? Please. The microwave was my best friend, and the local takeout spot knew me by name. And through it all, I rocked shoulder pads like a boss and prayed my Farrah Fawcett perm held.

A Campus Visit Turned Time Capsule

On a recent trip, we made a stop to see a family friend at the University of Virginia. The tour, of course, included the iconic Rotunda. Although we viewed it from a distance, we had never entered the historic structure until now. A hush fell over everyone as we peeked at the boardrooms and cozy study spaces.

Libraries Reimagined: From Research Havens to Sleek Study Hubs

As we continued the tour, we visited the popular study spots, the libraries. No longer cluttered with stacks of books to check out, the books were instead displayed behind locked, ornate cabinets. As I passed the wooden card catalogs, I questioned why they were still there. However, when I tried to open one, I realized that it was for display purposes only. Our freshman tour guide said, “Yeah, what are those for anyway?”