When I was a kid, the only thing I locked up was my bike. We didn’t even lock our back door. Nowadays, I feel locked out of my own life due to every aspect of it being password-protected. More often than not, I have to search for my credentials so I can order something online.…
Every trip requires at least some baggage. When packing, the goal is to be prepared, but at the same time, take only what’s necessary. What you bring has everything to do with the activities you’ve planned. Common sense leaves the snow boots behind for a beach trip. What gets thrown into the bag are the…
Spring is in the air and the seasonal intoxication that comes with it. The onset of every season engages each of my senses uniquely with the surroundings. Right now, spring weather brings more than eye candy in the form of greenery and flowers. The scents of the tree blossoms and rainfall are tantalizing enough to…
“April showers bring May flowers,” and flowers attract pollinators. Pollinators, such as birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, and bats, are responsible for the pollination of over eighty percent of the world’s flowering plants. These are highly integral creatures that need protection. Humans need to be Pollinator Protectors, and Earth Day is the perfect time to start.…
Even with all of the national and Hallmark holidays, there is one that I believe is missing. No, it’s not Superbowl Monday, though I doubt my idea will heed as much interest. Wouldn’t Make-A-difference Day be fantastic? One day a year dedicated to performing as many acts of kindness as possible. The officialness of the…
April is autism awareness month. As such, I would like to bring to your attention an incredible person, Temple Grandin. She is the USA Today 2025 recipient of the Colorado Woman of the Year Award. She is also autistic. Autism and the award might seem an unlikely pairing, but they are not. For decades, Temple…
In seventh grade, Jenny Raisch thought her life was over. In all honesty, many of her friends did, too. You see, at the school fundraiser, her parents won the bid for a slumber party. They gave it to Jenny as a gift for her 13th birthday. The problem was, this was not just any slumber…
Spring Break is over, so it’s back to reality. My reality is that it’s time for a spring cleaning checklist. My spring cleaning is sure to clear plenty of space in my life. I want my arms free of clutter and my mind clear of chaos, giving me more freedom to enjoy the here and…
Life is full of stigmas. They are everywhere, and most of them are untrue. Short, cute, blonde does not equal cheerleader. Cheerleader does not equal unintelligent. Depression does not equal crazy. A behavioral health center is not an insane asylum. Stigmas are labels of judgment that have no merit. I have a friend who suffers…
Running down the dirt hiking trail, my (then) two-year-old daughter tripped and fell on her little face. Before I could even reach her, she popped up with blood streaming down her forehead, pumped her fist in the air, and shouted, “Yee-haw, all girl!” She has always been one tough and undeterred cookie. My wish for…