Showing up to a friend’s house empty-handed feels a little like walking into a library and shouting. It’s just not done. The ritual of bringing a gift for the host is a simple nod of appreciation for their effort. It says, “Thank you for opening your home and not judging the fact that I will…
Spending Thanksgiving by yourself can feel like you drew the short straw in the holiday lottery. The whole world seems to be passing gravy boats and fighting over the last dinner roll, while you are left with an unusual amount of quiet. It is easy to feel like you are missing out on some grand,…
Why is it that men who used to be fun and lively when they were young turn into the grumpiest old geezers? You have probably seen one standing on his front porch, walking stick in hand, crankily waving kids off his lawn. Or perhaps it’s the once merry grandpa who now keeps complaining about everything—from…
The year’s zooming by, and if your phone gallery looks anything like mine, it’s probably a chaotic museum of half-eaten lunches, your dog in yet another weird pose, and artsy shots of half-empty wine glasses. They’re good for a laugh, but they’re not exactly the highlight reel of your year. Why not try a more…
The world is cluttered with negativity, greed, and materialism, encouraged by our constant access to everything online and our pursuit of instant gratification in everything we do. This has resulted in a move away from the traditional values that were once deeply ingrained in our society, particularly Christian values. As a result, there is a…
Remember those easygoing days of childhood, curled up with a beloved book? Well, for millennials, some of those precious stories weren’t exactly filled with sunshine and rainbows. In fact, many of them were downright disturbing, leaving lasting scars and a healthy dose of existential dread at a young age. While some might argue that these…
Most people have a ride-or-die friend, that one person they can call at 3 a.m. for anything from a flat tire to an existential life crisis. This person is a cheerleader, a confidant, and a source of unwavering support. Cultivating that same level of friendship with oneself, however, can feel like a foreign concept. It’s…
That post-turkey feeling is familiar. It’s a state of being where moving from the dining table to the couch feels like a monumental athletic achievement. The plates are cleared, the leftovers are put away, and a food-induced lethargy has settled over the entire family. Instead of succumbing to the siren song of a deep food…
When the temperature drops, many of us retreat indoors to the comfort of a warm home. For the various creatures that call your garden home, finding a safe haven from the cold is a matter of survival. Your backyard can become a critical refuge for insects, birds, and small mammals looking for a place to…