Category: Family & Home

School Patrol Guard WWII Vet Celebrates 100th Birthday; School Throws Him Surprise Party

A Georgia elementary school helped one of their crosswalk patrol guards celebrate a very special birthday last month. Mr. Thomas Faucette, a retired postal worker and World War II veteran, turned 100 on Sept. 30, and staff at Peck Elementary School in Greensboro where he works made sure to honor their very special patroller on…


Do We Need a Will? And More Great Reader Questions

Dear Mary: My husband and I just had our first child, and now that we have a new little life depending on us, we want to make sure she is always taken care of. Neither one of us has a will, but I think it’s important to set one up just in case. Problem is,…


Chain-Link Fencing Is Effective and Easy to Install

Dear James: We decided to raise chickens and need to fence our backyard. Is a chain-link fence a good choice, and what are the various parts we will need to install it? —Rhonda F. Dear Rhonda: Chain-link fencing is a versatile choice for your backyard. It makes an effective enclosure for any type of pet,…


Couple Renovate New-Bought Old House From 1960s—and the Transformation Goes Viral

Anyone who’s pulled off even a modestly successful home reno knows the satisfaction a job well done can bring—which is probably why home projects can go viral on social media platforms like TikTok. YouTubers and bloggers have built a living, even small fortunes, making DIY tutorials on how to spruce up your abode. Canadian couple…


Dad of 7 Survives Brain Aneurysm and Credits His Recovery to Faith, Family, Doctors

A father of seven who suffered a massive brain aneurysm at the age of 37 has defied his prognosis and gone home after four months in intensive care. He is now crediting faith, family, and his doctors for saving his life. Doting dad Angel Apreciado of San Antonio, Texas, now doesn’t want to miss a…


Move Houseplants in, Chipmunks Out

Question: Fall is coming, and I need to move my houseplants back indoors. I noticed that some have a fungal type of growth on the soil surface. Is this condition harmful? Answer: There are several types of fungi and algae that can grow on the soil surface in potted plants. I even found some rare…


3 Rs to Put Personal Finances Back on Track

It’s true that financial trouble is a major contributor to the breakup of the American family. It is also true that gaining control over one’s finances can repair marriages, restore families, and change the future. For that, I am eternally grateful. Let me assure you right up front that it’s possible for you to gain…


How to Stay Safe Outdoors While Using Space Heaters and Fire Pits (Plus Other Ways to Stay Warm)

If you’ve invested some time and energy into sprucing up your outdoor space, you might be looking for ways to extend your enjoyment of it. But as the weather gets colder, it’s likely that you’ll have to turn to space heaters, fire pits, and other outdoor heaters to make sitting outside comfortable so you can…


Raising Adolescents in Trying Times

The pandemic and related public health measures delivered more anxiety than most adults can handle. Adolescents were already struggling with record levels of anxiety and depression when our way of life was turned upside down. Today, many parents are struggling to find the best way to comfort, support, and nurture their adolescents in the face…


Better Treatments for Nuisance Barking Than Devocalization

Q: We live in an apartment complex where many dogs bark. Some of the tenants want to require the owners of these dogs to have them debarked. What do you think about this? A: I am against it, and because it’s widely considered to be inhumane, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association and the American…