Tag: Family & Home

Picking Poinsettias

Have you seen poinsettias for sale yet? I have. Were they red? Probably. That’s because we all know that poinsettias are red, right? Well, not so fast. There are pink, purple, white, spotted, striped, and even yellow and orange poinsettias. Every year, the commercial plant breeders of poinsettias come out with 5 to 20 new…


Parenting Matters: How to Talk About Politics With Your Kids

Today’s politicians are much like the blind men who “saw” the elephant in John Godfrey Saxe’s classic poem. Written almost 250 years ago, “The Blind Men and the Elephant” is based on a very old Hindu parable. It has been used for centuries as an aid to teaching philosophy, religion, and character development. In the…


Thrifty Mom Saves $8,000 Transforming a Bland Garden Into a Beautiful Haven All by Herself

A thrifty mother who turned to DIY has revealed how she managed to save a whopping 6,000 pounds (approx. US$8,000) on her dream garden. Deborah Williamson, 49, decided to take matters into her own hands after she was quoted 7,500 pounds (approx. US$10,000) for outside decking. “I thought it was ridiculous being quoted that much just…


Family Whose Dog Wandered Off Was Surprised to Find Him on the Roof of a Bungalow

A family who noticed their dog was missing found him wandering around, on the roof. Kyle Barrett, 32, was visiting family with his wife, children, and canine when everyone noticed their dog, Samson, had vanished from their sight. However, nobody expected to look up and spot St. Bernard sniffing around on the roof of Kyle’s…


Keep Your Puppy Safe During Hanukkah

Q: We recently adopted Reena, a curious, lively 6-month-old puppy. Please advise us about keeping her safe during her first Hanukkah, when our young children will want her to participate in the festivities. A: During the eight nights of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, as you light your menorah’s candles to celebrate the miracle that…


Dear Next Generation: Lessons to Remember

There are so many skills lost by one single generation failing to pass along their knowledge and wisdom to their children. How to live simply, how to live within one’s means, how to build a fire or cook on a wood-burning stove, and how to prepare foods and meals passed down for generations have become…


Cat Born With 4 Ears Due to Genetic Mutation Gets Adopted by Woman in Turkey

Four-month-old kitten Midas was born with two sets of ears and a defective jaw due to a recessive genetic mutation. But this hasn’t stopped her from becoming an internet star with over 73,000 followers. Midas was adopted by Canis Dosemeci in the Turkish capital Ankara after being born in a friend’s backyard with six other siblings. “Midas is…


8th-Grader Sees Dad Choking at Dinner Table—Performs Heimlich He Learned at School, Saves His Life

A small-town Colorado teen was recognized by first responders in Brush after applying the lifesaving skills he learned at school to save a family member—his dad. Mother of 14-year-old Aidan, Heather Christenson, recalled how her husband, Fred, had upon hearing a joke at the dinner table last month laughed and began to choke on a…


The Organized Parent: Preparing for the Holidays

Parents this year are feeling the urge to jot down their holiday checklists earlier than normal, as reports of supply chain problems, post office slowdowns, and increasing inflation collude to ensure a bumpy holiday shopping season. If it’s peace and joy you’re after this time of year, the key is to get organized. I asked…


Couple Who Live in a Self-Built ‘Clay’ Home Haven’t Had to Pay Any Bills for Over 10 Years

A family who lives in an impressive off-grid self-built “clay” home have paid no bills for over a decade—saving them about US$55,000 (CA$70,000) a year. Misty Murph’Arien, 36, and her husband, Bryce, 46, have become homesteaders—self-sufficiency experts—since moving into a remote Canadian forest 15 years ago. The couple, who have daughters, Sage, 7, and Aurora,…