November 2021

Tiffany Yells Insult in Florida

During the 80s and early 90s, many of us either loved Tiffany's voice, had a massive crush on her or both. The singer has aged so well and I've been enjoying her resurgence into the spotlight. I've always thought she's been lovely and gorgeous, and she still sounds great, too. Recently she gave a performance in Florida and unfortunately she seemed to lose her voice.

The Hygge Game

Words cannot express how excited I am about the Hygge Game, also known as "Cozy Conversation in Pleasant Company." Um, yes please. As much as I love to get riotous and raunchy with my sisters and friends at game night, this is exactly the game that the world needs right now. I say we all channel our inner Remus Lupin and play together right now.

Great Gardener Gifts

Shopping for fellow gardeners on your holiday list? There are SO many great ideas out there it's hard to choose what to get, but if you know your gardener well, you probably already have some ideas about which tools could use replacing, what seeds they could use or what expensive item they've had their eye on (cold frames, anyone?). Speaking of cold frames, homemade gifts are also great for people know well, especially if you have spare lumber and the tools and time to make some raised beds as lumber prices continue to rise. What a gift!

Vet Cares for Unhoused People's Pets

Anyone with a pet knows how much they add to your life, so it stands to reason how stressful it would be for an unhoused person to have a pet with an ailment they couldn't care for. There's a veterinarian in Modesto, California who spends his free time, and his own money, caring for the pets of unhoused people. Kwane Stewart says ever since the first time he helped a pet, he got choked up and realized how important it was to help not only the animals, but their owners who benefit from his services, too.

Demonstration for Abortion Rights

On December 1, people from all across the nation will be gathering to stand up for abortion rights as the Supreme Court prepares to hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization on December 1. We're not only standing up for people impacted by the laws in Mississippi, but for people across the country who can get pregnant and would face devastating consequences should abortion restrictions become the law of the land.

Discount Desserts

From fruit towers to fruitcakes, chocolates to delivered desserts, it's the time of year when everyone is sending, baking, giving or buying desserts. There are so many options these days that it's hard to settle on one choice, and even though I try to buy local as much as possible, I'm sometimes tempted by some of the best-sounding treats across the country.

Little Bites for Big Holiday Fun

Small bites are my favorite foods, hands down. I really wish there were a neighborhood near me where I could just go out for wine and tapas like I did when I lived in Spain, where I had some of the best food of my life. That's what makes it special though, right? We can still make plenty of tiny bites for our holiday feasts and snacking, though, like these tangy meatballs. I'd eat them whether it's a holiday or not!

Diverse Collections of Poetry

While I'm working on a poetry unit for my teen for next semester, I'm realizing that I don't have as many diverse voices included as I'd planned on. I have lots of Black voices--honestly, you can't do a poetry unit without them; many of the most powerful poems ever written were penned by Black poets--but I'm not seeing a lot of representation otherwise. The collection of "diverse poetry" that I've been saving for next year really isn't as great as I recall, either.

Silly Gifts for Frog Lovers

Gifts for frog lovers are never in short supply. Who doesn't love frogs? But as many stuffed frogs, stickers, and other goodies there are for us frog fanatics, there are always some especially silly or funny gifts that are especially fun to give or receive. My teen knows how much I love frogs and has taken to sending me all kinds of them lately.

Pages