For me, spring officially kicks off every year with Humane Society of Genesee County’s “Paws on Parade” champagne brunch. As I was getting ready for this year’s event, I suddenly realized it would be my tenth time serving as emcee. I am honored to be asked to return every year, but what is most humbling

I love it when Mother Nature melts away the wintery blanket of snow on my lawn to reveal all of the stuff I should have cleaned out of my garden before the first flake flew. I always have the best of intentions for a fall clean-up in preparation for winter. Somehow, it always magically seems

troll Pinterest for cute pictures of animals sleeping. Sometimes I will post them on other social media sites and when I do, these are inevitably the most shared posts. This is not a “how to bolster your online popularity” tip. It’s a simple fact. Apparently I am not the only person who needs a break

matter what else was happening in my life, Valentine’s Day has always given me a glow. Unfortunately, I’m starting to think I’m in the minority. My affection for the “manufactured holiday” does not stem from having a special someone on February 14. On the contrary, I have probably been without a romantic partner for the

ew Year, New You” is one of those catchy phrases media types like to toss into headlines for stories about resolutions. The goal is usually tied to weight loss or some type of fitness goal. That’s because the outside is what really matters, right? Who cares if you are an emotional wreck in an unfulfilling

hen I stand in line at the grocery store at this time of year, I stare in awe at various magazine covers. Special holiday editions of “Stepford Wife Home & Garden,” etc. can really do a number on my psyche. My mind instantly goes into comparison mode: “I don’t have an entire set of Christmas-themed

  I decided to Google “Thanksgiving.” That was fun. I found a six-foot inflatable turkey that, if my husband had his way, would be affixed to our roof (so please don’t mention it exists if you see him). I found links to all sorts of heated debates about whether or not the Christmas shopping season

We live in a community of runners. A lot of the credit likely goes to the Crim, specifically their training program. I watched my first Crim from the sidelines in 2009 and decided, after seeing people of all shapes, sizes and abilities doing it and owning it, that I was going to give it a

I have recently learned something life-changing: I love marrying people! Between last October and this July, I married ten people. Oh, I guess that sounds bad. Clarification: I did not get married to ten people, I performed five weddings. Yes, I am a legal officiant. It all happened quite accidentally. I was reading an article

A tear rolled down my cheek and splashed the greeting card in my hands as I read, Your blood donation made a real difference. I felt so much better and stronger. I am in Heaven now, but your gift bought me precious time with my family that I might not have had otherwise. Love, Stretch

I’m looking at a very old photo of myself on the beach. I was three – chubby arms, puffy belly and all smiles. I wasn’t wondering whether my “Coppertone Girl” bikini flattered my figure. I didn’t care much if anyone noticed me at all. I was on a beach with my toes in the sand

When I opened the door to the room down one of the halls at Ida Culver Senior Living Home, a small, frail woman in a recliner turned her gaze directly toward me and asked, “Who is this?” I smiled faintly, swung my body back around into the hallway where she could no longer see me,