Are you ready for one of the most exciting sporting events of the year? This year, Super Bowl LIX will take place on February 9 in one of my favorite cities: New Orleans. And while it is not known at the time of this writing what teams will play for the coveted Lombardi Trophy, it is always exciting to watch the best of the best do battle.

January 4 is National Spaghetti Day. While it shows up on the National Day list, it isn’t a “real” National Day, which takes an act of Congress, and no one knows who invented it or when it was first celebrated. But I don’t care! I love spaghetti and will happily celebrate it!

The magic of Christmas is upon us! Houses decorated with sparkling lights and festive wreaths line the streets and Christmas music is playing on every radio station. Stores are bustling with shoppers in search of the perfect gifts for their loved ones. The rich scent of pine lingers from Christmas trees adorned with colorful ornaments.

Thanksgiving, which falls on November 28 this year, has always been one of my favorite holidays. It is a day when families gather together, food is bountiful and, of course, we get to watch some good football and cheer for the Detroit Lions!

Brennan was recently in town for a visit after completing an internship in San Antonio, TX and before he returned for his final year of school. He was preparing for a wilderness trip to Isle Royale National Park – a rugged, remote island in Lake Superior that can only be reached by ferry or seaplane.

I really love dogs, but I don’t have one of my own. I do have two granddogs: Macy (Beagle) and Lilly (Pit Bull), my daughter’s and grandson’s treasured pets. I have come to love both of them as I spend a lot of time with my daughter at their home in Bay City.

Beaches and boardwalks … Can you think of a better place to spend a perfect, sunny summer day in July? I have been to many beaches over the years and one of my very favorites is in Ocean City, MD. My family and I spent a week there every summer while I was growing up. Ocean City is a resort town famous for its ten miles of pristine beaches off the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It is also well known for its wooden boardwalks lined with a variety of restaurants and eateries, piers and shops.

You can take the girl out of the rodeo, but you can’t take the rodeo out of the girl!

Moms and daughters share a special relationship. Sometimes it is good – and sometimes, it isn’t.

You just never know what kind of weather to expect in the month of April – an early spring snowfall, April showers or bright, sunshiney days. But one thing I know for sure is that crocuses and daffodils will begin to bloom and thrive – even if covered in a blanket of the white stuff! Even with a lingering chill, the trees will start to bud and the birds will start singing.

Many of us have childhood memories of reading books by Dr. Seuss. To honor the birthday of the famous children’s book author and cartoonist, March has been designated National Reading Month.