January 2020

Some might argue that all dogs are in Hufflepuff and all cats are in Slytherin. I have both and I'd say that's a fair assessment! But hey, this idea of sorting shelter dogs into Harry Potter Hogwarts Houses to encourage adoption is fantastic so I'll go with it.

When we hear the word herbaceous, we often assume it means that something will be savory and not sweet at all. I've been learning the opposite through exploring different indie perfume companies and now I've learned that herb-infused drinks can be pretty sweet, too!

When my kiddo's friend mentioned that they like to use Halloween candy bars in their shakes, all I could think of was... hot dog! Why didn't we ever think to do that? It's quite delicious, of course, and it got me thinking... what other wild things could we do with shakes at home? You see lots of over-the-top ones in restaurants lately, but what about home?

Whether you've got a hot date or you're your own date this Valentine's Day, you might want to get into a romantic mood with some steamy poems. Cosmopolitan has compiled a list of some of the most fan-yourself poems written by classic poets like Emily Dickinson and Adrienne Rich. Snippets of poems are provided but you can always look up more once you know who to look for.

Many of us frog lovers enjoy making spaces for our spring and summertime visitors. My family and I like making toad homes especially, cutting off the ends of cans to place in the soil to give them nice hiding spots. But what about frogs who are set to spawn?

When we look around the world, we often see people protest fascism, inequity and inhumane condtions. We also see people stick it to those who are hurting others, namely people in power or the wealthy. So when the French electrical workers on strike cut the power to law enforcement and the wealthy while restoring it to the poor... it says a lot. Not only about the French, but about Americans.

A new year always means a new concert season, and even though it's January I'm getting pumped about all the great shows coming to town. How about you?

Now that it's a new year, a new season of concerts to enjoy is upon us and with that comes all of the many Grateful Dead cover bands! Every area has their favorites, from newcomers to old hometown staples, and I'd love to hear what's playing where you are.

If you're looking, you can always find some here, but not every band is listed. That's why it's a great idea to spread the word and be sure that your favorite bands are listed and get plenty of good exposure to attract more fans.

Making not-real things appear real is a struggle for many an artist, but some truly have a gift. Yumi Okita, for example, makes these awe-inspiring creations. Ebroidery, feathers and fabric combined in her hands result in larger-than-life butterflies and moths that look straight out of prehistoric times.