Once Again, Please Stand Up & Speak Up & Vote

  

As of today, July 27, 2026, there are 98 days until the November elections. While I believe it is essential for us to have hope, there are many days when I feel like hope is far away with all the corruption and lack of justice going on in this country. I do believe it is essential for us to all stand up and speak up because if we do not, then we are being complicit with the evil happening here in the USA. 

As a mom and grandma I want the world in which those I love are living to be a place where they are safe. I want them to be able to live their lives without the shame of being part of a country which commits war crimes and murders innocent people here and in other countries. I want them to grow up treating others with love and acceptance. It is for these reasons I have to speak up once again today.

Truths about Grandparents . . .

 

This morning I was thinking about being a grandma and what an amazing blessing it is, so I looked up a few quotes about grandmas/ grandparents and thought I'd share some with you . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Canada Strong Pass

This "Lost Canadian" has been SO impressed as I learned about the land of Canada and all of their incredible National Parks, so when I learned how Canada has made the choice to throw open their "doors" to parks and so many more places to the people of Canada, it left me extremely impressed!

The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

   

If you are looking for a new book to read or give as a gift to a parent or grandparent you love, consider this book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith.

CHIHULY Walla Wallas at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I am blessed to currently live outside Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is where Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located. My husband and I have a membership and tend to visit nearly every week. There are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long at Meijer Gardens, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Walla Wallas at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

just for fun - Today is National Dog Photography Day!

 

If you have a dog in your family, then today is just the day to take photos of them as it is National Dog Photography Day! You are able to learn about this day at the following link - but I thought I'd also share a few fun facts about dogs from AKC with you . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canadian Inventions

This "Lost Canadian" has been learning many things about the wonderful place known as Canada - and has been sharing these things with you. Today I want to let you know about Canadian inventions - get ready to be impressed . . .

illustrate my own - Check Out this Series

   

Quite a few years ago I wrote a series of books for children about Bible people. I was motivated to do so because when you see books about Bible people, they are usually about just a few Bible people and there are so many more people in the Bible with fantastic accounts of how they were able to know and walk with God. I enjoyed writing the Bible stories, but am not an artist, so I thought maybe it would be fun to write a series of books with an "illustrate my own" "twist" - the children - and/or families - could illustrate their own books!

A Cool, Must-Do Science Project Your Grandchildren Will Love!

When my grands were younger we often worked on science projects - even when they were as young as four years old they found them them interesting and fun! Today I am happy to share with you one of our favorites . . . all you need is peroxide, dish soap, and yeast . . . the result is sure to get a wonderful response from the children you love.

CHIHULY Yellow Herons at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I am blessed to currently live outside Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is where Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located. My husband and I have a membership and tend to visit nearly every week. There are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long at Meijer Gardens, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures and a bit of background on each piece - starting with CHIHULY Yellow Herons.

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Maple Syrup

Earlier this month I wrote about the "Great Maple Syrup Heist" (You will find my post about it at this link.) 3,000 tons of maple syrup—worth a massive $18 million CAD was stolen in 2012 by siphoning $18.7 million CAD worth of syrup from a heavily guarded reserve in Saint-Louis-de-Blandford, Quebec, and then replacing it with water to avoid immediate detection. The sticky thieves were eventually arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison. This was the "Great Maple Syrup Heist".

Today I thought I'd write about Maple Syrup again and share some of the extremely interesting things I've learned about Canada and Maple Syrup - did you know . . .

Hand Down Confident Faith with the little answer book for children

   

I want you to know about Barna's and Gallup's recent polls - for a very important reason . . . because we must stand up and take action to stop the loss of the ones we love. If someone does not speak up and ask others to join them, how will grandparents, parents, and church leaders know there is a way to stop what is happening? 

You & How You Feel Matters

 A few words of encouragement today - a Dr. Seuss Quote I find one worth considering is . . . "Don't cry because it is over - Smile because it happened!"  This is a quote which makes me stop and think as there are things I agree about with it, and things I do not. Certainly as we go through life, there will be times we rejoice and times when we wonder what is happening. But there are going to be many times when we may not "smile" because something happened and when we may cry from relief when things are over. I feel this way nearly on a daily basis with all the things happening in our country and world right now. I guess the thing I want to say for today is, as you go through life, how you feel and the things you experience matter. Your feelings are valid. Your feelings matter. If people tell you to "get over things" or to "look on the bright side", you need to feel the freedom to feel whatever you feel because your feelings are legitimate and they do matter.

grandma's cookbook - No-Bake Cookies!

Around my house there is a cookie which whenever I make them, never stays around for long . . . the no-bake cookie! And, since yesterday was Peanut Butter & Chocolate Day a no-bake cookie with peanut butter and chocolate is definitely the kind of cookie to make if you are making cookies today! Try my grandma's recipe with your grandchildren . . . it is sure to become a family favorite!