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Winter In Texas ~ 2010
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Winter Wonderland (4)
Tag: Sara
Addison Kaboom Town, Texas 2011 (1)
Kevin, Courtney, and I went with the kids and a stroller full of coolers, blankets, and towels from a parking garage to the Addison Circle, which leads to the entrance of Kaboom Town. Addison opens the gates around 4 or 5 pm. The earlier we arrive, the better our chances are of getting a decent spot. It was a very hot Independence Day weekend. So, we adults decided to pick a shaded spot under a couple of trees close to the water fountains and the bathrooms. Once our blankets were laid out, the girls wanted to play in the fountain and cool off. There was still plenty of time for the airshow and fireworks. By the time the sun is behind the horizon, the kids can rest and watch the shows. It didn’t take long before Sara was hungry and wanted to eat a sandwich. Thank goodness, we always bring our cooler with us. Katelynn rested with her Dad on the blanket for a little bit before she decided she was hungry, too.
… to be continued …
Christmas Season (Part III) 2008 – 2009
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2008
Since Kevin’s homemade Christmas tree got positive feedback, he installed it again in 2008. The same year, I decorated a Christmas wreath for our girls.
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2009
Sara’s 1st Christmas; She was still so tiny.
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… to be continued …
The Liberty By The Lake Fireworks In The Colony, Texas 2011
Liberty By The Lake 2011
National Cat Lovers’ Month 2025 🐈
Cats were first seen in the early Pliocene Epoch, approximately 5 to 4 million years ago, and have evolved into modern times with remarkably little change. The earliest known association between cats and humans can, however, be traced as far back as the origins of agriculture in the Middle East around 9,500 years ago.
In recent years, the skeleton of a cat was found buried along with that of a human in southern Cyprus. Although some sources noted that this discovery suggested that cats had undergone some forms of domestication in that region, other sources argued that cats may have chosen to domesticate themselves by living in human-altered landscapes. They cited the evidence that the cat genome was not so different from that of the African wildcat at that particular period.
Fossil evidence unearthed in China, dating back to about 5,300 years, shows that cats of a size similar to modern domestic cats used to feed on small grain-eating animals such as rodents. In contrast, the cats in agricultural settings went for millet.
There’s also a common belief that cats were domesticated in ancient Egypt because of the Egyptians’ great affinity for cats, and the animals had social and religious significance in their culture. Although cats were considered sacred animals in Egypt around 2465 B.C. to 2150 B.C., they had not yet been domesticated. It’s possible that the ancient Egyptians kept cats because they valued them for protecting their barns from rodents. Their respect and affection for this majestic predator resulted in the development of religious cat cults and the worship of cats in temples. There are no authentic records of domestication earlier than 1500 B.C.
National Christmas Lights Day 2025
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Before the invention of electric lights, families would balance candles on the branches of their Christmas trees—a risky practice that naturally led to several house fires. Electric Christmas lights were first invented in 1880 by Thomas Edison, who promptly strung them all over the outside of his Menlo Park laboratory. Because people were initially distrustful of electricity, it took another several decades for the invention to catch on. It wasn’t until 1903 when General Electric began selling pre-assembled kits of Christmas lights that electric lights became popular with people of all classes. Today, electric lights are an integral part of the winter holiday season, and certainly aren’t exclusive to Christmas. As we get ready for the end of the year, let’s string up our lights and celebrate. ‘Tis the Season’, after all.
:https://nationaltoday.com/national-christmas-lights-day/
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National Princess Day 2025 👑
The first princess to come to our TV screens was Snow White in 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, this movie was also the first full-length traditional animation film as well as the earliest Disney animated feature film. When Xena: Warrior Princess debuted in 1995 and Mulan was released in 1998, they demonstrated that a princess can do more than wear a pretty dress. These two iconic women let children everywhere know that a princess can also be a strong and adventurous warrior. New wave princesses like Moana and Frozen’s Elsa show us that you can still be a princess while maintaining your independence.
We all grew up with animated and live-action princesses guiding us through life. When thinking of our favorite princesses, our minds instantly go to Disney. However, when it comes to National Princess Day, Disney had very little involvement in its inception. Nest Family Entertainment, a Texas-based entertainment company, teamed up with Rich Animation in 1994 to create the animated film The Swan Princess, a musical adaptation of Swan Lake. The studio wanted people of every age to have a day to celebrate like royalty, embodying the kindness and grace that we all associated with princesses at the time — and thus, National Princess Day was created.
The definition of a princess is constantly changing. From the 1930s until the 1990s, princesses were meant to be saved by a prince and live happily ever after. Nowadays, princesses create their own happily ever after, save the prince, and then put the prince squarely in the friend zone. Essentially, embodying a princess on National Princess Day is to represent what the kids call the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In May 2011 (2)
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Fort Worth Zoo 2011
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National American Teddy Bear Day 2025 🧸
Cheers to all teddy bear lovers and owners! Let’s celebrate one of the best toys we’ve ever owned on National American Teddy Bear Day, on November 14. Teddy bears have been our comfort bed pals since our childhood. We give them names, hug them while we sleep, and take them everywhere with us. These soft furry friends are a reminder of childhood. Teddy bears come in different sizes, colors, and materials, and have been a popular toy choice since their creation in the early 20th century.
American Heroes: A Salute To Veterans In The Colony, Texas
The American Heroes Festival is a FREE weekend celebration honoring America’s heroes with live music, remembrance ceremonies, carnival, fair food, car/truck/bike show, and the best patriotic fireworks display in North Texas! The photos are from the 2015 festival.
We salute you and thank you
for your service to our country!
In Connecticut, I miss having a Veteran’s Festival close by. Watertown still celebrates our Veterans in the Veterans Memorial Park and at the Green Gazebo. Oakville has a ceremony at the Oakville Town Green. However, we don’t have 5K Runs, carnival, live music from famous artists, and fireworks.
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In May 2011 (1)
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Fort Worth Zoo 2011
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… to be continued …
World Ballet Day 2025
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World Ballet Day was first celebrated on October 1, 2014. On this special day, top ballet companies worldwide stream live videos over six continents, showcasing their behind-the-scenes preparations, rehearsals, and dance classes. The main companies that contribute to the event are the Australian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, San Francisco Ballet, and Royal Swedish Ballet.
The history of ballet dates back to the 15th century in Italy and France. The dance was often performed by noblemen and women in the royal courts. However, the early form of ballet, known as ‘ballet de cour,’ included not only dancing but music, poetry, décor, and costume. Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henry II of France, developed this elaborate form of ballet.
The year 1681 witnessed the transition of ballet from the royal courts to the stage, where it was incorporated with operas, especially in France. In the 1700s, a French ballet master revolutionized this ballet-opera trend, advocating that ballet deserved to stand on its own as a recognized genre. This led to the creation of yet another form of ballet, known as the ‘ballet d’action’. This form involved expressive and dramatic movements used to tell stories through dance.
In the 19th century, ballet gradually evolved, as classical techniques such as pointe work, the precision of movement, and turnout developed in Russia. It was during this period that the classical “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Nutcracker” were created.
Today, ballet takes many forms and styles, with the rules a little less rigid than they were in the past. Costumes vary based on creativity, and classical music is no longer the mandatory genre of music it is performed to. It has also given life to new dance forms, such as contemporary, lyrical, modern, and neo-classical dance.
: https://nationaltoday.com/world-ballet-day/
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Kids Colony II Playground (Phase I), The Colony, Texas 2011
In 1993, residents and businesses in The Colony came together to build a playground. There was lots of planning, fundraising, scheduling, and building – all done by volunteers! This little town in Texas made a great effort, and the result was a community-built playground named Kids’ Colony. The years and hot Texas sun took their toll on the expansive wooden structures, and the process of replacing the beloved playground began. In 2011, Phase I of the rebuild of Kids’ Colony was completed, adding a nature-themed play structure, pavilion, picnic tables, and benches.
Plush Animal Lover’s Day 2025
Today is the annual appreciation day for every stuffed animal, where owners give them the extra love and care they deserve. Make no mistake, today is not just for kids — it’s also for the kids at heart. From toddlers and adults, to plushie collectors, this holiday is dedicated to celebrating your favorite childhood friend, confidant, memory keeper, and playmate. As simple as it may seem, every stuffed toy has countless stories for many people. From their earliest childhood recollection to a pleasant memory, plushies are meaningful mementos to individuals who collect and treasure them.
There Was A Little Witch …
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Trick-or-Treat
There was a little witch
who kept her little bat
on the teeny, tiny tip
of her pointy, little hat.
She knocked on many doors
and cackled, “Trick-or-treats!”
while the little bat held out his wings
and gathered tasty sweets.
They shared a midnight feast
besides the Boo Lagoon,
Then flew on home to dream sweet dreams
beneath a candy moon.
by Penny Parker Klostermann
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A Walk At The Cottonwood Marsh Trail In Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA), Lewisville, Texas ~ 2011
Texas Spring At The Cottonwood Trail In LLELA
Halloween Season (Part IV) 2010 – 2011
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2010
Katelynn loves going to the pumpkin patch because she can jump in the bounce house, go on hay rides, and pick a pumpkin. Sara just enjoyed crawling around between the pumpkins. Every pumpkin had to be tested by giving it a good slap on top. We also went to the Pirate Days. Unfortunately, “Boo at the Zoo” got rained out on the day we went to the Fort Worth Zoo. But it wasn’t the end of the world, either. The girls got out and had fun, anyway.
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2011
Aww! 2011 was one of my favorite Halloween Seasons of all time so far. Katelynn had a crush on “Marvin, the Martian” and wanted to marry him. That’s right. She loved this Looney Tunes character so much that we had to get her a plush Marvin. She said she wanted to become an Astronaut and be the First Woman on Mars. Over the years, her idea of flying to Mars has changed. But she still wants to be a Paleontologist, now.
Sara was the cutest little garden gnome I’ve ever seen. It was her first Halloween, and she could walk to the houses. But she still had a hard time catching up with her older sister. Her little feet were not fast enough. So, she called Katelynn to wait for her: “Kaitin, Kaitin! I want to go T’ick-o’-T’eat with you!” Sara wasn’t scared of any monsters either. Since we always made a big fuss out of Halloween, she must have thought it was normal.
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… to be continued …
16 Years …
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Sixteen candles, bright and bold,
A new chapter to unfold.
You’re a teen, so wise and cool,
Just try not to break every single rule!
Happy 16th Birthday, Sara!
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Halloween Season (Part III) 2008 – 2009
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2008
Katelynn wanted to help me with the pumpkin carving. So, I’ve got her a little pumpkin she could play with and get the pumpkin guts out. She always loved to say: “We need to get all the pumpkin yikes out!” And then she played with the gooey inside of the pumpkin.
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2009
Sara was only twelve days old when we celebrated Halloween in 2009. She was such a cute little Pumpkin. Katelynn wanted to help with the pumpkins again, while her little sister took a nap. Katelynn was very proud of being a big sister. She really enjoyed taking Sara out for her first Trick-or-Treat. All bundled up, we walked through the neighborhood and collected candy on this cool October night. The fresh air was good for the little munchkin.
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… to be continued …
State Fair of Texas At Fair Park, Dallas, Texas 2010
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State Fair of Texas 2010
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A New Fence Pole & An Old Dismantled Shed ~ 2013
One of our fence poles didn’t have a cap to cover it. When it rained, the pole collected water. Over time, the metal started to rust through and didn’t hold up the fence. It also didn’t help that Ranger always peed on it. So, one Saturday afternoon, Kevin got the materials to fix the fence. He dug the concrete block up, which was huge. It took us both to lift it out of the ground. Once the new pole was in place, Kevin poured the concrete to keep the pole in place.
While the concrete set, Kevin dismantled the old rusty shed that was here before we moved into the house. All it did was attract rats. We had to get rid of it sooner or later. We had that extra space and enough room to trim the trumpet vines. In the meantime, Katelynn and Sara collected the rest of the twigs from the Mimosa, which was cut down three days prior. Our cats made sure that we all did our chores.
A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (4)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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~ The End ~
Kindness To Animals Day 2025
Pets, particularly dogs and cats, have been scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, alleviate loneliness, and promote exercise and playfulness. Caring for an animal can help children become more secure and active as they age. Pets can also be a valuable source of companionship for the elderly. But, it doesn’t just end with pets. Being kind to animals is a great way to get connected with them on a deeper level out of respect and understanding. Being kind to animals is good for you, those around you, and the animals themselves.
In the Philippines, Carlos Polestico Garcia, a lawyer by profession, entered politics when he was elected to the House of Representatives to represent the third district of Bohol. He later became the eighth President of the Philippines. He was known for being a teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, and political economist who was passionate about animals and wildlife. So much so that on September 30, 1958, in the City of Manila, Garcia issued Proclamation No. 537 declaring the fourth day of October each year as Kindness to Animals Day.
The proclamation emphasized the importance of instilling the virtues of kindness, justice, and mercy in all living creatures and condemned all forms of cruelty to both men and animals. Garcia called upon all citizens and residents of the Philippines, government officials and employees, public and private schools, churches, and civic organizations, to observe this special day with programs and ceremonies so that all people can get involved to showcase their compassion for animals.
National Daughters Day 2025
National Daughters Day is a day to celebrate the gift of daughters. Dads and moms have different, but very special relationships with their daughters. And that is to be celebrated. This is a day to cherish our daughters. The initial reason for creating National or International Daughters Day was to erase the stigma in some countries attached to having a girl instead of a boy child. But in developed countries, Daughters Day is a day to celebrate the joy and wonder of having a baby girl and raising a daughter.
:https://www.nationaldayarchives.com/day/national-daughters-day/
Goshen Fair, Goshen, Connecticut ~ 2021 🎡
Kevin, Katelynn, Sara, and I visited the Goshen Fair yesterday morning. The Goshen Fair happens annually on Labor Day weekend. With Fair rides, prize-winning livestock, vendors, and food trucks, there is much to see and taste. The girls were excited to go on all these rides. Due to COVID-19, it seemed like an Eon for them to enjoy a day at a fair. We ate some fair food. It was nice to get something, not necessarily fried, like at the State Fair of Texas. Kevin got some popcorn and munched on that while we walked around. The livestock was so adorable. One of the roosters’ cock-a-doodle-dood every time someone entered the barn. I guess it was his way of greeting everyone. The piglets were so cute. And the Llamas reminded me of Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove”. There were also cows, alpacas, bunnies, sheep, and many more animals.
We also wanted to support some local businesses. I’ve got some honey and found out that the lady who owns the beehive is from Watertown as well. How much more local can it be, getting fresh honey from a backyard beekeeper only two miles down the road?! Katelynn got herself a nice alpaca poncho. Sara couldn’t get enough of those fidget poppers. And before we left, I bought a felt pumpkin guy. I’m such a sucker for Harvest, Autumn, and Halloween decorations. All of us enjoyed the few hours at the Goshen Fair. With the beautiful weather and perfect temperatures, the fairground got crowded quickly. It was time to leave.
Vendors, Rides & Food
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Goshen Fair’s Price-winning Livestock
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~ 09/05/2021 ~
Beautiful Colors of Autumn (4)
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Autumn Photos with Sara in November 2010
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A Visit To The Fort Worth Zoo In November 2009 (2)
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Fort Worth Zoo
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National Hug Your Hound Day 2025
National Hug Your Hound Day was started by Ami Moore, the “Dog Whisperer of Chicago.” She created the day to celebrate the long and lasting bond between a dog and its owner. Ami Moore is best known for her exceptional qualifications that have led to her being one of the world’s most famous dog experts. She was trained as a Native American Medicine Woman, and her expertise has been testified to by a series of degrees and honors. She works with the singular purpose of increasing the health and happiness of canines all over the world. Along with medical and behavioral help, she aims to achieve that through Hug Your Hound Day celebrations.
Ami has a long history of working in canine behavior and problem-solving. She’s best known for pioneering the concept of positive reinforcement using electronic dog training equipment to encourage a dog’s natural drive to follow a strong leader. Through the development and use of her techniques, Ami has helped better the rowdy behaviors in dogs all over the world, creating a better relationship between them and their owners. Some of the issues that Ami has successfully treated are a dog’s tendency to destroy furniture, jump on guests, experience separation anxiety, and socialize them so they’re no longer aggressive to people and other dogs. Needless to say, her expertise has made the world a better and safer place for dogs and dog lovers. Hug Your Hound Day is about bettering your relationship with your pet by learning humane techniques and being patient with your dogs during their learning period.
National Teddy Bear Day 2025 🧸
The teddy bear was created to commemorate American President Theodore Roosevelt. On November 14, 1902, Theodore Roosevelt went on a bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi. Governor Andrew H. Longino of Mississippi had invited him. Unlike some of the other hunters in the party, Roosevelt had not been able to shoot a single bear. Roosevelt’s aides trapped and tied a black bear to a willow tree, commanded by Holt Collier, a born slave and former Confederate cavalryman. They summoned Roosevelt and asked him to shoot it. Roosevelt declined to shoot the bear because he thought it was highly unsportsmanlike. The word of this soon traveled across the country via newspaper stories. The stories detailed the president’s refusal to shoot a bear. It wasn’t just any president, either; it was Theodore Roosevelt, the big game hunter.
Clifford Berryman, a political cartoonist, saw the report and chose to parody the president’s unwillingness to shoot the bear, funnily. On November 16, 1902, Berryman’s cartoon ran in the “Washington Post.” Morris Michtom, the proprietor of a Brooklyn candy shop, saw the cartoon and had an idea. He and his wife, Rose, also produced stuffed animals, and Michtom decided to make a plush toy bear for the president who refused to shoot a bear. He dubbed it ‘Teddy’s Bear.’ Michtom mass-manufactured the toy bears after obtaining Roosevelt’s permission to use his name, which was so successful that he soon created the Ideal Toy Company. Within a few years, the selling of teddy bears had grown so rapidly that he established a soft toy firm to manufacture them. Around the same period, a German firm called Steiff began manufacturing teddy bears with movable joints. Every year, millions of teddies are marketed and given as presents or are manufactured to commemorate specific events or occasions. And it feels that their appeal is unlikely to be dismissed very soon.
The End of Summer 2025
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August is almost over; Sara is ready to go back to school. Summer is coming to an end, and it is time to get prepared for Autumn. The garden needs to be prepared for the Autumn/Winter season. A lot of crops love the cooler days, like cabbage and carrots. That’s also a good time for weeding the garden since the mornings are not so warm anymore. Soon, the migrating birds and insects will visit the yard. It will be good for them to have a welcoming place where they can rest before they have to move on to travel south. In the meantime, I’m sitting outside with a cool drink in my hand and enjoying the last days of Summer.
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National Dog Day 2025 🐕
Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason, so why not celebrate them? These furry friends range in all different shapes, sizes, and breeds. There is a dog out there for everyone! Whether you like big dogs or small dogs, every pup should be celebrated on National Dog Day. This holiday was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate. She created this day so that all dogs can be celebrated and also to draw attention to the number of dogs in shelters and to encourage adoption for those who have yet to find a place to call home. August 26 is significant to Colleen because it is the day her family adopted her Sheltie when she was 10 years old.
Since the first celebration in 2004, National Dog Day has grown and is now celebrated across the world. In 2013, the holiday was written into New York legislation and can be seen on the New York State Senate’s website. To spread the word further, those who oversee the holiday have joined forces with many rescue partners, including The Humane Society of the United States and West Coast Labrador Retriever Rescue. Together, they draw attention to the number of dogs that are without a home and try to actively encourage people searching for a dog to visit an adoption shelter instead of a pet store.
Since the first day back in 2004, it is estimated that approximately one million dogs have been saved through adoption in the U.S. For dog owners who aren’t looking to add to their family, National Dog Day has become a day for treating their friends like the legends they are and enjoying the connection that we’ve built up with dogs over thousands of years. Colleen Paige, the founder of the holiday, also uses the day to draw attention to the multiple ways in which dogs contribute to our society. From putting their lives on the line to help law enforcement track down bombs or drug dealers to providing assistance for those who need it, dogs play an important role. Nowadays, dogs can even identify cancer in patients.
National Dog Day has also been using its platform to encourage dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure, and continuously pushes for all dogs to be allowed to live happy and abuse-free lives. National Dog Day is on an upward trajectory and continues to grow in popularity. It is widely covered in the media each year, and rescue homes are the all-important exposure they need to get their message across. Whether you choose to celebrate by volunteering at a rescue home, making a donation to a shelter, or giving your furry friend an extra big cuddle, make sure you spend this day acknowledging just how awesome dogs are.
Texas Gardening In March 2013 (1)
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I started my garden in the early Spring of 2013 by sowing beans, bell peppers, corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, tomatoes, and other goodies. I also worked on some herbs. At least, I had something ready to grow in the greenhouse, once the parts arrived and I could finish building it. Joshua made sure that I watered the seedlings every day. And Sara enjoyed the milder days on the back porch.
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International Lefthanders Day 2025
Sara is a left-hander herself. We discovered this early, when she was still a baby, and she would try to reach everything with her left hand. We haven’t seen a lot of disadvantages. However, it was not easy for me to guide her to write a letter or word sometimes. I had to take her hand as a fist and guide it. Eventually, we figured it out together.
Happy International Lefthanders Day, Sara!
National Sisters Day 2025
National Sisters Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. Nothing can quite compare to the bond that sisters have, and this is a day to treasure the closeness that forms as you grow up together, sharing your secrets, your dreams, and all the fun times. Sisters have a deep connection that grows throughout childhood and remains strong throughout life. National Sisters Day is a chance for you to spend some quality time with your sister and to cherish the connection that you have.
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/sisters-day/
Under The Harvest Moon 