Dogs are often given the title “man’s best friend.” I get that. However, a new title has surfaced which turns one’s dog from friend to family. These days people address their dogs as “baby.” Last December, I received a Christmas card in the mail with someone’s dog in the spotlight posing as Santa. Cute? Sure… until I read the caption which read, “Baby’s first Christmas.” This was just the beginning of such observations. More recently, I met a rather chatty woman in the p

I grew up in the 80s. It was just the beginning of the “latchkey” generation. My mother gave my brothers and me the gift of staying home. Her zest for life, ability to celebrate to the fullest, and warm love was poured out daily upon us. I am better for it. I’ll never forget one neighbor’s inquiry of “what my mom did all day?” He never gave me the chance to answer. He replied with another question, “Does she eat bonbons all day?” Back then, I don’t think I carried a full appr