12

Valentine’s Day is Friday: Wine? Check. Flowers? Check. Fondue? Check it Out

Oh, Valentine’s Day. You look so innocent – all sweetness, hearts and flowers. It’s unfortunate that such a seemingly simple day of love, friendship and affection has grown into a Godzilla-sized emotional super-power day of extremes. It can bring joy… Continue Reading

2

Whiskeytown Falls – No Longer Whiskeytown’s Best Kept Secret

Editor’s note: Renae Tolbert was a frequent contributor of writing and photography to aNewsCafe.com. She died on March 26 following complications from cancer. ANC will publish some of her work in the coming months in memory and honor of Renae.… Continue Reading

10

Just Sayin’: IT’S SO BEAAAAUUUUUTI-FUL

If I have learned nothing else in my 81 years of living, I’ve learned that beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder. However, I also believe that the eye for beauty can certainly be enhanced, honed and brought to life by exposure and appreciation. In that light, I really believe the human desire for beauty is inborn. Continue Reading

14

Camping, 2 Decades Later: Let the Good Times Roll

It was 1994 the first time my kids and I went camping at Patrick’s Point State Park in Trinidad. It was a significant year. I’d graduated from college – 20 years after high school – and I’d bought a house.… Continue Reading

49

Not a Great Housekeeper? Rosie the iRobot to the Rescue

Despite the fact that I work online, the truth is that I’m not that much of a techie. I don’t do Instagram. I don’t own a Kindle or an iPad. I don’t do even do online banking, or reserve campsites… Continue Reading

2

Speaking of Dogs: Entertainment for the Stay-at-Home Dog

Dogs are social, curious animals that do not handle boredom and isolation well. When left to their own devices, unemployed, under-exercised dogs will find something to do. Guaranteed.  Sadly, a dog’s interpretations of fabulous options for entertainment are usually annoying… Continue Reading

6

Torpedoes of Death Masquerade as Innocent Grass to Torture Dogs

I see foxtails. Everywhere. Hordeum murinum or “Hare Barley,” a non-native invader from Spain, grows in healthy, thick patches along the trails and in open spaces where people walk their dogs. What appears to be innocent, lush grass in early… Continue Reading

5

By Design: Cull the Christmas Past to Make Room for Christmas Future

Here we are. Another January. Another new year. While packing away all the Christmas decorations, and hauling the tree to the curb, I noticed the neighborhood trash bins stuffed beyond overflowing with crushed boxes and colorful – mostly red and… Continue Reading