Relationships

The air is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to turn colors. It’s beginning to feel like fall and it’s time for apple picking. The only thing better than spending a sunny, crisp fall day in an orchard picking apples is sharing this fall tradition with grandchildren.  ...

Book clubs are a good way to meet people (virtually or in-person), explore topics you might not be familiar with and engage in lively discussions with people who like to read as much as you do. Whether you start with a safe, social distancing experience or go entirely online with video conferencing, a book club may be just the cure for the not-enough-fun-things-to-do blues.  ...

We’re all doing our best to find ways to keep each other safe and still keep each other close to our hearts and conduct our business. When it’s over, God-willing soon, the silver lining may well be that we will have learned a new language to convey our caring for each other and for everyone in our communities. ...

All parents caring for disabled children are advised to write down what any successor caregiver would need to know about the child and what the parent’s wishes are for his or her care. This is important whether the child be in a group home, live with a parent, or be on his or her own. The parent knows best, but needs to pass on important information about medical issues, medication, diet, a “day in the life,” housing, outside activities, faith, personal values, finances, expenses, and more. A copy of the memo or letter can be kept in the attorney’s files with the parents’ estate plan. ...

The calendar says summer is winding down and that means it's a good time to get in those last-minute excursions with the grandkids. If you like fairies (and who doesn't?), then you'll enjoy the fairy doors scavenger hunt at Holden Arboretum... with or without kids. ...

My father was always warning me to watch my words. If I didn’t have anything nice to say, I should just bite my tongue. These timeless lessons regarding the negative and positive power of our words remain resonant — especially during the current pandemic, election season and recession. Everyone needs to be cut a little more slack and given a bit more grace than usual. Kindness over criticism wins the day. ...

Make small wands by wrapping pipe cleaners around the top of sticks to form a circle. Popsicle sticks, a dowel rod, or even sticks from your yard will work well.  You can get fancier and have the grandkids use beads to string onto the pipe cleaners to decorate before attaching to the wand stick. ...

Western Reserve Historical Society has an interesting collection of stories and photographs outlining the vital role that African American leaders and musicians have played and continue to play in Northeast Ohio. Read about The Future Outlook League, The Agora's role in promoting Black musicians, and other fascinating bits of history in the African American Archives Auxilliary on the Western Reserve Historical Society website. ...