According to horticultural and environmental science, trees that shed their leaves in the fall do so in order to survive upcoming harsh weather. Trees go through the process of abscission as a way to conserve the water and energy that will be necessary to survive through the coming winter months. … [Read more...]

Now that the holidays are here we are being encouraged to reflect on all of the things in our lives that we appreciate—our families, our homes, our friends. We are prompted on all sides to express our gratitude for the things in our lives that we might have a tendency to take for granted. But how do … [Read more...]

One of the hardest jobs a person will ever have is being a parent, but a case can be made that an even harder job is being a foster parent. There is never any way to tell who is going to come along and what they are going to need outside of basic shelter needs. It is hard, it is frustrating, it is … [Read more...]

One of the things heard most frequently from the mouths of children is “it’s not fair.” Regardless of whether they are talking about rewards or consequences, chores and responsibilities, or someone else entirely, the “not fair” argument is a clear favorite for attempting to change a circumstance to … [Read more...]

Have you ever been looking forward to something only to have it fall through at the last minute? Have you ever told yourself not to get your hopes up about something, all the while you’re secretly fantasizing about how wonderful it will be? Do you remember how it felt when you learned that what you … [Read more...]