Reading is a beloved pastime that’s having a moment. A number of variables have helped to renew people’s interest in reading. BookTok, a popular subcommunity on the social media platform TikTok in which users create videos to recommend and discuss books, is one such variable. The BookTok trend has h...

As we continue to push through the darker half of the year, many of us notice that the lessened daylight has an impact on our mental and physical health. According to the American Psychiatric Association (2024), two in five Americans report a worsening in their overall mood during winter months, exp...

Homes are often characterized as sanctuaries for their inhabitants. When a home is warm and welcoming, it can be the perfect place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Though no one wants to imagine danger lurking in their homes, certain areas of a home, including the b...

The TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of backyards, public parks, school yards and other green spaces, predicts 2026 will be a year of purpose, precision and pet-friendly landscapes. The era of the purely aesthetic lawn is over; the future is about the high-performance, consc...

Tax season, which begins in January and ends in April with the tax-filing deadline (tax day falls on April 15), can be a stressful time for people in the U.S. Individuals and businesses are required by law to file their income tax returns with the federal government and either await a refund or pay ...

The Virginia Egg Council used the American Egg Board’s 2025 campaign, “Meant to be Broken,” in last year’s search for the best egg recipes that would be appropriate for holiday entertaining, gifting or enjoying. Sixteen local fairs across Virginia hosted preliminary competitions throughout the summe...

Winter has officially arrived, bringing unique challenges in caring for houseplants. At this time of year, we experience less intense and fewer hours of sunlight. For most indoor plants, the lack of daylight signals a special kind of dormancy called quiescence. During this period, plants conserve th...

Getting outside in winter reduces stress, improves mood and helps with social connection and physical health for both people and pets, reminds the TurfMutt Foundation. But TurfMutt, which champions the year-round care and use of backyards, public parks, school yards and other green spaces, urges pet...

Want to learn more about gardening specifically for our fine feathered friends? Plan on joining this webinar on Jan. 13 from 7 - 8 p.m. “Gardening for Birds” shares some of the interactions between birds and native plants and provides ideas for improving properties of all sizes for birds. Presenter ...

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but grandmas don’t look the same as they used to. My paternal grandmother, Ma, was short and stout – think “I’m a little teapot.” Her bosom was ample enough to enfold and comfort a weeping child or provide a nestling place for a sleeping baby. Ma’s hair was past her h...

As the new year begins, many of us resolve to eat healthier, cook more at home or reduce food waste. One resolution that often gets overlooked but protects everyone at the table is food safety. Foodborne illness affects an estimated 48 million Americans every year, leading to hospitalizations, misse...

Dear Paw’s Corner: I’ve made a resolution that I hope will resonate with many of your readers. My cat, Gerard, is six years old and has become very overweight. I can barely pick him up! Since October, I have been working with Gerard’s veterinarian to manage his weight, and things are turning around....

Exercise is an important component of overall health. Experts say that adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week. Some believe h...

Here we are, ready to wrap up another year. And there’s a new one just around the corner. What can we learn from this year to help us in the next one? Many seniors have had a rough time financially, and it doesn’t look as though things are going to get better soon. Grocery costs have been a big part...

An average of 1 million tons of additional waste are produced each week during the holiday season. Whether it’s packaging materials, items that can’t be donated or single use items, we can all work to reduce our waste this time of year! Recycling Reminders Wrapping Paper – Wrapping paper is usually ...