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8 articles found.

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Holidays

 76 records found

The Twelve SItes of Christmas (2024) by James N. Watkins


(December 20, 2024)
Jim's annual list of articles and cartoons with hope and humor for Christmas…
Topics: Christian Life • Communication • Compassion • Contemplation, Insight • Contentment, Satsifaction • Faith • Family • God • Grace • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • Jesus • Relationships


Thanks for What? by James N. Watkins


(November 22, 2024)
If you find yourself a bit down at Thanksgiving, Jim has some thoughts to put the holiday in perspective. First appeared in 2000..
Topics: Civility • Faith • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Thank You for Reading This by Garrison Keillor


(November 21, 2024)
So many blessings, and I haven't even mentioned friendship, sunsets, public transportation, Christian hymnody, baseball, hearing aids, the steady thoughtful leadership of my wife, trees, parks, rivers, the prairie, sonnets, Google, and cranberries…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Contentment, Satsifaction • Faith • Family • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Relationships • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving Turkey Trivia by James N. Watkins


(November 15, 2024)
Do you have nothing better to do with your time than to read worthless trivia? Then, you'll be enriched by our educational special report on Melgris Gallopavos…
Topics: History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


This is Not a Time to Panic, America by James N. Watkins


(June 28, 2024)
Thoughts on America as we approach the July 4 holiday, updated for 2024…
Topics: Change • Courage • Faith • Government • Grace • Gratitute • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Patriotism • Politics


A Father Speaks, After the Day Has Passed by Garrison Keillor


(June 20, 2024)
The third Sunday of June is Father's Day and if you forgot, that's okay, we fathers don't expect to be celebrated, we only want to be forgiven…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Faith • Father's Day • History • Holidays • Humor • Relationships


Mr. Patrick is Not Happy by James N. Watkins


(March 15, 2024)
I’m guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration of his day.…
Topics: History • Holidays • Humor • Religion


Five Ways to Do Good on MLK Day by Ryan Bergeron / CNN


(January 13, 2024)
Reflecting on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. can lead to good deeds on MLK Day…
Topics: Change • Civility • Contemplation, Insight • History • Holidays • Opportunity • Service • Social Issues • Social Movements


From the South Atlantic, Blessings! by Garrison Keillor


(January 1, 2024)
The real education, however, is to discover how sweet Christmas is . . . standing at a ship's rail at night and looking up at Orion with your wife and daughter has more to do with Christmas than sleighs or chestnuts or even boughs of holly. Happy 2024!
Topics: Christmas • Contemplation, Insight • Future • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Memories • New Year's


Have a God-Directed New Year! by James N. Watkins


(December 29, 2023)
Jim updates his annual list of posts for the New Year…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • New Year's • Optimal Aging


Once Again, the Star, the Shepherds by Garrison Keillor


(December 25, 2023)
I do believe in the Christmas story, that God put his omnipotence on a shelf and became an infant child--it's in keeping with Christ telling his disciples, 'What you do for the least of these, ye do for me'…
Topics: Bible • Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Inspiration • Memories • Optimal Aging


Our Plans for Christmas and Why by Garrison Keillor


(December 21, 2023)
So our little trio is going to sea and my New Year’s resolution, as the ship heads back to New York, is to be grateful for life itself and love and friendship…
Topics: Change • Christmas • Generosity • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Memories • Optimal Aging • Relationships


The Twelve Sites of Christmas by James N. Watkins


(December 1, 2023)
Jim updates his annual list of favorite holiday posts…
Topics: Christmas • Contemplation, Insight • Faith • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Memories


Will Thanksgiving Suck Like a Turkey Baster?! (2023) by James N. Watkins


(November 4, 2023)
Jim revisits a theme introduced in 2020 when it also seemed the news was too grime to be thankful…
Topics: COVID-19 • Depresson • Faith • Family • Fears, Concerns • Gratitute • Holiday Season • Loneliness • News • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


The 12 Sites of Christmas (2022) by James N. Watkins


(December 30, 2022)
Jim updates his annual list of posts offering Hope & Humor for the holiday season and preparation for a new year…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • Metaphors, Life Lessons • New Year's


A Season for Music by Stu Johnson


(December 24, 2022)
Flash Mobs, Virtual Choirs and other ways to celebrate and extend the Christmas season with music…
Topics: Christmas • COVID-19 • Faith • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Leisure • Music • Technology


December 2022 by the Numbers by US Census Bureau Staff


(December 23, 2022)
Interesting facts and figures about the holiday season…
Topics: Christmas • Demographics • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Learning • Statistics


Waiting for Christmas, Wishing for Snow by Garrison Keillor


(December 22, 2022)
When snow falls in Manhattan, it’s magical, you’re in an O. Henry story about Christmas, and all the kids shut up in apartments come out with sheets of plastic or cardboard and go sliding on whatever slope is available…
Topics: Personal Stories (Biography/Autobiography) • Holidays • Holiday Season • Lifestyle, General • Memories • Seasons • Weather


An Old Man Thinking at the Thanksgiving Table by Garrison Keillor


(December 1, 2022)
I was the oldest person at our Thanksgiving table and I didn't say much because the kids were so lively and funny and why bring them down with a lecture about the wonders of old age, including the fact that every morning is an occasion of gratitude...
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Memories • Optimal Aging • Relationships • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Is There Life After Work? by Leona Bergstrom


(September 3, 2022)
Labor Day reflections…
Topics: Holidays • Labor Day • Optimal Aging • Planning • Retirement • Work


United States of Diversity by Michael Barnone / Washington Examiner


(July 4, 2022)
The Founders and Dobbs…
Topics: Change • Character, Integrity • Diversity & Pluralism • Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Racism and Inequality • Social Issues


Celebrating Our Day of Independence as a Wonderfully Diverse People by Robert L. Santos / Direcotr of US Census Bureau


(July 2, 2022)
Reflections on the expanding embrace of 'We the People'
Topics: Diversity & Pluralism • Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Relationships • Values


Reflections on Memorial Day by Robert Santos / Director US Censurs Burea


(May 27, 2022)
For many ithe holiday marks the bginning of summer. For others, as recalled here, it has much more profound and personal meaning.…
Topics: Character, Integrity • Dying and Death • Family • History • Holidays • Memorial Day • Memories • Relationships • Tribute, Testimony


Time to Head to the Graveyard and Pay Respects by Garrison Keillor


(May 26, 2022)
This Memorial Day there is a sense of unease that calls for a rebirth of freedom to move around and live your life without fear.…
Topics: Dying and Death • History • Holidays • Memorial Day • Service • Tribute, Testimony • War


Mr. Patrick Would Not Be Happy by James N. Watkins


(March 17, 2022)
I’m guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration of his day.…
Topics: History • Holidays • Religion


Welcome to Flight 2022 by Paulette Harris Madison


(December 31, 2021)
Are you ready for takeoff?…
Topics: Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Metaphors, Life Lessons • New Year's • Tribute, Testimony


Have a God-Directed New Year! by James N. Watkins


(December 30, 2021)
Jim's annual update on thoughts for the new year…
Topics: Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • Inspiration • New Year's


I Am Dreaming of a Light Christmas by Garrison Keillor


(December 24, 2021)
Memories of Christmases past and the promise of lengthening days this side of the winter solstice…
Topics: Christmas • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Memories


Piece on Earth by George Garrison


(December 23, 2021)
Finding wholeness in the message of Christmas when the world remains in pieces from the ravages of COVID…
Topics: Christmas • COVID-19 • Crisis • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Inspiration


12 Sites of Christmas 2021 by James N. Watkins


(December 3, 2021)
Jim's 21st annual list of cartoons, videos and columns for the Christmas season…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Relationships


What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving? by Megan Gambino / Smithsonian.com


(November 25, 2021)
The history of the holiday meals tells us that turkey was always the centerpiece, but other courses have since disappeared and much of our tradition today had not yet appeared…
Topics: Food & Nuitrition • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Words About Giving Thanks compiled by Leona Bergstrom


(November 19, 2021)
Thoughts to help us focus on gratitude during Thanksgiving…
Topics: Faith • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving Reflections by Leona Bergstrom


(November 12, 2021)
What Piglet taught me about gratittude…
Topics: Attitudes • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Giving Thanks 2021 by James N. Watkins


(November 5, 2021)
Despite pandemic, supply chain crisis…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Contentment, Satsifaction • COVID-19 • Gratitute • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Halloween by the Numbers 2021 by U.S. Census Bureau staff


(October 29, 2021)
Facts about today's observation of this tradition with ancient roots…
Topics: Demographics • Halloween • History • Holidays • Statistics


Hope and Humor and Halloween 2021 by James N. Watkins


(October 22, 2021)
Jim's annual look at really creepy stuff…
Topics: Faith • Fears, Concerns • Halloween • Holidays • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • Memories • Religion • Social Issues


Happy Fourth of July! by Barbara Greenleaf


(July 1, 2021)
Celebrating our 245th birthday…
Topics: Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)


Unhappy Mr. Patrick's Day! by James N. Watkins


(March 17, 2021)
I'm guessing that St. Patrick is not exactly happy with the celebration this year…
Topics: History • Holidays • Spirituality, Seeking God


Martin Luther King Jr.'s Rules for Protestors by James N. Watkins


(January 18, 2021)
Wisdom for a time such as this…
Topics: Civility • Faith • Holidays • Politics • Racism and Inequality • Relationships • Social Issues • Social Movements • Social Unrest, Division


Keeping the Dream Alive in 2021 by Stu Johnson


(January 18, 2021)
Thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2021…
Topics: Civility • Current Events, News • Holidays • Hopes & Dreams • News • Patriotism • Politics • Racism and Inequality • Relationships • Social Issues • Social Media • Social Movements • Social Unrest, Division • Voting & Elections


More Than a Dropping Ball by James N. Watkins


(January 1, 2021)
Looking back and ahead while noting that more than a ball drops at midnight on New Year's Eve…
Topics: Faith • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • New Year's • Predictions & Forecasts


Christmas Trivia Quiz by James N. Watkins


(December 17, 2020)
So you think you know a lot about Christmas? Jim challenges your trivia skills…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Knowledge


How the WHO Stole Christmas by James N. Watkins


(December 3, 2020)
But Christmas cannot be stopped by coronavirus . . . or the authorities…
Topics: Christmas • COVID-19 • Faith • Government • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Jesus


Coping with COVID-era Holiday Lonliness by Rusty Wright


(November 26, 2020)
Maybe some expectations management—and realistic solutions—are in order…
Topics: Coping • COVID-19 • Holidays • Holiday Season • Living Alone • Loneliness • Relationships • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving • Wellness


Thankful Despite Pandemic by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(November 25, 2020)
The pandemic can't take away our reasons for being thankful…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • COVID-19 • Faith • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Will Thanksgiving Suck Like a Turkey Baster? by James N. Watkins


(November 21, 2020)
Thanksgiving in the year of no, no, no…
Topics: COVID-19 • Current Events, News • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving Reflections by Leona Bergstrom


(November 20, 2020)
Thinking about Piglet . . . and gratitude…
Topics: Faith • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


A Thanksgiving Like No Other by Stu Johnson


(November 20, 2020)
Virtual choirs and videos to help us be grateful during a most unusual year…
Topics: Comfort & Consolation • Coping • COVID-19 • Gratitute • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Music • Racism and Inequality • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving • Voting & Elections


Halloween Facts by U.S. Census Bureau staff


(October 16, 2020)
The numbers behind recent Halloweens…
Topics: COVID-19 • Halloween • Holidays • Statistics


Do You Have the 'Worst' Job? by James N. Watkins


(September 7, 2020)
Labor Day thoughts about making a living…
Topics: Humor • Labor Day • Work


Indpendence Day Q&A by James N. Watkins


(July 2, 2020)
A not-so-trivial quiz about July 4 and the Founding Fathers…
Topics: Beliefs • Freedom • God • Government • History • Holidays • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Patriotism • Religion • Spirituality, Seeking God • Values


Happy Father's Day! by James N. Watkins


(June 18, 2020)
A collection of hope & humor favorites…
Topics: Family • Father's Day • Holidays • Relationships • Tribute, Testimony


Happy Real St. Patrick's Day by James N. Watkins


(March 10, 2020)
So you think you know St. Patrick…
Topics: History • Holidays • Religion


Facing 2020 by Greg Asimakoupoulos


(January 15, 2020)
Glancing back while gazing forward…
Topics: Contemplation, Insight • Future • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Memories • Planning


Here's to the New Year by James N. Watkins


(December 29, 2019)
May yours be happy, hopeful, and humorous…
Topics: Contentment, Satsifaction • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • Humor • New Year's


'There is no peace on earth' by James N. Watkins


(December 25, 2019)
Just a greeting card cliche?…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams


A Visit from Jeff Bezos by James N. Watkins


(December 21, 2019)
A modern Christmas tradition…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season


Hope and humor and Halloween by James N. Watkins


(October 31, 2019)
Jim's annual list of articles about creepy stuff…
Topics: Halloween • Holidays • Humor


Hope in a Hand Basket by James N. Watkins


(December 29, 2018)
Lessons from Christmas for the New Year…
Topics: Christmas • Future • History • Holidays • Holiday Season • Hopes & Dreams • New Year's • News


Music in the Malls 2018 compiled by Stu Johnson


(December 21, 2018)
Videos of flash mobs and other performances to help brighten your holiday season…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Music


A Very Twitter Christmas by James N. Watkins


(December 21, 2018)
What if the Christmas story was told in 140 characters?…
Topics: Bible • Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor


A Free Gift! by Bill Newell


(December 18, 2018)
A Christmas story…
Topics: Christmas • Holidays • Holiday Season


Not Feeling Thankful? by James N. Watkins


(November 22, 2018)
Sharing some things about thanks…
Topics: Holidays • Holiday Season • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Putting the 'thanks' in Thanksgiving isn't always easy by Ken Potts


(November 18, 2018)
Dealing with empty places or a less-than-bountiful table…
Topics: Coping • Gratitute • Holiday Season • Loneliness • Loss & Grieving • Needy People • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


Memorial Day at 150 Submitted by Stu Johnson


(May 27, 2018)
The story behind our national holiday…
Topics: History • Holidays • Memorial Day • Tribute, Testimony


Twelve Sites of Christmas 2017 by James N. Watkins


(December 11, 2017)
Jim Watkins' annual list of cartoons and favorite Christmas columns…
Topics: Christian Life • Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Inspiration • Writing


Thanksgiving by the Numbers submitted by Stu Johnson


(November 21, 2017)
A profile from the U.S. Census Bureau
Topics: Holidays • Holiday Season • Statistics • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


60 Reasons to Give Thanks by James N. Watkins


(November 18, 2017)
. . . despite a string of bad news…
Topics: Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Thanks, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving


The True Meaning of Christmas by Bill Nichols


(December 16, 2016)
Which piece of chicken would you choose?…
Topics: Christmas • Family • Holidays • Holiday Season • Love • Relationships


Twelve Sites of Christmas 2016 by James N. Watkins


(December 9, 2016)
We present Jim's annual list of cartoons and favorite Christmas columns, updated for 2016…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor


Been to Bethlehem? by Bill Nichols


(December 9, 2016)
I almost drove right by…
Topics: Christmas • Comfort & Consolation • Courage • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Inspiration • Jesus


Life, Liberty, and . . . by Stu Johnson


(July 4, 2016)
Is the Declaration of Independence a relic or a prized possession?
Topics: Faith • Freedom • Government • History • Holidays • Inspiration • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) • Politics • Values


Martin Luther King Jr.'s Ten Commandments for Cultural Change by James N. Watkins


(January 18, 2016)
Celebrating the hope for cultural change that Martin Luther King, Jr. preached in word and deed…
Topics: Change • Civility • Faith • History • Holidays • Hopes & Dreams • Social Movements


The Twelve Sites of Christmas —. . . and no partridge in a pear tree! by James N. Watkins


(December 1, 2015)
We present Jim Watkin's annual list of cartoons and favorite Christmas columns…
Topics: Christmas • Faith • Holidays • Holiday Season • Humor • Popular Culture


Work Matters —The need to check our priorities by Stu Johnson


(September 7, 2015)
On this Labor Day, a look at the need to make work matter if we wish to have a strong society…
Topics: History • Labor Day • Statistics • Trends • Work


What Did We Declare? —Exploring the meaning of our founding document by Stu Johnson


(July 4, 2015)
Reading a novel inspires research about the document whose adoption we celebrate on July 4…
Topics: Beliefs • Freedom • God • Government • July 4 (U.S. Independence Day)