Be sure to check out any DNA testing firms that you’re considering buying a test kit from. CRI Genetics made false claims on its websites and social media that its ancestry reports were more accurate and detailed than other DNA testing companies, such as Ancestry DNA and 23andMe, according to a joint lawsuit by two agencies. Read more →

What are your plans for today? Visiting a national park? They’re free today. Attending a parade? Visiting a cemetery and putting flowers on the grave of a loved one? For Veterans Day, I’m remembering my family members who served in the military: Frank Gilliam, U.S. Army, World War II. He died in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. Read more →

Little did I know when I wrote about International Wombat Day a few days ago, that I’d be writing about World Lemur Day today. I wrote about wombats because I read about the special day on Facebook and thought, since I had a great photo of my niece and her son with a wombat in Western Australia, I’d write about International Wombat Day. Read more →

In the Seattle area, we’ve had a few nice days among the rainy ones. I’ve had some more time to work on getting my yard ready for winter, along with assistance from my yard work helpers. One fun thing that happens in October is my daughter Mona’s birthday. What a wonderful day when she was born. Such a beautiful baby, who so quickly became a wonderful woman. Read more →

World Alzheimer’s Day, every Sept. 21, is a global effort to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. More than 55 million people across the world are affected by these diseases. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Read more →

National Singles Week is Sept. 17-23, with National Singles Day Sept. 23. Created in 2006, the purpose of National Singles Week is to celebrate single life and recognize singles and their contributions to society. About 47 percent of U.S. adults are single. That’s 117.6 million unmarried Americans, nearly every other adult aged 18 and older. Read more →

I love the beautiful summer days here in the Seattle area. People are streaming into Western Washington due to the mild weather, attractive as climate change worsens, and the job opportunities. It’s so nice to be enjoying 70 degree weather as many areas of the country swelter. I’m also appreciating my wonderful garden.   Read more →

Although Mother’s Day is highly commercialized, I like remembering my mom on this special day and I enjoy visiting with my daughters over WhatsApp. Maybe next year, I’ll be able to travel to Spain again in May. Since my birthday is May 4 and my daughter’s is May 23, we have so much fun celebrating our birthdays plus Mother’s Day in May in Spain. Read more →

Today’s my birthday. Yes, I do get a lot of “May the Fourth be with you” comments. I just shrug it off that my birthday, to some, is an unofficial Star Wars holiday. Since I’m an older adult, I’m thinking a lot today about friends and relatives that I’ve celebrated birthdays with in the past who are gone. My favorite birthdays? Read more →

When I worked at The Anchorage Times during the 1980s, I was fortunate to get my dream job writing a consumer action column. However, along with the job as columnist, I also had to be the religion editor. It meant that every week, I had to write a big feature article on religion along with compiling the Church Circuit. Read more →