A place to show my work
“As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.” ― Henry David Thoreau
Raspberries, apples, pears, and cherries are all fruits that belong to the Rosaceae (rose) family. The genus Rubus includes raspberries as well as blackberries and dewberries.
Should parenting classes be mandatory for new parents?
Yes, I think they should.
Not because parents are “unprepared” or “don’t know what they’re doing,” but because raising a human being is one of the most important responsibilities anyone can take on—and we don’t treat it that way. We expect people to just figure it out, often without support, guidance, or a community to lean on.
Parenting classes, when done well, aren’t about telling people how to raise their kids. They’re about giving families tools, confidence, and a foundation to build on. Things like:
To me, making parenting classes mandatory isn’t about control. It’s about equity. Not everyone grows up with healthy models of parenting. Not everyone has access to mentors, resources, or guidance. Classes level the playing field so every child has a better chance at a safe, stable, nurturing start.
And honestly, even the most loving, well‑intentioned parents benefit from learning, reflecting, and having a space to ask questions without judgment.
Parenting is too important to leave people to “figure it out” in the dark. If we can offer support before the overwhelm hits, why wouldn’t we?
“Dreams are the touchstones of our characters.”― Henry David Thoreau
Jelly beans were associated with Christmas before they became an Easter candy.
What do you think is worth waiting for?
I think the things worth waiting for are the ones that can’t be rushed—because they only become what they’re meant to be in their own time.
Some things unfold slowly on purpose. They need space, patience, and a little faith. And honestly, the older I get, the more I appreciate the kind of goodness that doesn’t show up instantly but arrives steady, earned, and real.
For me, what’s worth waiting for looks like:
In short, I think anything that asks you to slow down—anything that grows you, steadies you, or brings you closer to the life you actually want—is worth waiting for.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”― William James
In Germany, causing a nuclear explosion that negligently endangers someone’s life, limbs, or property will land you a one- to ten-year prison sentence, depending on the severity of the damage.
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” -William James
Birthmarks are usually due to pigmentation. Cells growing in clusters or weirdly formed blood vessels. In centuries past, they were believed to form from a mothers ignored cravings or phobias and could be used as evidence someone was a witch.
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” ― Henry David Thoreau
A dentist helped introduce cotton candy to the masses. Dr. William Morrison, in a confectioner’s chair named John C Wharton, invented the first cotton candy machine in 1897. In 1921, a different dentist both patented his own machine and likely coined the term “cotton candy”.
“You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script.” — Oprah Winfrey
Some species of maple trees can change their sex. They’ll have male flowers one year and then grow female flowers the next season.
I unwind in a few different ways, depending on the kind of chaos the day served me. Sometimes I grab my iPad and disappear into a cozy game. Other days I doodle, paint, or get lost in something creative. And then there are the days when I just switch into full “do not disturb, I’m recharging” mode and let the quiet do its thing. It’s a rotating menu of peace when I can.
“Belief creates the actual fact.” — William James
The US government temporarily banned sliced bread in 1943. It wasn’t an attempt to keep bread prices low by conserving material for the war effort. The brief fan was highly unpopular among both bakeries and homemakers.
What is the number one thing people are always asking you for help with?
The number one thing people ask me for help with is turning chaos into something usable.
Sometimes it looks like planning a route, rewriting an email, or organizing a school schedule. Other times, it’s helping someone find the right words for a hard feeling or a complicated situation. At the core, people hand me a tangle of tasks, emotions, or words—and ask, “Can you help me make sense of this?” That’s my favorite kind of work: noticing the pattern, naming what matters, and shaping it into a plan, a paragraph, or a next step that actually feels doable.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Peter Graves, born on March 18, 1926, was primarily known for his serious roles in the TV series Mission Impossible, which debuted in 1966. Initially, he showed little interest in taking part in the classic comedy Airplane, released in 1980, describing it as trash and the worst-tasting he had ever encountered. However, after meeting with the filmmakers, he changed his mind and later commented, “They say you should challenge yourself as an actor, so let’s embrace it.”
“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” – William James
Julia Child enjoyed featuring Goldfish Crackers, which first appeared in 1962 as a delightful appetizer at dinner parties. She even paired them with an upside-down martini during Thanksgiving celebrations.
“For every reason, it’s not possible; there are hundreds of people who have faced the same circumstances and succeeded.” – Jack Canfield
The Earth was once inhabited by colossal mountains reaching heights comparable to the Himalayas, extending approximately 5,000 miles in width. This ancient supercontinent emerged around two billion years ago and has undergone significant erosion since its formation.
“Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities.” – Robert H. Schuller
In 1989, due to a computer glitch, 1082 baby boys in New York were officially named. Christop’ instead of Christopher. The database mistakenly limited the number of letters a baby’s name. Could be to eight, resulting in a few other baby name oddities, including Elizabet, Katherin and Alexandr.
M.A.D. Works 