Sometimes it can be a challenge to get kids to talk at the dinner table, especially teens. But having dinner conversations helps create a culture of togetherness and is worth the effort. This year marks the Year of the Horse. It begins on February 17, 2026, and will end on February 5, 2027. I know that seems odd compared to our calendar, but the moon cycle determines the dates each year. The Chinese New Year is a great jumping-off place for some happy dinner conversations.

Join me as I share a plethora of ways to help your family enjoy the Year of the Horse and have fun and interesting conversations.

On March 9, 2025, I shared truths that I had written when I was 62. I shared them again because from 62 to 75, they hadn't changed. I had lived them, and they were still true. I ended the article with these words:

Our dreams can come true. We can live up to our expectations. There is a plan, and we fit perfectly into it. It may not happen in the time frame we want, but if we hold on to hope and believe in ourselves, we will win.

As I've shared in past articles, I wanted to be a writer as early as age 8. I wanted to be a speaker even earlier. In my late 50s and 60s, these two dreams came true. I had a book published and spoke on stages all over the country. I taught workshops and mentored other adults.

Then my life took an unexpected turn. Join me as I share how these dreams were put to bed, and new dreams took their place. A very unplanned and unexpected turn of events that has blessed my life. How it happened can bless you!

I mentored parents for many years. One of the issues for all parents was how to help children/youth want to learn, enjoy the process, and take responsibility for their learning. No one system insulates parents from this dilemma. I began writing a series of articles titled The Education Adventure. These articles contained real experiences, from real families. Their stories are helpful when working to help children take on the adventure of education.

Join me as I share a family's story and how they began answering two important questions -

• How do you help them want to learn?
• How can you help children/youth take responsibility for their learning?

To a post I made about my Sept. 3 hip surgery, a friend responded with: Hope you both recover quickly! I love how you make the best out of any situation. Kristine A.

Two weeks later, my life went into the dumpster. After a lot of thought, I decided to share what happened, why, and what I finally did about it.

If you want five great tips on how to take control of your response when life is tough, join me and welcome.

Join me as I share the magic of Christmas in our lower-middle-class home and how the anticipation my parents created can bless your family, even when it comes to Family Work. Don't believe it? Listen in and be converted.

My mother had a stroke in February. She wasn't doing well and was put in hospice. In the ensuing months, she had an astonishing recovery and will be leaving hospice at the end of December. Her current nurse, Laurie, said it is a joy because it rarely happens.

Our hospice caregivers have been wonderful, and we've enjoyed getting to know them. They have made a difference in our lives. This week, we had a visit from Lynda Huddleston, who is the chaplain currently visiting us. She brought a story she had written to read to Mom. It shares a true event that happened at Christmas, when she was working in a care center.

I sat and wept as she read. It was a beautiful example of the gifts we give to others when our hearts have been touched. I asked Lynda if I could share it with you, my listeners. Thankfully, she said, "Yes." These will be some of the best moments you spend as we wind down this Christmas season. ENJOY! Merry Christmas.

In 2010, I hosted an essay contest. The topic was The Inspiration Connection: How Being Inspired Transforms the Quality and Effectiveness of Our Education.

A friend, Jody Jarvis, who lived in Nevada at the time, won. The prize was awesome and was inspired. You will enjoy that story also.

You will learn from and appreciate the experience she had, inspiring her boys by being an example for them. Her example made all the difference in the learning experience they had as a family. Enjoy

A fun Christmas season activity is watching children perform Christmas plays. When Maggie was five and Jack was three, they had the opportunity to be in a play depicting the First Christmas. All the actors were under eleven, and many were under five years old. Maggie has severe cerebral palsy, which posed challenges; fortunately for her, Cindie Walker, her best friend, was the director. Maggie needed to be placed in a stander to participate in an upright position, without her wheelchair. Cindy had spent a great deal of time with Maggie and wasn't put off by what was required to work with her. In fact, the beauty of this director was that she wasn't put off by working with any of the children, no matter how young. She had a vision that I loved. It wasn't about the outcome, but about how everyone would feel when it was over.

How can this be managed in the chaos of working with children? Join me as I share this wonderful, long-ago experience and how we managed it. Merry Christmas.