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NOVEMBER 2025
DON’T MISS IT! THE RAINBOW IS STILL THERE
Over the years, multiple people have told me I’m good at spotting rainbows, figuratively and literally. We always know when it’s going to rain, but it’s easy to miss the rainbow if you’re not paying attention. When we’re going through difficult times, whether it’s related to work, personal circumstances, spiritual doubt, or all of the above, we can get trapped in feelings of self-doubt and depression. However, we need to find ways to focus more on the positives in each scenario. This Thanksgiving is going to feel very different than any I’ve experienced before. For the past few years, Dave has said that we needed to invite everyone over because it might be the last time
our parents are with us. I had no idea he would be right when he said it last year. Dave’s father passed away a few months ago, which means this will be the first Thanksgiving without him. It’s almost poetic that this Thanksgiving falls on the National Day of Mourning. We’ll be sure to remember all the amazing experiences we had with my father-in-law. As I reflect on the love and care we experienced during my father-in-law’s final days and celebration of life, I’m overwhelmed with appreciation and gratitude for those who continually went the extra mile. I am the only member of my family who belongs to our church. But when my father-in-law was in the hospital, members of my congregation reached out to Dave and me to make sure we were doing okay. They brought food and comfort with them whenever they came. The day my father-in- law went into hospice, one of my employees, who also belongs to my church, offered to help Dave scan all his photos to prepare for the celebration of life. When that day arrived, he ensured the tech worked so we could show a slideshow. It wasn’t just those who belonged to my church that helped out. People from the office came to the celebration of life to pay their respects and offer condolences. Family we had never met came from Pennsylvania and Ohio and shared their personal experiences with my father-in-law. Even my parents came to town to help with the cooking! It was an incredible showing of love from our community!
Possibly the most incredible experience I had during this situation was with a client. She wanted to meet with me, but I was unavailable as I went back and forth from the hospital. She met with someone else, and I just happened to stop by the office that day. The minute she saw me, she stopped me and explained how sorry she was to hear about my father-in-law. Then, she offered to pray with me right in the moment. This individual was coming to pick up a sizable check, but stopped what she was doing to offer kindness. That moment meant more to me than you could ever imagine. This Thanksgiving, approach every interaction with love and kindness. You never know how much your words could mean to someone or if it will be your last time talking to them, so don’t hold back. Remember that you can always find a rainbow when going through difficult situations. You just have to keep your eye out!
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Cats as Spies? Probably Not, but Maybe a Beetle The CIA’s Most Purr-plexing Mission
The CIA once tried to turn a cat into a spy. No, really.
immediately hit by a taxi. The mission was over before it began. It turned out cats weren’t very good at following orders.
In the 1960s, the agency launched a project called Acoustic Kitty. The idea was to implant listening devices into live cats so they could
In a later memo, the CIA admitted that the program wasn’t practical or suited to its “highly specialized needs.” No surprise there. If you’ve ever tried to get a cat to do anything it doesn’t want to do, you understand. Still, the idea of using animals for covert missions didn’t die with Acoustic Kitty. In the 2000s, the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) picked up the baton and funded experiments with remote-controlled insects. Researchers at UC Berkeley managed to control a beetle’s flight
eavesdrop on foreign officials. One unlucky feline became their test subject. A surgeon embedded a microphone in the cat’s ear, ran an antenna through its fur, and tucked a transmitter into the base of its skull.
The CIA planned to train the cat to sit near targets and secretly transmit conversations. The outcome? Let’s just say things didn’t go as planned.
using neural implants. They could steer it left and right and make it start and stop in mid-air. It was like a bug-size drone.
For the first trial run, CIA agents released the wired-up cat near a park bench where two men were talking. Instead of heading toward the bench, the cat unfortunately wandered into traffic and was
Science has shown that bugs might make better spies than cats. And unless your housecat suddenly develops a
taste for espionage, your conversations are probably safe. So, if your feline friend stares blankly at you while you share secrets, don’t worry. That’s not surveillance. That’s just a cat being a cat.
THE HARD TRUTHS BEHIND PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN
When I first discovered that November was National Child Safety and Protection Month, my mind immediately jumped to dog bites, bike accidents, and stranger danger. However, as I did more research, I found countless resources to help prevent abuse and neglect. As I read further, it made much more sense. I was a young mom who had never held a baby before my firstborn entered the world. I had three kids back-to-back and moved across state lines while they were still young. I can vividly remember moving to Kentucky and feeling like I was drowning. At that time, I saw a story about a lady shaking a baby, which led to its death. People were upset, saying, “How could a parent do that?” But I understood it perfectly as a young mom. Parenthood is incredibly overwhelming, and there are moments when you need to step away or your emotions will get away from you.
When protecting your children, one of the best things you can do is establish a support system. There was one time when my four small children went wild. You couldn’t pick up one room without another getting completely disheveled. One of my daughters even cracked eggs all over the hardwood floor. I didn’t know what to do, so I called my neighbor. She advised me to put the children in their room and lock the door before going to my room to decompress. She assured me that everything would be fine and even offered to come over to clean up the mess. Of course, I would never intend to harm myself or my children, but you aren’t thinking clearly in these situations. Another area that can bring a lot of stress into a parent’s life is taking your kids out in public. You want them to behave and stay out of trouble, but it’s not easy to keep your eyes on them at all times. Whenever I brought my kids somewhere
like an amusement park, I would write my name and contact information on their arms with a Sharpie. If they got lost, they could show their arm to a worker and get reconnected. Parenthood is a long lesson in resilience. Nobody ever does parenting perfectly on the first try, but you learn as you go and make the best of it.
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Pet Corner!
The day after Thanksgiving, many Americans head to their favorite stores to score the deal of a lifetime. Black Friday is an annual tradition for many families, even if it’s lost some of its luster with the introduction of Cyber Monday and the constant carousel of sales that most major retailers run. However, most people don’t realize another special occasion falls right after Thanksgiving every year that completely inverts the idea of Black Friday. National Buy Nothing Day is a counter-holiday to Black Friday and encourages Americans to avoid buying things they don’t need. Even though Black Friday and National Buy Nothing Day are opposites, both have value. Although the deals aren’t quite what they used to be, you know you can hit some sort of sale when shopping on Black Friday. It’s a day that many people have off from work, so there’s a convenience factor involved, too. If you still need to get Christmas presents or just want to stock up on some of your favorite things, you can’t go wrong with shopping on Black Friday. Just make a plan of action to ensure you survive the crowds! On the other hand, National Buy Nothing Day is about focusing on what we already have to make ends meet. Instead of buying a new piece of entertainment or luxury item, consider using something you already own. You can go through your closet to pick out outfits for a special occasion instead of buying something new. You can even hold off on going to the grocery store and just eat something that you already have at home. There is almost always a way to avoid purchasing new items. If you really feel compelled to join in on the Buy Nothing Day spirit, you can even extend it beyond a single day. Consider participating in a Buy Nothing Month, where you only spend money on the necessities. It will be challenging, but you’ll save so much money in the process while learning just how resourceful you can be. TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Apple- Cranberry Salad
This tangy and sweet apple- cranberry salad will steal the show at your Thanksgiving feast this year.
Ingredients • 6 slices of bacon • 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette • 1/3 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp raw honey • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried • 3/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta cheese
Directions 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until
crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
So, which team will you be on this year? Will you take full advantage of Black Friday or stay home in honor of National Buy Nothing Day?
Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
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INSIDE
GRIEF AND GRATITUDE CAN LIVE IN THE SAME ROOM 1
FURRY AGENTS AND FAILED ESPIONAGE
WHY CHILD SAFETY IS MORE THAN JUST AVOIDING DANGER 2 BLACK FRIDAY’S DEALS VS. BUY NOTHING DAY’S CHALLENGE
APPLE-CRANBERRY SALAD 3
HOW A RESCUE DOG IS LIFTING SPIRITS AT SEA 4
Anchors Aweigh, Belly Rubs Ahead
MEET THE NAVY’S FIRST FULL-TIME MORALE DOG
For one special soldier, the mission is clear: Provide comfort, lift spirits, and stand by his crew, four paws at a time. Raider, a 1-year-old Lab mix from an animal rescue in San Diego, isn’t your typical recruit. He’s about to make waves as the first full-time morale dog on a Navy ship, and he could transform life at sea for hundreds of sailors. With a wagging tail and unwavering loyalty, this pup is ready to serve his country in the most heartwarming way. The nonprofit Shelter to Soldier has been training shelter dogs as service animals for veterans since 2012, with a mission to “save lives, two at a time.” Though the organization partners dogs with individual veterans, it began bringing therapy dogs to Navy ships for special training outings and made a discovery. Crew members felt a special connection with the pups and kept asking, “Can we take this dog on deployment with us?” Raider is the first canine cadet for the job. He was adopted from Labs and More Rescue and has been deep in training since April. This new furry crew member has been working hard on learning to use a “potty patch” on board and special safety gear like booties for his paws and eye protection.
and mental health of sailors and Marines,” according to the nonprofit. Raider will join a team of five handlers and live full time on the USS Makin Island in his own room. Crew members will get their wish, and any time the base deploys, he’ll be along for the ride. Known for his goofy personality and affinity for belly rubs, he’s already bringing cheer to the base and inspiring others to follow in his pawprints. The nonprofit is busy training morale dogs for other ships. “Everyone is just really excited to have a furry companion to go with them when they’re underway,” Director of Operations and Training Nicky Moore said, adding, “What makes you happier than a dog?”
Along with getting his sea legs, he’s learning various commands that will help in his role, which is “designed to support the emotional wellness, morale,
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