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JAN 2026
Sundaes and Sunsets A Watertown Story
There’s nothing like having small children to make you nostalgic for the past. Our family just spent the New Year on the beach in Florida, and it made me think fondly of my summers spending weeks at a time with my grandparents in Wisconsin. When you’re in the middle of raising kids, memories like that start to surface more often. You notice how quickly time moves, how routines become traditions without anyone announcing them, and how ordinary moments end up being the ones that last. It’s a reminder that the seasons of life pass faster than we expect, and that the memories we’re making now will someday feel just as distant and just as meaningful. Many summers in my childhood were marked by big trips to visit my grandparents on my mother’s side in Watertown, Wisconsin. We’d take the train from Oakland, California, to Union Station in Chicago before transferring to the commuter train from Union Station to Milwaukee. From there, we’d get picked up and driven to Grandma and Grandpa’s.
These trips lasted until I was around 15, and they were always super-fun. We swam in the pool, fished in the lake, had backyard barbecues, saw our cousins, ate hot dogs sold by the local butcher and ice cream from the local dairy, enjoyed corn on the cob purchased from the back of a farm truck, and rode in Grandpa’s Mercury Grand Marquis (which seemed huge when I was still a little kid.) When the day drew to a close, Grandpa would take us for sunset cruises on his small boat.
sugar than we probably should have, but Dad was thousands of miles away. As wonderful as our times in Watertown were, we missed having him there with us. One evening at Grandma and Grandpa’s, when I was 6 or 7, we were all in the kitchen when the front doorbell rang (an odd occurrence, as most people usually just came in through the back). Curious and excited, Breanna and I ran to the door to open it … and there was Dad! He had traveled 2,500 miles to surprise us and be a part of the festivities. All these years later, I still can’t find the words to describe how excited we were. He had orchestrated this whole thing. He had taken a flight out there and, in a time before cellphones, had arranged for my uncle Joe to pick him up at the airport by calling the house discreetly so we wouldn’t find out what was going on. He stayed for about a week before flying back. His appearance will forever be one of my most treasured memories of those trips. It’s been years since those summers in Watertown, and many of the loved ones who experienced them with me are no longer here, but those good memories will never leave me. I’m sure you have plenty of great moments from your past you still hold dear. Embrace them more than ever, and make 2026 a year
Always a blue-collar guy, Grandpa had a variety of jobs over the years, including a stint at a Carnation factory. He basically had bankers’ boxes full of powdered hot chocolate in the attic. What more could young kids want?! That said, these trips missed a very special piece: Dad. While my mom; my sister, Breanna; and I were having the time of our lives, he was the breadwinner back home, holding down the fort. Breanna and I may have been watching cable TV (which we didn’t have at home), eating as many pancakes and other goodies as we wanted, and consuming more
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of new ones … especially for those who will remember you when you’re gone.
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Who Makes the Rules in Space? Cosmic Counsel The phrase “space lawyer” may conjure images of an intergalactic courtroom setting in a “Star Trek” film, but the term and profession are rooted in reality here on Earth. Simply put, space lawyers are legal professionals specializing in international law and drafting agreements between countries regarding their activities throughout our galaxy. Instead of brokering peace treaties between humans and Klingons, these attorneys work to establish policies that outline rules and obligations nations must follow when conducting themselves beyond our clouds. For example, treaties negotiated by space lawyers were instrumental in getting the Soviet Union to spend millions to clean up radioactive debris deposited over northern Canada by its Cosmos 954 satellite in the late 1970s. Utilizing Article 7 of the Outer Space Treaty (via the 1972 Space Liability Convention), the Canadian government argued that the Soviet Union was on the hook to cover the majority of the cost of Operation Morning Light, an extensive cleanup operation by the U.S. and Canada to remove nearly 50,000 square miles of hazardous material dropped from space.
Thanks to space lawyers, no nation can claim ownership of Earth (or any other planet), the moon, or any other entity discovered in the galaxy. However, recent debates have raised an intriguing question: Who would own the resources derived from the moon or another planet? If Russia were to one day discover a life-saving nutrient on the moon’s surface, would it have the right to claim exclusive ownership of this medical marvel? Would this discovery need to be shared with other nations involved in space-related treaties? While it may take years (or the invention of a good time- traveling warp drive) for us to resolve these questions, it’s clear we need space lawyers to tackle these and other questions in a legal frontier that no Earth-bound lawyer has pondered before!
New Normal, Fresh Freedom
Strength and Self-Discovery After Separation
YOUR KIDS MAY BE CALMER. If the path that led to your divorce was filled with stress and arguments, there’s a strong
It may not seem like it at the moment, but your divorce may be the best thing that has ever happened to you. If you’re about to tackle 2026 as a newly single person, moving on through the coming months may feel like a tall order. While you may be carrying some weighty emotions on your shoulders these days, the truth is that leaving your married life behind may open the door to a future that is brighter than you could have imagined. Here are a few potentially positive things that could result from starting the year solo. YOUR OTHER RELATIONSHIPS MAY BECOME RICHER. Married people are connected in more ways than just their legal union. Often, a couple will share the same social calendar and friend network. When a divorce occurs, one or both spouses may not enjoy the same opportunities for socializing as they once did. Fortunately, this new reality doesn’t necessarily have to lead to alienation. Now might be the best time to reconnect with family members and friends you may not have always had the chance to see as often when you were married, and there’s a fresh opportunity to meet new people and engage in activities that could add new fun and meaning to your life.
chance your children may have felt or even witnessed some of that negativity.
While seeing their parents separate can be emotionally challenging for a child, they may also breathe a sigh of relief now that the tension that once filled the air has lifted. If your child is having difficulty adjusting to the absence of a parent in the home, consider connecting them with a counselor equipped to help them process their feelings positively and constructively. MORE CHOICES WILL BE YOURS TO MAKE. Although losing a partner in life will likely disrupt the life you knew, there’s sometimes strength in not having to ask someone else what they think. Suppose you’ve had a special hobby or interest that you put aside while married. In that case, you can pursue it, and much more, without being burdened by commitments or (in some cases) your former spouse’s lack of enthusiasm over your endeavors.
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Flirting After 40 Secrets to Successful Middle-Aged Dating
Starting over after a divorce can be overwhelming at any age, but what if you’re faced with a new direction when your life is statistically half over? First, don’t panic. Many people find new love well into their 40s; it’s simply a matter of prioritizing yourself and being aware of what to avoid. Here are three thoughts on how to get back on track in your love life. YOUR SECOND CHANCE COULD SHINE BRIGHTER. Here’s the silver lining about being newly single in your 40s: You have decades of life experience and lessons learned, and you’re more in tune with your goals and desires. Take the time to focus on what worked and what didn’t in your prior relationship, and aim to find a partner who will honor whatever boundaries you’ve set for yourself and provide you with the best parts of marriage in even more fulfilling ways. WISE SWIPES PREVENT SCAMS. If it’s been a decade or two since you’ve been in the dating field, you may be amazed by the number of options available to find a potential companion online. Unfortunately, seeing should not always mean believing. In the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and photo filters, the person you think you’re talking to may not be who they claim to be in reality (and, in a worst-case scenario, may not even exist). Enjoy yourself online, but be wary of anyone you encounter who seems too good to be true, as they most likely are. Of course, keep your red flag radar up when spending time with someone in person as well. For as many genuine people there are in this world, you can find just as many who may attempt to charm you out of your bank account.
DON’T RUSH REAL LOVE. Being alone after several years, especially when you’re middle-aged, can lead to a sense of longing that may prompt you to rush into dating before you’re fully healed from the loss of your past relationship and ready to commit emotionally to someone new. You have no deadline to find happiness, so take all the time you need to consider what you’re willing to offer in a new relationship and what you want from another person. You may be having a difficult time spending these early nights alone, but you’ll feel even lonelier if you settle for the wrong partner.
TAKE A BREAK
Rustic French Pistachio Cake
Ingredients • 2 cups heavy cream, cold • 1 1/2 cups (minus 1 tbsp) all- purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar • 1 tbsp vanilla paste • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped, plus extra for topping • Powdered sugar for dusting
• 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt • 3 large eggs
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F, then butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan. 2. Whip cold cream until it forms firm peaks, then refrigerate. 3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. 4. Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 5. Fold pistachios and flour mixture into egg mixture. 6. Gently fold cream into the batter until no streaks remain. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. 7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until puffed and golden on top. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan. 8. Dust with powdered sugar and top with pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature!
Inspired by TheViewFromGreatIsland.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
1.
Adventures and Amazing Memories
2.
The Legal Minds Behind Moon Missions
Post-Divorce Courage, Confidence, and Closure
3.
Smart Strategies for Midlife Matches
Rustic French Pistachio Cake
4.
Turn Cold Nights Into Warm Memories
Don’t Let the Fire Die Make Winter Bonfires Your New Tradition
PROVIDE TOASTY TREATS. Sometimes, clothes alone are not enough to protect us from winter’s chill. During these moments, it can help to eat or drink something that fills your whole body with warmth. Thankfully, you’ll have a bonfire to help you toast and warm some delicious treats. S’mores are usually the go-to, but you can also warm up hot dogs, sausages, or even corn on the cob. And don’t forget the drinks! Hot chocolate, warm apple cider, or even tea can help everyone stay
Many Americans invite their friends and family for a bonfire throughout the summer and fall. Nothing beats making s’mores, sharing stories, and enjoying the flickering flame under the moonlight.
As temperatures drop and winter weather appears on the radar, some cover and ignore their bonfire area until after the cold and rainy seasons. However, you can still create an awe-inspiring bonfire during winter if you put together a plan. Winter bonfires can quickly become a regular part of your seasonal traditions, and these strategies will help ensure your bonfire is a hit
comfortable and in good spirits. ADD GAMES OR FUN ACTIVITIES.
with everyone who attends. HELP PEOPLE STAY WARM.
Some may grow bored with traditional bonfire activities, which is why you should have an extra activity or game up your sleeve. Depending on the lighting, you could play a card or board game. If the lighting is too dim, you can incorporate other activities requiring more movement and adventure. Kids and adults alike will have fun playing a game of flashlight tag or participating in a scavenger hunt. Plus, the extra movement will help everyone stay warm!
Nobody wants to sit outside in the dark and freezing cold. Encourage everyone attending to dress in warm clothes appropriate for the frigid temperatures, but be prepared to help out if someone starts to feel chilly. Have extra blankets and coats within reach so you can easily pass them to anyone in need.
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