My wife and I have two cats, Max and Fritz. Our two- and one-half-year-old granddaughter Brynn absolutely loves Fritz because he lets her pet him whenever she wants. Max, on the other hand, runs the other way as soon as he sees her coming. For this reason, Brynn does not like Max.

Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950 portrays the history of romantic love between men in hundreds of moving and tender vernacular photographs taken between the years 1850 and 1950. This visual narrative of astonishing sensitivity brings to light an until-now-unpublished collection of hundreds of snapshots, portraits, and group photos taken in the most varied of contexts, both private and public.

Everyone has bad days, and you can usually spot these people coming from a mile away. They often look depressed, dejected, unhappy, miserable, or discouraged.

Once upon a time, there was a worn out locomotive that nobody seemed to care about. Except maybe Charlie Weller, who was an old retired railroad engineer. And maybe nobody cared about old Charlie anymore either. At least it often seemed that way to Charlie. He had little to do but sit around and remember the good old days when he would run that ancient train up and down the tracks hauling freight.

“I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than about protecting the Constitution.” – Mark Kelly

Is it reasonable to fear that Trump or his top advisers actually are giving illegal orders to people in the military or intelligence services, or is it not reasonable to fear this? The answer is: Yes, of course it’s reasonable.

Slate.com One of the great advantages of being an …

Donald Trump told a female reporter to be “Quiet, Piggy” while she asked him a question about the Epstein files onboard Air Force One. The commander-in-chief leaned forward to deliver the sinister remark, which he made in a cartoonish voice while wagging his finger.

If there is one characteristic that sets successful people apart, it’s the willingness to hang in there when it comes to pursuing a goal or dream. If you look at successful people throughout history, very few were overnight successes. Instead, they hung in there—they made lots of mistakes and encountered many obstacles, but they didn’t quit. They kept going long after most other people would have given up.

I recently went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. The person ahead of me had some issues with his prescription which took nearly twenty minutes of the pharmacist’s time to resolve. All the while, the pharmacist smiled as she listened to this person and entered information into the computer.

I came across the following post on Facebook from Marc and Angel Hack Life – Practical Tips for Productive Living. “If the face you always show the world is a mask, someday there will be nothing beneath it.

I received a lot of very positive feedback regarding last week’s Reminder which was titled, Waking Up Dormant Relationships Can Be Energizing.

On Saturday, October 18, 2025, over 60 folks from the senior retirement complex Friendship Village in Tempe, Arizona, joined the 7 million folks through the United States to display their opposition to the authoritarian United States presidency.

This video was posted on Trump’s platform Truth Social Saturday evening, Octoberk, 18, 2025 (with many reports dated October, 19, 2025) as the “No Kings” protests were underway. The soundtrack in the video reportedly includes Danger Zone (by Kenny Loggins) in the background.

We all have people in our lives that we’ve known for a long time but haven’t connected with in recent years. These could be people we went to high school with, worked with during our first job, or lived in our old neighborhood.

Many people fear failure worse than they fear dying. This makes the fear of failure a very powerful obstacle when it comes to taking the necessary risks to follow our dreams. In reality, death and failure aren’t even remotely related; death is permanent, but failure isn’t, so there is really nothing to fear!

The statue of Jesus the Fisherman [Jesús Pescador] is located on a rocky outcrop just off the lakeside malecón (boardwalk).

A Quilt of Valor® (QOV) is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war.  The Quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.”

It can be very frustrating when things don’t go our way; it can even make us angry. Some people feel that the best way to handle such situations is to vent that anger at the person they feel is responsible for the problem.

A grateful person posted the following story on Facebook several days ago: “It seems like it has rained and poured nothing but bad luck lately, but I want to say THANK YOU to the two ladies who were behind me at the intersection by Wings Etc. and Lowe’s in Benton Harbor (Michigan) today!

Some people attempt to improve their standing with those around them by focusing attention on themselves; things they’ve accomplished, places they’ve been, things they own, people they know, and so forth.

​ References: The Mirror, September 16, 2025, Mataeo …

The first time you try anything; realize that you won’t be very good at it; most people never are. Think about the first time you tried dancing with someone or the first time you stood up in front of a group and made a presentation. You, no doubt, felt awkward, self-conscious, and were probably embarrassed at the way things turned out.

Our Trip to the Hague to See a Special Vermeer …

My friend has a sister-in-law who lives alone in a retirement community. Here husband passed away a little over a year ago. She and her husband had very few friends because they did everything together. After her husband died, she found herself getting more and more lonely to the point where she was very unhappy.

It’s Time to Oust and Replace with Fresh Faces. – These Senators voted for RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth who are an embarrassment to our Democracy.

I recently came across a study which was referred to in a book titled, The Inflated Self, where a large random sample of male adults were asked to rate themselves on their ability to get along with other people.

Sometimes people choose to pass on many of the opportunities that life sends their way because they’re afraid—they’re not sure where the opportunity might take them. This is unfortunate, because saying “yes” to opportunities is part of what it means to live life fully.

Another NewsQuill Recommendation View this profile on …

When you approach a task or situation with enthusiasm, you radiate energy, cheerfulness, excitement, and even joy. This means you’re going to enjoy what you’re doing, be successful at it, and probably learn a lot in the process.

The Homomonument is a groundbreaking memorial in Amsterdam, unveiled on 5 September 1987.

“If you;re a Republican in Congress, you just saw a Kremlin kiss ass in the president of the United States. Somebody who squandered an opportunity to confront a ruthless dictator who is kill innocent children, and kidnapping innocent children, every single day. I don’t know what this meeting accomplished other than taking the Epstein files and inflation of the news. It was embarrassing to watch. He even toasted Putin as if he was receiving a lifetime achievement award. A total nothing Burger, as waste of time.” – Eric Swalwell

If you walked in residential neighborhoods outside the tourist center, you’d still see smoking, but nowhere near the “wall of smoke” effect you get in the heart of Amsterdam.

The three Xs you see all over Amsterdam — on flags, manhole covers, city hall, and even on street poles — are St. Andrew’s Crosses. – They aren’t about the “XXX” you might associate with adult entertainment — that’s just a modern coincidence.

Joseph Lovett, a broadcast news producer and documentarian who made one of the first long-form network television segments on the AIDS crisis and who plumbed his own personal tragedies in works that blended reporting and public health advocacy, died on July 14 at his home in Manhattan. He was 80.

The chapel is situated in what is now known as the Heilig-Kruispark, built in 1953–1954 on the foundations of an earlier monastic chapel, part of the medieval Priorij van Hooidonk founded in 1146.

August 2, 2025 – Saturday A great day to …

At De Laatste Kruimel, they pride ourselves on serving homemade goodness that warms your heart and satisfies your taste buds. Their menu is a delightful mix of cakes, sandwiches, quiches, soul-warming soups and more, all made with love and care.

Friendship Village, Tempe, Arizona [Website] Birds of …

Ready the Full Article (PDF) Laura Gersony Arizona …

January 22, 1935 – November 5, 2017 Robert L. …

As of March 1, 2025, ICE had lost over 30% of its Enforcement & Removal Operations (ERO) officers nationwide. That means nearly one-third of its deportation staff have either resigned or retired in just over a year.

But Doesn’t Barron’s Father Want to Change Birthright Citizenship?

These verses emphasize compassion and justice toward foreigners, grounded in the Israelites’ own history of being strangers in Egypt.

Melania Trump entered via a legal immigration route, later obtaining a high-skill immigrant visa (EB‑1), which some argue may have required influence given her modeling career. At an immigration hearing, Rep. Jasmine Crockett criticized how Melania was awarded the EB‑1 visa, questioning whether her qualifications truly met that category.

Every once in a while, I’ll have someone tell me that they’re not really happy with where their journey through life has taken them. They feel that they should have done better or accomplished more.

Joe Connolly and Terry Pochert (aka “Terrel Pochert”) – First federal win in Arizona prior to Obergefell, catalyzed state recognition

According to Michael Wolff’s new book and podcast insights, President Trump did blame Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the lackluster turnout and tone of his Army birthday parade. Wolff tells of Trump “reaming out Hegseth” over what he saw as soldiers “hamming it up” — waving and smiling rather than presenting a serious, menacing posture — which Trump felt undermined the message he wanted.

Several speech and cognitive experts have noted changes in Trump’s communication style over recent years. Analyses have highlighted patterns such as increased tangentiality, simplified sentence structures, and repetitive language, which some experts suggest could be indicative of cognitive decline.

Melania Trump went viral for appearing to nod off during Trump’s birthday parade.

The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exercise of speech rights. Make sure you’re prepared by brushing up on your rights before heading out into the streets.

Case: Connolly & Pochert v. Brewer / Roche (Federal District Court, D. Ariz.) – Filed January 6, 2014, as a class-action lawsuit challenging Arizona’s statutory (1996) and constitutional (2008) bans on same-sex marriage.

When former President Trump attended the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center on June 11, 2025, he was met with a mixed reception, including audible boos as he and Melania took their seats.

In an article which appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Melinda Beck referred to a growing body of research which shows that feeling grateful for the good things that have happened to us can improve our psychological, emotional and physical health.

Many Veterans of All Services Were Shocked During …

How about doing ICE Raids at Home Depots in RED states? ICE has been specifically targeting day laborers at a Home Depot parking lots in L.A., with recent raids in Westlake and Pomona. These actions, part of a broader enforcement push, have led to mass arrests and sparked widespread community backlash and protests.

Protests are planned in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025, coinciding with both the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. The primary demonstration, known as the “No Kings” rally, is organized by activists who view the parade as a political spectacle aimed at showcasing dominance. They accuse the president of mimicking authoritarian displays for personal glorification under the guise of celebrating national pride.

Leaving school left Musk without a legal basis to remain in the United States, according to legal experts. Foreign students cannot drop out of school to build a company, even if they are not immediately getting paid, said Leon Fresco, a former Justice Department immigration litigator.

I never looked at the people we meet on our journey through life as gifts before, but when you think about it, they really are. Some become mentors, while others become life-partners, best friends, role-models, intermediaries, cheerleaders, confidantes and soul mates.

Not long ago, I was in Trader Joe’s looking for a …

August 24, 1949 — May 31, 2025 Lois Jean Connolly …

Often times, when we set goals for ourselves to do things like exercise more or lose weight, we start out with all kinds of enthusiasm and then back off or procrastinate when the going gets a little tough. During times like these, a gentle nudge of encouragement is all that it takes to keep us on track.

John Oliver discusses how Donald Trump is attempting …

Optimists are those people who have a positive outlook on life. They’re the ones who see the glass as being half-full instead of half-empty. And, if life sends them lemons, instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they figure out a way to make lemonade.

It’s clear Trump and his administration will go …

Buttigieg is a graduate of Harvard College and Oxford University, attending the latter on a Rhodes Scholarship. From 2009 to 2017, he was an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve, attaining the rank of lieutenant. He was mobilized and deployed to the War in Afghanistan for seven months in 2014.

The following story was sent in by a subscriber in response to a previous Reminder about taking advantage of opportunities to make other people’s days.

There is Good News in Arizona Arizona Governor Katie …

Friendship Village Tempe is a vibrant, not-for-profit Life Care community located in Tempe, Arizona, offering a comprehensive range of senior living options, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services.

Do you ever get that winded feelin’, ever find your head a reelin’, Keepin’ up with the Jones’ down the street?

Terry Pochert is a notable figure from Arizona, recognized for his contributions to media, LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, and community engagement.

Always check with your health professional before taking any supplements, especially if you are taking other prescription medications. The following are some of the popular supplements used by bodybuilders.

An article by Derek Thompson, which appeared in a …

Trump arrived at Pope Francis’ funeral wearing a blue suit and a light blue tie, standing out in a sea of black. Did he break Vatican protocol?

Kristina Ulmer, a ninth grade English teacher, lost her 29-year-old sister in an automobile accident. As she went through her sister’s purse, she found $80.00 in her billfold.

A friend related this powerful moving story to my wife and me. On February 15, their 17-year-old granddaughter and two friends had some free time, so they went to the local market and bought a large number of half-price, unsold, Valentine flowers.

Same sex couples can legally tie the knot now in Arizona but there are still a lot of questions about death and birth rights. One of the big ones: Will gay couples have the same access to adoption as straight couples?

President Bartlet delivered a knockout punch on an anti-gay practitioner highlighting the ridiculous practice of selecting quotes from the Bible to shore up irrational prejudices.

Sarah Trimmer is an extremely courageous person and a hero to many.

My wife Marcia and I, along with several members of our family were having dinner at a restaurant. After we placed our order, I noticed a mother and her young daughter having dinner together in a booth not far from us.

A German pastor’s poem during the Nazi reign of WWII …

This is the beginning of a quote from Mark Twain. The …

Trump and Musk are destroying the electric vehicle market only to benefit themselves.

Holds Town Meetings ONLY for Republicans – Why not listen to ALL of his constituents? Very strange to ignore almost halve of his constituents. A Thorn in the Side of Progressives.

When Hillary Clinton used a private email server, Donald Trump and his allies wanted her locked up. Now? Senior Trump administration officials just used the Signal app — a publicly available messaging platform — to discuss sensitive U.S. military strike plans… and the best they can do is call it “a glitch.”

Recently, I called a friend of mine who had been …

The backlash to Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s alliance is hitting Tesla hard. From boycotts and protests to attacks on cars, showrooms and charging stations, the company’s stock is plummeting. The US Attorney General and Trump called the attacks “domestic terrorism”. What’s driving the fallout, and what impact will it have?

Even during a non-election year, certain politicans bring in larger crowds than Mr. Trump.

The ultra-wealthy talk about solving the climate crisis or ending inequality. But what they’re really interested in is outliving or escaping anyone poorer than them

Denmark “Ivan Hansen, a retired Danish police …

There are moments in a speakers career when it is not all about the money.

Canadian chickens can catch avian flu, just like their American cousins. But the impact on Canada’s egg supply has so far been limited.

After falling sales, now Elon Musk faces another nightmare; Tesla halts Cybertruck deliveries as indestructible panels mysteriously fall off, sparking major build-quality concerns

In their book, The Good Life, Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz point out that human beings are social creatures which means that each of us, as individuals, cannot provide everything we need for ourselves.

Great graphic from investigative reporter, Vince Wade. Visit his website at VinceWade.com

Rubio sat spineless during Trump’s and Vance’s meltdown in the oval office, then has the “guts” to post the following. Thanks Rep. Eric Swalwell for casting a spotlight on the REAL Rubio.

Phoenix VA Newsletter – March 12, 2025 Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center Library Closing

Free Speech Opponents Throw Death Threats at the Artists

You think Musk will make air travel safer? View of March 6, 2025, failure from Jamica changing the flight path of many passenger jets.

Poet’s Walk I visited the Poet’s Walk and what a …