We donate money just so you can send us gifts?

Every now and then, a package arrives in the mail from a charity I’ve supported. It might be a calendar, a set of greeting cards, or even a small, decorative trinket, all emblazoned with the charity’s logo and a heartfelt message of thanks. My first reaction is often a fleeting sense of warmth – "How thoughtful!" – quickly followed by a prickle of unease. My mind immediately jumps to a question that I can’t seem to shake: Who paid for this?

Rollin' with it and lovin' it

OK, this one came out of a desperate situation.

This is why I burn bridges

We're constantly bombarded with advice advocating for building bridges, fostering connections and maintaining relationships, no matter how strained. The prevailing wisdom dictates that you should never burn bridges because you never know when you might need them.

Un-bear-able weather but an amazing zoo

Before we dive into my visit to the Winnipeg zoo, let me say the weather was horrible the entire time I was in the city, save for a few hours when I was downtown. Otherwise, absolutely horrible. And the bad thing about this travel content is our schedule is locked in so if it's something outdoors and the weather is terrible, there's little wiggle room to move things around at the last minute. That's why booking excursions in Winnipeg for a brief two-day visit was tough -- because it rained most of the time.

Buff-rubbed steak

Yeah, yeah, I know steak is best with beer. But hear me out!

He had no idea his seat was in the plane's, uh, splash zone

It's about time we get a deliciously awkward travel story from our backpacker and travel enthusiast, Tanner. (Speaking of delicious: you might not want to be eating while you read this one.)

Should I finally give up on ungrateful birthday snobs?

There are so many people I call or text and wish happy birthday to (one is my cousin) and I don't hear back. I don't just post something on their Facebook page when it reminds me it's their birthday. I actually know when it is and I reach out. I've drifted apart from some of the people but there hasn't been anything bad that's happened between us to consider it a troubled relationship. We just don't talk as often as we did. Do I stop calling and sending texts? It seems like they're unappreciative. It's one thing to respond to every comment on a Facebook page but to get a personal call or text I feel is a bit more special. I actually call and leave my cousin voice mail. I don't hear back from her. Surely these people have time to respond with "thanks!" Thoughts?

It's refreshing to tune out the news

For a long time, I felt like I was failing at… well, everything, if I wasn't constantly plugged into the 24-7 news cycle.

You really think that makes you dateable? Really?

I haven’t spent much time in the online dating scene. Why? Because it would probably lead to conflict in my house and many nights sleeping alone.

Functionality meets style -- it's about damn time... literally!

Garmin has long been a dominant force in the world of fitness trackers and smartwatches, consistently delivering devices packed with features for athletes and health enthusiasts alike. As a maraton runner I'm always looking for the next powerhouse device that can keep up with me and lend new insight into my training.

Mummies, colons and more (What else do you need??)

As a traveler and a lover of all things science, I was thrilled to visit the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix. This interactive museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the area and I was eager to explore its many exhibits and offerings -- including the giant colon.

The 1 life rule you should have

Spring is a great time to reconnect with people and catch up. In recent weeks, I’ve been in touch with people from my past. It was similar to the start of the pandemic when many of us scrolled through our phone and/or social media and randomly reached out to people we hadn’t had contact with in a while.

My partner is a Disney freak and I can't handle it

My partner is a Disney fanatic and wants to go there every chance he gets. It's too juvenile for me. I don't mind amusement rides but I can't handle pretending to be in some fairy tale land with thousands of kids on leashes and their miserable parents. I can't exactly lie and say I have other plans since we live together and he knows my schedule. How do I ditch Disney?

Coffee-infused glazed ham

Can ham get any better? Yup... especially when you add coffee!

A song to set the mood

After a full day of running all over Indianapolis, I was long due for a relaxing sit... and some wine. As the clouds rolled in and offered some relief from the sweltering sun, the team at Old World Gondoliers welcomed me with a song... and some ice cream. I loved both!

The toast with the most

When I was younger, cereal was my go-to breakfast. It was easy to prepare: grab the box, grab a bowl, pour, add milk, get a spoon, eat.

Remembering Dolly Parton

Our radio-host boss has fond memories of the legendary, Dolly Parton.

He revealed a little too much at the gym that day

My partner is too aggressive with customer service reps

My partner is losing his patience with customer service people. He starts out understanding but as soon as he doesn't get an answer he likes or believes he's getting the runaround, his mood drastically changes. When I'm standing beside him in a store or seated across from him at a restaurant, it's embarrassing because I feel bad for the employee subjected to his wrath. I'm tempted to step in but fear he'll get louder and turn on me and everybody will know there's an issue. How do we get this under control?

Don't force me to constantly upgrade my tech

I love technology. Let me get that out of the way right upfront.

I thought I'd seen it all with ridiculous phone use

As smartphone technology began to evolve and seemingly make every daily task possible to manage and/or complete from the palm of your hand, I was hooked. Now, as it continues to invade our lives I'm gradually -- maybe not gradually, so much as abruptly -- stepping back.

This place makes me feel smart

It's a spring of science at Lafayette Science Museum. When I heard there is a virtual reality exhibit, I knew I would have fun. I'd never strapped on a VR headset before but once I did, I couldn't take it off.

Holy, Buff cannoli!

Cannoli, the iconic Sicilian pastry, boasts a rich history and an even richer flavor profile. Its crispy shell, creamy ricotta filling and hints of citrus and chocolate make it a universally beloved treat.