This Old House Just Became a Home

Written by Arleen M. Kaptur


The evolution of man seemed to always include some type of dwelling. We went from living in a cave to possibly pitching a tent on a distant planet.

Man (and woman) needs a place to call home. "Home is whererepparttar heart is" is a very familiar saying but there is more truth to these words than meetsrepparttar 111465 ear.

Your home can be a simple efficiency apartment or a royal castle - and many stops in between. It is notrepparttar 111466 structure ofrepparttar 111467 place - it is what you make it.

It should symbolize protection, security and comfort. The feeling should be one of love and tranquility and alwaysrepparttar 111468 feeling of happiness.

Decorations can be elaborate and expensive or simple and home-made. A favorite chair, a well-loved and well-read book, and warm slippers - coming in with muscles tired by a full day - leaving once again refreshed and renewed.

If you live where cold and snow are a part ofrepparttar 111469 winter season, then you knowrepparttar 111470 thrill of approaching your home and seeingrepparttar 111471 cheery light fromrepparttar 111472 windows displaying endearing patterns onrepparttar 111473 pure white snow. Your hands and feet are numb and your cheeks are as rosy as that rose you held in your hand inrepparttar 111474 summer.

You openrepparttar 111475 door, andrepparttar 111476 scent of dinner cooking inrepparttar 111477 kitchen meets you, or is it justrepparttar 111478 memory of a campfire duringrepparttar 111479 warm season with toasted marshmallows, broiled bacon, spicy hot dogs, and that inevitable cup fo campfire coffee.

You rush intorepparttar 111480 door and you are once again in an atmosphere you have created that welcomes you each and every time no matterrepparttar 111481 course ofrepparttar 111482 day. Your hands and feet begin to tingle asrepparttar 111483 warmth rushes through your body and your ears and cheeks glow as blood returns and circulates. There is a sense of ease - whether you kick off your shoes or peel winter wear. You are tired, but happy; cold, but at peace, and you have an appetite that can be fixed with a seven-course meal or a grilled cheese sandwich. Humans are home-loving creations and your home reflects you - there are your favorite things that can be seen, touched and held if you feelrepparttar 111484 need.

Valentine's Far From Home

Written by Stephanie Olsen


"What shall we make grandma and grandpa for Valentine's Day?"

This is an oft-repeated question as February 14th draws near; and despite being another highly commercialized holiday, it is still a nice way for geographically separated families to touch base.

Although e-mail is invaluable, homemade cards from grandchildren - gluey, misspelt and smudged, delivered in crumpled envelopes with upsidedown stamps - arerepparttar wishes that will be caressed by gentle hands, hung onrepparttar 111463 fridge under hatted cow magnets, and proudly shown to passers-by.

My own daughter knows that her grandma is a jigsaw puzzle expert, so she glued a teddy bear picture to a red construction paper heart, with little messages of love written aroundrepparttar 111464 periphery. With great care, tongue tip protruding to steady her hand, she then cutrepparttar 111465 artwork into several large pieces. Proudly, dumping her homemade puzzle into an envelope, we went torepparttar 111466 post office hand in hand.

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