Pantone, the gurus of all things color has selected Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow for the 2021 colors of the year. Some headlines call it "Pandemic Gray" but The Garden Guy loves it and you will see it opens the door to one of the toughest, persevering and award-winning plants of all time, Flambé Yellow chrysocephalum.

Flambé Yellow ...Read more

I was married for five years and had a son. We divorced a year ago, but started dating – again. She ended up pregnant — again. I asked for a DNA test prior to paying child support. They tested both kids and neither is mine. I’m done with their mother and no longer want anything to do with either of these children, but I’m feeling a ...Read more

It’s a new year — and after the many hardships of 2020, it’s a very welcomed one. While just writing out the numbers in 2021 feels like an instant mood booster, that doesn’t mean that we won’t repeat old patterns of making resolutions only to push them to the side with excuses before January ends.

Many singles start the new year with ...Read more

CHICAGO – Beginning his work in marine biology, Randy Wells thought he was a shark guy.

But the teenager whose family had just moved from Peoria to Florida’s Gulf Coast volunteered to help a local researcher study the migration patterns of the bottlenose dolphins off of Sarasota.

And now it’s 50 years later and Wells — a staff ...Read more

Well this was a tough year, but the next one should be a little easier once we get some immunity going. The stress has been overwhelming for millions, so don’t give yourself a hard time if you haven’t launched your IPO — this year has been about survival. We can’t be normal yet, so I’m still going to keep my dreams, and if they don’t...Read more

LOS ANGELES – This wasn't the first time Shay Rose went viral.

But it was the biggest.

In her 21 years, the social media star — Shay Rose is a pseudonym — has built a mammoth following on TikTok and Instagram with handmade whimsical costumes that re-create looks from Disney princesses to Lady Gaga.

When the pandemic began, Rose moved ...Read more

ATLANTA — In the fall semester, virtual learning sparked reopening protests from parents, highlighted inequalities in technology access and raised concerns about learning gaps from teachers and parents. Amid these concerns, some students have found benefits in learning in a virtual setting.

Teachers' observations

For some students with ...Read more

"The War Widow" is poised to be Tara Moss’ breakout novel in the United States, especially given the book’s saucy leading lady, Billie Walker. She's a war reporter-turned-private investigator in post-WWII Australia who — much like Moss herself — refuses to be defined or held back by any man on her quest for justice.

The book is a fun ...Read more

No one may ever know what really happened to Agatha Christie when she vanished for 11 days in December 1926, but bestselling author Marie Benedict provides a compelling reconstruction with her latest page-turner, "The Mystery of Mrs. Christie" (Sourcebooks Landmark).

The facts appear in the novel much as they are known and are themselves ...Read more

Dear EarthTalk: What will President-elect Joe Biden’s top environmental priorities be once he assumes office — and who is he tapping to head up key environmental positions in his administration?

— J. Woodbine, Saddlebrook, New Jersey

The world collectively faces the threat of climate change driven by human-made pollutants and ...Read more

Q: I teach 3- and 4-year-olds in a childcare center in Australia. I always have a few difficult children in any group and the book in which you describe Alpha Speech ["The Well-Behaved Child"] has been very helpful. My disciplinary options are limited to separating a misbehaving child out of the group for a few minutes and talking, but I cannot ...Read more

Others apparently see us more clearly than we see ourselves, which is why we are often the recipients of free advice.

When our oldest daughter was living at home before she got married, she had so much advice for us that she designated herself our life coach. Because our life coach was engaged and about to marry, she was reading book after book...Read more

Looking for ways to give your home a new look in the new year? Start with quick, easy refreshing techniques that won’t break the bank. Whether you are looking to redo an entire room or elevate certain areas of your space, here are some great tricks of the trade to help get you started.

1. Paint . Nothing refreshes a space or can give it a new...Read more

Home gyms have always been a popular option for getting fit without needing to share space at a fitness club. Unsurprisingly, given New Year’s resolutions, fitness experts say they get the most interest in home gyms around January, and this year in particular, they are likely to be quite popular. Here are some tips on establishing a home gym. ...Read more

This vase/bowl with lid has been in my family singe the 1960s. I have no idea where it is from or if it is valuable. I am looking to downsize and want to sell it.

Thank you,

D. D.

Dear D. D.:

Unmarked pottery and porcelain can drive a collector halfway to tears of utter frustration when trying to identify the maker of a piece or even the ...Read more

The Chrysler Pacifica minivan gets a number of updates for 2021, including a fancy new Pinnacle trim, upgraded technology and some styling tweaks. The Pacifica Hybrid returns, as well, and it's available across the van's lineup. If you're looking for minivan functionality with a major boost of efficiency, this is a seriously compelling option --...Read more