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A new book from the University of California, Berkeley’s Bancroft Library gives fresh meaning to the term 'dog days' by celebrating the powerful connections between people and their canine companions. A cat version of "Everyday Dogs" already is in the works more »

This year, under sunny if chilly blue December skies, I probably will be alone. At first I was ecstatic, feeling I’d conquered the longing to slip into a Currier & Ives Christmas scene. Then I ate too many See’s candies and slid backward into “Why will I be alone?” more »

I live in a part of the country that has a large Moravian population. Moravians celebrate the season of Advent, putting up large, beautiful lighted white stars, and making wreaths which sit on a table or hang horizontally, with four candles on them to represent the four Sundays before Christmas. It’s a gentle introduction to the holiday season more »

The most treasured present for any occasion in our family is a book. Immediately, the recipient opens it and usually has difficulty going to another gift, so captured by the world that is appearing in their hands. Here are some of our choices for this holiday in books and DVDs more »