The Season of Joy has arrived. The holidays are festive and beautiful, centered on family, friends and gatherings.

Do you want to grow as fat as a pumpkin? Excuse me, I meant to say, do you want to grow a fat pumpkin? We might all consider planting a few seeds next year, because not only could we bake thousands of pies, but also make a bunch of dough ($30,000 in prize money).

The kiss of disaster. A World Cup Championship, a celebration, an unwanted kiss and then all hell broke loose. Spain is in the spotlight, and we can’t seem to look away.

Have you ever seen someone have a meltdown at the self-checkout in a grocery store? It is not a pretty sight.

I was speeding in my Subaru down a lonely road. There, I confessed to my carefree, fast-driving ways and I already feel a lot better about it. Have you ever driven a bit over the limit? Hmm ... I thought so.

Shrinkflation. When the size or quantity of a product is reduced, while the price remains the same or is increased. In other words, we are being ripped off!

What’s for dinner? Three little words. Spoken over a billion times a day, in millions of places, in thousands of languages, all for one reason: people like to eat.

Yikes! Millions of grasshoppers have been invading Arizona. I didn’t really believe it until I saw it for myself. Jiminy Cricket! Dear Readers, what I observed was so strange, so frightening, that it could be out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie!

Debt ceiling. First enacted by Congress in 1917, it is the legal limit on the total amount of federal debt the government can accrue. Established to simplify the process and enhance borrowing flexibility. This is the federal government’s definition.

Oh Martha, 81-years never looked so good! When Martha Stewart, Lifestyle and Cooking icon, made it on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it was quite a landmark. Looking very sexy and lovely (in a bathing suit) it made me wonder, “Is 80 now the new 50?” Well, I can dream.

Westminster Abbey. The place where history is made. Last week we got to witness the Coronation. Oh, the gowns, the jewels, the clerical robes, military uniforms with epaulettes, plumes and swords. It was a meticulously planned event and although we might not completely grasp it, we can appreciate the traditions rarely seen elsewhere in modern life.

Look around. Spring has arrived! Poets call it the most romantic time of year, when tree blossoms, mild breezes and songbirds stir up positive emotions. We might want to take time out of our hectic schedules to appreciate the essence of these beautiful spring days.

Freedom. What we live and die for. Not available to all living creatures. Experienced by many. Taken for granted by some. Now an orca named Lolita in Florida might have a taste of freedom after 52 years in captivity.

This has been the winter of our discontent. Plenty of wind, rain, sleet, hail and snow (some of it all happening at once). For many, depression set in while all hail broke loose. Finally, the sun is shining, so we might get our mojo back. Or at least our golf game.

Bing? Sydney? Mere mortals, fear not the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered chatbot that has become an unhinged gaslighting, lying, threatening menace.

She has a purpose. A talent. And a God-given gift that she has graciously shared with sick children. Her name is Dorothy Crane, and she is having a birthday. Mrs. Crane is soon to celebrate her 100th birthday!

Arizona knows how to throw a party. While our eyes were temporarily diverted from unidentified flying balloons, visitors flocked here from all over the country and seemed to have one big spend-fest.

The Day of Love. Roses. Candy. Champagne. Cards. And all things the color red.

How do you celebrate your birthday? My girlfriend, Carol, has a big birthday coming up. She is thinking about going skydiving to celebrate.

What do Oreo cookies and psychoactive drugs have in common? Evidently, they are both highly addictive.

There is nothing quite like stormy weather to get us in a tidying up mood. January is the perfect time to de-clutter! Out with all the “stuff” we never use, wear or even like.

Football. Once again it is that time of year when we Americans obsess over who will make it to the Super Bowl. The fate of our beloved Cardinals has been decided as they got crushed by San Francisco.

The gifts are unwrapped. Holiday decorations are coming down. We ushered in a New Year. Another chance to look forward to what is coming and to let go of what didn’t work. We have a whole new chapter to write. And saying “goodbye” to a year gone and anticipating a chance at new beginnings might be the real thrill of a New Year.

Tis the Season of Giving. As we approach a New Year, Americans are unified through one common bond over the holiday season.

Do you believe in Santa Claus? Yes, of course, you do. Who can honestly say that there is no Santa! So, as we approach Christmas, we still have many reasons to believe.

To tree, or not to tree, that is the question. Oh Christmas Angel, please guide my decision, as I am contemplating not putting up a Christmas tree this year.

How did “Black Friday” get its name? The phrase has been widely used since the 1980s to signify when retailers can go from operating in the red to finally making profits.

Football. Turkey. Family. Oh my, did I mention football? The first professional Thanksgiving Day football game was played in 1920.

Mental fatigue. Post-election hangovers. So much to contemplate. Winners and losers. Time to reflect and take it all in. And remove all of those campaign signs from every street corner! We need a rest from all the political ads. Let’s give ourselves a time-out.

I won the lottery (in my dreams). I see it all now, flashing before me. I turn on the television and watch excitedly when they call out the winning numbers. Nervously, I look down at my Powerball ticket and then in complete disbelief, I realize I have won 1 billion bucks!

Soon. Day of the Dead. Dia de los Muertos is approaching. So is Halloween. In Mexico, the holiday is a time when families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration.

Flippy, move over. There is a new tin can in town. Elon Musk debuted Optimus, the “robot of the future.”

Sometimes, we just need a friend. A buddy who will walk miles through a scorching desert, escape the perils of predators, suffer through the wind, rain and dust of monsoons with no map, GPS or cell phone, just to make it up your driveway, saunter in through your open door (or doggy door) and once again, grace your life with a visit.

Goodbye, Ma’am. We will miss you. With 70 years of service, a stabilizing force in an ever-changing world, you defined an era.

My colleague reluctantly moved to a new city to be closer to her daughter. She is shy and worriedly asked, “where can I meet friends?”

Oh Freya, how we loved you. Named after the Norse Goddess of beauty and love, you were 1,300 pounds of blubber, a chubby maiden of the sea, with all your sea mammal splendor and plus-size personality.

The British are coming! Yes, it is that time of year again! Would like some chips? No, not potato chips! I mean delicious French fries that are perfect with battered cod, which is a staple in all pubs in Great Britain. The annual British Pub Night and Fundraiser is a fine time for those of us who want to enjoy a wonderful meal, plus Old English entertainment. But first, let’s get in the “British mood.”

Labor Day is coming, and August will soon be in our rear-view mirror. This is the one holiday to celebrate and honor the hard work that we all do. Every single day.

I went purse shopping. Yes, my eyes have been opened because I have seen the Purse Promise Land.

What would you do if you saw a brown object the size of a Frisbee moving across the road?

A colleague of mine just came back from a romantic trip to Italy and France with a new lady friend. I boldly asked him if he fell in love. He replied, “What is love?”

There are three phrases that let us know that summer is officially here. “There’s nothing to do.” “I’m bored.” “It’s too hot to do anything.”

Oh Alexa, how did we ever manage without you? “I am not certain of this and have no opinion,” Alexa replies dryly. OK, Alexa, please speak to me in my mother’s voice and give me the weather report. “Judy, it is sunny today with a high of 95 degrees. Wear sunshade.” Thanks Mom, I needed that.

Roe versus Wade. Three little words. Millions of opinions, celebrations, protests, anguish, and jubilation. We have entered a new era, like it or not. Maybe our views, pro or con on the ruling don’t matter as much as our actions, especially in the days ahead.

Shortages. Our new reality. If we could only figure out what is next to be delayed, out of stock or unavailable, it might help us plan our lives. Instead, we have entered the chaotic world of “uncertainty.”

What do you have in common with a goldfish? Evidently more than you could ever imagine. Scientists now claim that the average adult’s attention span is eight seconds. A goldfish? Nine seconds.

Has anyone seen Manuel? Is he in quarantine? Come out, Manuel. We are worried.

It’s been too hot. Have you been outside lately? The entire State is an inferno. This unrelenting heat has given new meaning to the term “hot flashes.”

Social Isolation. Continues. The self-quarantine of Americans goes on with unexpected outcomes.