Wolfe Stew

(Updated 3.24.2023) When I lived in a place that had no truly definable seasons, the season I most missed was fall. There's something in the changing air that adds comfort and joy to my life. While change in life is rarely comfortable, it can lead to JOY when you learn where to look for it. Like choosing to embrace the splendor of autumn leaves, finding joy amid change helps shift our perspectives. September 23, 2023 Autumnal Equinox Topics: Did You Know...  Four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  with change. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by fall. Activity Suggestions  Fall-themed lessons, picture books, and questions. Did You Know: Some people believe catching a leaf as it falls brings good luck? One such belief suggests for every falling leaf you catch, you are destined for one day of good luck. ( Best Life Online ) There really is a distinct fall scent?  Contributors to the smell: dying leaves and cooler air. In addition, the first fall rain smell has its own name: petrich

9/11 shocked our country to its core. On that day we realized our vulnerability, but we also found our strength. Through strength in unity and shared purpose we shifted a tragic moment in history to hope for tomorrow and found JOY in perseverance. Together we can overcome. " Lifespan Development " picture from Lumen Learning CC BY 4.0 Patriot Day Topics: Did You Know...  Three we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings from the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  Regarding 9/11 and Citizenship. Activity Suggestions  Remembrance, Commitment, Discussion (for PreK-Middle School) Did You Know: Four planes crashed in three different locations? Two of the planes careened into New York City's World Trade Center, a third targeted the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field. A total of 2,996 people died and over 6,000 were injured. ( The Fact Site ) Flight 93 was reclaimed? A Pennsylvania field was not the target of the final plane, likely the White House or the U.S. C

Today we honor you and all the work you do! To celebrate, take time to rest and unwind - intentionally. Anything that reminds you of your work, put it to the side. You deserve a real day off! Labor Day Topics: Did You Know...  Five we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings from the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  About work. Activity Suggestions  Career Day, Chore Charts, Would You Rather? Did You Know: The first Labor Day was likely a protest against unsafe working conditions?  Over 20,000 New York City industry workers took to the streets on September 5, 1882, to express their concern over long workdays (12 hours) and unhealthy environments. At the end of their march, they joined their families to enjoy the day by picnicking and setting off fireworks. ( Today ) Its founder is either McGuire or Maguire? But neither one has the first name Jerry . Both Peter J. McGuire and Matthew Maguire are credited with officially starting Labor Day in the United States.  ( U.S. Department of Labor )

Making personal decisions that bring you JOY are certainly worth celebrating and piercing your ears just might be one of them. If piercing your ears is not for you, there is JOY in that too.  Pierce Your Ears Day Points: Did You Know...  One we did; four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings from the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by piercing your ears. Activity Suggestions  Design, art, and reading. Did You Know: The oldest known piercings date back five thousand years? Europe's best-preserved corpse, Otzi, sported large, pierced ears suggesting heavy earrings were worn for most of his life. ( Gemporia ) Ancient piercings served a purpose beyond fashion? Earrings were worn to signify economic status, ward off evil, symbolize desired attributes, and identify as a slave. ( Marie Claire ) The Catholic church banned earrings in the 13th century? They believed ear piercings altered God's creation so should not be worn. Piercings remain a divisive topic in the Christia

(Updated 8.11.2023) Genuinely positive statements directed our way fill us with JOY that lingers. These statements might come from others or from within. You have the power with your words to bring more JOY into your life and to the life of others. Let's do it! Let's fill our world with JOY!  Speak Kind Words Saturday Topics: Did You Know...  Kind words facts we didn't know. Wolfe Stew Connects  to the power of words. Bible Verses and Quotes  About speaking with kindness. Activity Suggestions  Articles for leaders, activities for learners, discussion questions, and family challenge. Did You Know: Negative words - spoken, heard, or thought - release stress hormones? These hormones lead   to not only situational stress but also contribute to long-term anxiety in adults and children. ( Business Relation Management Institute ) Positive words have the power to change your brain?  Neuroscientist, Dr Andrew Newberg, and communications expert, Robert Waldman, share that the longer

(Updated 8.10.2023) Joy arrives in a surge of adrenaline as you plummet toward the bottom of a fall and resounds in the "Let's do it again!" cheer at the ride's end. While scary for some, roller coasters remind us that surrendering control can be thrilling.  Roller Coaster by Paul Brennan via Public Domain Pictures Roller Coaster Options: Did You Know...  Five roller coaster facts we didn't know. Wolfe Stew Connects  to buying the ticket. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by roller coasters. Activity Suggestions  Encouragement to ride, research projects, design challenges, discussion questions, and family challenge. Did You Know: Roller coasters originated in 17th century Russia? These carefully constructed hills of ice were ridden with a sled. Catherine II even had a few constructed on her property. ( Roller Coaster Museum ) The first real roller coaster was built in either Russia or France?  The Russian roller coaster was built in St. Petersburg, while the Fre

Sleeping under the stars connects us. No matter where we are in the world, we all look at the same sky. We all share the same space. Connection brings JOY. None of us walk this earth alone; we are meant to be sojourners. Sojourners who each bring our own beauty, just like stars. Stars above Trees is a Public Domain Image from Good Free Photos Sleep Under the Stars Night Sightings: Did You Know...  One we knew; four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  Musings from the Mrs. Bible Verses and Quotes  About sleep and stars. Activity Suggestions  A couple of songs and encouragement. Did You Know: Eddie Bauer founded Global Sleep Under the Stars night in 2020? In celebration of their 100th anniversary, Eddie Bauer hoped to inspire everyone to share in the beautiful experience of sleeping under the stars. ( Outdoor Industry ) Sleeping under the stars can help reset your circadian clock?  Many of us have altered sleep patterns because we spend a lot of time indoors looking at electronic light