Before backyard patios and central AC became the norm, life happened on the front porch, which was part living room, part stage, and part neighborhood watch—minus the group text.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, as American homes shifted from vertical rowhouses to horizontal bungalows, the front porch emerged as a symbol of warmth, hospitality, and social standing.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, porches became a national obsession—“an outdoor room that served as a threshold between public and private life.”

They were cooling centers during summer, gathering spaces during the evening and, according to an 1890 article in Ladies’ Home Journal, “a necessary room in every well-appointed house.”

But everything shifted after WWII. As Smithsonian Magazine noted, air conditioning, television, and the postwar push toward privacy moved Americans inside. Suburbs favored backyards over porches. We swapped waving for fencing.

And yet, something about the front porch stuck. It shows up in our design choices, our Zillow saves, and our quiet desire for stillness after a loud, screen-filled day. Even the rise of Ring cameras and Adirondack chairs is a modern remix of an old idea: watching the world go by from a few feet above the sidewalk.

Here’s a question you might not have considered: Is 100,000-year-old glacier ice better than the ice that’s in your freezer?

Thanks to a startup company called Arctic Ice, you can find out. For $100, you get six hand-carved ice spheres made from ancient Greenland icebergs. The ice is collected from a fjord in western Greenland, shipped to Dubai, and sculpted into perfectly clear spheres.

This ice isn’t just cold, it’s pristine. With fewer air bubbles and impurities, it melts more slowly and adds a touch of rarity to any moment it’s used.

According to customers of The Wall Street Journal, the glacier ice is pure, melts slowly and is visually striking, all of which proves that even ice can be a luxury.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 75 percent of older adults experience balance issues.

Balance is your body’s ability to control its center of gravity over your base of support— usually your feet— whether that’s one foot, two feet, or two feet and a cane. It relies on multiple systems working together, including your vision, depth perception, muscle strength, and ability to see in low light or to notice visual contrast.

The good news is you can improve your balance, along with your confidence and mobility. The Mayo Clinic recommends making balance training a regular part of your fitness routine.

Here are a few simple ways to get started:

• Do one-foot stands: Hold onto the back of a sturdy chair and lift one foot off the ground. Try to hold it for a few seconds. Repeat ten 10 times on each side. As you improve, reduce support by using one hand and eventually one finger.

• Perform high-knee walking: Walk in a straight line, lifting your knees high with each step and extending your arms for balance.

• Try Tai Chi: This gentle, slow-moving exercise is proven to improve stability and reduce the risk of falling.

• Balance during daily tasks: Stand on one foot while brushing your teeth or washing dishes.

If you lived through the mid-20th century, you might remember the bold color pairing of avocado green
and mustard yellow that now screams "vintage." For those who were born during the 21st century, those
hues are making a fresh and stylish comeback.

According to Living Etc., the earthy tones of the 1970s are trending again. Think mustard yellow,
avocado green, burnt orange, chocolate brown, and deep purple. Today’s designers are reimagining these retro shades in modern ways, often by using neutral walls as a backdrop and letting the colors pop through furniture, textiles, and accents.

Even the infamous avocado bathroom of the ‘60s and ‘70s is returning, and this time with a sleek twist. Clean lines and geometric designs have replaced floral patterns. Expect to see bold greens, even on bathtubs, giving a nostalgic nod to the past with a distinctly modern vibe.

Something is magical about summer gatherings that seems to transcend time. Children splash in sprinklers while adults gather around picnic tables laden with seasonal delights. The scene creates a curious blend of déjà vu and timelessness that connects us across years and generations.

Perhaps these summer traditions resonate so deeply because of the way they mark our lives like gentle, recurring rhythms: the simple pleasure of biting into juicy watermelon, the familiar sound of a screen door closing as people wander between sunshine and shade, and the glow of fireflies or sparklers illuminating eager faces as evening settles in.

Summer has a way of distilling life to its essence. The pace slows, allowing us to notice details otherwise lost in our year-round rush. We become more present, more aware of the gentle miracle of generations connecting through timeless activities.

Watch a grandparent teach a child how to skewer marshmallows for roasting and you'll experience a silent dance performed countless times throughout decades — different hands, same movements, identical looks of anticipation and a beautiful continuity that no technology can replicate.

These summer traditions aren't just activities; they're messages passed between generations. They say: "This is who we are. This is what matters. This is how we connect." When a recipe is shared or a family story is retold during these golden months, generations link together in a chain of shared experience.

In our rapidly changing world, these summer constants grow increasingly precious and remind us that beneath our digital identities is something more fundamental — our human need for connection and continuity.

Which summer tradition connects you most strongly to other generations in your life?

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson were on a camping trip. They had gone to bed and were lying awake while looking at the sky.

"Watson, look up,” Holmes said. “What do you see? I see thousands of stars. And what does that mean to you?"

"I suppose it means we will have another nice day tomorrow,” Watson said. “What does it mean to you, Holmes?"

"To me, Watson,” Holmes said, “it means someone has stolen our tent."

It’s called mineral hydration—and it’s about more than just drinking water.

Your body loses essential minerals like sodium, magnesium, and potassium through sleep, sweating, and even caffeine. Adding a pinch of sea salt or an electrolyte mix to your morning water can help restore that balance.

Fans say it improves energy, focus, and may even reduce headaches.

Unlike sugary sports drinks, it’s simple, customizable, and easy to fit into your routine. Just remember: a little goes a long way. The goal is balance.

July 4 marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but did you know the first Independence Day celebration occurred a year later, on July 4, 1777?

That first celebration, in Philadelphia, featured something most Americans had never seen before: fireworks. 

According to The Pennsylvania Evening Post , the city put on “a grand exhibition of fireworks which began and concluded with thirteen rockets,” which was a nod to the original 13 colonies.

The day was also filled with bonfires, bell ringing and public toasts, all meant to lift spirits and unite people during the hardships of the Revolutionary War.

So why fireworks? The founding fathers were fans of pageantry. In fact, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that independence should be celebrated with “Pomp and Parade … bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.”

Although fireworks had been invented centuries earlier in Asia, they were the perfect way to inspire awe and to symbolize a bold, young nation stepping into its place on the world stage.