Movie Minute - He Calls Me Daughter on Angel Guild

I've previously reviewed He Calls Me Daughter, a film that explores the "father wound" through personal stories, and how they can affect self-worth. The film also offers a path forward toward healing, based on God's perfect love for His daughters. Even when relationships with human fathers fail, God's love is constant.

This film is for both women who are hurting due to their own father wounds, and also to encourage fathers to build strong relationships with their daughters.

He Calls Me Daughter is streaming on Angel Guild, a service that provides a home for stories that go beyond entertainment and into transformation.

Watch He Calls Me Daughter now on Angel and experience a story of healing, identity, and restoration, and join the Angel Guild to support more stories that bring hope, healing, and truth to the screen.

To help celebrate the launch of He Calls Me Daughter on Angel, I have a chance to give away a$10 Amazon giftcard (limited to US winners only.) To enter, leave a comment about why you're most interested in this film or in Angel Guild.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions

are 100% my own.

Enriching Education - Smile Zemi

I'm a homeschooling parent, as well as a licensed math teacher and a tutor. In all of those roles, I've always looked for ways to support student education that is rigorous and also engaging and interesting. I recently had a chance to try out Smile Zemi, a tablet-based learning system designed for elementary students (grades 1-5). Smile Zemi is focused on math and English Language Arts topics and aligned with Common Core State Standards. (Even if you aren't in a CCSS state, like I am, it's still easy to find and adapt the topics that your state uses.)

Last year they also launched a kindergarten program that supports alphabet/ELA and math topics, as well as other subjects - social skills, science, critical thinking, and the arts.

One way that Smile Zemi really stands apart is the ecosystem itself. It's housed in a dedicated tablet that eliminates other possible distractions. If kids are using the tablet, the only thing they can be doing is the Smile Zemi program. The exercises provide clear and easy practice, and the built-in rewards (avatars, wallpapers, and more) provide a level of fun and engagement. Everything loads quickly, so there's no wasted time or time for kids to get bored waiting for the next task. There are multiple ways to look for topics - either with the daily suggestions or by picking out other topics - and it's all very easy for kids to navigate.

As an added bonus, Smile Zemi also has Achievement Test preparation with learning that is targeted to what students need. With lessons, practice, and review, it can be a great tool for enrichment for advanced students or supplemental practice for students who struggle.

Smile Zemi

Smile Zemi is the first tablet-based educational learning system tailored to meet the needs of elementary school children grades one through five and specifically designed to improve academic performance aligned with Common Core State Standards.  Developed by JustSystems, one of Japan’s largest manufacturers of educational software, Smile Zemi features a professionally developed curriculum and materials, including instructional videos, exercises, and quizzes to help students most effectively study Math and English Language Arts (ELA) on their own and in support of Common Core State Standards.

Book Nook - Unique Journeys, 1905: To the Far East with Alice Roosevelt and E.H. Harriman

Inspired by the letters and journals of her grandfather, John Calvin McKnight, Almond’s Unique Journeys, 1905: To the Far East with Alice Roosevelt and E.H. Harriman explores the adventures of two highly prominent Americans as they traveled to countries throughout East Asia at the end of the Russo-Japanese War and negotiations of the Treaty of Portsmouth. As part of a congressional mission led by the Secretary of War, William Howard Taft, President Theodore Roosevelt sent his daughter, Alice, in hopes she would serve as a goodwill ambassador during meetings with Heads of State in East Asia. Meanwhile, Edward Henry Harriman, who employed McKnight as his personal secretary, controlled both the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads, as well as a continent-wide network of connecting railroads and a steamship line. He traveled in pursuit of the missing link in a vision he had for extending the reach of American railroads far beyond the United States. The travelers were transported by private railway car, steamer, chartered freighter, sailboat, jin rickshaw, horseback, small boat, and the US battleship Ohio. They encountered heads of state in Japan, China, and Korea, and cruised to some of the most remote islands in the Philippines. Through the pages of this riveting narrative, readers will join the profound experiences that made Alice and Edward’s journeys truly unique.

Patricia M. Almond was born in Brooklyn and married a Virginian, and claimed she was still adjusting to the ways of living in the South. When she was fifty-three, she finally graduated from college, but before that, she had acquired a Coast Guard license to captain boats of fifty tons or less, and with a friend, produced a syndicated newspaper column on flower arranging. She spent ten years as a freelance writer for Richmond and Virginia publications. After retiring to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, she served as a hospice volunteer, working with patients and their families in three counties. She was the mother of three, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of three. She and her tail-less cat (Bob) lived within sight of the Piankatank River in tidewater, Virginia. 

Money Matters - Auto Loan Delinquency

With the rate of auto loan delinquency increasing in 49 states between Q3 2025 and Q4 2025, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its updated report on the States Where Auto Loan Delinquency Is Increasing the Most, to show where people’s risk of credit score damage and vehicle repossession is surging most.

In order to identify the states where auto loan delinquency is increasing the most, WalletHub compared the 50 states using its proprietary user data on consumer delinquency rates between Q3 2025 and Q4 2025.
 

Increasing the Most

Increasing the Least

1. North Dakota	41. Rhode Island
2. Idaho	42. Mississippi
3. Hawaii	43. Missouri
4. New Hampshire	44. Connecticut
5. New Jersey	45. Oregon
6. Vermont	46. Kansas
7. Nebraska	47. Colorado
8. West Virginia	48. South Carolina
9. Utah	49. South Dakota
10. Minnesota	50. Montana

 
For the full report and to see where your state ranks, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-where-auto-loan-delinquency-is-increasing-most/133674


“When you are delinquent on auto loan debt, try to get your account current as soon as possible to minimize the consequences. If you pay fewer than 30 days late, your delinquency won’t be reported to the credit bureaus, though you’ll still likely owe a late fee. If you’re more than 30 days late, talk with your lender so they don’t start the process of repossessing your car while you figure out how to pay. Ask if your lender has a hardship plan, or try strategies like cutting other expenses or consolidating debt.”
–
“Auto loan delinquency is increasing the most in North Dakota, as the state’s residents were delinquent on 10.8% more auto loans in Q4 2025 than they were during Q3 2025. Idaho came in second place, with a 10.2% increase, while Hawaii had the third-biggest increase, at 9.2%. In addition, residents in each of the top three states were delinquent on more than 11% of their total auto loans in Q4 2025. ”

- John Kiernan, WalletHub Editor  
 

More From WalletHub

• States Where Auto Loan Debt Is Increasing the Most
• States Where Credit Card Delinquency Is Increasing the Most
• Credit Card Delinquency Rates and Charge-Offs in 2026
• States Where Consumers Are Adding the Most Debt

Book Nook - The Warlock and the Ovate

“The Warlock and The Ovate” by Victoria Williams is a wonderful piece of world-building. Skilfully wrought and thrillingly realised, with references to the heroic Norse sagas, the ancient wisdom of the Celts, and the Druidic traditions that once held powerful sway across the British Isles, the author has succeeded in creating a world beyond place and time.

This compelling narrative follows a warlock (a wizard or sorcerer) burdened by a shadowed past, and an ovate (a seer or prophet – one of the three specialized roles in Druidry) whose visions hold the key to a fragile future.

At the heart of their quest journey is the Duir—the sacred oak of Druidic tradition—a tree which embodies endurance, truth, and the bridge between worlds. Victoria Williams uses this ancient central symbol in a beautifully vivid manner, ensuring that the oak is not just a motif, but a living presence in the tale.

“The Warlock and the Ovate” by Victoria Williams is a timeless fantasy adventure crafted for older children and adults.

Set in a mythological world of ancient castles, majestic dragons, wise druids, and battle-hardened Vikings, this tale follows the eternal struggle between light and dark. 

At the world’s heart stands a sacred, magical tree where morality and corruption collide. Amidst celestial mazes and mysterious underground realms, brave heroes face sorcerers, dark forces, and mystical challenges that test the strength of their spirit.

Enchanted woods whisper long-lost truths, and each quest demands courage, honour, and sacrifice. 

With powerful themes of redemption, ancient wisdom, and the awakening of true purpose, “The Warlock and the Ovate” draws readers into a world beyond time -a place where myth breathes, and the soul remembers.

For those who believe in forgotten truths and ancient power, the journey begins here.

 

 

Drawing on a range of mythic structures, ancient legends and fabled mystical powers, “The Warlock and The Ovate’” bridges the gap between fantasy and adventure. It offers not only a new perspective on ancient myths but a compelling narrative that takes place in a fully realised world.

 

The tone is lyrical and poetic, yet powerful and propulsive by turns. “The Warlock and the Ovate” is a profound reminder of the interconnectedness of the natural and spiritual world- a story that works on so many levels… taking readers into the heart of the deep power of myth and legend.

 

“The Warlock and the Ovate” is available now in Kindle and Paperback edition – to purchase click here:https://tinyurl.com/mvd46wya

 

About the Author:
Author of the “The Warlock and the Ovate”, Victoria Williams has a degree in social sciences and mental health and has worked in custodial environments as well as facilitated military youth work.  Care and thought for young people’s wellbeing and the issues they face is very close to Victoria’s heart - her own family members, live with behavioural and spectrum issues. She explains, “This is a story based on my hometown, family as characters, and my personal spiritual experiences.”

“The Warlock and the Ovate” is Victoria’s first novel.

Travel Tidbits - Bed Bugs

With spring underway and summer travel just around the corner, new data uncovers a frightening reality. In a survey of nearly 1,000 homeowners, more than 1 in 4 (27%) admit they don't think about pests when they travel at all. 

For those who do take precautions after travel, methods include:

• Washing clothes immediately after unpacking – 56%
• Inspecting luggage for bed bugs or insects – 37%
• Drying clothes on high heat after travel – 30%
• Wiping down or vacuuming luggage – 28%
• Keeping luggage on a hard surface before unpacking – 23%

But some of these methods are ineffective. Modern Pest Services offers practical advice for travelers:

"Be aware of your surroundings and take a few simple precautions when you get home. If you think you may have been exposed to bed bugs — or just want to play it safe — avoid bringing luggage directly inside. Unpack outside or in the garage, place items in a sealed trash bag, and run clothing in the dryer on the highest heat setting for at least 45 minutes before laundering as usual."

Take a look at the full report for additional insights into pest prevention.

Shopping Savings: Vivid-Pix

Vivid-Pix Memory Station Software is the memory preservation software that creates image/memorabilia and video/audio stories of mothers for Mother’s Day. Vivid-Pix Memory Station Software lets you use your existing computer and scanner to digitize your photos in long-lasting archival quality, restore them with Vivid-Pix’s patented image-improvement technology, and record audio of your own and your mother’s memories of childhood, weddings, births, and more family memories and feelings.

Vivid-Pix Memory Station Software is available now online with a free trial to create 5 stories at https://www.vivid-pix.com/memorystationsoftware/, priced at $149.99 with coupon code: RT2026.

I had a chance to interview CEO Rick Voight to learn more.

Why are gifts that help preserve memories so appropriate for Mother's Day?

Moms are often the core/cornerstone of families. They are also often the least appreciated and/or thanked. Mother’s Day is her day for all to say Thank You and to do so in heartfelt, meaningful ways.

 

How is the combination of video and audio particularly powerful?

By combining cherished memories (photos and recorded voice/cognitive memories), we are able to recall times that are most important to us and to share our feelings with Mom on this special day. By combining two of our most powerful senses, sight and sound, these memories / stories are impactful because we are hearing voice, inflection, and feelings that describes our emotions when reminiscing a photo / memory.

 

What kinds of memories should families record?

Everyone is different. The memories should be heartfelt and honest.

Music Minute - The Kody Norris Show: Good Ol' USA

Award-winning country and bluegrass group The Kody Norris Show unveils their latest track, “Good Ol’ USA,” from their forthcoming album Spirit of America on Rebel Records, set for release on June 26th. Issued in celebration of the America250 milestone, the high-energy single premiered with Center Stage Magazine and highlights the band’s signature musicianship and dynamic lyrical style. “Good Ol’ USA” embodies the heart of American music while paying tribute to this historic milestone for the nation.

To listen/stream: rebel-records.lnk.to/TKNS-GoodOlUSA

To pre-order Spirit of America: rebel-records.lnk.to/TKNS-SoAm 

“Whenever we start a new album, original material always rises to the top. One of my favorite writers, and one of my best friends, is Larry Chunn. I asked him to help create a song with a little bounce that celebrates being proud to call America home. He knew exactly the direction I wanted, and together we paired it with a melody that really captures the American spirit. This is one of my first steps into co-writing, and I hope y’all enjoy what we think is a dandy song!” - Kody Norris

The group recently kicked off their “Spirit of America” tour, starting with over 60 shows in 20 states, including Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, and more. They will also be heading to Colorado for their first-ever Rockygrass with artists including Punch Brothers, The Del McCoury Band, Tim O’Brien, Steep Canyon Rangers, and more! 

“The first single we released from the album ended up unintentionally becoming the title track,” shares Mary Rachel. “Originally, the album was going to be called United, and we planned to release ‘Spirit of America’ first to help set the tone. It definitely did that. When ‘Declaration of Independence’ premiered with Bluegrass Today, the article referred to the title track as ‘Spirit of America.’ I went to Kody, and we both agreed—John Lawless was right. The album needed to be called Spirit of America. It’s the perfect title for a project celebrating America250!”

The Kody Norris Show’s ‘Spirit of America’ Dates:.

APR 25 - Bluegrass on the Plains / Auburn, Ala.

APR 30 - Little Roy and Lizzy Music Festival / Lincolnton, Ga.

MAY 01 - Boxcar Pinion Memorial Bluegrass Festival / Chickamauga, Ga.

MAY 02 - Mr. B's Spring Music Spectacular / Woodford, Va.

MAY 03 - Calvert Elks Lodge #2620 / Prince Frederick, Md.

MAY 07 - Malpass Brothers Bluegrass and Country Music Festival / Denton, N.C.

MAY 09 - Heritage Hall / Mountain City, Tenn.

MAY 16 - Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & BBQ Festival / Branson, Mo.

MAY 17 - Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & BBQ Festival / Branson, Mo.

MAY 18 - Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & BBQ Festival / Branson, Mo.

MAY 22 - Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival / Coburn, Va.

MAY 23 - Museum of Butler, TN Homecoming / Butler, Tenn.

MAY 24 - Memory Days / Grayson, Ky.

MAY 30 - Back Forty Bluegrass Festival / Curryville, Mo.

JUN 05 - Farm Jamb / Bagdad, Ky.

JUN 06 - Roots & Rhythm Festival / Morgantown, Ky.

JUN 12 - Cedar Fest / Lebanon, Va.

JUN 17 - Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Festival / Bean Blossom, Ind.

JUN 18 - Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Festival / Bean Blossom, Ind.

JUN 20 - Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival / Roxboro, N.C.

JUN 25 - Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival / Centre Hall, Pa.

JUN 27 - South Branch Valley Bluegrass Festival / Romney, W.V.

JUL 11 - Backyard Breakdown / Mountain City, Tenn.

JUL 17 - Doc and Rosa Lee MusicFest / Boone, N.C.

JUL 26 - RockyGrass / Lyons, Colo.

JUL 29 - Ravinia Festival / Highland Park, Ill.

JUL 30 - Shade Gap Picnic / Shade Gap, Pa.

JUL 31 - Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival / Farmers Branch, Texas

AUG 01 - Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival / Farmers Branch, Texas

AUG 13 - North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival / Cherokee, N.C.

AUG 15 - Winding Creek Music Festival / Kokomo, Ind.

AUG 16 - Bluegrass Ramble at the Barn / Columbus, Ohio

AUG 21 - Pickin' in the Pasture / Lodi, N.Y.

AUG 22 - Pickin' in the Park / Trenton, Ohio

AUG 23 - Southern Gap Trails and Tunes Festival / Grundy, Va.

AUG 27 - Three Lakes Center for the Arts / Three Lakes, Wis.

AUG 28 - Lakes Bluegrass Festival / Pine River, Minn.

AUG 29 - Lakes Bluegrass Festival / Pine River, Minn.

SEP 03 - Camp Springs Labor Day Bluegrass Festival / Elon, N.C.

SEP 11 - Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival / Rosine, Ky.

SEP 12 - Backyard Bluegrass Festival / Sullivan, Ill.

SEP 13 - Cameron Bluegrass Festival / Cameron, Wis.

SEP 17 - Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival / Kodak, Tenn.

SEP 18 - Dailey & Vincent Music Fest / Hiawassee, Ga.

SEP 19 - Cumberland River Bluegrass Festival / Burkesville, Ky.

SEP 26 - Upperco Bluegrass Festival / Upperco, Md.

OCT 02 - Mountain City Fiddler's Convention / Mountain City, Tenn.

OCT 03 - Mountain City Fiddler's Convention / Mountain City, Tenn.

OCT 16 - Headin' Home Fest / Swainsboro, Ga.
OCT 17 - Carter Family Fold / Hiltons, Va.
OCT 21 - Dollywood's Harvest Festival / Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
OCT 22 - Dollywood's Harvest Festival / Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
OCT 23 - Yadkin Valley Roots Festival / Yadkinville, N.C.

OCT 24 - David Crockett Homestead and Bluegrass Festival / Union City, Tenn.

NOV 14 - Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festival / Wilmington, Ohio

NOV 21 - A Curtis Andrew Auction Facility / Federalsburg, Md.

For additional concert information and The Kody Norris Show’s full schedule, visit HERE.

Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Website

About The Kody Norris Show:

The Kody Norris Show continues bringing bluegrass music to both core fans of the genre and new audiences. They are a youthful voice in bluegrass music, and insiders have awarded them multiple IBMA & SPBGMA Nominations and wins, including Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, Guitar Performer of the Year for Kody Norris, and Fiddler of the Year for Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris. The Kody Norris Show’s album 'All Suited Up' (2021) charted at #7, and 'Rhinestone Revival' (2023) at #8 on the Billboard charts. Their trademarked high-energy style delivers an unrivaled live show experience. The band has played the Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry, SiriusXM, and other stages worldwide. Rife with rhinestones, loaded with laughs, and a heaping helping of high-powered traditional music, The Kody Norris Show is truly one of a kind. For more information, visit thekodynorrisshow.com.

Going Green - Earth Day 2026 Message from Turf Mutt

In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, I have a chance to share the following video from the TurfMutt Foundation (www.turfmutt.com). TurfMutt advocates for the care and use of backyards, public parks, school yards and other green spaces. 

Going Green - LOFT x Mon Coeur

 

Iconic American apparel brand, LOFT has partnered with sustainable children’s brand Mon Coeur to launch a limited-edition capsule collection of coordinating styles for women and kids. Debuting mid-April exclusively on loft.com, the collection arrives just ahead of Mother’s Day and celebrates the joy of family style and shared moments. The co-branded, exclusive capsule collection features playful spring and summer styles for babies and children designed by Mon Coeur. Crafted in Portugal from soft cottons and recycled materials, including swim trunks spun from recycled fishing lines, these pieces bring a thoughtful, sustainability-driven approach to the collaboration, all complemented by coordinating women’s looks by LOFT. Blending LOFT’s energetic and feminine aesthetic with Mon Coeur’s playful, imaginative sensibility, the collection features cheerful prints and effortless silhouettes designed for sunny days, vacations, and spring celebrations. With coordinating looks for mothers and children, the capsule captures the spirit of togetherness and the growing appeal of mommy-and-me dressing. "I am thrilled that LOFT is partnering with Mon Coeur on two joyful summer capsule collections for boys and girls that pair back to looks from LOFT" said Lizanne Kindler, Executive Chair and CEO of KnitWell Group .  "Rooted in a shared love of color, prints, and patterns, this collaboration brings together LOFT’s vibrant spirit with Mon Coeur’s playful, thoughtfully designed pieces," said Erin Landon, Brand President of LOFT. "From cherries and gingham to adorable dresses and swim, the collection celebrates the beauty of summer with pieces kids will love to wear and mothers will love coordinating with their kids all season long." “As a mother, this collaboration feels especially meaningful because it celebrates the moments mothers share with their children,” said Louise Ulukaya, founder of Mon Coeur. “We loved the idea of creating pieces that families can wear together for everyday celebrations.” The LOFT x Mon Coeur capsule collection will be available beginning mid-April exclusively at loft.com.  The LOFT x Mon Coeur collection will be available for purchase exclusively on LOFT.com on April 20th, 2026. Children’s sizes range from 6 months to 8 years, and women’s sizes range from XXS–XXL and 00-18, with prices ranging from $40–$120.

ABOUT Mon Coeur Mon Coeur is a sustainable children’s clothing brand creating colorful, thoughtfully designed pieces made for play. Founded by Louise Ulukaya in 2021, the brand blends bold prints and premium quality with a commitment to protecting the planet for future generations. Mon Coeur’s collections are crafted from organic and recycled materials and produced responsibly in Portugal, reflecting the brand’s mission to create clothing that lasts so the planet does too. ABOUT LOFT  LOFT is a leading American women’s specialty brand bringing relevant fashion, personalized style and incredible value all with unique, curated experiences that she can’t get anywhere else. LOFT is more than her go-to destination for wear-on-repeat outfits, it’s a VIBE. Because we know the power of feeling and looking your best. Outstanding fits, attention to detail, an unapologetic spirit of femininity, plus a passion for anything worth getting dressed up informs every collection we make. Like that trusted friend who is always there to hype you up, we’re on a mission to bring that uplifting LOFT energy to each and every day. Launching in 1998, today LOFT has over 500 stores and outlets across the US and offers 24/7 shopping at Loft.com.