Music Minute - Mary Garnett Edwards: Boneyard

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Mary Garnett Edwards has spent more than five decades turning her own life into song, and her raw, raspy new single "Boneyard" stands as one of her most haunting works yet. Out now, the track pulls listeners into a money scarce, small town world of poverty, broken trust, and a rage filled ending that closes with a hanging, with Edwards crying out lines like "I walk the road as the moon shines bright, I hear the spirits in the forest night, I feel my knees they are a quiver." It is a performance built on grit, and one that finds Edwards, born in Edmonton and now based in North Vancouver, working at the height of her storytelling powers.

"Boneyard" was produced by Andreas Schuld, one of the most recorded guitarists in Canada, whose credits include work with Long John Baldry and his own project Schuld & Stamer. He is joined on the track by a formidable lineup of Canadian musicians: Pat Steward, known for his work with Bryan Adams and The Odds, on kick drum; Stu MacDonald, whose credits include Crawfish Fiesta and Sue Leonard, on acoustic bass; Gord Maxwell, who has played with Chilliwack and One Horse Blue, on background vocals; and Nashville's Chas Williams, who has recorded with David Gates and Nanci Griffith, on dobro. The track was recorded at Studio Downe Under in Abbotsford and Coa's Hideaway in Maple Ridge, with Soren Lonnqvist and Schuld behind the board, and serves as the latest single from Edwards's upcoming eight song album 'Madhouse.'

Edwards's musical story began at the age of ten, when she started singing, playing guitar, and writing her first songs. By twelve, her mother brought her to the Barricade Coffee House in Edmonton, where she performed her original material, a start that carried her through open mic nights at Vancouver venues including the Classical Joint, Soft Rock Cafe, and Kits House after her move to the coast. In the early seventies, she recorded with songwriter and lead guitarist Doug Mix at Psi Chord Studio, and was part of the original rock band Breeze, where Mix paired her with vocalist Tasi Sharpe to create a sound built on hard hitting vocals and tight harmonies.

Those early sessions with producer Robin Spurgin, founder of Psi Chord Studio, would go on to shape the rest of Edwards's career in an unexpected way. After her husband Doug Edwards, known for his work with Skylark and Chilliwack, passed away from cancer in 2016, Mary rediscovered the original tracks Spurgin had recorded years earlier and decided it was time to sing them again. That rediscovery led to 2019's 'White Lightning,' a thirteen-song album produced by Andreas Schuld and recorded with Soren Lonnqvist, featuring "Robin's Song," written for her longtime friend, along with three songs by Vancouver songwriter John Holbrook. The album's track "I Had a Dream" was later featured in the award-winning documentary The Circle of Eagles.

Across a discography that includes 'Street Spirits,' recorded with Dan Morrow, and 'Garnett Edwards First Stone,' recorded with Doug Edwards in 1997, Edwards has built a body of work defined by honesty and hard-won experience. "Boneyard" continues that tradition, pairing her weathered voice with a story of desperation and consequence that feels pulled straight from the small towns she sings about.

With 'Madhouse' now taking shape and more singles on the way, Mary Garnett Edwards shows no signs of setting down her pen. She has spent a lifetime turning grief, hardship, and hard truths into song, and "Boneyard" proves that well runs as deep as ever. For Edwards, music has always been where the darkest stories get told, and where she keeps finding the next one worth singing. 

Parenting Pointers - How Parents Shape Kids’ Money Habits Through Everyday Choices

For busy parents and caregivers juggling bills, errands, and long to-do lists, the hardest part of teaching money often isn’t explaining it, it’s staying consistent in the moments kids notice most. Parental modeling shapes children’s money habits quietly, turning routine choices into ongoing family financial education without a formal lesson. The tension is that adults want to raise confident savers and thoughtful spenders while also managing stress, impulse buys, and mixed messages at home. With a clearer view of role modeling in parenting, everyday decisions can reinforce healthy financial behavior.

Understanding Financial Socialization

Financial socialization is how kids absorb money attitudes from the patterns they live around, not just the talks they hear. It happens through steady, visible choices, like how you plan, spend, save, and handle trade-offs when money feels tight. Over time, parental influence becomes a default “money script” a child carries into adulthood.

This matters because consistency builds trust and clarity. Kids who see calm, repeatable habits learn that money is something you manage, not something that controls you. That can reduce anxiety later and support healthier decisions around spending, saving, and sharing.

Think of it like learning a language at home. If a child regularly sees you compare prices, set a small savings goal, and pause before buying, those moves become normal. Even quick comments, like why you skip a purchase, teach priorities. A simple household budget makes those patterns easier to repeat and share.

Lock Your Monthly Budget: Convert the Final Spreadsheet to a Shareable PDF

When kids see the same money decisions repeated in real life, the pattern becomes the lesson, so it helps to capture those decisions in a form that doesn’t quietly change week to week. After you’ve finalized your household budget spreadsheet for the month, convert it into a fixed snapshot that the whole family can review. An Excel-to-PDF converter makes that easy; many parents find bookmarking this tool helps them turn a completed sheet into a shareable PDF that looks the same on any device. That “locked” version becomes the agreed-upon plan for the month, which makes it easier for children to understand what you decided and reduces the temptation to nudge categories midstream without noticing.

The real payoff comes from saving each month’s PDF and building a simple archive. Over time, kids can compare snapshots and spot concrete changes, like grocery spending rising one month and dropping the next, and connect those differences to everyday choices and outcomes. Seeing a record of consistent behavior (or inconsistent drift) turns money into something observable, not abstract: plans are made, trade-offs show up, and results accumulate.

Everyday Money Habits Kids Actually Copy

These small practices make money choices visible and predictable, so kids learn by watching you do the same basics again and again. Over time, consistency builds confidence for you and clear patterns for them.

Weekly Money Minute

• What it is: Spend five minutes reviewing what you bought and what you skipped.

• How often: Weekly

• Why it helps: Kids learn that spending decisions have trade-offs, not just totals.

Three-Bucket Money Sort

• What it is: Use envelopes or jars labeled save, spend, and give.

• How often: Per allowance or payment

• Why it helps: Separate buckets make priorities tangible, even for young kids.

Earn First, Then Spend

• What it is: Tie extra purchases to chores or small jobs, not impulse requests.

• How often: Daily

• Why it helps: The primary reason for allowance becomes clear: effort leads to money.

Receipts to Storytime

• What it is: Pick one receipt and explain the “why” behind that choice.

• How often: Weekly

• Why it helps: Kids connect values like health, time, and fun to real purchases.

Family Pause Before Big Buys

• What it is: Wait 24 hours before non-essentials over a set dollar amount.

• How often: Per milestone

• Why it helps: Delays reduce regret and model self-control without lectures.

Money Habits at Home: Questions Parents Ask

Q: What if my partner and I send mixed money messages?
A: Pick one shared rule you both follow, like “we wait one day before extras” or “we talk about trade-offs out loud.” Keep personal differences, like brand preferences, separate from the family rule. Consistency on one or two basics matters more than perfect agreement on everything.

Q: How do I handle it when I mess up and impulse-buy?
A: Say it plainly: “I bought this fast, and I regret it.” Then show a repair step, like returning it, delaying the next purchase, or moving money from “fun” to “needs” to cover it. Kids learn resilience when they see you course-correct without shame.

Q: Can teaching kids about money make them materialistic?
A: It helps to remember money will turn them into materialists is a common misconception, and money skills can be taught as responsibility, not obsession. Tie conversations to values like generosity, patience, and planning. Ask, “What are we choosing more of by not buying this?”

Q: When should I start giving an allowance?
A: A simple option is a modest allowance, paid weekly in cash once your child can count and make small choices. Start small and predictable so it becomes practice money, not a paycheck. Connect it to basic expectations and reserve extra earnings for extra effort.

Q: Should I hide money worries from my kids?
A: Protect them from adult-level stress, but do not hide the idea of limits. Use calm, concrete language like “We are prioritizing bills this week, so extras wait.” That teaches safety and realism at the same time.

Model One Smart Money Choice and Build Your Child’s Future

Kids hear plenty of money talk, but the tougher challenge is keeping daily choices consistent when adults feel stretched or disagree. The steady approach is simple: model smart money choices in ordinary moments, and let parental consistency do the teaching. Over time, that repeatable example shapes the impact of financial habits, nudging kids toward better long-term financial outcomes without turning home into a classroom. Kids learn money most from what parents repeat, not what they explain. Pick one money behavior to model this week and repeat it in the same situation each time. Those small signals compound into a stronger, steadier children’s financial future.

House & Home - Best States for Hobby Farming

Hobby farms bring agriculture down to size. These mini farms focus on pleasure and productivity, not profit or survival. Think fresh eggs, garden vegetables, and a few weekend chores.

To celebrate National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 2-8), Lawn Love ranked 2026's Best States for Hobby Farms to find out where small-scale farming fits best. We compared the 48 contiguous U.S. states across 13 factors, including yard size, growing conditions, livestock access, and local farm resources.

Top 5 States for Hobby Farms

1. Texas
2. California
3. Arkansas
4. Idaho
5. Georgia

 

 Key Insights:

• Texas (No. 1) and California (No. 2) sprout to the top with 250 and 270 growing days, respectively, each season, and some of the highest access to feed dealers, livestock suppliers, and farm vets. However, both have faced challenges with water quality violations and bird flu cases.

• 7 Midwestern states land in the top half of our ranking with solid livestock availability and strong supply and resource access. The region is also home to plenty of farmers markets, with Ohio (No. 6), Minnesota (No. 19), and Michigan (No. 37) leading the way.

• Northern ranching states like Wyoming (No. 41) and North Dakota (No. 42) offer more affordable land and face fewer natural hazards, though they contend with shorter growing seasons and lower access to farm supplies and livestock resources.
   

Check out the whole story and ranking here: https://lawnlove.com/blog/best-states-for-hobby-farms/ 

Why is Lawn Love ranking the Best States for Hobby Farming? A well-kept yard can be more than just green space. It can support chickens, crops, and a more self-sufficient lifestyle right at home. 

Other helpful links:

• Methodology
• Expert take
   

More from Lawn Love:

• How to Start Your First Vegetable Garden 101
• How to Build a Raised Garden Bed in 10 Steps
• Cities With the Most Green Space
• How to Heat a Greenhouse for Winter Gardening
• How to Compost for Your Lawn and Garden

Travel Tidbits - Women's Connection Journey in Morocco

Decadent and deeply immersive is the best way to describe this new women's connection journey in Morocco by Origin DMC. It is a journey designed for women who seek more than travel...an invitation to connect, to feel, and to experience Morocco through its most authentic and inspiring moments from vibrant cities to serene coastlines and desert landscapes, each day unfolds with elegance, meaning, and effortless beauty with highlights including: Wne tasting and lunch at Château Roslane, then dinner inside a local Fassi family's home in Fes Berber village welcome in the Atlas Mountains, with mint tea and bread baked in ancestral clay ovens A stroll through Rabat's Kasbah of the Udayas, its whitewashed alleys tumbling toward the Atlantic Aafternoon lost in Marrakech's Jardin Majorelle and the medina's endless souks, color and craftsmanship at every turn Marrakech cooking class and a personal perfume creation workshop, crafting a signature scent to take home Women-led argan oil cooperative visit, followed by oceanfront yoga and a traditional hammam in Essaouira Sunset camel ride, private desert photoshoot, henna ritual, and farewell dinner under the stars in Agafay

Money Matters - Clothing Shopping Data and Tips

With clothing prices rising sharply over the past few years, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on the Cities Where People Spend the Most & Least on Clothes, highlighting where apparel purchases put the greatest strain on consumers’ budgets.

To identify where clothing costs are most and least burdensome relative to earnings, WalletHub analyzed the average prices of a men’s dress shirt, a pair of boys’ jeans and a pair of women’s slacks in 100 of the nation’s largest cities and compared those costs with each city’s median household income.
 

Highest % of Income Spent	Lowest % of Income Spent
1. Cleveland, OH (3.52%)	91. Huntington Beach, CA (1.12%)
2. Birmingham, AL (3.22%)	92. Santa Clarita, CA (1.11%)
3. Detroit, MI (3.09%)	93. Chesapeake, VA (1.10%)
4. Baton Rouge, LA (2.95%)	94. Henderson, NV (1.04%)
5. Toledo, OH (2.95%)	95. Chandler, AZ (1.00%)
6. New Orleans, LA (2.62%)	96. Irvine, CA (0.99%)
7. Newark, NJ (2.61%)	97. Scottsdale, AZ (0.98%)
8. Lexington-Fayette, KY (2.59%)	98. Fremont, CA (0.92%)
9. Lubbock, TX (2.57%)	99. San Jose, CA (0.90%)
10. San Antonio, TX (2.56%)	100. Gilbert, AZ (0.89%)

To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-where-people-spend-the-most-least-on-clothes/150074

 

“In certain cities, a family can expect to shell out close to 4% of the median monthly household income just for a pair of women’s slacks, a men’s dress shirt and a pair of boys’ jeans. In the cities where people spend the most, residents typically face high prices in conjunction with low incomes.

Since clothing purchases can be so expensive, consumers should always ask themselves if a purchase is really necessary. They should also consider sales, coupons, buying used, clothing swaps and other ways to reduce the pressure on their wallets.”
–
“People in Cleveland spend the most money on clothing as a percentage of their income. A men’s dress shirt, a pair of boys’ jeans and a pair of women’s slacks costs an average of around $120 in Cleveland, which is around 3.5% of the median monthly household income. This high percentage is driven by a combination of relatively high clothing prices and low earnings, as the city has the second-lowest median household income in the country, at just $40,801 per year.”


- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


Expert Commentary
 
What tips do you have to help people avoid overspending on clothes?

“Look at your closet. Do you need another piece of clothing? Many of us get an emotional hit from shopping and buying. It has gotten so bad in Japan that companies now provide websites that allow people to ‘shop’ and ‘buy’ but do not actually purchase anything. Stay off websites when you are bored as people are more likely to buy something when they are mindlessly browsing the internet.”
Scott Thorne, PhD – Instructor, Southeast Missouri State University
 
“To prevent overspending on clothing, establish and adhere to a budget. Follow the one-in, one-out inventory rule. Before each purchase, assess its compatibility with existing wardrobe items and consider its cost-per-wear. To avoid impulse purchases, place items in your shopping cart and wait a week before buying, using that time to assess their necessity. Additionally, unsubscribe from retailer marketing emails and text messages to minimize purchasing temptations.”
Rui Yao, Ph.D., CFP® – Professor, University of Missouri
 

How important is budgeting when it comes to saving money on clothes?

“Buying clothes is a discretionary item. If you are going to budget, clothing should be classified as a form of entertainment and treated as such.”
Scott Thorne, PhD – Instructor, Southeast Missouri State University
 
“Budgeting is the foundational mechanism for controlling apparel expenditures because it establishes a cap on discretionary resource allocation. Equally important is strict adherence to the established budget. Shift your mindset from open-ended ‘stuff’ accumulation to resource scarcity and the trade-offs in spending decisions. If you overspend on clothing, spending on other items must be reduced. Consumers can evaluate the relative importance of competing categories of discretionary expenses and prioritize their resource allocation.”
Rui Yao, Ph.D., CFP® – Professor, University of Missouri
 

How do you think the current social and economic environment is influencing household spending on clothes decisions?

“The development of fast fashion and online shopping has drastically influenced customer spending on clothing. Clothing has gotten so cheap the average person only wears a piece of clothing approximately 7 times before discarding it while online shipping has created an expectation of free delivery and return, causing people to order clothing they do not need since it can easily be returned.”
Scott Thorne, PhD – Instructor, Southeast Missouri State University

 
Tips for Saving Money on Clothing
 

1. Look for sales and coupons: Clothing prices are usually a lot higher than the cost to make the items. Clothing store sales can save you a significant amount of money compared to the sticker price. There are also many stores that offer coupons, so it’s worth taking the time to look for them and apply them at checkout.
    
2. Budget carefully: If you know how to budget well, you’ll be clear on how much you can afford to spend on your clothing purchases, and can set aside an appropriate amount of money. When you make your budget, you can add essential clothing purchases in with your “needs” while putting expensive luxury items in last with your “wants.” You also might not need to budget money for clothing every month.
    
3. Buy used: Consignment stores and thrift shops are great places to find low-cost clothing. Although the quality will be inconsistent, you should be able to find some fantastic items if you take the time to look.
    
4. Join local community groups: Check out local community groups on social media, like “Buy Nothing” groups, where people often give away used or even new clothes for free.
    
5. Limit your designer clothing purchases: A shirt with a designer logo can be tens or even hundreds of dollars more than a different shirt of the same quality. Choosing not to buy big clothing brand names can save you a lot of money.

 
More From WalletHub

• States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Clothes
• States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Groceries
• Best States to Live In
• States With the Best & Worst Budgeters
• Best & Worst State Economies
• States Where People Have the Highest Income

Music Minute - Kelli Welli: Puppy Love and All the Love

You’ve heard of a bi-lingual music release, and not long ago, Kelli Welli put out a “bi-species release,” i.e. two versions of the same song: one for humans and one from a dog’s point of view. Well now comes the next evolutionary step, a so-called “duo-species, duo-album release” - one full, 15-track album for DOGS and the people who love them AND another 15-track album for KIDS and the people who love them - just in time for National Dog Day on August 26, 2026. 

PUPPY LOVE was inspired by and features the talents of real doggies. It’s filled with a lot of fun, songs told from the dog’s perspective, and light shone on the quirky moments that can only come with these most wonderful of creatures. It includes the touching and poignant song, “Rescue” that was recognized in Americana by the prestigious International Songwriting Competition. A portion of proceeds from the album will be donated to the American Humane Society.

ALL THE LOVE presents music to fill all the seasons with a whole lotta love, featuring a host of Kelli’s real human friends and family, including Grammy® nominated and massively talented artists, producers, engineers, and musicians, and includes the title song produced by Portland’s one-and-only Mo Phillips that recently brought Kelli the title of Best Children’s Artist at the Unsigned Only Music Awards.

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS:

BOTH albums were primarily produced by Kelli’s stellar producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist Bryan Daste, who toured with Grammy® nominee Courtney Marie Andrews and played on Laura Sullivan’s Grammy® nominated album. But ALL THE LOVE also features the talents of guest producers Johnny Clay of acclaimed The Dimes and children’s band Ants Ants Ants on songs, “Sunshine is Medicine” and “Sweet Dreams,” mastered by Grammy® winner Will Hensley; Portland rockstar, Mo Phillips for “All the Love;” and Andrew Oedel of Ghost Hit Recording out of West Springfield, MA, on “Feeding the Birds,” who’s worked many Grammy® winners and nominees, including kindie favorite, Alastair Moock.

ABOUT THE DOGS:

Piper Peach (Black Labrador Retriever) loves balls, toys that squeak, and dirty socks. She especially loves trying to catch or bite water from a hose and swimming or basking in water anywhere. She loves her friends, but also prefers being the center of attention. Human family: Kelli Welli & family.

Loki (Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix) is one of the sweetest people... he greets with the truest joy. He enjoys cornering chipmunks in the wood pile and keeping dedicated watch for squirrels, as well as his weekly adventure day out. He's known throughout the Pacific Northwest music community for the skill in his trill. Human family: The Newman Family.

Mia (Australian Cattle Dog/German Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix) is smart as a whip and a bundle of energy. She enjoys micro-managing, bird watching, catching balls, hide and seek and a long walk in the neighborhood. She never forgets anything and has supersonic hearing. She also loves snap peas. Human family: The Swanson Family.

ABOUT SONGWRITER KELLI WELLI: Kelli Welli (aka Kelli Caldwell) has been called “The Pixar of Children’s songwriters” for her award-winning work and commitment to keeping even the silliest of songs super smart, with full respect for kids’ brains. Recently named Unsigned Only Best Children’s Artist, Grand Prize Winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Best Album in the Josie Music Awards, and Top 2 in the International Songwriting Competition, Kelli draws upon her unique upbringing to create songs that often defy categorization. Kelli releases her 5^th and 6^th albums for kids in 2026 and her songs can be heard on children’s radio, including SiriusXM. Kelli’s short films for kids have been included in over 50 film festivals world-wide, including San Diego Comic Con, the Sonoma Film Festival, Portland Film Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music BAMkids Festival, Children’s Film Festival of Seattle, and more. KELLIWELLI.COM

Healthy Habits - AI agents and the next leap toward proactive, personalized health care

 When OpenAI announced in 2025 that it would prohibit the use of ChatGPT for health care advice, the decision made headlines and revealed something deeper about where patients are headed. The fact that millions of people were already asking generative models for guidance underscores a fundamental shift that consumers are asking for health care to be personal, immediate, and proactive.

They are not looking for one-size-fits-all symptom checkers. They want the kind of tailored, real-time guidance they get from digital experiences in other parts of their lives applied to their health.

The problem isn’t that patients are turning to technology. The problem is that the health care system still meets consumers too late, when illness has already taken hold, or after they’ve disengaged from care.

AI agents can change that.

By blending large language models with health care-specific data and workflows, these intelligent systems are stepping in to bridge persistent gaps in care, providing hyper-personalized, real-time guidance before a condition worsens.

From reactive to proactive care

For decades, U.S. health care has been structured to respond to illness and not anticipate it. We have optimized health care for acute encounters and transactions, not prevention or continuity.

With autonomous AI, it’s now possible to invert that model. Health care has had analytics and predictive models for a long time. They are designed to detect early patterns, initiate engagement, and help people stay ahead of risk. But it was often a dead-end inside organizations — no one to interpret the insights, act, and reach out to members. Call centers were overwhelmed, and mobile and web usage was paltry, and providers were too busy. But now the world has changed.

Imagine a digital care agent that notices that a patient hasn’t refilled a diabetes prescription or scheduled a follow-up exam. Instead of relying on a human call center weeks later, the agent proactively reaches out (in natural language) to remind, motivate, or connect the patient to a telehealth visit.

The outreach is adaptive. And, if the individual expresses confusion about side effects or cost, then the agent can route to the right clinical resource or financial support program.

These “smart cohorts” are groups of individuals dynamically identified and engaged based on evolving health behavior, not static attributes in a database. They are “learned” for your members, regional needs, and benefit design.

The power lies in the personal context where the agent understands that two patients with the same diagnosis might need entirely different messages or interventions. One might respond to a practical reminder, while the other may need reassurance or a connection to behavioral health.

Read the full article here