I never thought I’d spend my mornings limping around the Washington Monument with a trash bag in one hand and a grabber in the other. But here I am. Every day, before the tourists flood in, I show up—knee brace on, old army hoodie, busted ankle slowing me down—but I get to work. Bottles, cigarette butts, plastic wrappers… doesn’t matter. I’ve seen worse messes overseas. At first, I did it for me. Being out there, keeping something iconic clean, made me feel like I was still serving, still useful. But it wasn’t long before I noticed the stares. Some people…
Author: World Wide
Imagine a frantic afternoon when everything seems to be on the brink. I promised myself a “quick trip” to Target, but my daughter Mira had other ideas. She’s two and a half, has wild blonde curls, and loves the dollar department. As she held onto a glittering blue toy, I noticed my card was declining halfway through checkout. My stomach sank. I knew why. The rent was paid yesterday, but the paycheck was late. The cashier apologized, but people behind us were shifting impatiently. Mira clearly didn’t get it. She was demonstrating me how the toy “talked.” She moves up…
No idea where to begin. The feeling is still surreal. Mateo, Idris, and I have fought flames for almost six years. Same shifts, station, inside jokes. We constantly joked about our life sync. Nobody prepared us for this. The three of us learned we were having babies within months. My wife, Noelle, was due mid-March. Mateo’s girlfriend Callie was due soon. Idris and his husband had recently finalized their son’s adoption. No one expected all our kids to arrive within 24 hours—same hospital, same floor, partners in adjoining rooms. Nurses laughed, stating they’d never seen anything like it. We took…
With ears flopping and tail wagging, the pup entered the station like he owned it. No collar, no leash—just large, interested eyes and lively energy that made the room smile. Officer Daniels laughed, stooping. Hello, buddy. You lost? The other cops laughed when the puppy jumped on the table and smacked the officer’s face. Then something changed. One officer grabbed a radio, looking serious. “Check the missing reports,” he said. A few minutes later, the room was quiet. Because this puppy wasn’t lost. He directed them to an unexpected destination. The scruffy terrier mix puppy with a white patch over…
Actor Kurt Vogel Russell is American. He made his movie debut at 12 in a western. Russell received a 1983 Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Mike Nichol’s Silkwood. In Springfield, Massachusetts, Russell was born. His father Bing was an artist. Ballet dancer Louise Julia Russell is his mother. The Globe reports Kurt Russell has a highly contagious flesh-eating disease. Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS), a colon cancer risk, caused the 65-year-old Hateful 8 actor to suffer unsightly sores under his lower lip. Cancer. Net states that “people with PJS may have a lifetime risk of cancer of up to…
Al Roker and his family are grieving a loved one. Alice Bell, the beloved first wife of Today host and mother of Courtney Roker Laga, died at 77. On February 11, Courtney announced this tragic news on social media. Courtney called her “my mother, my heart, and the most loving grandmother to Sky,” a touching tribute. I was with her at her dying breath and will always love her.” Courtney uploaded heartwarming photos of her mother with the announcement. They included two cherished framed photos of young Courtney with Alice and beautiful shots of Alice holding Sky, Courtney’s baby daughter.…
These days, Aldi has impressed many buyers. The grocery store company, which has opened in several states, continues to serve high-quality products at low prices. By selling largely their own brand, Aldi can keep their dry goods affordable and deliver on their promise of providing customers what they want in produce and meat. But how does the shop keep their meat choices so cheap? Before that, history. If you thought Aldi was American, you’re wrong. Two German brothers launched the chain after WWII. After inheriting their mother’s Essen market, brothers Karl and Theodore Albrecht launched their store in 1946.…
Anyone else sees a proud officer carrying his K9 partner with pride. Trust, loyalty, and many days working together form a relationship. But this photo doesn’t illustrate what almost happened. The longest seconds of Officer Marcus Rivera’s life occurred days earlier. A call failed. A chase became dangerous. Between it all, his partner—the one he’s holding—put himself in danger without hesitation. The officer barely had time to respond before… He still worries about that. He holds his K9 buddy tighter. Appreciates every moment more. He knows he almost lost him. Call came in on a cold Thursday night. “Suspicious activity…
I received a normal well-being check call at 3 p.m. Neighbor hadn’t seen Miss Evelyn in days; she normally sat on her porch. I wasn’t expecting anything special. Calls usually end with a courteous wave and a reminder to check in with family. She took a minute to shuffle to the door when I knocked. Her thinness—like she hadn’t eaten in weeks—was my first impression. A subtle scent of dust and an empty feeling permeated her space. I inquired if she was okay and if she needed help, but she ignored me. Said she was “fine.” Still, something was odd.…
