logo
27 Hall Of Fame-Worthy Problem-Solving Walmart Products

27 Hall Of Fame-Worthy Problem-Solving Walmart Products

Buzz Feed10-05-2025

Indoor fertilizer spikes for an easy way to ensure your ferns and fiddle-leaf figs are well nourished. Just stick them in the soil and they'll keep your plant babies well-fed for up to two months. No measuring, no mixing, no mess.
Promising review: "I absolutely love these!! My plants love them too!!! Highly recommend these if you're not the best with keeping plants alive. These are literally lifesavers!" —SaraPrice: $3.62
A peel-and-stick motion sensor light to automatically brighten up those dark, hard-to-reach corners in your home, like inside your closet or underneath kitchen cabinets. It has a magnetic base so you can easily remove the puck for recharging and it can also be powered by batteries so you have all the options.
Promising review: "For 10 bucks I wasn't expecting anything great but I love this little thing. It's not super duper bright but it does what I needed to which is light up my laundry room. It's bright enough for me to get to the light switch on the other side of the room and you can charge it with your phone charger or put batteries in it and it comes with some tape on the back to stick the base wherever you need to put it so you don't have to damage your walls or ceilings with nails or screws." —SullivanPrice: $9.87
A mini trash can for easily gathering all the used tissues, candy wrappers, and receipts that would otherwise be scattered around your car (or make their way into your bag). It fits perfectly into most cup holders.
Promising review: 'Mini trash can sits perfectly in the cupholder that I don't use. Perfect for the occasional candy and gum wrappers. It's so cute. You just push the lid in and drop your trash just like a big trash can." —HeidiPrice: $3.98
A Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen stick that's TSA-friendly, spill-proof, and glides on like an absolute dream. It can be used on both your face and body, which means one less item to lug around in your travel bag.
Promising review: 'I use this for quick application to my face and shoulders when I'm out in the sun for extended periods of time. My eyes are very sensitive to most products but this sunscreen doesn't irritate my eyes. I will buy this again!" —KatePrice: $14.88
A travel-size toilet spray (in a fresh citrus-scent) so you'll always be prepared for a number-two emergency. And you'll probably the leave the bathroom smelling fresher than when you found it.
Promising review: 'I love this product. I've been using it since the first time I saw an ad for it. It smells good and works like a charm! Believe the hype!! It's great to keep if you have several people in your house and you only have one restroom; it's great to have for when company comes over; and its great to keep in your purse or luggage for when you travel." —NickiPrice: $9.97
A handy pet hair roller to erase all traces of your furry friend from the couch, bed, and any upholstered surface. Plus, it'll save you from having to buy endless rolls of sticky tape. Easy *and* environmentally friendly.
Promising review: 'This things works for sure. Gets stubborn cat hair off my furniture so I don't have to drag out the vacuum every time. Get it!" —Victoria Price: $12.99
A glass watering globe for keeping your plants hydrated while you're away. It'll slowly release the perfect amount of water into the soil for up to two weeks.
Promising review: 'Love these things. I've always had the hardest time keeping plants alive. I bought a couple of these for a peace lily and Christmas poinsettia and they are still alive months later. Just bought another for my new lily." —AmandaPrice: $7.96 for two
A multipurpose silicone mat that'll solve more problems than one — it's a microwave mat/splatter guard, trivet, and drying mat. The material is malleable enough to double as a jar opener and pot holder as well. Honestly, it's a kitchen MVP.
Promising review: 'Perfect fit for my microwave. Makes cleanup easier, and I also use it to lift hot glass bowls out of the microwave. Would recommend." —Walmart ShopperPrice: $7.97
Generously sized furniture sliders so you can move large, cumbersome items effortlessly across carpeting (the worst kind of flooring for moving furniture, let's be honest) — with no pulls or snags.
Promising review: 'We have a large ottoman on our living room carpet and we move it frequently. It is much, MUCH easier to slide the ottoman out of the way with these sliders. I leave them in place all the time. They are not so slippery that the ottoman moves when we sit on it or put our feet on it. I wish I bought these two years ago!" —SarahPrice: $6.98 for four
A castor-oil serum to help nourish and condition your lashes and eyebrows if they're feeling a little sparse. Reviewers say they saw softer and fuller lashes and brows after using this regularly.
Promising review: 'This stuff really does work to make the brow and lash look fuller. It also comes with lash brushes and brow brushes. Great product." —Castor Price: $10.78
A slide-on draft stopper for your door that'll keep (depending on the season) cold or warm air inside where it belongs and possibly help you save on utility bills.
Promising review: "Perfect fit! I had a large gap and this item fills it perfectly. I have a white door, and this blends in very well. Best of all, it requires no nails in my door — just slide it on and it's very secure. I used small hand snippers to cut it." —tinaat1013Price: $14.62
A jewelry cleaning pen so you can keep your precious accessories sparkling even while traveling. No time to get a professional cleaning? No problem.
Promising review: 'I'm not one to write many reviews, but I got this diamond cleaner pen in the mail today and used it right away. I'm so blown away by the results, I need to tell you all to just buy this, wow! My stone is radiant cut and with those extra facets and the stone being larger, it tends to accumulate soap residue/etc. through daily wear and simply dipping it into my usual jewelry cleaner just doesn't clean it like I'd like. This cleaner pen is amazing! It has brought the diamond pretty much back to the sparkle a professional cleaning would (I last had it cleaned at the jeweler four months ago). Sorry for the long review, just buy this now!" —LuvMyGirls12Price: $9.48
Triangular hooks that fit over any hanger to maximize the space in your closet so you can fit more clothes in while still keeping things organized. It's a great solution if paring down your items or getting more storage space isn't immediately feasible.
Promising review: 'I was skeptical about ordering these. I'm glad I did, I saved so much space in my closet. I hung two blouses in the space of one. My closet is small and these made my closet less crowded. If you're looking for something to save space these are the ones. Buy them. I just ordered more." —LynnPrice: $9.97 for 18-pack
A no-rinse cleaner for anyone who dreads the tedious process of washing their makeup brushes. This will remove product build-up, oil, and dirt from the bristles — and without any water. Reviewer say brushes dry within a minute so you can use them almost immediately after cleaning. Plus, this means you can switch between different shades using just a few brushes.
Promising review: 'This product is amazing. Takes all effort out of cleaning even caked-on and pigment-packed brushes." —Tara Price: $6.98
Terracotta tablets so your granulated, brown, and confectioner's sugar always stay soft and pliable. Simply soak these in some water, blot dry, and place them in closed containers and you'll never have to deal with rock solid sugar blocks ever again. (P.S.: these also work to keep baked goods or dried fruits moist and chewy for longer.)
Even if your sugar has already clumped up and hardened, these tablets can restore them to a pliable state!Promising review: "Very useful! I love these little disks. My brown sugar is soft now!" —SandyPrice: $16.20 for four
A bathroom cleaner formulated to remove stubborn lime, calcium, and rust stains that might not come off with regular soap. Reviewers say this spray saved them a whole lot of elbow grease and exasperation.
Promising review: 'I used this on soap scum, worst you can imagine, when nothing else I tried worked. Trust me... I tried every cleaner and home remedy you can Google!! This stuff really works! I won't buy anything else for soap scum again!" —JenPrice: $6.53
A post-blemish recovery balm for helping to calm down angry patches of skin that used to be zits (which you promised yourself you wouldn't pick but did anyway). This will help speed up the healing process and reduce redness.
Promising review: 'This is the most incredible lifesaver ever. I love to pick my pimples and this helps the skin heal SO quickly! I've turned others on to it because they are so impressed with the results. If I really messed up my face I'll apply like 2-3 times during the day and I swear I've never seen any other products heal my face so fast." —HeatherPrice: $12.88
A disposable moisture absorber and deodorizer that'll banish damp, mildewy smells from your bathroom, laundry room, closet, or even car. Sometimes, the best smell in the world is nothing at all.
Promising review: "You can really tell this is working! Not only can you see where it has absorbed water, you can really tell the difference in the space where you put it. We had a small bathroom that always felt damp, and after tucking this away behind the toilet in the restroom, it has made a huge difference in the feel and freshness of the room!" —LARevPrice: $3.77
A pack of peel-and-stick cable management clips so you can tame the unruly nest of cords behind your TV and actually make them stay in one place.
Promising review: 'I used these clips to hide all the wires to a TV. The design allows the cord to be locked in easily, the peel-off backing was easy and the adhesive is doing its job. What more could I ask for?" —NollyPrice: $6.88 for a 24-pack
A Kitchen SinkShroom — the lesser known but equally effective sibling of the viral TubShroom — designed to catch food debris without slowing the flow of water, which means less clogging in the pipes and fewer visits from the plumber.
Promising review: 'I've purchased one of these before for an apartment that also didn't have a garbage disposal, and that is exactly what it's intended for. It works wonderfully, and I highly recommend it for anyone who also doesn't have a garbage disposal. It's an absolute must." —RexPrice: $5 (originally $9.98)
A very convenient stamp-on gel disc for keeping toilet rings, limescale build-up, and odors at bay with every flush. It'll save you so much scrubbing time.
Each box comes with one applicator and four gel stamps.Promising review: "A very effective product for toilets. It easily sticks to inside bowl, with easy apply wand. These really last!! Great fragrance, keeps bathroom fresh just like a freshener." —EileenPrice: $13.87
A seat gap organizer that'll not only prevent fries and your phone from falling into the unreachable abyss, it'll actually provide space for an extra water bottle, tissues, sunglasses, and more.
Promising review: "Bought several of these for all my vehicles. Made with some pretty nice black leather and fits great, stays in place as well. I won't buy any other one other than this one." —Walmart AssociatePrice: $15.98
A canister of root powder to help make propagating temperamental plants a bit easier. It increases the chances of your cuttings developing roots and growing into a new plant!
Here's how to use it: 1) moistened the cut ends of the cuttings 2) stir the cut ends in the product 3) remove excess powder by tapping on the rim of the container and 4) plant the treated cuttings in a rooting medium such as potting soil. Reviewers say it also works with cuttings placed in water.Promising review: "This is my go-to for rooting plants. I have about a 95% success rate using this. (The other 5% is due to 'operator' error.) It's inexpensive but don't let that deter you. It takes very little to get the job done and a jar lasts for a very long time." —GWTWMOMPrice: $5.68
A handy wall repair tool for fixing any nicks and nail holes so you can get your security deposit back — even if you messed up a few times putting up that gallery wall. It's a putty knife, primer-enhanced spackle, and sanding pad all in one neat package.
Promising review: "I had several screw holes in one room to fill, this was the perfect amount. I liked that the scraper and sander was included on the tube. Very convenient, would definitely buy again." —JordynPrice: $7.87 (originally $10.67)
A bottle of Goo Gone that does exactly what its name suggests — remove all things sticky, including stubborn price labels, grease, wet paint, and more.
Promising review: 'This is amazing for those super sticky labels that refuse to come cleanly off. Works on plastic, too! I poured some on the label, added a tissue on top to let it soak a bit, and then began rubbing. Eventually, the sticker became easy enough to tear off without much residue left behind. Very happy with this purchase." —PassionCatPrice: $4.48
An anti-chafing stick to soothe and moisturize sweaty areas of your body (like the inner thigh or under boob), because you should be able to enjoy a life free of irritation. Real heroes don't wear capes — they come in a tube.
Promising review: 'This stuff worked like a charm on a muggy Omaha night at the zoo. Normally, I would have been chafing and finding somewhere to sit, rather than enjoying the miles of walking. I only had to reapply once in three hours. It's also really handy to keep in your purse because the stick is about the size of your palm. 10/10 recommend!!" —Chelsea Price: $9.99
A roll of iron-on hem tape for fixing those slightly-too-long trousers that you've been meaning to take to the tailor but... it's been six months. It's also great for shortening curtains and other crafting projects. Sewing skills not required.
Promising review: "This is one of those products that seems like it won't work the way the ad says it will, but actually it does! It works perfectly and is very easy to use!" —ReneePrice: $6.51 for three-pack
You, after testing out these products:
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Boost Your Food Blog Traffic: How to Write Posts Google Loves
Boost Your Food Blog Traffic: How to Write Posts Google Loves

Time Business News

time13-06-2025

  • Time Business News

Boost Your Food Blog Traffic: How to Write Posts Google Loves

Ever wonder why some food blogs seem to get all the attention from Google, while others struggle to be seen? It's not magic, it's about understanding what Google looks for in a great blog post. If you're a food blogger hoping to get more eyes on your delicious recipes and helpful cooking tips, you're in the right place! In this article, we'll break down simple ways to make your food blog posts more attractive to Google, which ultimately means more readers for you. We'll cover everything from picking the right topics to making your posts super easy for both people and search engines to understand. Think of Google as the biggest cookbook library in the world. When someone searches for 'easy chicken dinner' or 'best chocolate chip cookies,' Google tries to show them the most relevant and helpful recipes. If your blog post isn't optimized for Google, it's like having a fantastic recipe hidden away in a dusty old cookbook that no one can find. By making your posts Google-friendly, you're essentially putting them on the 'new arrivals' shelf at that huge library. More visibility means more clicks, and more clicks mean more happy readers enjoying your culinary creations! This is where it all begins. Before you even start writing, you need to know what questions your potential readers are asking. Keywords are your friends: These are the words and phrases people type into Google. For a food blog, keywords could be 'gluten-free brownies,' 'quick weeknight meal ideas,' or 'how to make sourdough starter.' Brainstorming ideas: Think about your niche. What kind of food do you focus on? What problems do your readers face in the kitchen? Think about your niche. What kind of food do you focus on? What problems do your readers face in the kitchen? Use Google itself: Start typing a phrase into the Google search bar and see what suggestions pop up. These are often popular searches. Look at the 'People also ask' section and 'Related searches' at the bottom of the results page for even more ideas. Start typing a phrase into the Google search bar and see what suggestions pop up. These are often popular searches. Look at the 'People also ask' section and 'Related searches' at the bottom of the results page for even more ideas. Think like your reader: If someone wants to learn how to make a perfect soufflé, what would they search for? By focusing on keywords that people are actively searching for, you're guaranteeing that there's an audience for your content before you even write a single word. Your title is the first thing both people and Google see. It needs to be clear, descriptive, and include your main keyword. For example: Instead of just 'Brownies,' try 'Fudgy Chocolate Brownies: An Easy Recipe.' The second one immediately tells readers what they'll get and includes a key search term. Your introduction should hook your reader and explain what your post is about. Get straight to the point and make them want to keep reading. Think of it as a tasty appetizer that makes them eager for the main course! This is the most important part. Google loves content that genuinely helps people. Be thorough: Don't just give a recipe; explain the steps, offer tips for success, and troubleshoot common problems. If you're sharing a cooking technique, break it down clearly. Don't just give a recipe; explain the steps, offer tips for success, and troubleshoot common problems. If you're sharing a cooking technique, break it down clearly. Be unique: What's your unique spin on a classic recipe? Do you have a personal story related to the dish? Share your voice and personality. What's your unique spin on a classic recipe? Do you have a personal story related to the dish? Share your voice and personality. Accuracy matters: Make sure your recipes are well-tested and your information is correct. Make sure your recipes are well-tested and your information is correct. Easy to read: Break up long paragraphs with shorter ones. Use headings (like the ones in this article!) and bullet points to make your content scannable. Most people skim before they read in detail, especially online. Think about it this way: if your best friend asked you for advice on making a certain dish, how would you explain it to them? Write your blog posts with that same helpful, friendly tone. Food blogging is incredibly visual, and Google knows this. High-quality photos are crucial. Bright and clear: Your photos should be well-lit and in focus. Your photos should be well-lit and in focus. Show off the food: Make your dishes look as delicious as they taste. Make your dishes look as delicious as they taste. Include step-by-step photos: These are incredibly helpful for readers and can keep them on your page longer. These are incredibly helpful for readers and can keep them on your page longer. Optimize your images: Before uploading, resize your images so they load quickly. Also, add 'alt text' to each image. This is a short description of what the image shows (e.g., 'close-up of fudgy chocolate brownie with flaky sea salt'). This helps Google understand your images and is important for accessibility. Think of your blog post as a well-organized cookbook chapter. Headings: Use clear headings (like 'Ingredients' 'Instructions' 'Tips for Success') to break up your content. This makes it easy for readers to find what they're looking for, and it helps Google understand the different sections of your post. Use clear headings (like 'Ingredients' 'Instructions' 'Tips for Success') to break up your content. This makes it easy for readers to find what they're looking for, and it helps Google understand the different sections of your post. Short paragraphs: Avoid big blocks of text. Aim for paragraphs of 2-4 sentences. Avoid big blocks of text. Aim for paragraphs of 2-4 sentences. Lists: Use bullet points or numbered lists for ingredients, steps, or tips. This makes information easy to digest. Use bullet points or numbered lists for ingredients, steps, or tips. This makes information easy to digest. Internal links: Link to other relevant posts on your own blog. For example, if you mention homemade vanilla extract in a cookie recipe, link to your post on how to make it. This helps readers discover more of your content and shows Google that your blog is a valuable resource. In today's world, people are on the go. If your blog loads slowly or looks clunky on a phone, they'll leave before they even see your amazing content. Website speed: Google loves fast websites. Large images are often the culprit for slow loading times. Make sure you optimize your images before uploading. Google loves fast websites. Large images are often the culprit for slow loading times. Make sure you optimize your images before uploading. Mobile-responsive design: Your blog needs to look good and be easy to navigate on any device: desktop, tablet, or smartphone. If you're unsure about your blog's technical setup, checking out resources like Web Design for Food Bloggers can be incredibly helpful. They specialize in creating fast, beautiful, and Google-friendly websites specifically for food bloggers, helping you avoid common technical headaches. Once you've published a fantastic post, don't just let it sit there. Share it! Social media: Share your new post on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and any other platforms where your audience hangs out. Share your new post on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and any other platforms where your audience hangs out. Email newsletter: If you have an email list, send out a newsletter announcing your new recipe. If you have an email list, send out a newsletter announcing your new recipe. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments on your blog and social media. Building a community around your content is a great way to keep readers coming back. The world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and blogging is always changing. What works well today might be slightly different next year. Stay updated: Follow reliable sources that share tips on SEO and blogging. Follow reliable sources that share tips on SEO and blogging. Analyze your results: Use tools like Google Analytics (it's free!) to see which of your posts are getting the most traffic. What are people searching for to find your blog? This data can give you clues about what to write next. For more hands-on advice and delicious inspiration, don't forget to visit Bake Cook Repeat. They offer a wealth of recipes and insights that can help you on your food blogging journey, showing you how to create content that people love to make and share. Writing food blog posts that Google loves isn't about tricking the system. It's about creating high-quality, helpful content that genuinely answers people's questions and solves their problems in the kitchen. By focusing on your readers and following these simple steps, you'll not only make Google happy but also build a loyal following of food lovers who keep coming back for more of your delicious creations. So, go ahead, get cooking, and start writing those amazing posts! Your audience (and Google!) are waiting. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Happy Meal Bakery: Chinatown's 20+ y.o. bakery serving moist banana cake, rich durian puff & silky egg tarts on a budget
Happy Meal Bakery: Chinatown's 20+ y.o. bakery serving moist banana cake, rich durian puff & silky egg tarts on a budget

Yahoo

time13-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Happy Meal Bakery: Chinatown's 20+ y.o. bakery serving moist banana cake, rich durian puff & silky egg tarts on a budget

As the heart of KL grows ever more congested, and the air turns thick with traffic fumes, it's no wonder some of us have quietly drifted away from it. I used to wander down Jalan Tun H S Lee often for the flower stalls lining the pavement. These days, even they've become more expensive, thanks to inflation and life's little inevitabilities. Perhaps it was the crowded display of sunflowers and baby breath spilling over the curb that kept me from noticing the establishment nestled just beside them: Happy Meal Bakery. If, like me, you've traded the city's chaos for quieter corners and haven't yet stumbled upon this humble, time-worn bakery, allow me to let you in on something lovely. I can't quite say how long they've been around. Some sources claim over 2 decades, while loyal customers say it's been even longer, recalling childhood afternoons spent picking out sweet treats from behind those same glass counters. Before my visit, I'll admit, my expectations were rather low. It's not that I have anything against old-school spots, but too often lately, the charm of nostalgia is dampened by steep prices or declining quality. There are bakeries I hold close to my heart, of course, but many have become occasional indulgences rather than everyday comforts due to, again, sky-high prices. When I arrived, I was met with rows of fresh bakes that looked anything but dry or dull, and the prices were refreshingly affordable. Even better, the bakery is Muslim-friendly. While it's not certified halal by JAKIM, they refrain from using pork, lard, or alcohol in their offerings. Not to spoil the surprise so soon, but I must confess. While picking out my treats, I kept reminding myself to not let greed get the better of me. Yet, less than an hour after returning home, with every crumb gone and not a trace left behind, I realised I'd made a grave mistake: I should've bought more. Either way, I settled with the popular options among customers (which I gathered from Google reviews), and let me bring you the first one: Banana Cake (RM5 for small). At first glance, it was already promising. It was the kind of cake with tight, generous pores that screamed moist, not dry. The surface had that gentle, almost glossy sheen, the kind that catches light like sun on ripened fruit. When I picked it up, the cake yielded ever so slightly to my fingers, leaving behind a light trace of oil. To me, that's a love letter from a banana cake that knows exactly what it's doing. Biting into it was nothing short of heavenly. The banana taste was there but not too overpowering on the palate. It was moist and fluffy, and most importantly, it wasn't too sweet! Kafei Dian: Dine under RM20 at century-old post office serving famous Hainanese chicken chop & Penang prawn noodles Next on the list was what I had imagined to be the banana cake's zesty cousin. Also priced at RM5 for a small portion, the Poppyseed & Cranberry Cake fell a touch flat. Instead of the tart brightness I'd anticipated, what I got was something closer to a standard butter cake. It lacked the punch of cranberry I had quietly looked forward to. Nestled at the bottom were just 2 solitary pieces of dried cranberry, as if they'd wandered in by accident and never made it to the party. But don't let that minor hiccup dampen your spirits, the show was far from over. From their cream puff offerings, I couldn't resist picking the Durian Puff (RM9 for 4 pieces), and what a glorious decision that turned out to be. For the price, the portions were more than generous. The pillowy puffs were each brimming with a luscious filling that seemed ready to escape at the lightest touch. Even before I took a bite, the unmistakable, heady perfume of durian greeted me like an old friend. Love it or loathe it, there's no mistaking that scent. And for me, it was a prelude to indulgence. The first bite was nothing short of divine. The sweet, bold essence of durian bloomed instantly, wrapped in a cloud of whipped cream that was rich without being cloying. The cream leaned slightly on the greasier side and wasn't the light-as-air type, but it melded beautifully with the durian. Of course, I couldn't leave without sampling the stars of the show, their famed tarts. I picked the Coconut Tart (RM3.50) and their classic Egg Tart (RM2.50). The Coconut Tart, at first glance, appeared a little on the dry side, the kind you'd expect to crumble the moment you touch it. But oh, how deceiving looks can be. It yielded effortlessly as I tore it in half, revealing a soft, semolina-based interior that held its shape beautifully. It was moist, dense, and almost fudgy in texture. The Egg Tart, too, split easily into 2 clean halves with nothing more than my hands. This one leaned towards the agar-like spectrum, rather than the creamy, custardy type. The egg flavour was subtle, understated, while the crust provided a delicate crunch without disintegrating into a shower of crumbs. It's been quite some time since an old-timer managed to charm me like Happy Meal Bakery did. While the Poppyseed & Cranberry Cake didn't quite hit the mark, the rest more than made up for it. Each bite quietly reminds me of why places like this still matter. By the next morning, I found myself already plotting a return, fingers twitching to tap my card to the nearest MRT station. Expected damage: RM2.50 – RM5 per pax Din Sun Kopitiam: Must-try affordable dragon fruit dim sum, salted egg bun & chee cheong fun in Chinatown The post Happy Meal Bakery: Chinatown's 20+ y.o. bakery serving moist banana cake, rich durian puff & silky egg tarts on a budget appeared first on

As Father's Day approaches, she finds a sign that her dad is always present
As Father's Day approaches, she finds a sign that her dad is always present

Yahoo

time07-06-2025

  • Yahoo

As Father's Day approaches, she finds a sign that her dad is always present

My dad did it again. He sent a sign, this time on his birthday. It was a day I made extra busy, which in retrospect could have been subconscious planning. Skeptics would say it was a coincidence, or that I looked for the sign. But I did not. The hello from above was sudden and more than subtle. I had actually traveled home by plane that day, after my husband and I visited our son. The morning was whirlwind enough, getting yelled at by TSA agents, flipping luggage here and there, tying shoes in a rush, flying through the clouds, finding our car at the economy parking lot, then oddly missing the correct highway connection at the airport exit. There was no way I was trying to be spiritual or all woo-woo on a travel day. Once we arrived home, I greeted my brother. He was in town to keep our mom company while I was away. The three of us were sitting and chatting about my trip, when something outside the window caught my eye. A deer. In the early afternoon. In my suburban backyard. That yard is in the middle of a cul de sac completely surrounded by other houses with kids running around and jumping on trampolines. Everywhere you look, there are huffing joggers and whiz-by cars and zippy bikes and raging lawn mowers. Unusual deer appearances happened to me twice before, both times related to my dad. Once in New York on a rainy night when I realized his life was in danger, and then again, a year to the exact day of that first appearance, but in my Kansas yard. We managed to grab a picture of the deer before it bolted. It spotted us gasping and pointing by the window. I reminded my brother it was dad's birthday. We gasped again. (Last Thanksgiving, when my other brother was here, a barred owl planted itself on a tree near my front door. Again, I don't live in the Hundred Acre Wood. Another sign? Maybe.) I used to complain about this time of year. Every mid-May through mid-June, Mother's Day, Father's Day and both my parents' birthdays were clustered together. It was always Hallmark whiplash. In my case, before the deer appeared, I was thinking this upcoming Father's Day might be a little rough. And like Mother's Day, Father's Day can stir up some bittersweet feelings for many folks. I think it filters down to where you are in life, and your parent-child history. Maybe all your loved ones are here, and everything is close to perfect. If so, fire up that grill and pour some ketchup on your good fortune. Or maybe, for a million reasons, your recent expectations of how family life should be are not aligned with reality. And I use the word aligned intentionally because no matter what, most dads are automotive-ly hyper aware of the importance of straight wheels and regular tire rotations. Everything in life can be whack, a dad can miss the mark in so many ways, but if the treads on the tires are wearing evenly maybe he's trying. Old dad might say the wrong things or wear embarrassing jeans, but he could be trying in ways we never realize. I don't know. My dad always did his best even though he was born in a time and place of historic setbacks and tragedies. He had no head starts and no parenthood manual. He was an immigrant who enriched America with his wit, his charm, his work, his creativity, his service in the U.S. Army and most of all, the genuine love he passed down to his beloved grandchildren. He did his best to show up for all of them. And now, they are all making this world a better place. My dad's happy moments were always around nature, especially in his backyard garden. I don't think that deer showing up in mine — on his birthday — was a mere coincidence. Father's Day is going to be OK. Reach Denise Snodell at stripmalltree@

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store