These stories are similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul or O.Henry short stories, but shorter having been written for the newspapers and magazines across the U.S. and around the world in the syndicated column Life’s Outtakes. From the humor of a what happens to scouts when they clean out an old shed in The Key of Togetherness to the inspiration of understanding our differences in A Neighbor Enemy, these 52 humorous and inspirational short stories (one for each week of the year) will make you laugh, reminisce, and contemplate the relationships you cherish most. Stories include:

Toothaches and Painkillers When the Honeymoon Is Over The Color of Things Something to Sit On We Are Family Students’ Communications 2015 Ticked-Off Kickoff Who’s the Boss? A Rule of Thumb-Timing is Everything An Ounce of Understanding An Evil Genius Halloween-Type Traditions A Lesson Learned A Doggone Cold Night A Thanksgiving Concert A Smelly Situation Clean, Shiny Dishes A Miracle in Disguise A New Understanding Harmony and Melody A Final Chorus Deep Snow Slime and Punishment Wrestling Challenge The Key of Togetherness Scout Logic There Are Ways Pine Nuts What Students Learned in Math Class 2016 What to Look for in a Girl Standing Up for Someone Tilling Service Chariots of Tire A Good Horse A Supercharged Battery An Acidic Situation Flowers Don’t Last Forever Hugs Key Comments A Neighbor Enemy Putting Down a Deposit A Perfect Advantage Good Pay Snakes Getting a Driver’s License The Happiest Man on Earth Parking Plots Softball Mentality High Steak Deals Girls’ Camp Bears Don’t Mess with Mom Fan Club Horse Sense