Welcome to the Bright Side, a weekly roundup of all the good news and ideas you might have missed from the past week.
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It’s Labor Day weekend, also known as summer’s official send-off! Grab your favorite people and gather ‘round the grill (I’ll be by the A/C) — and cook up a feast starting with, say, a crowd-pleasing Charleston cheese dip and watermelon agua fresca (I got you — recipes below). All those cinnamon brooms at Trader Joe’s are projecting too far into the future for my mind to comprehend. Dear never-ending 100-degree temps, thank you for your service. Buh-bye now.
American essayist Wendell Berry died this week. He was beloved for his musings on farming, heaven, nature, and loving each other.
“When I rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird.
When I fall
let me fall without regret
like a leaf.”
— Wendell Berry, “Prayers And Sayings Of The Mad Farmer”
We also lost another cultural treasure: the voice of Eeyore and Optimus Prime, actor Peter Cullen. But he left us with a few bits of advice through his most famous characters. I read “Winnie-the-Pooh” as a kid, and I’m pretty sure I have a photo of me hugging the leg of the giant Optimus Prime statue at Comic-Con one year. (Guys, Autobots slash heavy duty semi trucks make great fake boyfriends.) Here’s a thought from O.P. and one from Eeyore.
“There are mysteries to the universe we were never meant to solve. But who we are and why we are here, are not among them.” — Optimus Prime, “Transformers: Age of Extinction”
“It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.” — Eeyore
Try not to laugh with this laughing baby
With all the heavy news around babies and mothers lately, this interaction between a mother and her son delivers a healing salve for the soul. He listens intently as his mother reads to him, but the way he lights up when he sees her face is pure magic (and “influencer” free).
It’s not even about the book, it’s his love for his mom😂 pic.twitter.com/EiKrDROohI
— Interesting things (@awkwardgoogle) August 27, 2026
Maybe he can’t speak the words, but this sweet boy already understands that laughter is love. Also this week, 109-year-old best friends Velma Long and Dorothy Boggess were interviewed about their secrets to their long, happy lives. While they stay active every day (Dorothy learned to swim at age 69 and loves to shimmy in her kitchen to cha-cha) and maintain a booked-and-blessed social calendar, they say their shared sense of humor has gotten them through everything life brings their way.
A few conversation starters
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to paying a little less attention to my phone over the weekend. So take a glance at these inspiring and hilarious tidbits and then tuck them in your memory to add some sparkle to a lazy conversation by the pool.
This chicken saw an opening to make its great escape from the back of a chicken hauler. Where life takes it from here (and whether there will be a documentary about it) is to be determined, but at least there’s 100% less chance of chicken nuggets.
In the heartwarming dogs category, I give you “Mary Poopins,” an adorable dachshund in a wheelchair who didn’t place at the Emerald Downs Wiener Dog Race in Auburn, Washington, but won everyone’s hearts. And if you ever wonder if your pets love you as much as you love them, check out these four dogs nuzzling their emotional owner who rescued them from floodwaters, telling everyone he had to go back for his “children.”
I know a lot of people are heading out of town this weekend (I’ll be checking out a few new local spots), but if you want to take a trip around the world with just a few clicks, this collection of trail camera footage reveals delightfully candid moments with wild creatures along snowy mountains, oceanside cliffs, and desert paths.
— trailcam (@Trail_Cams) December 19, 2025
I like Dr. Mark Hyman’s ideas on upgrading your life with small improvements. But, as someone with a mind like a border collie that likes to have something to do, I’m adopting number 10 as part of my daily wellness routine:
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Locking down snacks for Labor Day
This raccoon grabbing a hot dog under the stands at a Mets game is actually a selfie of me collecting DoorDash outside my apartment. But whether you like your franks “street” or gourmet, a few good hors d’oeuvres keep hungry snackers satisfied until the main meal comes off the grill.
Here’s exactly how to showcase a sweet, late-season watermelon as a refreshing summery drink, while cooking up a showstopping dip to zhuzh up any bag of chips. (You can always trust a country singer to serve a generous helping of Southern lovin’ comfort.)
Trisha Yearwood’s Charleston Cheese Dip
1/2 cup mayonnaise
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 dash cayenne pepper
8 Ritz crackers, crushed
8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Corn chips, crackers, or bagel chips, for serving
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, green onions, and cayenne pepper. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish (like a 9-inch pie pan). Top with Ritz and bake for 15 minutes until heated through. Remove the pan from the oven and top with bacon crumbles. Enjoy hot!
Watermelon Agua Fresca
(From Delish)
6 cups seedless watermelon chunks, plus small wedges for garnish
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup water
Mint sprigs, for garnish
Blend watermelon chunks, sugar, lime juice, and water in a blender for 30 seconds or until smooth. Strain into glasses with ice. Garnish with mint and watermelon wedges. (Stir in a shot of vodka or tequila for a boozy vibe.)
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I’m over here jonesing for soup season, so I’m putting out a call for you to share your favorite recipes for stews, chilis, soups, and chowda’s in the comments (or email me here). We’d love to feature the culinary creations of our awesome readers! Thank you in advance because I’m already hungry. Happy Labor Day weekend! — Lauren
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