November 2025 Newsletter

From Dan, Your Friend and Birthday Person

Dear Friends,

November came in a blur of candles, frosting, warm company, and an entire parade of pets. It was my birth month, which meant celebrating in all directions: at work, with students, with friends, and even in the quiet moments in between. The month had a festive glow to it, grounded by the steady comfort of good animals and good conversation.

Fig. 14.1: The birthday cake that kicked off a month of celebrations.

I hadn’t expected such a joyful swirl of celebrations, but my students surprised me early with a birthday cake (Fig. 14.1). Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it set the tone for the rest of the month.

Fig. 14.2: A maple bar with a candle - breakfast for champions turned celebration.

Later on, coworkers turned an ordinary morning treat into another celebration: a maple bar with a tiny candle perched on top (Fig. 14.2). It was sweet, silly, and perfect. They always look out for me and set the maple bars aside when we get donuts, my favorite type!

Fig. 14.3: A golden retriever mid-boop, radiating pure friendliness.

Outside of birthday fun, November was dominated by house sitting and therefore, by lots of good pets. One of the sister golden retrievers, Nora, greeted me each day with a cheerful boop (Fig. 14.3), convinced that enthusiasm is the greatest gift a dog can give.

Fig. 14.4: An orange outdoor cat, mid-adventure.

Alongside the sisters was Beau, who would stop by while they were playing fetch (Fig. 14.4).

Fig. 14.5: A relaxed pitbull enjoying a peaceful afternoon.

And then there was the pitbull, Mia, who would flop down after a fun day of playing with the two pugs, Mazie and Midas (Fig. 14.5).

Fig. 14.6: Blackjack coming for cuddles.

Blackjack, of course, rounded out the household cast (Fig. 14.6), adding his own personality and charm to the mix.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, I poured many hours into my website. I didn’t finish it in time for this newsletter, but I was able to upload a large part of my past work. However, in regards to new work: I wrote two new papers in my growing Human Psychology series! One is written for adults, Never Have I Ever: Kinks, and the other explores my evolving relationship with empathy (to be released as a bonus paper on a later date). Both papers were meaningful to write. They are personal, reflective, and full of the discoveries I’m still making about myself.

November passed quickly (maybe too quickly) but I’m grateful for the warmth that filled it. From celebration after celebration to the steady companionship of pets, it was a month that felt both full and comforting.

Cheers to another year around the sun, Dan