We’ve all heard the kick-ass term: “Failure is not an option.” Do you know where the phrase came from? In preparation for the movie, Apollo 13, the script writers, Al Reinart and Bill Broyles interviewed Flight Dynamics Officer, Jerry C. Bostick to learn what the people behind Mission Control are really like. Bostick said the … Read More →
“And then what happened?” I asked this question of my daughter when she was about five years old. She’d drawn a picture of a meadow, with a brook running through it. There were trees and bushes. And a horse! (BTW: Not to brag, but she’s all grown up, and a talented artist.) She began to … Read More →
“You can’t there from here.” We New Englanders know the irony of this quote, but the fact is, if you don’t show up at all, you will get nowhere, fast. I’m not sure how true this is, but I read these two quotes attributed to the legendary Woody Allen: 70% of success is showing … Read More →
When I recently found the salt/pepper grinder in the refrigerator…well, I thought that maybe today should be the day to stick to a single task. Perhaps I should look in the un-obvious places for those pesky reading glasses. Most people I know are multi-taskers. Me too. I say this with very little pride because it’s … Read More →
“Happiness is not a goal; it’s the by-product of a life well lived.” — Eleanor Roosevelt I got to thinking about the things I really enjoy doing, and why I don’t do them more often. For me, these things revolve around relationships, travel, food (includes wine), and writing. What do you enjoy? Do you find … Read More →
By it’s very definition, Zen is a total state of focus Zen incorporates the togetherness of body and mind. Maybe a little “out there” for some people, but I challenge you to look at a beautiful sunrise and not feel your body and mind come together. The moment this photo was snapped I felt that … Read More →
The mathematics of how you’ve already won a humungous lottery — BE F.A.T. To a biblical purist and my mother the correct answer is Sperm, “because God said so.” These were her exhaustive final words to my many inquiries about sex. Google Ask a Biologist and you’ll find all sorts of technical answers and proposed … Read More →
ESSAY/HUMOR — Besides drowning your troubles, in the event of an actual emergency, booze will be a hotly traded commodity — So I am curled up on the couch nursing the flu, sipping hot tea, and eating Cheerios out of the box. On a scale of one to ten my fever is purple. I waver … Read More →
Shoveling snow yields the best day of the year Craziness right? It’s cold here in New England. We’re throwing snow where there ain’t nowhere to throw it! But I believe today is the best day of the year. Huh? A little frost behind your ears? Yep. I got to shovel and sweat under four layers … Read More →
Sadness comes in all shapes and sizes. From big deal life crises to the small shit. Right? It’s kind of like being in a funk. Tough to get out of it sometimes. It’s important to note that sadness is not the same thing as depression. Some suggestions to help: ~ Decide to be sad today. … Read More →
“Part of life is to live it and enjoy it, and seize the moments that you find particularly pleasing,” a quote by Robert M. Parker, Jr. I created this graphic to go with the quote while awaiting the Blizzard of 2015 in New England. How will you seize your moments today? I plan to go … Read More →
Are you fishing to find happiness? Let’s bait the hook. Stop for a moment and take a breath. Exhale. If you ignore everything else that follows, remember to exhale, please. I still forget that part, which leads to constipated stress, which makes no one happy. So let’s talk happiness. We look for happiness in various … Read More →
The power of having an awesome day is in your mind I need a reminder every day to walk the line, follow the path…whatever it is I resolved or promised myself to do this year. I made it simple for myself. 1. Stop 2. Take a Breath 3. Be Awesome Today** Being awesome is not … Read More →
I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. It’s five days in and I haven’t been on the bike yet — so there. But I believe in declaring your dream to give FOCUS to what you want to achieve. When you share your dream (vision, quest, desire) something wonderful happens. You put that dream into your … Read More →
I remember tacking up a handwritten note on my fridge that simply said: You can have a good day or a bad, it’s your choice. Kinda scary being in charge of your day, huh? #BFAT (Be F—–g Awesome Today) #FYA (Find Your Awesome)
Welcome 2015. God willing, we woke up today to celebrate the gift of today. We get to turn the last calendar page on the old year and welcome all the possibilities of a new one. I don’t know about you but I am a wonder-eyed child this time of the year! Thinking of all the … Read More →
Dear Friends, Here’s a new term for the new year: F.Y.A. Please read on, and share this. I thank you in advance. You are the (author) Hero of your own story. What will you do to write a Happily Ever After or Mission Complete ending? Is there something you know that you know is missing … Read More →
Dear Friends, As the year winds down I hope you are surrounded by people you love and those who love you back. Eat well, drink up and partake in all that is merry! I’m getting caught up in the season — decorating the house, baking cookies, wrapping a few gifts (I can’t wait to see … Read More →
Dear Friends, “Am I going to die?” As 2014 comes to a close, have you thought about all that has happened this year? Surely there were many joyous occasions and moments. Births? Weddings? Travel? A new home or job? No matter how your year was filled, are there some things you wished had been accomplished? … Read More →
Dear Friends, I know it’s not new, but what do you think of the Ugly Sweater craze this year? Love it? Don’t love it? Been on a Sweater Party Pub Crawl? Ugly Sweater 5K or other sweater-related event? I confess, years ago I had one. It was a very nice wool sweater with a bedazzled … Read More →
Dears Friends, I was inspired today watching Bo Eason’s video on not having a PLAN B for your life. You know the old term your mama preached: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? Have a back-up plan, just in case –- the sky falls down, s/he leaves you, you run out of … Read More →
When you feel more than blah and can’t get out of your own way, don’t despair. There are many practical solutions to push past a funky mood to get your day back on track. It goes something like this: You skip binge watching reruns of Breaking Bad and sink your weary head into the pillow. … Read More →
Okay, a hashtag like #BFAT* will not change your life. But it’s a start… Let’s get real for a minute. Any life change requires your participation. A pair of high-tech sneakers will not make you an Olympic long distance runner. And a benign hashtag like #BFAT* (Be F–g Awesome Today/Be F.A.T.) will only change your … Read More →
The Urban Dictionary defines Mojo as a magic power that allows someone to be creative or effective. Okay, so, yeah, excluding the private beach in Tahiti, let’s get serious about the best place to rev up your Mojo and inspire your creativity. Where do you go to get motivated each day to achieve your goal? … Read More →
In the beginning God created a skinny chick. And it was good. So I thought. The term # BFAT began with the seed planting of a positive and kick-ass attitude in the wake of a life-changing diagnosis. ESSAY/INSPIRATIONAL/#BFAT It was nearly eighteen years ago when # BFAT changed my life. Although the term hadn’t been … Read More →
How a “Lone Nut” and a “Loyal First Follower” can create a Movement The term #BFAT is an idea with the potential of becoming a movement. It had its “Lone Nut” (me), the person who dreamed up the name but certainly not the the idea of being the best YOU every day. Heck my mamma … Read More →
# BFAT started as a funny note between friends and became a positive declaration on how to live each day. If you read this hashtag as BEE FAT or BE FAT you’d probably think I’m a motivational bee teacher or a proponent of all you care to eat buffets. Both actually are untrue…I don’t eat at … Read More →
Another use for your Turkey Fryer Call this the New England version of a Southern Shrimp Boil. This recipe feeds a crowd or at least eight people just off one of those low protein, green shakes only or however many points you get a day diet. You’ll want a few crusty breads and cases of … Read More →
For a woman I don’t have much of a shopping gene. A wife who does not like to shop? Makes me the envy of every married man known to man. You’d think shopping to replace a broken washing machine would trump dragging the laundry down to the river and beating it with a stone. And you’d be … Read More →
I’ve made this beer bread countless times. Often I change up the ingredients — mostly the beer. Use whatever you have in the refrigerator. The beer someone brought to the party that you will never ever drink? Yeah, use that one. Note: Dark beer gives the bread a darker color and a richer flava. And flavored … Read More →
As if I really need ANOTHER reason to have the foam tickle the lip hairs, a research conducted by the Harvard Medical School found that a woman can cut her risk of painful arthritis by drinking two to four beers a week. By a whopping 31% compared to women who do not drink beer. And … Read More →
ESSAY/HUMOR — On a recent three day road trip to northern California our wallets were gouged by near $6 a gallon gas prices, fainting goats on strike and a spitting steam valve purported to be the “Old Faithful” geyser. With a Cliff notes itinerary and travel time a premium, our rental car quickly filled … Read More →
ESSAY/HUMOR/LOVE/MARRIAGE— The Happily Ever After Marriage handbook is filled with fine print. With a healthy dose of humor a marriage will survive lots of hills and valleys, and a few frogs. I’m in the backseat of a beat up Dodge Dart, sipping Boone’s Farm Apple Wine and listening to a guy describe how he’d shoved … Read More →
It’s no secret that our time on this planet is short. Leave your mark behind, if only temporarily. Be sure to tuck a few grains of sand in your pocket as a reminder that you’ve been there.
There are plenty of things-to-do that will grab your attention today and keep you from doing that thing you KNOW will make you do the happy dance! Just remember to take the time to get ONE THING accomplished today that will take you closer to your Nirvana. #BFAT
LASTIES – If you’re one of us “LASTIES” (over age 50), chances are you are in the LAST THIRD of your existence. Hit the gas. Today may be the ONLY day you get to accomplish that elusive “thing”. If I was Queen of the World (and you can thank me later for losing the election), … Read More →
A beautiful hawk with a wing span of about six feet swooped into my front yard this morning. He glided effortlessly on to a rocky area planted with barberry, lavender, hydrangeas, poppies and other plants gifted from friends’ gardens. The granite rock garden is home to a slew of chipmunks and rabbit families. We’ve all … Read More →
INSPIRATION — Finding our purpose in life or fulfilling a dream is often a lifelong journey. Sadly, often it dies untapped. But many of us know that itchy place, and we’re this close, if only we could reach out and give it a good scratch. Better hurry. Do you have a burning itch that needs to be … Read More →
HUMOR — Gardening in a woodland location is complicated by deer who love to chomp on tender flower and vegetable gardens. In search of organic and humane population control methods, the best defense is exposed. Today my quest is for a natural pest control method to deter deer from devouring my gardens, preferably without sophisticated … Read More →
Reading my latest issue of AARP on 99 Great Ways to Save Money. #65 Freight Cruises. Seriously, and I quote: “Looking for an offbeat cruising experience at a reasonable price? Check out freightercruises.com. You’ll travel with the crew and cargo aboard a commercial vessel – usually with very comfortable room and board – and save … Read More →
HUMOR – Can you be over fifty years old and wear a bikini? You bet your low-rise bottom from Victoria’s Secret you can. Ah, but should you? Let’s be honest. I’m envious of those catalog models in bikinis, all air-brushed and spray tanned mocha. But the day I magically grow seven more inches, lose 30 … Read More →
I like apple pie, my country and yes, baseball. Nothing says “spring” like Opening Day, but frankly by Memorial Day it’s time to put a wreath on the television, play Taps and head for other shorter sports entertainment, like watching my dog chase bees (she really does this).Is it my imagination or do baseball … Read More →
As a dog I get to observe the comings and goings of my surroundings all day…Recently a snapping turtle s-l-o-w-l-y walked around my yard, climbed up the jagged rock wall and hurled itself over a cliff falling about 12 feet into the woods. I could have done this in under one minute, but for the turtle … Read More →
Since I have been in a long term relationship for the majority of my life, any dating skills and advice remaining in my bloodstream date back to the days when David Cassidy was every teenage girl’s American idol. Suffice to say my resume in the dating category is pre internet when social media for girls … Read More →
So why Dog and A Beer? Well, personally I like both. One dog, many brands and types of beers. But the blog name came from a line in the hugely popular baseball movie, Field of Dreams. The one-time activist Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones) has been “kidnapped” by dreamer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) to … Read More →
This is a tough one you guys. Can you do it? I saw this article on The 7-Day No-Complaining Challenge and decided to give it a serious go. In all honesty, before I get out of bed I promise myself that this will be the day. Some days my feet barely hit the floor, often … Read More →
Being brave is way cooler than being a Superhero. Okay, Superman and Batman and Catwoman notwithstanding, it would be cool to possess some super dooper power to ward off all the evil anti-heroes. But are they brave? Hell no. I’ve been bitten by a spider before and never acquired the agility to cling onto a … Read More →
