I was “let go” from a magazine before I even got started! The Managing Editor hired me to write a column titled Brandt’s Rant and then she left for another job. The new M.E. didn’t see me as a fit for the mag unless I wanted to write about something I have no interest in. And so it goes. …
Sometimes, I’m quite alright with cutting a corner or two. Farm Boy makes better gravy than I do. Lasagna is very time-consuming and there’s a frozen variety that we like. I once wrote a column about house-cleaning short-cuts that included pouring a little bleach down the sink, because the smell of bleach gives an illusion of “clean”. …
I’m concerned that the new era of openness about harassment, bullying and toxicity is going to have an unintended consequence: driving the sexes even further apart. …
The humble duck plays a major role in my home life. It’s all because of this scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We insert a duck into every conversation that we can. …
I’ve only ever known how it feels to eat whatever I want for short periods of time. I’ve been on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and always have a few Lean Cuisine dinners in the freezer, so I don’t get caught without anything to eat and have to tear into an entire elephant or something. Whenever I’ve strayed from the basic tenets of Weight Watchers, I’ve put on weight. True, the formula is calories-in, calories-out, but I’m not about to become the marathon runner my metabolism apparently wants me to be. (Darn you scoliosis!)Â …
This week, Throwback Thursday makes way for a Thankful Thursday. …
Thankful Thursday #1 Read More »
Girlfriends, remember when we first realized that we could wear yoga pants to do anything and go anywhere and it was fashionable? That was a great day. …
Lulu for Lululemon Read More »
Derek recently narrated a book devoted to the stoicism of Marcus Aurelius. Marcus – let’s call him Marc – on second thought let’s not – lived from the year 121 to 180. For the last 19 years of his life, he was the Roman Emperor. Until Derek got this job, I was unfamiliar with his master work, Meditations, although millions around the world have read it. …
What Marcus Had to Say Read More »
A few weeks ago, I received an email telling me that I was one of ten finalists in the Win A Wardrobe For Life Contest from Joe Fresh. This immediately raised my suspicions, of course. However, I had a clear memory of entering the contest and the attached form wasn’t asking for anything related to my bank accounts or credit card numbers. It looked legit. …
My Good Friend Joe Read More »
We like to get out and explore on our own. One of our favourite side trips from Las Vegas was to Oatman, Arizona. They call Oatman a ghost town because it’s settled in the Black Mountains of the Mohave and once boasted a population of 3,500. That was in the gold rush days. Now about 100 people live in the old west throwback town year round and wild burros roam freely through the streets. …
Off the Beaten Path Read More »
It’s impossible to visit Memphis without getting a repetitive earworm of Marc Cohn’s 1991 hit “Walkin’ in Memphis”. (If you don’t know it, get thee to YouTube and check it out.) Cohn’s autobiographical, Grammy-winning song brought Beale Street – and most of Memphis – to the masses. Walkin’ in Memphis mentions many of the city’s highlights, from catfish on the table to gospel in the air.  …
Ten Feet Off of Beale Read More »
There’s no need to park in downtown Memphis and walk ten city blocks to your destination. We know that now! Looking back, I can’t remember why we did this on our second-last day in the city. It wasn’t the only time we paid for parking when a free spot was available at our destination. Tourists, eh? …
Walkin’ (Too Much!) In Memphis Read More »
It had been about twenty years since I first visited Graceland. Elvis purchased the mansion, on nearly 14 acres of land, in 1957. The sellers doubled the price to about $100,000 once they found out who the buyer was. The King’s parents moved in and Elvis joined them once he finished filming Jailhouse Rock. Graceland was named for the original landowner, not for Elvis’ beloved Mother, Grace. …
Walkin’ In Memphis Read More »
I hope you have your traveling pants on. This week, I’m taking you on our road trip where we visited (or at least passed through) eight US states, brought home some contraband (you can lie by omission at the border, right?) and had a thoroughly great time. …
Drivin’ To Memphis Read More »
I’m taking a two-week hiatus. No radio show. No news-hounding, at least not like usual. And no blog posts. …
Eight Days a Week Times Two Read More »
Advertising works! We received a postcard-ad letting us know that Mama Earth organics is now delivering to our area, and I made my first order in less than 24-hours. …
Pea-Shoots and Leaves Read More »
I hate my iPhone and now I know for sure that my iPhone hates me. …
How About Them Apples? Read More »
On a recent visit to my doctor, I heard the words that could either mean an emergency or nothing to worry about: “I have no idea what that is.” Lucky for me it was the latter. …