Are you your own worst enemy? Are you afraid to ask someone to do you a favor? Are you a prisoner of your inhibitions? Do you need a push or nudge?   Then read on: It is my tried and true experience that, more times than not, when I muster up my pluck and make The Ask I am almost always pleasantly surprised. After all, what’s the worst thing that can happen? And then there’s the Ben Franklin effect!

We have a bird feeder in our backyard. Watching the birds, I’ve learned a few things.Birds like to eat. Put out bird food and they’ll come.Birds of different species generally do not hang out together. Rarely do I see birds of different species share the feeder.

Dinner conversation expanded beyond my fabulous cooking and onto social graces. My husband and I were discussing manners, where they were invented, and what “dressing for the occasion” really meant. Coco Chanel said it best “it’s always best to be a little under dressed.” Presentation is important. It demonstrates respect for yourself and for the person or people you are meeting. Business attire, golf attire, business casual and sassy-dresses all communicate something specific. Have your thoughts changed around presentation over the past 18 months? If so, how?

  People in old photos are never smiling. Just think of those generational black and white and fading photos. Well dressed, carefully groomed very formal looking folks – but not a smile in the bunch.

I love July 4th weekend. To me it is the official beginning of the summer; being a bit more relaxed at work, barbecues with friends, days at the pool and beach. But, most importantly, July 4th brings to mind summer vacations.  

Today we celebrate 245. A special day. When a nation got born.

I'm reading about the tragic collapse of the building in Surfside, FL and wondering why. It appears that the condo owners kept bickering and fighting over the years delaying a decision, while the building kept exponentially degrading so the cost of repairs skyrocketed and nothing got fixed.   We'll eventually learn what technically happened as other buildings in the area will be scrutnized and I'm sure some will close.  

Can you believe I really don’t listen to the words of a song? Talk about being one dimensional! What’s more, I don’t read books.  I listen to them. As a consequence of this unusual quirky combination, I recently heard Dylan’s lyrics of The Times They Are-A Changin’ for maybe the very first time.