Author Archives: admin

The Value of Nonsence

October 11, 2009 – 7:00 pm

“I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells.” Dr. Seuss

Theodor Geisel (1904 0 1991) knew a thing or two about creativity. The Cat in The Hat has thrived for decades due to the rhythm and creativity imbued in its readable words — words suitable for small readers which tell a big story. Seuss was not afraid to be silly. Few adults can say that. Now in a New York Times article titled How Nonsense Sharpens the Intellect, we learn that nonsense truly does play a role in fresh thinking. The unexpected helps break down old patterns in our brains. So start your morning off with a little Green Eggs and Ham!

Permalink | Comment (0)

Happy Monday

September 28, 2009 – 10:38 am

“Those who wish to sing, always find a song.” Swedish Proverb

In case you’re having trouble finding your happy song to sing on this Monday morning, I’m sharing one with you. This whimsical video will help kick the Monday Blues. Yael Naim is a French-Israeli singer and song writer born in Paris in 1978. Naim’s single New Soul brought her fame when it was used by Apple for last year’s MacBook Air ad. It works much better than a jolt of coffee to start your day off right… humming as you go.

Permalink | Comment (1)

In Moderation

September 23, 2009 – 10:52 am

“Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.”

Joseph Hall (English Bishop, 1574 to 1656)

That’s so much more eloquent than saying “everything in moderation.” That common quote is usually attributed to Aristotle. Also, Hall’s sentence provides a lovely mental picture.

I believe the concept is wise and true… yet can’t help laughing at Oscar Wilde’s take on moderation:

“Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.”

Permalink | Comment (0)

Mad about Redheads

September 14, 2009 – 11:24 am

“I like redheads. Their mouths are like a drop of strawberry jam in a glass of milk.”

So said character Roger Sterling in an episode of Mad Men. In this AMC series, which has attracted many “maddicts,” great quotes are tossed around every week. It’s a sassy, stylish show with amazing historical accuracy in the 1960’s details down to the underwear and liquor bottles. But the great thing is the writing. I was surprised to learn that the writers for this show about a male-dominated ad agency are mostly female. Tune in, Tivo, or Twitter to hear their irreverent, funny lines.

Permalink | Comment (0)

The Big Fat Elephant

September 10, 2009 – 9:46 am

“The American way of eating has become the elephant in the room in the debate over health care.”

That’s just what I’ve been thinking. In our big discussion over health care reform, why don’t we address actual health? In Michael Pollan’s article in today’s New York Times titled Big Food vs. Big Insurance, he argues we must address obesity, diabetes and other chronic (and expensive) conditions linked to our American way of eating.

In one stunning sentence, Pollan writes, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three-quarters of health care spending now goes to treat ‘preventable chronic diseases.'” Really? That’s amazing to consider the amount of health care we would NOT need to debate how to pay for if people ate healthier. Perhaps it seems too insensitive for the President to be discussing how bad it is for people to eat processed, fatty meals. But we need to find the best ways to keep talking about how we eat in this debate or we’re missing a major ingredient in high health care costs. Whatever side of the political debate you’re on, I presume most people agree that healthier Americans benefit us all.

Permalink | Comment (0)

Magic of Summer

September 7, 2009 – 10:13 am

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach

Kid’s return to school tomorrow so I’m trying to remind myself the magic of summer is not over yet. There was enchantment in the sky as a hot summer day clouded over and we were deluged with dime-sized hail, as our kids decided they would truly swim rather than splash around, in our lazy family lunches on the deck, and in the brilliant hummingbirds swooping by our heads on their way to sip from the feeders.

I’ll continue to watch our corner of the world with glittering eyes – after all fall has magic in it too.

Permalink | Comment (0)

Summer Retreat

September 1, 2009 – 7:45 am

“September is the Monday of months.”

That’s Jeff Scher writing an introduction to his short film created from his paintings. In this mix of media, Scher explores end-of-summer memories on a ride home from vacation. As he says it’s back to school, back to work, back to the city. As with many passages in life, it is bittersweet.

Watch Jeff Scher’s film and beautiful oil pastels and watercolors titled Summer Retreat.

Permalink | Comment (0)

Summer Break

August 31, 2009 – 2:22 pm

August has been full of swimming, visits with family and friends, hiking, play dates, watching our hummingbirds, reading and “deck time.” Along with school starting again, so will my blogging of wonderful sentences!

Permalink | Comment (0)

Tomato Time

July 27, 2009 – 9:01 am

“There’s nothing finer in life than true love and a home-grown tomato.”

Gary Ibsen, The Great Tomato Book

The past few weeks, our farm box has contained some heirloom varieties including the green zebra. I like to drizzle our Stonehouse Extra Virgin Lisbon Lemon Olive Oil on them — yummy about any which way you eat them!

If you’re lucky enough to live in Carmel, California, you may have visited the TomatoFest organized by Ibsen for the past 17 years. However, he retired last year from the event, so not sure anyone else has picked up the job. So have your own tomato fest in your backyard or farmer’s market !

Permalink | Comment (0)

Cronkite’s Last Words

July 17, 2009 – 9:01 pm

And that’s the way it is.

Walter Cronkite died today. And the one thing I keep thinking is that I invoked his name in a speech so many years ago… and even though I did, not much has changed.

So long ago and far away, I was named the Young Careerist of California by the Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation. To win my state, I interacted with amazing women, demonstrated my community involvement and gave a speech. As a news broadcaster, I said that I would know news had progressed when I saw the female equivalent of Walter Cronkite. You know, with gray hair, wrinkles, and bags under HER eyes. But twenty years later, it has not happened. I would never have guessed it as a twenty-something.

But, Walter, you are still the best.

Permalink | Comment (0)

« Previous Page — Next Page »

« Previous Page — Next Page »