The weekend is a great time for a tiki drink. The cute little pig is holding a Painkiller: Pussers Navy rum, Coco Lopez, pineapple, orange, nutmeg (which seals the deal) In the unicorn is a Scorpion Reef: Appleton rum, Vidal Mezcal, pineapple, lemon, orgeat, bitters, Chinese 5 spice . . . The smokey finish gives…
Photo Friday: National Road Trip Day
National Road Trip Day is the Friday before Memorial Day. This is how I like to do road trips. If you’re hitting the highway, be safe and have fun!
Healthy Sleeping for Night Shift Workers
This article first appeared at Sleep.org. The human body’s sleep-wake circadian rhythm helps us rise with the sun and fall asleep after sunset. Unfortunately, being on a shift work schedule can disrupt this system, making it hard to fall asleep on time and feel refreshed for work the next day. Approximately 25% of people in the…
Photo Friday: National Bike to Work Day
National Bike to Work Day is the third Friday in May, which is National Bike Month.
How to Stay Awake During a Boring Virtual Meeting
Virtual meetings on Zoom and other platforms are an evil necessity on some workdays. While meetings might not be the most coveted part of your job, they don’t have to rob you of your joy. Try these strategies during your next virtual meeting to stay connected . . . or at least stay awake. Don’t…
Photo Friday: Beer
The weather is heating up (slowly), and for me that means enjoying more beer. I ran across this picture the other day, and it brought me back to a trip to Germany. If you ever visit and get a chance to try Augustiner beer, do! It’s the best beer I’ve ever had. Dunkel and Helles…
The Right Way to Quit Your Job
I’m pleased to post this guest article from Ideaspired.com, a place where I get inspiration to live the kind of life I want. Today’s post has practical guidance on quitting your job and starting your own business. If this idea inspires you, read on! There’s a lot to love about a 9-to-5 job: a predictable…
Photo Friday: World Password Day
May 6 was World Password Day (the first Thursday of May). Password security should be an everyday concern. Practice these tips to keep your devices and data secure: Review old passwords and strengthen them with numerals and special characters (@#&*). Use longer passwords–more than 10 characters. Store passwords in other places besides your phone or…
Want to be more productive? Give yourself some microbreaks.
When I worked my office jobs, I looked forward to going out to lunch. But I always felt a twinge of guilt about it when some of my colleagues humble-bragged about having to eat lunch at their desks because, you know, they were, “sooooooooooo swamped.” However, taking breaks is not a sign of laziness. A North…
Working from Bed is a Bad Idea
Sleep . . sex . . sickness. These are the only three things that should take place in bed. Working is not one of them. I admit that I’ve been working from bed (WFB) for years, and I pulled many all-nighters as a student. My worst one was when I was a doctoral student. I…
What Makes You Happy
“It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.” Lucille Ball Just popping in with this beautiful photo of Lucy. Her quote resonates with me as well. Have a happy Sunday.
Photo Friday: O Willa Cather!
Happy Women’s History Month! I’m paying tribute to one of my favorite authors: Willa Cather. Cather was born in Virginia in 1873, and her family moved to Nebraska when she was nine years old. She spent her formative years in Red Cloud, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (So did I!). Some of…
Photo Friday: National Pistachio Day
It’s National Pistachio Day! Each them as a snack or enjoy them on ice cream or dessert. Pistachios are great sources of protein, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin B6. This tree nut reduces the risk of heart disease and provides many other health benefits.
Leaving Comments Is the Easiest Way to Promote Your Blog
I’m terrible at promoting my blog and other writing. It’s the idea of selling that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But expanding a business or increasing readership requires a certain amount of promotion. However, there’s something much more important than self-promotion, and that is to build relationships. An easy way for bloggers to do that…
Photo Friday: Ode to NASA
The Perseverance rover, NASA’s most sophisticated one to date, landed on Mars on February 18, 2021. To celebrate, I’m posting a few pics from my trip to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center a few years ago.
Photo Friday: Masks
Thankfully, the COVID vaccines are getting distributed, even if not as quickly as we’d like. But we’re not out of the woods yet. Stay informed. Wash your hands. Social distance. Wear your masks. It only works if everyone does it. Most important: Stay safe and be kind to each other. We all want to get…
Happy National Fun at Work Day! (a day late)
It’s National Fun at Work Day. Fight the doldrums and make it a good one!
I Stopped Spending Money On These Things, and So Should You
My personal journey toward freedom, mobility, and more fulfilling work has been transformative in many ways. For example, moving into a smaller home means having less space to heat, cool, insure, and clean. Getting rid of extra clutter reduces my worry about misplacing something or finding room for it. As I continue to downsize and…
Happy National Pie Day!
Today is National Pie Day! Enjoy it whenever you can get it.
Photo Friday: Section of the Berlin Wall
This is the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall in central Berlin, adjacent to the Topography of Terror.
You Need to Remember This Rule: 20-20-20
I remember one time when my boyfriend and I patronized our favorite taproom. I had a very productive day writing, so I felt I deserved some “Miller Time.” When we got to the venue, we moved toward the bar to see what was on tap. I looked up at the menu board, but the words…
Photo Friday: Schloss Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen, Germany
How to Be More Interesting in Conversation
Want to be the most captivating person in the room (virtual or actual)? It doesn’t matter if you’re an outgoing butterfly or introverted wallflower. You have the smarts and charm to be interesting in conversations. Memorable and stimulating dialogue can lead to fruitful connections down the road. Awkward small talk, on the other hand, makes…
Happy Holidays!
No matter what you celebrate this season, here’s to a Holiday filled with love, health, and good cheer! See you soon!
How to Practice Minimalism without Being Annoying
Minimalism. I’m not sure how that word makes me feel. It’s true that since I’ve started purging clutter, my life has become more manageable and less stressful. But, sheesh! I want to pull my hair out when I hear someone call themselves a minimalist when they take 25 minutes to explain their perfect system for…
Photo Friday (a day late): Taos Pueblo, New Mexico
Taos Pueblo, located near Taos, NM, is a living Native American community. It’s both a National Historical Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo Friday: Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock, near Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, is a famous landmark that westward settlers saw as they traveled the California, Mormon, and Oregon Trails. The peak probably used to be about 30 feet higher, but erosion, a lightning strike, or wind likely led to the top part breaking off.
How Clutter Is Making You Miserable
Decluttering seems to be fashionable these days, especially for people who are sheltering in place because of the you-know-what-virus. When I get around to it, decluttering does wonders for my life, leaving room for more important things. Unfortunately, clutter afflicts many of us, and it’s making us miserable. The average household in the U.S. holds…
Photo Friday: Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Scenes from Old Man Cave at Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio. Finally, you can boldly publish high-quality blog posts that’ll make your readers want more content! Click here for your free Block Post Checklist.
Photo Friday: Colors of Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave National Park, located east of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and it has an amazing history, as well as 400 miles of tunnels. Mammoth Cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. Finally, you can boldly publish high-quality blog posts that’ll make your readers want more content! Click here for your free…
And I’m 50!
Can’t believe it; I finally hit the big 5-0. Is it still true that 50 is the new 40? To celebrate reaching the half-century mark, here’s a nod to Molly Shannon from Saturday Night Live. If it’s your birthday today, CONGRATULATIONS! Make it the best one ever, especially if you’re at least fifty! Want to…
Photo Friday: A Slice of RV History
Before the weather gets too cold, I’m daydreaing about my future RV life. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures from the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, IN. The museum boasts 100,000 sq. ft. of space that houses historical RVs, walls honoring notable notables in the industry, library, gift shop, RV toy displays,…
Remember the Reason for Labor Day
Like most people in the United States, I am savoring the Labor Day weekend and lamenting what many folks recognize as the official end to the summer–as weird as it was this year. The weather has been great, so I’ve taken advantage of the free time to enjoy it. Nevertheless, Labor Day is a federal…
Photo Friday: Patterns of Alhambra
Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Granada, Spain. The first structures of Alhambra date back to 889. This visit was one of my favorites sites during my trip in 2018. I was enthralled by its many colors, shapes, textures, and patterns. Want to publish high-quality posts that’ll make your readers want more of…
Fear Might Not Be the Reason for Avoiding the Dentist
My post yesterday was about facing fear and taking necessary actions, even though they may seem scary. I talked a lot about the fear of going to the dentist, something that affected me for several years. Despite the worst my imagination could conjure, I bit the bullet and got the dental care I needed. After…
How I Learned to Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway
For several years in my early adulthood I didn’t go to the dentist. I know, gross. You’re probably wondering, just how many years is “several?” Not gonna tell; it’s too embarrassing. But I was scared–of the needle, the drill, getting a lecture about neglect, being told in my early 30s I’d need dentures . ….
Photo Friday: Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska
Carhenge is a quirky model of Stonehenge using old cars. It’s outside of Alliance, Nebraska, and definitely worth the short drive from town. The entire replica was built with the same proportions as the original Stonehenge monument. Want to publish high-quality posts that’ll make your readers want more of your content? For a FREE download…
Photo Friday: Scenes from Vienna in Fall of 2017
From Mozart’s apartment, which is portrayed in the movie Amadeus. Vienna Opera House at night Coaster from the 1516 Brewing Company Want to publish high-quality posts that’ll make your readers want more of your content? For a FREE download of my guide, The ULTIMATE BLOG POST CHECKLIST, just click here!
Why Am I So Hungry?
I was standing in front of my open fridge the other night. I thought I was hungry, but I didn’t know what I was hungry for. After several minutes, I grabbed some sliced cheese and wolfed it down. Just a few minutes later, I thought, “I really didn’t need that.” During times of stress, uncertainty, sadness, or…
Photo Friday: The Dolomites in Italy
A few years ago, my boyfriend took a cycling trip to the Dolomites in Italy. The Dolomites are part of a mountain range in northern Italy. He was fortunate to see various landscapes, quaint towns, and ride the Stelvio Pass. If you want to learn more about my boyfriend’s cycling adventures, check out his blog:…
How to Fall Asleep Every Night With No Effort
Lately, there’s a lot to keep us awake at night. The big you-know-what-virus. Fragile economy. Travel uncertainties. For many of us who do freelance work, earning a living seems precarious at times. Worries can occupy our minds and keep us from falling asleep. We can’t underestimate the importance of adequate sleep. According to the National…
Photo Friday: I Miss Prague
Prague, Czech Republic, is one of my favorite European cities. It’s so cosmopolitan and friendly to visitors. If or when this COVID thing ever ends and travel can resume, I strongly suggest this city if you haven’t been before. I think it’s a great first city for people traveling to Europe for the first time….
Photo Friday: Ode to Ritter Sport
You can tell by tasting the chocolate how the people who produce it are doing. –Alfred T. Ritter
Photo Friday: A Bit of Australia
My boyfriend took a trip to Australia a few years ago. He took some great pictures, and I asked to share some of them with you. Near Cairns, Queensland Near Cairns, Queensland Near Cairns, Queensland Near Cairns, Queensland At a nature preserve. The guide told them the koala bear just woke up. Sydney Opera House…
