Let’s talk gratitude. Having survived Hurricane Matthew with minimal damage, gratitude is top of mind. Before, during, and after the hurricane, I watched people come together to help prepare, weather the storm, cleanup after, and deal with the widespread power outages. Watching our small community pull together to help each was beautiful to see.[…]
Let’s talk about hiking. I grew up in the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania where we did a lot of walking, hiking, and wandering in the great outdoors. I think that’s why my heart still goes to the mountains, even though I live near the beach. It’s also why I like to hike and explore when[…]
If you have ever been to a high end restaurant for a special occasion, you have certain expectations based solely on the restaurant’s price, menu, and location. Those expectations usually include quality, value, service, atmosphere, and the overall experience. I had the pleasure of dining at a wonderful restaurant where the entire evening, from the[…]
Today is the 15th Anniversary of 9/11. It’s a pivotal moment in our nation’s history; one that continues to have a significant impact on our lives. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on that day when they heard the planes flew into the World Trade Center in New York City.[…]
On a Saturday morning in July, with a heat index close to 100 degrees at 7:00 a.m., a group of seven men, three young boys, and one women (me) came together to demolish a burned out mobile home. The county was pressuring the owner to demolish the home and the owner had no insurance or[…]
Let me tell you the story of my first job interview that took place more decades ago than I care to admit — because I simply can’t be that old. I wanted that job so badly because I had heard how great it was to work there. I’ll be honest, though; I was as scared[…]
Remember when you learned to ride a bicycle? I was so excited to finally get those training wheels removed and join the older kids. Once those wheels came off, there was no turning back; I would be a big kid. And yet, a part of me was still afraid. You know, that little voice[…]
Although it’s been a couple of decades, I still remember my first hire. In those days, I was definitely not an expert. When I think back to those days, I have to smile because I was so naïve about the hiring process. Fortunately, I had a mentor who patiently taught me, and I learned the[…]
My bathrobe is soft, warm, and best suited for a cold winter day and a hot cup of coffee. Yet it was over 90 degrees, and I wore my bathrobe in public. Not Walmart-public, but more public than the privacy of my home. You’re probably thinking I’ve gone off the deep end, but I assure[…]
“If you’re going to play the game, boy you gotta learn to play it right,” sang Kenny Rogers in his song The Gambler. This song popped into my head as I ate lunch in a restaurant while observing two families with small children who had very different definitions of good behavior for their children. In[…]