Quoth Og Mandino

"People will always respond positively to joy and enthusiasm."

My Authorial Debut

The Thrilling Sequel

What a day!

Of course I had the most incredible birthday yesterday because I have the bestest family and friends in the whole world. Cake and ice cream was eaten, presents were enjoyed, and I am braced to face my 42nd year of existence. Thank you all!

According to this very interesting site, the i-Ching hexagram for [...]

From beyond the grave, my Russian grandpa speaks

So this weekend my whole family gathered at my mom’s house to celebrate my sister Rachel’s birthday, and also to give her a proper send-off as she returns to Russia (St. Petersburg) to complete her doctoral thesis. One of the highlights of the visit (besides the utterly delicious BBQ pork made by Rachel’s paramour [...]

Dog tired

Well, we’re back from the beach and we’re all sunburned and windburned and exhausted. The dog especially. The minute we got home she flopped down on her bed and hasn’t left it since. She does groan occasionally, and look over at me balefully. Poor pup. She was on fast-forward the whole weekend, swimming in [...]

Gone fishin’

Happy Friday the 13th, everybody. I’m outta here for the weekend—me and the family are taking a merry excursion to the seashore. See you all Monday, and don’t walk under any ladders or nothing.

Today, I am just one year away ...

… from being the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life. As I said to the redoubtable Serge, this year is just a warmup. Thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes that were waiting in my email box this morning! They gave me quite a smile, especially since my daughter hasn’t yet remembered [...]