Deadlines: The Good, The Bad, The Necessary

I’m in the mood to write a novel. That’s right. A middle grade adventure novel. Frequently when I’m in the “hard work” stage of a current project, another writing idea lingers in the wings, luring me away with promises of literary greatness. I’m fairly used to “writer’s sabotage” which can be any number of pesky distractions that detour my best intentions...
Jan 4, 2008

Laura on Life: Beyond My Control

There is a fast-food restaurant in our town that is famous mostly for its chicken sandwiches.  Maybe you’ve heard of it:  Chick-fil-A.  For you northern readers:  I’m not making that up...
Dec 28, 2007

Norm's Tasting Notes: Champagne!

One of my favorite sparkling wines has always been the Chandon California Blanc de Noirs. This wine is made of only Pinot Noir Grapes and has a wonderful copper blush color, and a creamy texture complimented by its steady stream of tiny bubbles in the glass...
Dec 27, 2007

Laura on Life: Resistance Lingerie

Other than a bag of Oreos, gravity is a woman’s worst enemy...
Dec 18, 2007

The True Meaning of Christmas

The world may get caught up in the fast pace of a commercialized holiday, but stop for a moment and reflect. Christmas should be a time for peace. Not only during Christmas, but all year, let’s set aside differences and work together to make our county a better place...
Dec 17, 2007

The Written Word

Handwritten notes are personal. For a given period of time, the writer stopped the busyness and sat, reflected and wrote thoughts intended specifically for me...
Dec 13, 2007

Cold Protection for the Landscape

This is the time of year when most plants go dormant and a very good time for the homeowner to help protect plants from the cold days ahead...
Dec 13, 2007

Indoor Tips

More time is spent indoors during the cold days of December, and Clarke offers tips that may be of interest whem caring for indoor plants...
Dec 10, 2007

Laura on Life: No Footsteps to Follow

“Well, if you don'’t like I Love Lucy, try the other two channels...”
Dec 7, 2007

Norm's Tasting Notes: Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2005 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful reddish purple color with good clarity and nice legs. The wine is floral in its bouquet with blackberry and spice aromas...
Dec 7, 2007

Laura on Life: Alien Gender Issues

I don’t think that any interstellar theories like the popular Venus/Mars thing can completely explain the crossed wires that can occur between men and women here on Earth...
Dec 4, 2007

Norm's Tasting Notes: New York State Pinot Noir

The Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, New York, is the oldest winery in the country, dating back to 1839. The Pinot Noir which they produce is somewhat Burgundian in style, with a nose of berries and tea box...
Nov 30, 2007

Inspirational Views

I’m thrilled that my husband and I will be able to admire scenic Georgia for the next thirty years. I’ll sit for hours staring out my office window, drinking up as much of its beauty as I can. But there will come a time every day when I will look away, think about the word on the page and write...
Nov 30, 2007

Laura on Life: Brad Pitt and Arm Pits

I was drifting along on an ethereal cloud of pastel colors.  Then he was there – George Clooney…or maybe it was Brad Pitt...
Nov 27, 2007

Think Safety First!

To use pesticides safely, you need to know the correct pesticide to use, the proper amount to apply, the correct formulation to choose, and the appropriate method of application...
Nov 20, 2007