If you answered "YES", I say congratulations!  In this world, you will need as much of that as you can muster up. Hold on to your individuality. No, I'm not saying break the law, or hurt anybody. Far from it. This has nothing to do with basic social decorum where you have to pay your bills and take a shower and not pick fights in the bar, and try to be considerate of other people. Oh sure, if something makes sense, I'll go along with it. But I won't accept everything that's presen

If you are anything like me, you are constantly questioning and re-evaluating your own purpose, your own raison d'etre. Why? For me, it's because oftentimes, I find myself getting involved in things that seem unusual for me. So, I'll ask you some of the same questions I ask myself. Why are you really doing this IM thing? What are you trying to achieve? What are you hoping to accomplish? What are you bringing of yourself to the world? What "special" thing do you have to offer? These are

Hah! Is it something I said? I certainly hope so. Two days now, and no swallows. Quiet as a tomb, except for the sparrows who tuck themselves into any crevice they can find in our field stone structure, and are making families,  the usual Springtime ritual around here amongst the creatures. You approach my house and you hear peep! peep! peep! I wake up to peep! peep! My property used to be, and is a bird sanctuary. So there you have it. I think it's very nice, lovely, except  for when

That's a word I learned years ago on Seventh Avenue (NYC), and I think it is a perfectly descriptive word for "hitting the wall", so I use it whenever it applies. It's a melancholy feeling that comes over you when you want control over things, and don't feel that you have control, at the moment. It's good to have an outward expression for stress. Better not to implode. So, to admit veldt-schmertz, then move on, is probably healthy and human. When you feel it, really FEEL it, then chang

In case you haven't read my previous blog, my family and I have been harrassed by a flock of barn swallows who insist on taking up residence in an eave in the front of our antique carriage house. It's been a battle of wits and endurance. Here's how it's going.The saga continues... Happy to report that it looks like I have won over MOTHER NATURE, and in time for Mother's Day too. Don't worry. I'll make it up to her... a tree, rose bush, marigolds, fertilizer. Dinner out. Maybe even let the deer e

From the sublime to the ridiculous. They're back! Alfred Hitchcock, where are you? Here's the seed of a good niche idea for someone so inclined. I live in an old carriage house that was discovered last year by a family of barn swallows. It seems we have the perfect conditions for them to nest and breed their young. Ordinarily, I wouldn't care. I love animals. They want to live with me? Fine. As long as they don't come inside or bug me outside. I discovered I'm not St. Francis after all. These l

Guys, I'm turning into Jim Carey. But not the Grinch yet, thank heavens. My face is not green. I was literally ORDERED back into my studio, which is no sweat for me. It's like giving the baby a lollipop, or Donald Trump a new piece of real estate. I love my work, which is of its nature, RIGHT BRAINED.  This only means you are a receiver of information and communicate differently. You get spacey and weird and talk to yourself because you are happy in this state, and it intimidates  peop

Don't run with the herd. Be your unique self. Don't copy anybody. Be true to yourself! Do it your way. And for crying out loud, have some fun! The New Englander in me compels me to quote my hero: Ralph Waldo Emerson          "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of our own mind".                                 &

Gotcha!!! Wrong. Not lemonade, yes that too but... A recipe for a good article... Chemical breakdown: LEMONS: You might think they are sour at first, but they are really alkaline. Is there a problem in the house? GOOD! All great inventions are born out of a universal need. Problems present opportunities. That need can be addressed and satisfied and you can be an important part of the solution. SUGAR: Does more than just make the medicine go down. Sugar provides a pleasant taste and lots of en

Not to be cruel, and I don't mean literally throw anyone out, but a negative  person's attitude can be contagious and end up hurting you. So don't allow it!  It's not fair. I think it's immoral to erode  a person's drive to accomplish something, even if  it isn't understood. The best way for you or me to handle these folks, is often by just staying away from them. You're not hurting the person by avoiding them. You're protecting yourself. Believe it or not, it took me years t