an enriching experience that can positively impact your life

an enriching experience that can positively impact your life

If you’re looking for some life coach mumbo jumbo, you won’t find it here. What you will find instead is me telling you that owning a dog is rewarding, and that it promotes emotional well-being, physical health and overall quality of life.

Merida dreaming about summertime.

Caring for a dog requires commitment, responsibility, and a daily routine.

Owning a dog can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Their presence can provide comfort, support, and a sense of belonging, especially during challenging times.

Dharma's cute face

Studies show that interacting with dogs reduces stress levels, lowers blood pressure and promotes relaxation. Merida did NOT take part in any of the studies…

Merida is a hot mess

The companionship, love, and joy that dogs bring into your life can lead to increased happiness, fulfillment, and overall life satisfaction. Their playful antics, unwavering devotion, and constant presence can brighten your days and bring a sense of joy to your home.

Go get yourself a dog. If you already have one… go get another. πŸ™‚

Now you know: The “Zip” in Zip Code stands for Zone Improvement Plan, has been in use since 1963, and adds $10 billion annually to the US economy.


gloria is one busy female

gloria is one busy female

We named the killdeer that builds a nest in the middle of my Momma’s driveway Edith. Now, we have a bird named Gloria. Remember ‘All in the Family‘ — the popular TV sitcom from the 70’s? Me neither… but I do remember reruns of ole’ Archie Bunker and our new bird needed a name that paired with Edith. (A male would’ve been named Meathead.)

This extremely busy girlie isn’t going anywhere.

gloria giving the stink eye

While it took forever to figure out the mysterious noise coming from another part of the house, now that Gloria’s secret is out she’s not nearly as afraid of movement. If we keep making friends at this rapid pace, I’ll probably have a selfie with her sitting on my finger by Friday! πŸ™„

The current situation…

Gloria will sit on the door handle pecking at herself for hours. The only interruption is when she stops long enough to flog the door from top to bottom. At least twice. Then, she’ll peck her reflection at the bottom of the door before flying back to her perch on the handle.

When you hear the old saying that a woman’s work is never done… believe it.

Now you know: Spike Lee negotiated with a Brazilian drug lord to allow him to film Michael Jackson’s 96 music video ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ in a Rio de Janeiro slum. The drug kingpin replied, β€œWith Michael Jackson here, this will be the safest place in the world.”


Cheers to Perry for making another orbit around the sun

Cheers to Perry for making another orbit around the sun

I didn’t need 5 calendar reminders just to remember today is Perry’s 52nd birthday. He’s made yet another fun-filled, successful orbit around the sun!

Perry's orbit around the sun

Today we’ll celebrate his special day with Chinese food and smashed cake.

I showed Perry his cake — the one I had delivered from Walmart (yes, I suck) that was smashed on one side by a crushed lid. He laughed. What he doesn’t know is that I actually remembered to buy ice-cream too. Who wouldn’t be thrilled with a birthday celebration like that? πŸ˜‰

Ole’ Perry is an easy-going guy — sometimes too much so.

Perry’s always up to go anywhere and try anything. My family has become his… and that ain’t easy, y’all.

Perry and Colette at Disney

He works hard and is generous — and he’s not picky except when it comes to food. I’m not saying he cares so much about having big meals because he’s fine with a peanut butter sandwich. But never mention having goulash or mushrooms. Oh… and never, EVER, offer him sushi.

When I met Perry, he had hair. πŸ˜‰

Perry had hair!

And then, we worked together for quite a few years and both of us lived through it. (Barely!)

Me and Perry - the southern branch of McKain Performance Group

Happy birthday to Perry — I hope his upcoming journey around the sun is amazing!

Now you know: Compared to their overall weight, koalas have among of the smallest brains of any animal. They are so dumb that they cannot identify leaves as food and refuse to consume them when they are placed on a flat surface as opposed to branches.


what could be worse than killer robots?

what could be worse than killer robots?

The CEO of ChatGPT-maker, OpenAI, spoke at the recent World Governments Summit in Dubai warning of the dangers of artificial intelligence. If the CEO says the dangers keep him awake at night, people in general — not just government leaders — should take note of that.

By the way… “people in general” includes every human on the planet. Sam Altman, the CEO mentioned above, keeps telling the world there needs to be an agency created to oversee AI, but no such group has yet been formed.

Dogs are safe from the dangers because it’s not killer robots that are alarming.

dog rests easy because no killer robots are roaming in rural Indiana

Subtle societal misalignment is where things could go horribly wrong.

Societal misalignments refers to instances were AI technology could result in unintended consequences that are counterproductive to society — like bias and discrimination, and job displacement and economic inequality.

As for now… we simply wait to see what happens next.

still photo concept for waiting to see what happens next

Since we’re waiting anyway, we can use that time to worry about the claims that genetic material has been gathered secretly from Americans for the Chinese government, and the spying allegations tied to mobile phone apps. EEEEK!

(Read the AP article here.)

Now you know: A plumber found cash and checks stashed in a wall at Joel Osteen’s Houston mega-church.


no, i didn’t watch the super bowl

no, i didn’t watch the super bowl

I skipped the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas this year — both in person and on TV. I did watch a clip of Usher’s half time show, and listened to Reba sing The National Anthem. No Super Bowl action here — I spied on my neighbors instead.

pesky neighbors may or may not be home.

Funny reading the reviews though…

One review said Usher fizzled while a couple FB friends said it was the best ever. I read a piece about how horrible Reba was, and another that said she was fabulous. Honestly… both were decent in my book; but neither were jaw droppingly good. What about you… what did YOU think? (Careful, you might show your age by your answer.)

Super Bowl Commercials were a bit lack luster too IMHO.

If you missed them, you can watch a rundown at this link. So many loved the BIC EZ reach commercial with Willie Nelson… but not me. Could it be any more fake? I didn’t think so until I saw the CeraVe commercial and Dawn’s Ultimate Wash Party.

So NOT a fan of Budweiser, I gotta say the Bud Light commercial with Peyton Manning and Post Malone was great, and their Old School Delivery one was as well. I liked the Deadpool & Wolverine Teaser, Dove’s Hard Knocks and the Kia EV9 commercials.

Maybe it’s because the older I get, the harder it is to impress me.

Just like the skyline yesterday… it was ok, but nothing jaw dropping.

lack luster skyline in rural indiana in winter

Now you know: Kelly, a dolphin, was rewarded with fish by her trainers for bringing them litter and dead gulls to clean her pool. She began hiding fish under a rock in her pool and used them to lure gulls, which she then brought to her trainers to receive more fish. She even taught her calf the same strategy.