Something for Nothing

 

“We should not expect something for nothing, but we all do, and we call it hope.”

— E. W. Howe (1853 – 1937)
American novelist & editor

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Thunder Rolled

 

A couple of nights ago, Sir Ronald and I watched a T-storm scream across Lake Winnipesaukee.

 

 

 

 

Sitting in the boat’s cockpit, the calm before the storm gave nothing away, but this baby was coming!

 A glass of wine. Some freshly made popcorn. Okay. I’m a sissy. Once it started pouring, I was down in the cabin. LOL.

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National Grand Marnier Day

 

Celebrate National Grand Marnier Day!

For Sir Ronald, Grand Marnier is his favorite after-dinner drink…

 

 

 

served in a large snifter, of course. I’ll take mine in Crepes Suzette, please. The classic French dessert is served with the famous orange liqueur flambéed, but there are other options.

 

Super Simple Crepes Suzette
6 pre-made crepes (homemade recipe follows, if you prefer)
Sauce:
½ c butter
¼ – 1/3 c granulated sugar
2 T fine, fresh orange zest
¼ – 1/3 c orange juice (fresh or purchased)
4 T Grand Marnier liqueur
2 T cognac or brandy, optional
1-2 T additional sugar

Garnish options:
Med or fine fresh orange zest
Warmed mandarin orange sections, whole or halved
French vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream

Melt butter in 12” skillet over medium heat. Whisk in sugar and orange zest. Constantly whisking, slowly drizzle in the orange juice. Continue stirring for 3-4 minutes till syrupy. (If not flaming the sauce, add the liqueurs here.) Reduce heat to low. Use 2 forks to lower each crepe into the sauce, turning to moisten both sides. Then place crepe on baking sheet, folding in half and in half again, forming a triangle. Repeat with remaining 5 crepes. Transfer all 6 folded crepes back into the skillet, overlapping as needed. Scrape any sauce collected on the baking sheet into the pan. Sprinkle the additional sugar over the top.

To flambé, add the liqueurs and carefully light with long-handled lighter. Use long-handled spoon to quickly spoon flaming sauce over the crepes for about 30 seconds till flames subside. Transfer crepes to serving plates. Top with remaining sauce from the skillet and garnish, as desired. Serve immediately. Makes 6-8.

KISS Tip: Instead of orange sections, you can also use thin peach slices and/or fresh raspberries for garnishing.

Homemade Crepes
2 lg eggs
3 T sugar
1/8 tsp salt
¾ c flour
½ c milk
¼ c water (or Grand Marnier, for extra flavor)
½ – 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 T melted butter
Additional melted butter for skillet

In medium bowl, whisk eggs till frothy and smooth, before whisking in sugar and salt. Gradually whisk in flour till well combined. Then whisk in milk, water, and extract thoroughly. Finally, whisk in the 2 T melted butter. (Batter can be refrigerated at this point.) To prepare, heat a 6-8” nonstick skillet over med to med-high heat. Brush with melted butter. Add 3 T batter and quickly tilt and swirl pan to evenly distribute batter. Cook just 45-60 seconds (edges will start to curl up). Use long spatula to flip crepe over; cook another 10-15 seconds. Transfer crepe to a baking sheet. Wipe out skillet lightly with a paper towel and lightly brush with butter again. Repeat process with remaining batter. Set crepes aside and make the sauce.  Makes 6-8 crepes.

KISS Tip: Substituting Grand Marnier for the water adds more flavor. Another option is adding 2 T finely grated fresh orange zest.

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Surprise!

Photo by Josh Mills

 

“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.”

— Ashley Montagu (1905 – 1999)
British American anthropologist

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Rod Stewart Rocks

 

We caught Rod Stewart… again… in concert last night in Gilford, NH.

 

 

 

He had his typical entertaining costume changes every 3 songs.

As usual, his entire cast was fabulous.

Insane how solid a showman Stewart remains… even at 80!

The opening act was Cheap Trick.

But Rod Stewart and company just kept bringing it… each and every number was superb.

Thank you, Rod Stewart for giving a lifetime of culture and class to us all.

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New Release – Perspectives

Thank you to my many friends who have been earnestly asking when my next book will be released. In progress, there are several works, some entertaining and some intriguing, but they need more time than I have had. Unfortunately, circumstances over the last couple of years have not been conducive to writing, recording, or any other sort of creativity.

Thank you for your patience. Since Ron’s stroke in 2023, his increasing needs for my time have, understandably, gotten all my focus. We are glad to report that he’s doing awesome! So, while we are enjoying Lake Winnipesaukee, I am taking advantage of the relaxation time to launch a new book series.

Sooooo…. Today’s the Day! Perspectives” is the first in my Life Seasonings series of little Go-To guides to simply serve up information that may be encouraging, uplifting, supportive, and even motivational. All books in the Life Seasonings series will be liberally sprinkled with fun and thoughtful tidbits, colorful photographs, and favorite quotations. (You knowwww I love those!)

Whether your tastes lean toward sweet, spicy, or savory, the Life Seasonings series presents something for everyone. “Perspectives” is available today in full-color paperback and digital formats.

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True Friends

Photo by Joseph Pearson

 

 

“If you have one true friend, you have more than your share.”

— Thomas Fuller (1608 – 1661)
English writer & historian

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Oops!

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”  

— Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)
British philosopher, logician, author, & Nobel laureate

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Step Lightly

Photo by Lisa Baker

 

“One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.”

— Jack Penn (1909 – 1996)
African surgeon, sculptor & artist

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Brilliant!!!

Photo by Gary Bending

 

“What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.”

— Oscar Levant (1906 – 1972)
American pianist & composer

 

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Kiss Kiss

Photo by Alejandra Quiroz

Celebrate International Kissing Day! You know what to do… Travel to a foreign country and kiss somebody!

Wait! That’s not it??!!

Okay. Save the airfare. Smooch wherever you are.

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You’ve Got This

“If you ever feel like you want to give up, think of all the little things that have made you smile… Hang on and live for those things.”

— Cathy Burnham Martin

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Happy Independence Day!

Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton

We have our issues, as we always have… as all nations do. However, we Americans are especially blessed. We have innovation, a good economy, and ever-opening opportunities. Our individual perceptions, perspectives, and personal experiences can sway our opinions. Despite divisiveness, we remain highly productive, focused on innovation and technology, and a nation brimming with individual opportunities. Blessedly, we have human rights that are largely unheard of in far too many nations. We can and do express diverse opinions. We fall short now and then, but we get back up. I am grateful to everyone who has sacrificed to keep America and Americans free, and I joyously celebrate Independence Day.

 

(Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton)

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Air Conditioning Appreciation

This is one hot summer… everywhere! Today is Air Conditioning Appreciation Day. Enjoy it, if you’ve got it. If not, take great care to stay out of the sun, or in the water, or near a fan. And hydrate! (Nope… caffeine, alcohol, and soft drinks do not count as they are diuretics and dehydrate our bodies.) Stay cool!

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Patience, Please

 

“Patience is also a form of action.” 

— Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917)
French sculptor

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‘Tis Better to Hope

Photo by Joshura Earle

 

“In all things, it is better to hope than to despair.”

— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749 – 1832)
German writer & polymath

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Just Whisper

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten

 

“Listen now to the gentle whispers of hope.”

— Charles D. Brodhead (1827 – 1913)
American politician, PA rep

 

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Blossom Time

 

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

— Marcel Proust (1871 – 1922)
French novelist & literary critic

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Thank You, Friends

 

A true friend accepts who you are but also helps you become who you should be. 

My most sincere gratitude to all who have been true to me and helped me grow along the way.

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Disagreement

David Clode

“Just as war is freedom’s cost, disagreement is freedom’s privilege.”

— Bill Clinton (1946 – )
(born William Jefferson Blythe III)
American politician & lawyer
42nd U.S. President

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Act Anyway

 

“Courage is simply the willingness to be afraid and act anyway.”

— Robert Anthony Rodriguez (1987 – )
American motivational speaker, Paralympian, and disabilities advocate

Thanks to all who serve in our military, as first responders, and as other positive role models.

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Patience. Patience. Patience.

Photo by Iva Rajovic

The ability to endure challenging times without getting upset requires developing a worthy skill set. However, maintaining a positive attitude while awaiting long-term results is far from easy. Hang in there. The wait is worthwhile.

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

— Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778)
Swiss philosopher & writer

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Happy 75th Mom and Dad

 

75 years ago today, Mom and Dad married.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bittersweet. We celebrate Mom turning 95 and still living independently. Gracious, awesome, active. But she misses Dad every single day. God bless.

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Call for Compassion

Photo by Jon Tyson

 

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

— Dalai Lama (14th is Tenzin Gyatso, born 1935)
Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism

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Moral Courage

“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare.”

— Mark Twain (1835-1910)
(Pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
19th Century American author and humorist

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Ahhh, Tolerance

Sadly, understanding, acceptance, and respect for others are challenging qualities for us mere humans. Pray for our growth.

“Tolerance is giving to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself.”

— Robert Green Ingersoll (1833 – 1899)
American writer & orator

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Happy Summer Solstice!

The longest day of the year is upon us!

Live every blessed minute of it.

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No Winners

 

“People rarely win wars; governments rarely lose them.” 

— Arundhati Roy (1961 – )
Indian author & activist

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Happy Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day to all you Papas out there!

“Youth is not entirely a time of life; it is a state of mind.  Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.  People grow old by deserting their ideals.  You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.”

— Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964)
United States General of the Army

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Light It Up!

 

“There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

— Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937)
American writer & designer

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Friendship Rises Above It All

“A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship.”

— Saint Francis de Sales (1567 – 1622)
Savoyard Catholic prelate

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Determination

“Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”

— Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
American statesman
16th President 1861-65
Assassinated following the Civil War

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Opening Eyes

 

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

— Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917)
French Impressionist artist

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Live Boldly

 

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

— Annie Dillard (1945 – )
American Pulitzer Prize-winning author

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Ability

“It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.”

— Elbert Hubbard (1856 – 1915)
American writer, publisher, & philosopher
Editor & founder of Roycroft Press

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Ups & Downs & All-Arounds

June 6th is an annual date on which we salute one of the world’s oldest and most enduring toys. Not to “string” you along, the yo-yo is iconic.

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Savoring Spring

I am greatly enjoying the last weeks of Spring with so many lovely flowers in bloom.

 

 

 

 

We mow many acres of lush lawns and meadows.

 

 

 

I repeatedly marvel at our fruit trees, and I had to remove more than half the plums from their branches to avoid breaking the boughs as they ripen and plump up.

 

 

Blueberries are plentiful and just about to burst into blue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blackberries are both in bloom and bulging with fruit.

 

 

 

 

 

And I have been harvesting luscious raspberries for several days now.

 

 

 

 

Tomato plants have already stretched up to my shoulders!

 

 

 

 

Baby birds of all sorts flit about gleefully, having recently left their nests.

 

 

 

 

Spring. Hope. Life. Nature. Miracles.

 

 

 

 

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Hope Lives

Photo by Joshua Earle

“I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.”

— Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881)
British statesman, conservative politician, and writer;
Twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

 

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Positivity

 

“In times of great stress or anxiety, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.”

Lee Iacocca (1924 – 2019)
American executive & automotive pioneer

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Thinking Is Not Overrated

“When uncontrolled, your mind can be very dangerous to you, but when controlled, it can develop unlimited power.”

— Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993)
American clergyman and best-selling author
(from his book The Power of Positive Thinking)

 

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