Those of you who know me best, also know that I am far from being a fan of politics. Now and then, however, a few sage tidbits pique my interest. For example, as you likely know, Barbara Bush and Abigail Adams have the distinction of being the only two women to be married to a U.S. President and be the mother of another U.S. President. Barbara Bush was married to George H.W. Bush, the 41st U.S. President, and was the mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. President. Anyone who met Barbara Bush loved her and her ability to relate to anyone with the utmost honesty and wit. I was blessed to meet and interview her several times, including when she gave the commencement address at Wellesley College in Massachusetts on June 1, 1990. Always a powerful advocate for children and families, she offered up plenty of sage words for the graduates, including this tidbit.
“You must read to your children, and you must hug your children, and you must love your children. Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens inside your home.”
— Barbara Bush (1925 – 2018)
Abigail Adams, now referred to as the 2nd First Lady of the United States, although that title had not yet been established during her tenure, was also the mother of John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States. Further, she was not only the wife of John Adams, the 2nd President of the United States… She also served as his closest advisor. Even prior to the American Revolution she was utterly unimpressed with political “talk,” as indicated in the following quote from a letter she wrote to John Adams in 1774.
“We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.”
— Abigail Adams (1744 – 1818)
I didn’t set out to be any sort of paperback writer, but some things simply happen! #22 is set for release on November 2nd. What!!??! (Yup… Book 2 in the historical fiction Destiny trilogy continues telling my family’s Armenian story. Following “Destiny of Dreams: Time Is Dear,” this one is entitled “Destiny of Determination: Faith and Family.”)
Naturally, Bandit then wrote his own riotous romp with “A Dangerous Book for Dogs: Train Your Human.” I particularly liked writing a few non-fiction, life lessons books. This group started with “The Bimbo Has Brains… and Other Freaky Facts,” which was followed by “The Bimbo Has MORE Brains… Surviving Political Correctness. Then came one of my most popular works… “Encouragement: How to Be and Find the Best.” And I followed that with “Good Living Skills: Lessons Learned from my Mother.” I also ripped “Healthy Thinking Habits: Seven Attitude Skills Simplified” from a compilation to which I had contributed along with Deepak Chopra and several other authors. There were a few others, including a book of my poems (& other ramblings) and a couple of real estate guides.
LOL. Of course, I have muddied the genre waters plenty by adding 9 cookbooks to my paperback list.
My first cookbook series launched as I compiled old family recipe cards. The 3-book series “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites” was born. This was quickly followed by several more:
Today is a day that’s all about forgetting our differences… race, religion, culture, language, politics, boundaries, and so much more. On National One Voice Day, may we speak with one voice and commit to the cause of world peace.
This day marks the 22nd anniversary of my first date with Sir Ronald. For several years, we “returned to the scene of the crime” for lunch on the anniversary of that date. (I’d even wear the same outfit… just me being silly me.) Of course, we now celebrate our wedding anniversary… with the 21st fast approaching in September. But as I have been focusing on special family-oriented days of celebration, I thought it nice to recall this very special day. Happy First Date Anniversary to Sir Ronald… and to everyone who loves to celebrate such happy occasions. (The photo is from 2002 on the 2nd anniversary of that first date. Yes… we were in Manchester, New Hampshire at Cotton, although for our first date it was still Cafe Pavone.) Fun memories!
When we are very lucky, we grow up enjoying beautiful and loving siblings… our sisters and brothers. Sometimes we also get Bonus Siblings in the form of cousins. I enjoyed a blessed childhood with wonderful siblings AND cousins. On this National Cousins Day, we recognize and thank our cousins for being perfectly marvelous parts of our lives. Some we may still enjoy relationships with as adults. Others may have slipped off into their own busy worlds and away from our embrace. Today, I enjoy a moment to pause and feel loving gratitude for each and every cousin… David, Marcia, Barb, Marilyn, Bill, Rick, and more! Don’t even get me started with my second and third cousins! Each and every one is precious!!! Love to you all!
Since 1984, today is the day set aside annually to recognize women “of a certain age” whether they are Grandmothers or not. Thanks to all Nana, Grammies, and Grannies by any name for passing down traditions, wit, and wisdom… for loving and nurturing people as if it was the only thing you had to do that day or any day. So, I share my little collection of photos to celebrate the footsteps of those who lead us as we walk on this official National Gorgeous Grandma Day.
Sigh. Just imagine drifting off to blissful sleep while swaying gently in a hammock between a couple of shade trees. “They” say that we can fall asleep more quickly in a hammock, while also enjoying better quality sleep and improved blood circulation. Hammocks also ease muscle aches and provide great stress relief.
Unable to sleep, Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin prepared to leave the craft. As he stepped onto the moon’s surface 6 hours and 39 minutes later at 10:56 pm Eastern Daylight Time, Armstrong said, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Yes, he is famously misquoted without the little “a” article, due to a static crackle.) Armstrong and Aldrin explored the moon’s surface and collected samples for 2½ hours. Ahhhh, explorers!
In 1984 President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the 3rd Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He cited ice cream as the “perfect dessert and snack food.”
You either love corn fritters or you don’t, but today is their official day! Fritters, for me, are best when they are fresh and hot and served with soft honey butter. Hellloooo! As my many musical friends have taught me, it’s all about “theme and variation.” So, in my 2017 full-color cookbook 
“The more we try, the more we fail. The more we fail, the more we succeed.”
“Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
“When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail.”
On a day like this, my Armenian side gets to shine. I love kebabs, crispy brown on the outside and juicy, tender on the inside, with just the most mahhhhvelous blend of herbs and spices. Whether you like to marinate or simply dry season, enjoy the process of both preps and cooking. I always think of my Grampa when I make kebabs. I so enjoyed sitting at his feet as he patiently grilled long skewers of lamb over the hot coals. I can drift away just thinking about the luscious aromas! Yummmmm… and then comes the first delectable bite! Oooooh-la-la! Whether you choose lamb, pork, beef, or seafood, enjoy your kebabs today or any day. Here is the recipe that I have included in the back of Book 2 in the historic fiction Destiny Trilogy. Destiny of Determination: Faith and Family will be released in paperback and eBook formats on November 2nd, with an audiobook to follow.
“No matter what you believe it doesn’t change the facts.”
Best Fried Chicken
Time for another Super Simple recipe!
We have heard it said, but in our comfortable human way, we tend to forget that freedom is never free.
“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”
“Don’t ever lose hope. Every time it appears the world will stop spinning it turns on for another millennium.”
Sometimes it’s more challenging than others to see the humor in a situation. But I do believe it helps us to step back and take a deep breath. And if we can find our happy place, we can be healthier. As a great believer in attitude over aptitude, I also believe in never squelching anyone’s ability to think happier.
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
Thank you to my dear mother, Glenna Burnham. You have been my role model, my guiding light, and my rock. You celebrated my successes and caught me whenever I fell. You have been a great blessing to me and so many others! You have beautifully touched countless lives. You have led the way to successfully choosing to live a life based on faith, family, love, service, and a positive attitude.
“My parents blessed me with directives to think, to be aware of my choices and their repercussions. They were always trying to teach me how to think, rather than what to think.”
