Love Day

Silly Hallmark holiday, but it means something. My husband proposed for the 2nd time on Valentine's Day, 2 proposals, 2 rings, can't beat that!
My youngest Valentine woke me with a chocolate chip pancake breakfast in bed this morning. My husband woke me with lovely gifts before he left for a business trip at 6 am. It's been a good day.
Love and be loved today.

Beagles Rule the World!

Uno wins Westminster and makes history!
Beagles rule!

Beagle Wins Best of Breed!

For those familiar with my beloved beagle Eloise are also probably familiar with the first website I ever created www.talkingbeagle.com
I created the site 4 years ago and while I don't update it as often as I should, it is still the website most of our friends and family remember.
This morning when in dire need of a giggle, my beagle once again came to the rescue. While I wasn't happy with the mess she made, it's nice to know in the midst of a bad day, some things can still make me laugh.

Today, a lively little beagle named Uno won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club, the first Beagle to win in the Hound group since 1939. He is the favorite to win Best of Show tomorrow night. If he wins, he will be the first Beagle to win EVER and will finally show the judges why beagles are one of the most popular dogs in the world. Uno is stealing all the press and the attention from the more traditional show dogs and I hope he wins!
Check out the Westminster website for results.
http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/

When Blogging Makes a Difference

I love reading blogs, especially ones that inspire. Check out these personal blogs that are really making a difference to those who read them:
Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer Blog
http://crazysexycancer.blogspot.com/
Lynn's Weight Loss Journey
http://www.freewebs.com/lynnsjourney/

Paper is Not Dead

In the world of books there is the often hotly debated topic of the future of print. With so many newspapers online and many books going straight to electronic readers such as the Kindle, authors, buyers, publishers and readers love to debate on the future of the written word. Just for the record, from someone in the business of books, print is not dead. Readers are deeply attached to their books and always will be. Even I prefer to read certain print electronically, especially international newspapers, blogs, gossip rags and national news. The accessibility and technology of publishing is changing and so is the way we read. I enjoy my light reading in the form of paper or hard cover books but am particulary attached to magazines in their traditional print format. Maybe it's the glossy covers, the artwork style ads or the simplicity of rolling a mag up and tossing it in my bag, whatever it is, I love my magazines. I have weeded out the subscriptions I receive to just those whose monthly issues I prefer to keep. Magazines I file away and refer back to for travel, recipes or just the art and photographs. Here are my subcriptions for 2008:

Budget Travel


Conde Nast Traveler


Cooking Light





Fine Gardening



Travel & Leisure







And those that I buy regularly from the newstand:
OK UK edition



Real Simple

Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday is here finally! As soon as I left the house this morning I went directly to my polling place and voted. I LOVE to vote. I love the entire process, giving the judge your name, signing your voter card etc. I'll admit with the new electronic voting booths, it's not nearly as fun as voting in the 80's or 90's when you got to step inside the little booth with the curtain. But I still get a rush by the simple fact that I CAN vote and I take every opportunity to do so. With the choice of voting with a paper ballot or electronically I chose the touch screen and it's nice to see you still get a paper ballot to check your selections. If you are not registered to vote, I am a Deputy Voter Registrar (since I am a librarian) so contact me and if I can't register you, I'll find someone who can.
Tonight I will be at my friend Jessica's house, who should be working on someone's campaign (she knows everything about politics) to watch the results roll in. It's run to share in the election excitement with someone who is passionate about politics.
In my opinion, if you don't vote, I won't discuss the state of our country with you, not taxes, not the War, health care, nada. I don't care what party you're in just exercise your right to vote and thank your country men and women that you have the opportunity.
P.S. I love the sticker you get after you vote!

Great Place in the Neighborhood

There is an American Legion Hall a few blocks from my home and it's one of the best places to hang out in the area. Don't get me wrong....I live within walking distance of the quaint downtown area of my village which is full of fantastic restaurants, bars, movies and live theater, but the Legion is really a great surprise. Friday nights are "Open Mic" nights and I've seen some fantastic talent there, full orchestras, local bands, Elton John and Billy Joel style entertainers and just truly talented musicians. Besides the great variety of live music, the beers are cold and CHEAP, like $1.50 a beer! And on a hot summer Friday night it's great to be able to walk to the Hall, catch some great music, drink cold tap and walk home. Another great event, various Sundays are "Pancake Breakfast" mornings with hot pancakes and other great buffet items, all served up by Legion members and served with spicy fresh bloody mary's and eaten on wooden tables outside near the park or inside while a full orchestra plays.
Coming home this afternoon I passed the Hall and it looked like the place was in full swing for their Super Bowl party, I might have to stop by for a beer inbetween the other parties I am heading too.