Instead Of Money
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Perfect Gift Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a pre-holiday conversation like the following: Adult: I want to get you something for the holidays. What would you like? Teen: I don’t know. Just give me money. Adult: Seriously? You don’t know? You have to want something. Teen: Just give me money. Adult: I’m […]
The Heart (Burn) Of The Matter
Growing up, I wasn’t prone to stomachaches. Even so, you could set your clock by the fact that I would get a huge one every Thanksgiving, because although I had a child-sized tummy, I also had a supersized appetite for everything that was served at my family’s annual feast. There I’d be, clutching my stomach […]
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, It’s Magic
When I was in elementary school we had to research a career and do a presentation about it to our classmates. I chose “magician.” I had a great time reading about magicians, and even got to meet a locally famous one who taught me a card trick that I could use in my presentation. […]
Closer Than You Think
Have you ever watched a Christmas episode of one of your favorite shows during the summer? No matter how well-done it is, it just feels wrong, especially when it’s hot and sunny outside. To an extent, that’s how I feel writing this particular blog, because while everyone’s still enjoying Indian Summer I have to be […]
What Is ALAN Doing For The Bahamas?
If you look up the expression “mixed emotions” in the dictionary today, you might find my picture. On the one hand, I’m hugely relieved that Dorian didn’t strike the U.S East Coast as a Category 5 and that so many communities were spared a direct hit. On the other, I am heartsick about what […]
The (Not-So) Calm Before The Storm – Dorian Edition
Years ago, the swimming star Esther Williams had a question she was asked so often, she had a card printed with the answer, “Yes, I still swim.” Although ALAN isn’t quite that famous (or aquatic), we can relate. Because each time a hurricane starts to form, we have one question that seems to pop up […]
Lessons Learned
There’s a funny story about Abraham Lincoln. After agreeing to pardon a woman’s son who had been sentenced to death for treason, Lincoln confessed that he pardoned the son reluctantly. “Still, I wish,” he said, “that we could teach him a lesson.” Lincoln’s quote comes to mind when I think about hurricane season, because each […]
Finally, A Food Blog!
Whenever there is a birthday, funeral, or other special occasion in my family, someone inevitably bakes “Jo Helen’s Lemonade Cake.” I don’t know where the recipe originated, although I’m guessing it was probably clipped from a popular women’s magazine or even some product box. Regardless it’s always attributed to our Grandma Jo, and the tradition […]
One Small Step For Man; One Giant Leap For Disaster Relief
As I write this, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing – and the epic soundbite that Neil Armstrong delivered as he became the first person to set foot on the moon. “That’s one small step for man . . . one giant leap for mankind.” Change a couple of words, […]
