Pet Fun – Treats!

Westminster today decided on our walk that he was going to “his store.” He gets a definite look in his eye and leads the way for the few blocks, so he can run in, belly up to the bar, and ask for a treat. We buy American made, all natural treats. Why? Because according to the FDA, chicken jerky treats from China have sickened nearly 1,000 dogs in the U.S. since last November. And because FDA scientists have been unable to detect any toxin responsible, the products are still on the market… causing vomiting and diarrhea to kidney failure and death. BUYER BEWARE! The most complaints are from Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brands, and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats. Join Westminster on Facebook where we’re getting the word out about that and all things good doggy. And Westminster wanted to give you some Life 101 Advice: If your dog is fat, you’re not getting enough exercise.

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Life 101 – Learn Something New

My theory on happiness includes doing things that keep life fresh and exciting, even if it scares me a little. I’m always the guy who’ll raise my hand to volunteer in a crowd. Why? Because the sweat dripping from my armpits makes me feel alive! I had the opportunity to train with the legendary Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist who gained fame for his wire walk between the Towers of the World Trade Center. If you’ve never seen the film about his quest, Man on Wire, I highly recommend it. Not only did he walk between the skyscrapers, he danced and even lay down on the cable! With that in mind, here’s my Life 101 Advice: Always grab an opportunity to expand outside your comfort zone. You might discover you like the adventurous you. And, yes, I did walk a high-wire with Philippe Petit!

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Quick Fixes – Party Decorations

This post is packed with good advice. This week, I volunteered to decorate a restaurant for my friend Barbara Corcoran’s son’s graduation party.
Advice #1: Check out ABC’s Shark Tank stars advice for entrepreneurs. I may be biased, but I think Barbara’s is the best.
Advice #2: If you need something done, always ask a busy person. Busy people get it done.
Advice #3. If you need unique party ideas on the fly, head to a craft store. Anytime I get to race around Michael’s (discount coupons here), I feel like a contestant on a reality show, waiting for Tim Gunn to say “time’s up designer.” Yesterday, a bin filled with wood block letters inspired the party decor. I got “T”s for Barb’s son Tommy. (And a “B” for me.) I used the “T”s to weight down bunches of blue helium balloons at every table and hung Columbia U. pennants on the walls. It was easy, inexpensive and festive. Added bonus: Tommy kept the “T”s and the pennants for his dorm room. Life 101 Tip: Great decorating doesn’t require a lot of time or money, it just takes a little imagination.

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Giveaways – What is this?

For me, garage saling is a treasure hunt, an educational adventure, and the happiest of all star-spangled exchanges. “I want what you don’t want, but how much don’t you want it for?” I always say there’s something neighborly about being invited into someone’s yard and encouraged to paw through their stuff. And allowed to buy it or pass judgment on it. On this week’s garage sale adventure, I found this item. Let’s play a little game… Can you guess what it is? In a week, I’ll randomly pick a winner from the correct answers and send a signed copy of my book Garage Sale America. Oh, come on. Guess! What is it?!

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Gardening 101 – Vineyards

I believe that everyone should be growing something… (besides older!) Here’s why: a plant teaches you moderation (not too wet, not too dry), offense & defense (cayenne pepper to ward off nibblers), patience (slow growers) and payoff (flowers and fruit anyone?) Scott and I planted a vineyard at Edgewater Farm two years ago and have been learning about tending grapes ever since. (At left, Westminster helps me replace a vine that didn’t benefit from that education.) Grapes require a lot of the patience part: young vines must grow for several years before they are strong enough to support fruit. So sadly, I’ve been out every weekend nipping them in the bud. It will be a few years before we make our first bottle of wine. But hey, in the meantime, I’ll just sip on the fruit of other peoples’ labors! And look to Amazon to order my age defying resveratrol! Hey, #Didyouknow that grapes are the most widely grown fruit in the world and unlike most fruit crops, grapes are native to North America? Learn something new everyday, don’tcha?!

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What I’m Doing – Modeling!

Okay, two #didyouknow about me in a week… one more, and we’ll have a trend. But I did some modeling today. Well, Westminster and I did. We took shots for a marketing campaign of my favorite bank: Ulster Savings Bank. I’ll show and tell when that is done, but for now, I got a good chuckle looking back at a modeling shot from when I first moved to New York. Yep…almost 25 years ago. And yep, I realized that wasn’t going to be a very long lasting career. Thank God, I found out I could write. Unfortunately not before I was the cover boy of When a Child Kills. Oh, go ahead you gawkers, and LOOK!

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Life 101 – Have a Party!

Summer is upon us and what do we want? To let our hair down, people! Get our groove on! You know… Summertime, where the living is easy…and FUN. Have you planned a party? Here’s my advice: plan one!
My Life 101 party plan:
1) Pick a date.
2) Invent a cocktail… (or steal my idea of jalapeño lemonade: equal parts vodka, lemon juice, and club soda, sugar to taste, add sliced jalapeño)…
3) Make (or buy) guacamole, salsa & chips… or light up the grill.
4) Put on your favorite tunes.
5) Hang a piñata.
Voila, invite your friends. You’ve got a party! Easy, breezy, inexpensive.
Too often people overcomplicate FUN… and rather than having it, they run from it. I say, go for it! Let me know how it works out.

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Talented Kids – Support Dance!

Years ago, I starred as Pinocchio in the national bus and truck tour. (I’m not lying!) The memories of the adventure are as blurry as the photo at left (find me!) Lowlights: I got shin splints from all the wobbly dancing, our bus got stuck in a blizzard in the Rockies, and I missed a role on the Guiding Light. Highlights: seeing our gorgeous country and meeting Carmella the Cat, Tina Casula. Tina is now an amazing dance teacher in NYC, helping kids realize their dreams. She’s applying for a small business grant to keep ’em dancing. Do a good deed today and vote for her “Broadway Performing Arts Center, New York City” at Mission: Small Business. More info on the school here. Life 101 advice: When the Blue Fairy finds Pinocchio locked in a cage she asks, “Why didn’t you go to school?” He lies, 5 times, and his nose grows. The Blue Fairy tells him that “a lie keeps growing and growing until it’s as plain as the nose on your face.” A good thing to remember.

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Life 101 – Advice for Grads

I went to the graduation party last night of a good friend who is about to enter Princeton. He asked for my best advice for success. Here’s what I told him:
My Life 101 Top 5 things to ensure success:
1) Be curious.
2) Be open to new opportunities.
3) Be honest and ethical.
4) Be grateful and show appreciation.
5) Never burn a bridge. You’ll definitely cross it again.

Feel free to share with the graduates in your life… or put them into your own wheelhouse and let me know how it works out for you.
Oh, and an added bonus:
Always, always be the one looking for fun!

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Gardening 101 – Forget-me-nots

They may be the flower with the hard to remember name, but the show they put on is a sea of electric blue. Medieval legend has it that a knight and his lady were walking along the river and he picked a posy of flowers for her. The weight of his armor toppled him into the river. As he was drowning, he threw the flowers to his love and shouted “Forget-me-not!” Um, how romantic. Well, on a brighter note they are the easiest flower to germinate around the garden. That’s my project for the weekend. Gardening 101: Seeds can be collected by putting a piece of paper under the stems and shaking. The seed pods and some seeds will fall out. Simply toss ’em around your garden. While you’ll forget, they’ll be back to delight you next year….unless you fall in the river.

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