Where There's Smoke

In 2016, more than 112 million people from all over the world visited the state of Florida. Most of these visitors went to places like Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Pensacola, the Florida Keys, and the Space Coast area of Melbourne, though some of them accidentally ended up in Jacksonville. But, hey...their tourist dollars count, too. And this is no accident. The state spends upwards of $75 million dollars every year on the “Visit Florida” campaign to market the state as a tourist destination. According to Florida Governor Rick Scott, this expense is justified because of the estimated $109 billion in visitor spending that tourism brings. And as all Floridians know, Governor Scott wouldn’t ever play fast and loose with financial numbers (*cough*Columbia HCA Medicare and Medicaid Fraud*cough*). But while the State of Florida does a good job of pimping Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, Jimmy Buffett, beaches, and all the fun in the sun activities Florida has to offer, they don’t do a very goo...

I never had any brothers. I had a great brother-in-law and an incredible Father who grows even more incredible the older I get and the longer he’s gone (thus, the more I miss him). I have great male cousins, Uncles, a grandfather who thought (erroneously) that I hung the moon, and men friends who have been rocks when I needed it and a boot in the ass when I needed that. I even have what I can only refer to as a boyfriend-in-law (my sister’s boyfriend) who is another strong male presence in my life. And don’t even get me started on my Sister I could live a thousand lifetimes and never begin to show my Sister how much I appreciate her. She is -- and this point is inarguable -- the greatest Sister in human history. But I never had any brothers. So why is this titled “A Tale of Two Brothers?” Of the men I’ve had in my life, two of them stood out and are large reasons why I am alive today: Roger and Mike. Roger was a cousin and Mike was one of the closest friends I’ve...

Teddy Rucksbag loved to travel. Teddy was literally born to travel. Well, really more like “made” to travel since he was handcrafted in the mountains of India from fine goat leather and treated with natural oils before he was sent out into the world. So he wasn’t really born. But he still liked to travel. A lot. As soon as he sprang to life, with the last stitch stitched and the last zipper zipped, Teddy traveled down the mountain, across the ocean, and to a strange and exotic land called “Florida” to meet his new family. Teddy’s new family was a handsome and kind man whom Teddy called “Shoulder,” a beautiful young princess named Lily, and two small, hairy people named Zoe and Charlie. Zoe and Charlie called the handsome and kind man “Lap” when he wasn’t around because whenever he came home and sat in Teddy’s cousin, Recliner, Zoe and Charlie would pile onto his lap. So they called him “Lap.” But Teddy called the man “Shoulder” because that was the part that Teddy grabbed o...

So, the first draft of the product of the Audience of One Writers Retreat is complete. First edit underway. Not sure we'll make our target of having a fully edited, ready for representation/publication by the end of 2016 but the story of Radley and Sloe and Karm and Lizza (4-syllable pronunciation) is told. Ebay (the 76-year old Laotian man, not the website) and Terry the Bus Driver (formerly of the University of Alabama basketball team) wound up playing larger roles than anticipated. The process and related emotions: Writing - This story is amazing ! First Edit - This story sucks ! Second Edit - Well, maybe... Final Edit - NYT bestseller list, here we come! On with the show... P.S. While I'm at it, here are a couple of pictures from the retreat. See all of the pictures from the retreat here .

A tasty, healthy option for Sunday dinner...or any other night of the week, for that matter. 2 Whole (or 4 half) boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 cup cooked red quinoa (season with 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp Goya Adobo®, and 2 tsp Mrs. Dash® Tomato, Basil, Garlic seasoning, then cooled) 2-3 cups raw baby spinach 2/3 cup sliced baby portabella mushrooms 1/4 cup diced sweet onion 1/3 cup feta cheese 1 box Oven Fry® Extra Crispy (chicken) mix 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 1 egg 1/3 cup coconut milk 1 teaspoon lime or key lime juice Brine chicken in warm water with 1 tbsp natural maple syrup and 2 tsp soy sauce for approximately 2 hours. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Heat oven to 400° and spray glass baking dish with olive oil cooking spray. Mix seasoned cooked quinoa with roughly chopped spinach, roughly chopped mushrooms, diced onions, and feta cheese. Set aside. Pound the chicken breasts to approximately 1/2 inch thickness. Mix egg, coconut milk, and ...