We Can Never Thank You Enough

by Pat Chiappa May 31, 2011

I have a confession to make. Over the years, I have listened to my father’s war stories and quite frankly have been bored to tears. Now 88, he tends to repeat the same stories and gets his facts mixed up – at least the facts as he told them years ago. Lately he tears up [...]

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My Recent Experience With Greatness

by Pat Chiappa May 13, 2011

Place Yourself in the Presence of Greatness is yet another great Leo Babauta post that inspired me to write of my recent trip back east to visit my family(s). The day after Mark and I arrived in NJ, we attended a Yom HaShoah service where my father-in-law was being honored by presenting the first annual [...]

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The Best of Both Worlds

by Pat Chiappa April 12, 2011

  I’ve lived in Northern CA for the past nineteen years and am still in awe of the abundance of natural beauty and complete ease in which to access it.  I am filled with gratitude that Mark and I made this our home where we have been blessed with success, love and many friendships. After [...]

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My Art Every Day Every Way Goal – First Quarter Review

by Pat Chiappa April 1, 2011

I was determined this year to not let art and creativity take a backseat in my world anymore. For one of my Year Ahead/Year in Review goals, I decided that this year, beginning on Jan 1, I would do something creative EVERY single day, and I’m happy to say that at the end of the [...]

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Parents Often Do Know What’s Best

by Pat Chiappa March 25, 2011

I was the type of kid that argued with my parents at every turn, always thinking I knew much more than them – about everything. I don’t have children of my own, so I don’t have the experience of raising kids – but I do know that I was a difficult child, and my parents [...]

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Leaving Behind a Little Gift May Bring a Smile

by Pat Chiappa March 10, 2011

I wish I could remember where I read about it – but someone, somewhere wrote about something they called a ‘smile bag’. Now I think that’s a rather odd name, and not initially appealing, but once you see what they actually are, you’ll have to agree that they rock. This person (again, so sorry I [...]

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My Head in the Clouds

by Pat Chiappa February 25, 2011

Viewing and ‘seeing things’ in clouds was a favorite pastime as a kid, and even later as I became a so called adult.  I also looked for images in the knotty pine walls of my childhood bedroom – but those images were usually faces in the style of Edvard Munch’s,  The Scream. Today I was [...]

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Gimme Some Financial Lovin’

by Pat Chiappa February 11, 2011

I’m going to fess up right off the bat – I haven’t yet read the book I’m recommending. So why should you read it? Well,  I did read Freakonomics, which I loved and found fascinating,  and the book I’m recommending you read, Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage, and Dirty Dishes was compared favorably [...]

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The Sonoma County Free Bookmobile

by Pat Chiappa February 1, 2011

I went to a grammar school in a small, fairly rural town in NJ. The school library was in the basement of the school, and as I recall, there were maybe 2 shelves of books. It was pretty sad but luckily, the town library was within walking distance. But I’ll never forget the first time [...]

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Free Stuff! What Could be Better?

by Pat Chiappa January 20, 2011

I LOVE to win things -  drawings, contests, games – you name it. So I’m already loving Any Lucky Day. I just signed up today, so I don’t know how it will really all work – but I was so excited, I wanted to share it with you immediately. It’s easy and quick to sign [...]

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