My Blah Blah Blog - Retail Therapy

Paris, Illinois

Many of you have asked if I’ve  recorded any tracks besides movie soundtracks and family music…I have, only a few, and I just found this one on iTunes…JH as country girl. (Who knew?) Check it out. It’s track 5, a song I wrote called “Paris, Illinois”…

My Fantasy Clothing Shop

I have this fantasy about opening a clothing shop for women of a certain age. At my shop, you will find the following: 1. Sexy shoes that are comfortable even when you’re standing. 2. Dresses with sleeves long enough to cover misbegotten tattoos. 3. A handbag that automatically changes colors, depending on your …

Retail Gold

At my age, it’s more fun to shop for my daughters than for myself.  (Those 3-way mirrors aren’t as friendly as they used to be, and  it’s so hard to find a dress that covers the aging zones and still looks chic, I sometimes wish I could just throw on a Hefty …

Siri and the Telephone

Siri

The new iPhone4S, with its voice control software (called Siri) is about to become my (and millions of other people’s) best friend. People who are getting to know Siri tell me that her female, slightly robotic voice responds to your every command. She’s like an assistant you don’t have to pay minimum …

Manland

The Aussies really have got it going on. In addition to having cool accents, kangaroos and Hugh Jackman, they now have Manland at Ikea. Manland is day care for retail-phobic men. A man cave offering free hot dogs, video games, non-stop sports on TV, pinball machines and a foosball table, it keeps …

9/11/11

I was in NYC last week on the 11th, and I approached the day cautiously, not really sure how to behave or what to expect on the tenth anniversary of an event that rocked the world, but New York especially. I looked out on the mean, scrappy city and felt a tenderness …

The Cow Timer

In a recent video I made about boiling an egg, I introduced my cow kitchen timer. This adorable gadget caused such a stir among video viewers, I feel compelled to tell you more about it. This timer’s most striking feature is that, instead of sounding an abrasive bell or a buzzer when …

Crabby Dinner for Mom’s Day

As a crabby cook I am constantly floored by the fact that, after 63 years of marriage, my mother still cooks three meals a day for my father. Dad does not cook. He (along with my husband) belongs to that cohort that has trouble preparing canned soup. My mother is, however, getting …

I Barfed On Mrs. Kenly

I’m taking a minute to tell you about my newest kids’ book. It’s the third in my  Uh-oh, Cleo series, and it’s called, I Barfed On Mrs. Kenly. I actually did barf on Mrs. Kenly, by the way; you might call this little book memoir-ish. See, one Sunday morning in my childhood, …