Here is a sneak peek at my latest book—a memoir—called “A Renaissance Redneck In A Mega-Church Pulpit.” It’s a candid but ultimately redemptive look at a life that begins in the poverty of the Appalachians, then chronicles the good, bad and ugly times spent as the arts/music pastor of five churches in some of the most…

When I think of absinthe, I think of Hemingway and his posthumous novel Garden of Eden, I think of the glittering Parisian theatres, the Moulin Rouge, the artists, the cafés and all the icons of the Belle Epoque. Absinthe hit its peak during the years from 1880-1910. It was a quintessential part of Belle Epoque…

Thanks for your overwhelming response to the first five favorite mistakes. Here are five more to add. There are many more. I once read the mantra for a company called IDEO. It was simply, “Fail Quickly.” I wish I had read that several decades ago. I have the tendency to fail slowly. With a thousand…

I once read the mantra for a company called IDEO. It was simply, “Fail Quickly.” I wish I had read that several decades ago. I have the tendency to fail slowly. With a thousand pardons to Sheryl Crow, here are a few of my favorite mistakes. 1. Searching for a soulmate—That term is so sexy…and…

 As I prepare to offer an original work of art tomorrow at auction, I thought it would be fun to give you my top ten reasons for purchasing original art. My first-ever auction begins NOW and will run for exactly one week. The reserve price is only $75! Please join in the fun!! Go to:…

One can wonder how anyone who has the slightest interest in books, or the barest curiosity about what the greatest of all novels may be like, could consider not reading War and Peace. At the same time it is easy to understand why many do not try it. It is too big, too “great,” too…

12″x 16″ Original Watercolor and graphite on handmade paper Archival Giclee and Standard Prints available “I go to Florida sometimes for vacation. I actually really like Florida. It’s a weird place, it’s surreal. It’s so close, but you feel like you’re in another world or on an island.” —Jemima Kirke

When news of the Boston Marathon tragedy broke, I saw it first on Twitter. For some inane reason I felt the need to turn on our television and tune to CNN. However, my father-in-law was visting, and knowing he is a FOX News guy,  I reluctantly searched the DirecTV guide and tuned to the “fair…

Remoulade (serves 4) Ingredients: 3/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons cocktail sauce 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish 1 tablespoon chili sauce 2 teaspoons Creole mustard 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce, or to taste 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1-1/4 medium scallions, chopped 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley 2…

When we encounter these words, we are faced with a task. That task demands something more of us than we are willing to give. Without embracing these words in our life vocabulary and experience, we will never grow into maturity. We all have a fantasy of arriving at a conflict-free plateau or a sunlit glen…

Over the past two very difficult years, I am learning that a person with a healthy idea of self can manage not only the routine ups and downs of daily life but also serious crises as they develop. Social, personal, financial and professional crises, while always upsetting to one’s normal pattern of life, are not…

I read voraciously—much like I eat and drink; a good book sates the hungry mind. A great book satiates a thirsty soul. If read thoughtfully at fateful times, great books can shape one’s destiny. I offer ten tomes for your consideration and in no particular order that have nutured my soul. As any bookworm knows, I could…

These songs make me happy. And I like happy. 1.)  I’m Alive Hooters 2.) Drops of Jupiter  Train 3.) Beautiful Day U2 4.) Feeling Good Michael Buble 5.) Secret Crowds Angels and Airwaves 6.) Joy Hiromi 7.) Uprising Muse 8.) Dog Days Are Over Florence and the Machine 9.) Adagio for Strings Barber Tie 10.) Jai…

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is. We plop on the couch and our lives fizzle away like a proverbial Alka-Seltzer tablet. I did it last night, did you? We are wrapped around by pop culture. News that runs twenty-four hours creates info junkies. Local newscasts find the goriest accidents, the most salacious scandal,…