New Website Launched

I hope you won't mind a departure from business as usual today but I'm excited! After agonizing, writing, rewriting and trashing a number of websites I finally launched the new site. It's funny how procrastination often leads back to the road of simplicity. I had toyed with complexities that I never would have been able to manage, flash images and flying objects but in the end decided on a simple, clean Web 2.0 design. The whole website experience reminded me of a few valuable lessons that I'd like to share.

Do not be paralyzed by perfection. So often we're so focused on perfection that we lose sight of the big picture - getting it done. There are times that perfection is required (like in plastic surgery) but there are other times when good enough is really good enough. Spend your time and resources accordingly and saved yourself some anxiety in the process.

Good help is to be celebrated. Greg Ogorek, of Global Internet Services (globalinternet.net) was just the kick in the rear I needed. His expert guidance made the process so easy. I had tried and failed to accomplish this on my own for 10 months, but one good expert was exactly what was needed.

Just do it already. Sometimes we just need to take action. I was so afraid of doing, writing, designing the wrong thing that I had my cruddy old site up for almost a year. As a result I never promoted it or made it work for me. So, I'm taking my own advice and just doing it.

So, please check out the new site at www.wordsforhirellc.com. I will be adding new resources throughout the year and always sharing with you what I learn from my failures and successes.

Until next time,

Karen

Break from the Herd

I’ve been out sick and am now finally catching up. Before I post the low cost marketing tip, I have to share this great post that I read over on the Media Post blog (http://blogs.mediapost.com/spin/?p=1134#comments):

Tom Cunniff from Combe Incorporated says:
September 27th, 2007 at 7:59 am

“Businesspeople run in herds, for safety. Many of us run in the Formula Herd; our heads down, ritualistically reciting our formulas like a prayer. We desperately hope that we can get rich before our formula loses its mojo. Others of us run in the Silver Bullet Herd; eyes constantly scanning the horizon for Deus Ex Machina. We desperately hope that our Silver Bullet will make us rich before anyone realizes it’s really just a little man behind the curtain.

A few crazies split off from the herd and form their own small groups. We desperately hope that logic and reason will win the day, and that our superior survival skills will make us rich in spite of the insanity of business. Usually the most successful crazies can be found at conferences peddling Formulas and Silver Bullets to members of the other herds.

And, there you have it ”

I seriously laughed out loud when I read this thoughtful, dead on comment. So kudos to Tom Cunniff! Tom’s comment is a perfect lead in to a discussion of business marketing. Too often people are joining the herd rather than being brave enough to be different and do what works for their business. I read today of an internet marketer who hired a copywriter to write optimized blog posts. Unfortunately the marketer was neither a blogger or SEO expert so had no idea how to evaluate the final product! I applauded the marketer’s honesty and felt bad for the situation. It’s likely that he/she got some advice from the gurus in the herd and eager to achieve success followed along.

Okay, enough of the soapbox. There are so many great low cost marketing ideas that have proven the test of time. Remember it’s critical to evaluate your own market and use only the ideas that align with your overall plan. So the first low cost tip, use your business cards. What? Yep, that little card is marketing gold. You can have really nice business cards printed and still not break the bank. Rather than stick them in your business card holder or wallet, use them. Resolve to pass out ten cards per day. Strike up conversations wherever you go and pass out that card. Drop a few in the thank you notes you send to clients (you are sending thank you notes, aren’t you?). We miss so many opportunities in our day to day life to talk about our business and how we can help people.

You will be surprised at the number of contacts and leads you can develop with that tiny little card. Happy Marketing!

Crystal Ball Marketing

In the past few months, I have watched several businesses open and close in my community. The latest to bite the dust was a New York style deli around the corner. Was it to be my fate to welcome a new place only to have it close it’s doors in a couple of months. In the span of a few months, a coffee shop, Mexican restaurant, grocery store and drycleaners had all shut down. Here in Michigan where unemployment is among the highest in the country, it would be easy to place the blame on the economy. While the economy certainly played a role these business failures can be traced to fundamental errors made by the owners.

Nosiness is a professional hazard, so I talk to everyone, and ask lots of questions. I had chatted with the owners of the businesses on many of my visits so in every case had gotten to know their story. Many of the businesses had opened and closed in less than 6 months. In every case the owners had been filled with enthusiasm and hope only to close up shop a few months later. So, what happened?

The economy does impact spending. But let’s be clear consumers do not stop spending money they simply become picky about where those dollars go. This means that businesses have to work a little harder to attract their customers. Each of these businesses had failed miserably at attracting customers. They opened their doors and hoped for the best. None had a solid marketing plan (I asked) and apparently all were severely under capitalized. The owners all mistakenly believed that they could not afford to market so their efforts were a couple of fliers and coupon offers in local papers. Yeah, that worked out real well.

It may surprise you but these owners are not unlike many business owners. So for all of you out there allow me to share this: Consumers do not have a crystal ball that will direct them to your business. You have to TELL them not only that you exist but WHY they need you. You have taken the time to develop a business idea, raise enough capital to get started so isn’t it worth it to close the deal. Without customers, you don’t have a business so shouldn’t the acquisition of customers play a central role in your planning? Consumers are not psychic and the mere presence of a building (or website) will not guarantee you business. In fact as a business owner, the majority of your time should be spent on acquiring business and creating systems to improve the customer experience. Again - no customers, no business.

Marketing does not require a million dollar budget. There are many creative, low cost ways to acquire customers. The key is to understand your target market and find the most cost efficient and effective way to reach them. Who is your market? (Here’s a clue, your answer should not be “everyone.”) How and where does your market make decisions? How does your product/service help them solve a pain point, or avoid pain? Here’s a great example. The Mexican Restaurant that was briefly open did a fair share of take-out business. They had a small dining area which was perfect for the lunch crowd but most of their business was take out. Yet they did nothing to market or cater to this business segment. What could they have done? Local delivery service could have helped to grow this market. Fax and express phone service are other low cost ideas that could have worked. Dominos Pizza built an empire by filling a customer need and marketing it to death. By the way, they were not the best tasting pizza but they certainly were savvy in their marketing.

Marketing is not a nice to do task, it is essential to the life of your business. You cared enough to start your business so share that passion with your target market by telling them what you can do for them! Stay with me in coming weeks as we look at low cost ideas and methods to get you the recognition you deserve.

Lessons from Michael Vick

Whether you are a football fan or not, you have certainly heard the ugly details of the charges brought against Atlanta Falcons Quarterback, Michael Vick. The case has dominated headlines for several weeks and sparked nationwide anger against Vick.

Vick and co-defendants allegedly operated an illegal dog fighing ring and are been charged with various charges including federal conspiracy. The illegal activity occurred on a property owned by Vick but lived in by his cousin (who has been charged and pleaded guility). According to Vick he was unaware of the activity and rarely visited the property. In spite of his profession of "ignorance" he has lost several endorsement deals and is temporarily suspended from Falcons Training Camp. More importantly he faces five years in jail if found guilty.

I am not sure what the final outcome will be for Vick but the case is a cautionary tale for everyone. Lately, it seems that we could fill a book with tales of "celebrites gone wild," but at the heart of many of the outrageous headlines is the basic concept of choices.

Every choice we make has a consequence. Vick chose to entrust his home and reputation to his cousin. If in fact Vick did not know what was going on in a home he owned, that too was a choice...and it was a very wrong choice.

We learn from Vick that ignorance is not bliss but it is a choice that can carry serious consequences. As business owners we too make choices. While we cannot avoid mistakes or failure (in fact both are key elements in our growth) we can make better choices. If your choices are driven by knowledge and active decision making and you fail that's okay. You made a choice and it did not work out but you have an opportunity to learn from the stumble and move forward. However, if you were not aware of what was going on in your company or chose to associate your business with questionable relationships and as a result you fail...well, you have to take responsibility for that and hopefully you can recover.

Successful people guard their inner circle. Not everyone is allowed in to that precious space, related or not. The successful understand that your associations are a choice and can reap negative or positive consequences. They are not willing to damage their earnings or reputation by poor choices and neither should you.

Today take stock of your own moral compass and guiding values. Are your choices aligned with those values? Next, take stock of the people in your inner circle. Are those relationships aligned with your values and vision? Finally, as you seek to erect that fortress around your vision and reputation, where are your blind spots? While it is not necessary to micro manage every area of your life, it is up to you to know what's going on and understand the choices that others are making which will directly impact you.

As an animal lover I am horrifed by the Vick case. But as a human being I am heartbroken for Michael Vick. It is not easy to watch another person's life fall apart and in doing so it is impossible not to shine the light back on myself and think there but for the grace of God....

The Great American Balancing Act

In the United States we talk a lot about work-life balance. Harried employees talk of the lack of work-life balance, while corporations entice recruits with their culture of work-life balance. Some employees and employers solve the problem with alternative work arrangements such as split shifts, telecommuting or 4-40 work weeks.

Yet, as a country we seem to be failing miserably at achieving this so called balance. Americans take fewer vacation days than any other country. We are one of the only modern countries without vacation-time minimums mandated by law.

A new study by employment firm Hudson noted that “Thirty percent of Americans say they use less than half their allotted time. And 20 percent take only a few days instead of a week or two (Business Week May 21).

Our technologically advanced culture was predicted to give us more leisure time. Instead it has increased the pressure to be “always on.” Even when we’re off, we’re at work. We have blackberrys, laptops and voice mail that allow us to remain at work even on vacation.

As the workplace grows more competitive, the pressure to be there increases. This trend however has not only impacted employees but has also affected business owners. In fact many business owners allow work to consume every waking hour believing that they don’t have the luxury of taking time off.

However, working all the time does not increase productivity, it decreases it! We all need time to decompress and relax. Time away from work allows you to come back with more energy and a fresh perspective. I have gotten many of my best ideas when I was far from an office and work setting.

Balance looks different for everyone but it is something that we all should strive to find. I suspect that for many that means first dealing with the fear of not being at work. Employees and business owners face competition within and outside of our borders. Business owners may lose opportunities to foreign countries that can do it cheaper. Employees may lose their job as organizations merge, or consolidate to cut costs. Many are afraid that if they don’t stay on top of things they could lose their income.

The answer is to overcome your fear with faith. Have faith in your talent and abilities. Focus your energies on becoming productive and giving 100% during the hours you are at work and then go home and give 100% to the other parts of your life.

Your time will be better spent focusing on the positive and living your best life now. Employees should take charge of their careers by keeping their resumes updated and networking to stay current on market trends. Working a 60 hour week does not protect you from reorganization; it simply makes you angry when in spite of all your time you too receive a pink slip!

Business owners should develop multiple income streams to protect themselves against the natural up and down cycles of business. Spend focused time weekly working on the business and not in it. Create systems and processes for success.

Time off does not detract from your competitive edge, it enhances it! Let’s face there will be times for all of us that we’ll put in more hours and work harder but that should not be our way of life. Life is far too short to spend it all working in fear that you will lose ground.

I challenge you to find a better balance, you will not regret it!

Paris Hilton and Purple Cows

Do you ever feel like the Nicole Ritchie of the business world? Destined to be lost in a sea of larger, flashier competitors? Volumes of books have been written about standing out in a crowded marketplace so it’s obviously a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of millions.

Job seekers ask professionals to write resumes that will make them “stand out” from the crowd. Businesses strive to find their “purple cow” solution that will make them stand apart from competitors in their space. Even those running for President are looking for ways to be different in one of the largest and longest pre-primaries in recent history.

In the past, there was a clear dividing line in business. There were major corporations participating on a national or global stage, small business that was primarily local or niched and mid-sized business that fell between the two.

The size of the business no longer determines the playing field. Technology has made it much easier for small and mid-sized businesses to look much bigger and compete on a global scale.

Like it or not, almost every business does compete locally even if their desired customer base is local. The freelance writer in Paducah may face competition in the business writing arena from Great Britain, India and Chicago.

Technology has made the world much smaller and it can be hard to rise above the blogs, adwords, youtube videos and MySpace pages to get noticed. No wonder Barack has turned to hip hop music videos and Hillary is spouting one liners on Letterman!

So, how do you get noticed? Is it possible to rise from oblivion to greatness without a porn tape or shaking your groove thing at a Hollywood party?

Believe it or not the business principles that pre-date our modern technological tools remain relevant today. People still value good old fashioned quality and service. Yes, they may download songs from iTunes but it’s not the technology that makes them listen it’s the music.

In other words, the technology is a tool to reach your market but you will win and keep customers because you offer something of value to them. Album, CD or MP3, a great tune is a great tune!

The key is to know your market. What does your market want and where are the gaps in your industry? What do you bring to your market? Take time to discover your value to your market and then tell them! Once you’ve got the substance go ahead and add the sizzle! Use the most effective technology and marketing for your market. You may never become as famous as Paris but plenty of people have never heard of Martin G. Carver either.


Be purple, fuchsia, sing a song or tell a joke, but just be uniquely you!



Until next time!

KDS

Bring on the Experts!

After an extremely long hiatus, I’m back! I must admit I considered abandoning blogging altogether. My strange addiction to 12 hours of news per day resulted in an overload of stories about bloggers targeted by crazy cyberstalkers and it freaked me out. Yet, what scared me even more were the multitudinous conflicting theories on blogging by “experts”. A sampling of expert data included:

-Your blog must have a very specific business theme (no random musings allowed!)
-You should absolutely not have a blog as it provides no real business value
-Writers should not have blogs unless they are promoting a book
-Writers should have blogs because how else could they build readership!

Um, okay. All of it left me scratching my head in frustration. With each opinion I carefully weighed the entire argument. All of the “experts” raised good points but in the end all that advice left me feeling unworthy to implement any of it. My quandary over blogging could apply to any aspect of business advice.

How often have we all found ourselves flummoxed by conflicting “expert” opinions? More importantly, how do we sift through the opinions and counter opinions to choose what is right for us?

Every week I have clients contacting me wanting me to do something that was advised by an expert. I can clearly trend popular seminars by the requests that I receive monthly. One month I may be deluged with requests for “SEO articles that will drive traffic to my website,” and another it may be “a sales letter written in AIDA style.” The “expert” advice is not necessarily wrong, but often it’s not the right strategy for that client’s business.

I am a big fan of learning from the success of others. However, I believe that one person’s successful strategy could be a total failure for another. It’s important to consider the advice in the context of your business environment, and your overall strategy. Implementing tactics that are not aligned with your overall strategy can prove disastrous.

One of my favorite words to use is “authenticity.” Unfortunately it’s far too often ignored in business. Many business owners have implemented “tips and tricks” advised by experts only to become frustrated when it didn’t work. A 7 page web sales letter is not the right strategy for every business. A single press release will not cause reporters to line up at your door. Tips and tricks work best when they are authentic to the goal and character of your business, otherwise it’s just a slick trick.

So, what brought me back to blogging? In the end, it was a simple decision. I may not win tons of new business from my modest blog nor become a best selling author but I do enjoy writing and connecting with others. I missed the emails from those who shared their opinions and the insight I gained from “putting it out there” for the world to read and comment. Writing a blog may not make me lots of money, but it’s certain to allow me to practice what I truly love – writing. In the process I hope to inform and entertain those who read and along the way get better at something I love to do.

Until next time,

KDS

Fad junkies

I have a friend who seems to spend all of her time at seminars. She owns a business but I'm not sure when she actually has time to run it! Each time I speak with her she has changed her business model (again), on the advice of yet another guru who she heard at a seminar.

While I am a proponent of continuous learning for some it can be dangerous. The power of learning new things is actually applying them. It is my belief that there are even greater lessons to be learned when you apply knowledge. To simply run from one seminar to another is a waste of time and money and I am sure that the purported gurus would agree.

So, is my friend addicted to learning? Possibly, but I think the true problem is fear. I have witnessed her inability to make a decision for fear of making a mistake. Her answer? Continue to run around and allow others to make the decisions for her. The result of her actions (or inaction) is that her business hasn't really changed or grown in 5 years.

I challenge you to act on one piece of advice or knowledge. Apply it to your business, refine it, learn from it. Don't make the mistake of running from one fad to another. Let me know how it changes your business.

New Year, New Beginnings

Happy New Year!

I don't know about you but I'm really glad that the holidays are behind us. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the celebration of Christmas and many of the holiday festivities but it can be exhausting! So, here we are in 2007 and off to a new start.

This month represents a fresh start, and for many - new beginnings. Very few people approach the new year without wanting to make it even better than the last. Even those who had a great year strive to improve when a new year dawns.

It is for this reason that so many people make New Year's Resolutions. Gyms and churches are filled in January, but the crowds thin out before the month is over. Some people will give up on their resolutions before the week is out.

I love resolutions. I typically don't make them at New Year but instead I set goals weekly, monthly and throughout the year. I am always working to improve some aspect of myself and or my business, and trust me there's much work to do!

I have found that it's not enough to want something, you have to plan for your success. I write down my goals and then break it up into action items. Some goals may take all year to reach, while others may only take one month. I celebrate the milestones along the way and re-evaluate periodically to make sure the goals still make sense.

For example, last year I had a goal of running my third marathon. However, I found myself consumed with my new business, stressed, overwhelmed and worn down from overtraining. Realizing that the goal was not right for where I was in my life, I had to postpone it. I was disappointed but got over it and actually used the loss to improve my workout routine.

Goals should not be things that torture us but should be motivators. Your goals should align with where you are in life and what is realistic to achieve. As you contemplate this new year, by all means make a few resolutions! Just ensure that your resolutions are meaningful and achievable. Also keep in mind that changes don't come overnight. Plan the steps that you will need to take to reach your goals. Along the way, you may have to readjust, but it's okay. Life is a journey filled with twists and turns. Be open to new pathways as you pursue your dreams.

I wish you all a fulfilling year!

KDS

Is Service Dead?

Tis the season! As we endure the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, nerves are a bit more frayed, wait times a little longer and prime parking spots a little more difficult to find. Just before the initial kick-off of the holiday season, several encounters made me question whether service, or I should say service with a smile is dead.

I went to a well known restaurant chain for a take-out order (which I had called in). I walked in and there was no hostess at the podium so I stood in line to pay for my order. After waiting patiently for 15 minutes, I was told by the manager to step aside because he was busy and would have to check to see if my order was ready. In fact if he had taken three steps to the food prep area he would have witnessed my order being thrown into bags at that very moment.

You see I had been watching the harried waitresses pulling tags and fulfilling orders. I watched as one waitress went from cashier to the food area (with no hand washing in between). I watched her ask about my order and then take the styrofoam container with my slice of pumpkin pie (I know what you're thinking, but we're all entitled to the occasional indulgence and I do skip the crust!) and shove it on top of a whole pie and slam the glass shut crushing the container.

Yet, I stepped aside as he took payment from the dine in customers. I did so because I was curious to see how he would handle the situation. I finally got my order. I was never asked if I needed silverware or condiments, never asked if there was anything else (missed opportunity for an upsell) nor did I ever receive a smile or the customary "come again." Thank you, I won't!

Sadly, this has all too often been my customer experience. Business owners, small and large need to realize that a focus on customer experience will result in greater profits. This is beyond service with a smile but service with a purpose. Without customers, a business will die. So it is hard to understand why more companies do not focus on the centerpiece of their very livelihood.

Customers can help you to correct ineffiencies in your business, fuel your product/service development and grow your business. When a business realizes the true value of its customer, it will soar. I hope that during this holiday season you experience purpose driven service with a smile!

Price versus Quality

Writing for a living can be a tough and often thankless job, particularly for writers who work in the commercial space. I am fortunate to be doing what I love for a living. I take as much pride in the quality of my work and professionalism as I did when I worked in Corporate America. However, there are those in the business world who seem to have a disregard for the commercial writing profession.

As a commercial writer I have to find jobs. No fancy bylines or articles for me. I have to spend a portion of my week on business development. In the past year that I’ve been in business, I have developed regular clients but as all business owners know you can never stop marketing. So, I use several of the freelance boards to bid on writing assignments. It’s a great way to reach a target market but every group has its rotten apples. As I sifted through project listings today, I ran across what sounded like an awesome creative writing project until I read the post. The client was looking for talented, creative, dependable, flawless writers with excellent command of the English language. This client was tired of posting projects only to work with writers who have disappointed in some way. The client was unwilling to pay any up front deposit because he’d been burned in the past. The post was one of the longest I’d ever seen with many requirements. I was interested until the end “will only buy in bulk, 50 articles, 1 per day, will pay no more than $1 per article.”

If the article takes 2 hours to research and write, you are making $0.50 an hour. At 2 hours per article, you are giving this client a little more than 2 weeks of your time for a whopping $100.00. The client complained about quality but the old adage “you get what you pay for” does apply here. This client will get lots of bids but at that price will not find quality writers.

It leaves me wondering, if we have reached the point that we are so price driven that quality no longer matters. For my sake and that of other service professionals I hope that time will prove me wrong.

Off to the Naughty Mat!

I am an avid fan of track and field, among other sports. As a runner though, I particularly enjoy watching athletes race at speeds I will never, ever reach. So as a fan, the news of doping allegations against Justin Gatlin and Marion Jones really troubled me. These allegations came just as I was digesting the Floyd Lndis scandal. Unfortunately for sports fans, there has been no shortage of bad boy (or girl) behavior from the sports world. In recent weeks, rather than headlines about home runs, touchdowns and birdies, we have been treated to items about weapons charges, child molestation, rehab and manager with bloodied noses. Sadly the sports section is beginning to resemble the crime beat.

I realize that the world itself has become a different place, so it is inevitable that all facets of society will be impacted, but must it be that way. What message are we sending to our children? We encourage our young people to dream big and work hard so that they can achieve greatness and inspire others. We teach them that success and good citzenship are intertwined. Yet, public figures seem to spit in the face of this logic.

JonBenet Ramsay's alleged murderer has received rock star media attention. Mel Gibson drives drunk and denigrates the Jews and receives a publicity blitz bigger than any of his film openings. Pitchers hit their manager in the nose and it hits the front page of the papers. In this country, it would appear, in spite of what we teach, bad behavior is rewarded.

It is easy to blame the media and they certainly have some responsibility, but we must share the blame. We continue to watch, read, listen and comment on bad news items. Certainly, the public is deserving to be made aware of many of these situations, but must we be bombarded with them daily? I think we would all benefit from a little less of the bad and a little more of the good. Instead of hearing about every nuance of a murderer's life, why not treat the public to stories of hope, survival and good behavior? If we shift the balance, even a little, I believe that we and our children will benefit in the end.

Growth and Renewal

One of my favorite places to run is a local park. It's only four miles from my home. I can run there and back on the days I need longer miles. As you drive through residential streets and turn into the entrance, it looks like an average park. There are benches, playsets, harried parents and children laughing. However, as you pass the play equipment you walk over a bridge and enter an oasis of serenity. The trees loom over the path creating a quiet, forest setting. There are ponds and streams that wrap around wooded trails each leading to a new adventure.

It is here in what I fondly call my "happy place" that I do many of my long distance runs. I also come when I am pondering, procrastinating or otherwise in need of a diversion or pick me up. This morning, I was here for the pure simple joy of running in the place I love. The first 6 miles passed in silent thought. I mulled over new business ideas, thought of stories in progress and examined areas of life and business that I want to improve. I was beginning mile 7 when a leaf fell in my pathway. It was so quiet that the gentle sound broke through my thoughts. As my running shoes crunched over the leaf, I looked up at the tree. It was so tall I had to strain my neck to see the upper branches. There were mature leaves and new leaves sprouting from its sturdy limbs. I glanced over at the pond and saw a large branch floating along the surface.

I kept running but I thought of that tree and how much it resembles our lives. Each year that goes by, our base grows stronger and although we are aging, we never stop growing. Like the tree our lives have seasons. We have our share of the barren winter months. A time when we are quiet and still as we await the new season. We also have our spring, when hope is renewed as God waters the seeds that have been planted so that they will grow. We have our summer, when new gifts spring forth and enjoy the slower rhythm and time of play. Finally, we too have our autumn, when once again the dead places in our lives fall away so there is room for new growth. Each season has a purpose in our lives, although not all are enjoyable. We need the different seasons to reach our full potential, just like the trees.

There are times in our lives when we shed more than leaves, but we lose an entire branch. We can lose a larger branch during a time of intense challenge or trauma. We can lose a branch because it has been broken by someone who did not exercise the right amount of care. We may even lose a branch due to aging, we simply cannot support the weight of it anymore. Yet, the branch does not bring down the tree.

I finished up 17 miles and I felt physically and spiritually stronger. I realized that God gives us the ability to weather all of the seasons are life. Because of Him, we can grow and flourish and one days our branches will also touch the sky.

My Dad Dot Com

My 76 year old father has developed a sudden fascination with the net, not in using it mind you but in having others use it for him. My Dad does not own a computer, and seems to have no interest in acquiring one but over the past several weeks he has gone out of his way to ensure that all of his transactions are handled via the net. Last week he drove 15 miles to my niece's house to have her send an email on his behalf. Why didn't he just pick up the phone to ask my niece to send the email? It's a mystery to us all and we have learned not to ask too many questions of a 76 year old man! A few days later, he called me and asked me to RSVP to a wedding via email. Of course it took three phone calls for him to decipher and tell me the email address (aha, perhaps that explains the 15 mile drive!) but we were finally able to get it done. I have no idea why he didn't check the little box and drop it in the mail, or even call for pete's sake. He just seemed mighty determined to use the technology that the bride and groom had offered! Today, I get a call from my Dad asking if I was really, really busy. Uh, I write for a living Dad, am I ever too busy for distractions? When I avoid a direct answer (I'm not letting on that I was procrastinating on an assignment by reading about Lindsay Lohan) and say calmly "What's up Dad? What do you need?" he answers, I need you to cancel an appointment. Well, yes this I can do! "Sure Dad, do you have the number?" Silly me, I still pick up the phone to make appointments. My Dad replies, its Henry Ford dot com. Uh, okay Dad. So I log on to the site and he recites his medical number. "Dad who is the appoinment with?" "It's with the hearing aid people." (Gee, thanks Dad I'm sure there's only one audiologist there). I input his name and birthdate and then ask "Dad who's your doctor?" Does he know? Of course not, but darnit he knows Henry Ford dot com! Okay, I type Audiology and hope that combined with his name and birthdate they'll figure it out. Surely, they'll figure it out when he doesn't show up! Okay, Dad it's done. He excitedly says "Thank you Baby!" tells me good-bye and is off to who knows what adventure. Can online shopping be far behind?

Merry Christmas?

Once upon a time I really loved Christmas, alas that time has come and gone. Rather than a time of peace on earth and joy, Christmas has become a time of higher crime rates, depression, major stress and general nastiness. Gifts are no longer given out of joy but out of a forced sense of obligation, so we get things we don't want and buy things we cannot afford and then we regift. Children are overindulged (yeah, I said it, go ahead throw tomatoes at your pc), and stressed out parents strive every year for the bigger better toy, decoration and celebration. Does anyone out there actually still enjoy this holiday?

We have even gone over the top in our "all inclusive" policy. We no longer want to call it Christmas but simply a "holiday." Hey, why not desecrate Hannukah while we're at it. Christmas is what it is - a time when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. Don't like it, don't believe it, don't celebrate it!

Now, while I may sound like a sour sport, I'm really not. I long for the Christmas of past, simple celebrations that honored the Christ child. A celebration of the victory and triumph that Christmas represents. A time when families came together in remembrance. A time when gifts were simply given from the heart. A time when we remembered to reach out to those that are in need.

Perhaps we would all benefit by even taking it down a notch or two, spending less and loving more, receiving less and giving more. I have personally found no greater joy than giving to others, and that joy is expanded when the recipient is someone in need.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

The Richest Nation

In viewing a Nightline report last night, I was once again reminded how blessed I am to live in this nation. The Nightline report dealt with the crisis situation in Niger. I watched in horror as the BBC reporter spoke with families that are literally starving to death. I wanted to turn away, yet could not, as images of starving children filled my TV screen. People lay dying because there is no food and no water. Some of the villagers found rats to eat, and so were able to have a meal. When a bit of help did arrive, starving people had to hike 6 miles to get food, and there was not enough for everyone, only the most critical were allowed food. My eyes flooded with tears as I watched.

I too have had days of need but I have never known starvation. Yes, I have been hungry and without food, but I live in a country where at the very least I can get a meal. In America we make provision for the needy. We have shelters, and food banks so that no one has to starve to death. I was humbled as I watched people in far dire circumstances than I shall ever experience. This is a tough time for me, and my refrigerator is empty but my situation is 1000 times better than the people of Niger. I do not take joy in their misery. My heart aches for them and I pray that the richer nations of the world will not only help in this crisis but make provision for ongoing help for those that are less fortunate. If you are reading this today, I urge you to make it your personal mission to not only count your blessings, but share them. Whatever you lack, there is someone who has even less.

The Business of Basketball

For sports fans following "As the Pistons Turn" the news of Larry Brown's departure came as not shock. Unlike many loyal Michigan fans, I say "Good Riddance!" Don't get me wrong, Larry did a great job when committed to the team but following "the brawl," his health difficulties and the negative diversions during the playoffs, well...Perhaps change is good. What is disturbing is that so often in sports things turn ugly. Sports used to be a way for us to teach our children discipline, commitment, loyalty. Players were drug free, team oriented and stood out as good role models for us. Today's environment is all about me, me, me and the almighty dollar. Loyalty, shmoalty! Agents, contracts and cold hard cash are what drive the game. Frankly, the Pistons deserve better. They have remained a team of level headed guys who truly seem to enjoy what they do. They give back to the community and show a genuine appreciation for the fans. Detroiters and the Pistons have a mutual love affair. Although the players come from various places, they seem to be more representative of Detroit - hard working, no frills, down to earth like so many of the people that live in the city. I'd say the Bad Boys deserve a coach that will be committed, hard working and not looking for his next job while his team is fighting to win a championship.

Grief and Anniversaries

Today would have been my 12th anniversary. It is a really tough day and one that I must endure alone. This is the second anniversary since my husband's death. There are times when it still seems unreal - is he really gone forever? People seem to think that becoming a widow at a young age offers some kind of advantage. They think it hurts less because you were not married that long. They forget that I have not been widowed after being married 50 years so I cannot compare my pain and somehow minimize it to "not being as bad." No one talks to me about my husband anymore. I suppose people either feel that I've moved on or they do not want to bring up the pain. Yes, I have continued to live and have written new chapters in my life but my husband will always be a part of me. You don't just move on from those that you have loved. Many of my tearful remembrances have now become happy ones. I think of my husband and smile or laugh. Sadly, there is no one with whom I can share these moments. No one remembers that today is the day that I pledged "till death do us part." I don't really have the energy or the inclination to bring it to anyone's attention - so I will deal with this day as I have all the others- alone. I will mourn, laugh, cry and try not to feel self pity. I will remind myself that life does indeed continue to be an adventure filled with change, wonder, and challenges. I will thank God for the time that I had with my dearly beloved. I will embrace the lessons that I learned and continue to grow as a person. I will work through this difficult day, with faith and an undeniable truth that this too shall pass.

Hug someone you love today, you may not get another opportunity.

Is it really Spring?

Soon after I wrote my last post, the weather once again returned to Winter conditions. What a dirty trick! It seems that this has been the "Year of Weird" for weather everywhere. I'm not sure if its due to global warming or not, but I do know that the weather has an effect on your mood. As I look out the window today, I see trees blowing and rain gently falling. That normally would lull me into a sense of peace, but yesterday it waas blue skies and sunshine, and people were driving around with the top down! Going from wonderful to dreary overnight makes it very difficult to spring into action (pardon the pun). I am expending a great deal of energy today, motivating myself to work. This poses a real problem because I'm self-employed, and if I don't work, I don't eat! Yesterday, people were smiling and willing to chat. Today, everyone is gloomy and in a hurry to just get through the day. Still others look up at the sky and will the sun to shine. They refuse to carry an umbrella or dress in warmer clothing, by golly its Spring, even if the weather will not cooperate! Well, I'm going to put on my sunglasses, pick up my umbrella and head out to drum up business. It may be cold outside, but in my heart it's Springtime baby!

Make it a great day! Karen

Hurray It's Spring!

After what seemed like an unending winter, Spring has finally arrived - hurray! I must admit that even I, lover of all seasons, grew weary of boots, heavy coats, gloves, and that doggone salt everywhere! It is a lovely 59 degrees here in the Midwest, birds are singing, children are playing outside, mothers are pushing baby strollers. Oh glorious day! I think that what I truly love about Spring, is not just the warmer temperature but the rebirth that it signals. Winter tends to be dark and cold, and sometimes lonely. Spring reminds us that the light does shine again. Spring is a time to throw open the windows and clear out the clutter in our homes and within our selves. Spring is a time when dreams really do seem possible, and hope is renewed. We watch birds returning from their winter retreat, plants and flowers begin to bloom, and the dark winter skies become a distant memory. The days are longer and the nights are shorter. We survived another winter, and this is our reward, our time of celebration. For some, winter truly may have been a dark time. There are those that may have lost a job, or a loved one. Perhaps a cherished relationship came to an end, or you faced a medical crisis. I've lived through many dark times as well, but today, be encouraged that winter does not last. Spring always comes, it never fails. Your rebirth shall come too.

Love and sunshine,

Karen