Hosting a baby shower always offers a moment to to appreciate the value of new life. Nothing else compares to the wonder of welcoming a new person into this wonderful world. Yes, wonderful-- don't scoff.

We are so burdened with bad news by those who bring us the daily information that sometimes it's daunting to remember just how wonderful life is. The little things, the stuff we take for granted like the birds chirping outside my door at this moment. The friend who calls. The neighbor chat out on the lawn after this long winter. Ahh, an 80-degree April day. Such a blessing.

And a new baby...a new baby for a bright young man who knew what it was to be troubled as a teen. Those days are gone for him as maturity has come. So I take a second to say this is a lovely time. May you find the beauty of the day as well.

If you have some "best ways" to enjoy NW Ohio send them to editor@buzzbookonline.com and if we publish your thooughts we'll send you $10 to use at Nagoya.

Keep on buzzin.

New research confirms that friends see us through many rough patches in life. Findings prove that bonds of friendship not only add to the quality of life, they help extend it. Lonely people contract and don't fight off illness as well as those who are supported by friends.

So we're looking for some info on best friends. Have a story to tell? Send us 30-40 words about your freinds and you can get a $10 gift certificate to one of the Buzz Book restaurants in this issue: Nagoya, Lascola, or The Cafe at the Oliver House. Yum!

My best friends are delightful, loyal, true blue and always listen to my whining. If I say, "Let's go out," they say, "when?" If I say pray for me, they do. Can't beat such dear ones.

How about you?

The book of Proverbs says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Guard your heart. Funny isn't it that we're advised to guard what just we love, what we hold dear, what we cling to?

Makes me think the ancient writer understood well how easily we get attched to things that don't matter or even worse, can be bad for us. So we guard just where our affections go. This is a great time of year to remember to connect ourselves to what is beautiful, what is valuable, what has lasting merit. The awakening landscape, the little shoots of green poping up in the garden are great reminders that even when things look bleak there is life unfolding...new promise just under the surface.

Today as you go your way look for some of the "stuff" of promise all around you. Even if things appear gray, there is sunlight just under that cloud.
Guard your heart, but also keep it open to the possibilities.

Happy Buzzing.

Check our buzz bargains...these coupons are winners!

What a relief. Semi trucks in Ohio are now able to drive 65 mph. How often I've wanted those speeding rigs to go faster as we're barreling down the highway and they're breathing on my bumper.

Do you sometimes wonder about lawmakers? This one really is a great addition to our lives. Thanks, folks.

In cheerier news, we're looking for your favorite ways to spend a summer day. Any we publish will get a $10 gift certificate to Nagoya (yum). Send to editor@buzzbookonline.com.

It's Easter weekend...enjoy.

Remember when being bored had such a bad rap? Now with the over stimulation of a zillion bits of information coming our way at any given moment I'm starting a movement to elevate the beauty of down time.

OK, not true utter boredom, but space. A moment to think. A time for the brain to unwind and recapture the essence of living.

It's easy for me to say this today because I'm on vacation. Ahh.
But if you happen upon this during yor workaday whirl, let me say take a moment. Turn it all off (well, except for me) and have a psychic respite. No good ideas, few bits of creativity will spill out of you when you're bombarded by all the stuff life throws your way.

Send us all some ideas on what recharges your battery. Give me a cup of tea and a gentle breeze. And if it's snowing and miserable out, give me a cup of tea and an afghan. Can you feel it?