They were wonderful. Made us chuckle, brought forth a tear. When it comes to describing your Best Friend in 25 words or less, we were blessed with some real gems. Thanks to all who entered our contest which Levis Commons helped sponsor. Thanks to all the fine merchants at Levis Commons and especially the Hilton--where our winning friends will spend the night!

Grand prize goes to Susan Landversicht for her entry: We were six-years-old. Met first day of school. Now 53 years later, shared life's joys and sorrows. We are still sisters at heart.

The other nine winners who get $25 gift certificates to Nagoya are:
Karen Snyder
Terri Gillen
Charisse Montgomery
Veronica Mielcarek
Elaine Blackwood
Marcia Fox
Sandra Roster
Denise Martin
Lori Gruetter

You can feel it, can't you? The cool nights.
You can hear it in the cicadas constant hum.
You can smell the delicious mix of leaves and grasses
Everything seems different as the calendar moves to September. Football is king once more and where is that apple pie recipe?

This region is especially lovely in autumn. Farm fields look like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The drives from Toledo to Grand Rapids or East to Oak Harbor are spectacular. Farmers markets are laden with incredible produce and fall festivals abound.

Enjoy autumn and while you're at it frequent some of the many local business who lend charm and meaning to downtowns and various shopping areas. The small business owners, the reaturanteurs, the hard-working entrepreneurs give the area such character. Don't take them for granted. Keep them buzzin.

Thanks!

OK, I'll admit it. I whine way too often in this space. It's usually about something I've seen featured on the news that's eiher so dumb, so violent or so irrelevant to anyone's life that I can hardly stand it. Today it's Woodstock. Here's the truth...lots of people, many many people of that same age and time were not frolicking in the mud with the drug-crazed souls so celebrated by the media.

It first started to annoy me when I was teaching a class on values and was asked by a student: "What was it like at Woodstock?" She assumed anyone from that generation was either there or wished to be. And the manner in which the 40 anniversary was touted yesterday I understand why many younger people think we were all part of the aimless and restless.

Truth be told, doing the normal thing will never be recognized by the powers that sprinkle the airwaves. It is a disservice to us all that only the sleazy and immoral gets a nod. College kids going to class, singing in the sorority choir and cheering on the team will never be the face of 1969. But it was. Honest.

Just in case you haven't noticed, this blog is on again off again. As one who preaches find balance in your life and take time to enjoy a moment of peace, I've been so busy this has languished.
Shall I take some of my advice and listen to the sages throughout history who tell us that being in the moment and finding time to relax does more for our psyche than anything else we can do?
Please, listen to me: Stop right now and take stock of things. Count your blessings and stop working so hard. It's the malady of our time...always busy, always doing.
The house can get picked up later. Hugs that little one and make a lemonade stand.
No kids around? Hug that significant other and pour a glass of wine.
No significant other...draw the bath, put on some music and say to yourself, "Ahh, it's August!"

Some moments take you back. Some transcend the years. Watching the fireworks on the grounds of Fort Meigs while listening to some mellow music was pictureperfect. A soft breeze, a pastal sunset and little kids running about --we all shuld have such evenings.

So often in this "bad news-obscessed" world we can forget that most of life is made up of gentle moments. As we celebrate all that it means to live in a free country, I count the blessing of an evening of fireworks displayed in a historic meadow. May we cherish this grand American experience.