It never fails that one good idea spawns copycats. Some creative person introduces a new book series or electronic gadget or website; and within months of its initial success, someone who wished they’d thought of it first introduces something a lot like it only different.

This has… Read full post »

There are films that hold your attention at least until the credits roll, and there are films that leave a more lasting impression, and you decide to add them to your private collection. And then there are films that will forever be embedded in your psyche; and whether you own them… Read full post »

Today is International Women’s Day, celebrated with hundreds of events around the world designed to call attention to the state of being female in the year 2012.

For example, a music store will host a concert in Portland, Ore. highlighting women composers, and S… Read full post »

As if I didn’t already spend enough time on the Internet, I have fallen prey to another site and have added Pinterest.com to my daily rounds. I had heard about the site months ago but dismissed it. Then, I dipped in for a few minutes and was hooked,… Read full post »

February is Dog Training Education Month, so it seems fitting we would be in the process of training our dog. I notice, though, the designation suggests more than just teaching the dog a few new tricks—it’s clear the dog owners must learn to teach before offering eve… Read full post »

For the most part, we are Earthbound, we work-a-day humans who keep our noses to the ground, focusing on our daily tasks and sticking to what we know. But NASA has done us a service by giving us cause to look up once in a while and to remember what we… Read full post »

I was on a long flight recently, the over-night type where you’re never quite sure what time it is, and you don’t know how long you’ve been sleeping, but you know for sure you won’t be going back to sleep anytime soon. So, I rifled through the seat pocket in front… Read full post »

LEGO brand toys recently introduced a new line of products marketed strictly to girls. The line is called Friends, and it includes sets to create things like a café, a beauty shop, a house and a dog show arena, along with accessories like a convertible and a swimming pool. The blocks… Read full post »

This week, we acknowledged the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a national holiday. The civil rights leader remains an icon decades after his death because of his ability to lead people, not to incite them but to move them and unify them as an outspoken and courageous man… Read full post »

Monday was National Clean Off Your Desk day, apparently part of Get Organized Month as it’s based on the premise that a clean desk is a sign of good organizational skills. Organization-touting websites and magazines all promote well-groomed spaces as the cure-all for a happy and productive… Read full post »

Microsoft has developed a wearable camera, and I’m hanging my hopes on its success.

The device, called SenseCam, is about the size of your palm, hangs from a neck strap like a medallion and automatically snaps photos throughout the day according to your activities. For example, it can… Read full post »

On December 26, 1982, Time Magazine broke from its tradition of naming a human being as Man of the Year and gave the honor to the personal computer.  The machine was becoming more accessible to the average user, and as the magazine article said, “…the entire world will never be the… Read full post »

The countdown clock for Santa’s big ride is now ticking off fewer than five days, and just who is keeping track of this clock and this fantastic journey? NORAD, North American Aerospace Defense Command,… Read full post »

It isn’t often this happens, but I recently had the opportunity to participate in a community event. Like most people, I spend the majority of my time apart from the greater population, so being more than an observer of such a thing as a Christmas parade is out… Read full post »

or "I'm Opting Out."

My family spent Thanksgiving with the extended clan, 40 people spanning four generations around the table. We were around several tables, actually, and we all thought it was one of our best gatherings yet, with fantastic food at every meal and interesting conversations in each ro… Read full post »

After almost 28 years as host of a live morning show, Regis Philbin has retired. The man is 80 years old and is in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for having the most on-air time of any other person, so he’s had a good run. I am no fan of… Read full post »

Ever hear of Dan Shechtman? Me either. Last month, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering quasicrystals. Does the name Melvin Calvin ring a bell? He was awarded the prize 50 years ago for carbon dioxide research.

Well, how about… Read full post »

Small Town is battling over whether or not to fund the building of a new high school, and the fighting is getting ugly. Money is at stake, after all. The state of Ohio has declared the current building a disater area and has offered to pay $9 million if the community… Read full post »

October 24, 1929 was a Thursday like any other until the stock market fell hard. Traders set a record by selling more than 12 million shares, and the situation was bleak until a group of monied bankers threw cash into the system and closed the day on an upswing. Their measure… Read full post »

In the midst of the mournful hoopla that followed the death of Steve Jobs, an acquaintance of mine had had enough and pointed out the man made computers, for Pete’s sake. It’s not like he cured cancer. The suggestion here was that if Jobs had cured cancer, all the media coverage,… Read full post »

For days now, fans of Apple and admirers of innovation, even those who don’t own a single Apple product, have eulogized Steve Jobs and mourned our loss as a national one. We are all minus a true leader, an original thinker, an uncommon inspiration.… Read full post »

My family has adopted a new member, and I don’t mean a child. We have brought a puppy into this household that has never before been home to a puppy, or dog of any age for that matter. We have always had cats—and guinea pigs that died of… Read full post »

I received an email the other day from Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, which began with this—”Dear Robyn, I messed up. I owe you an explanation.”

It seems that after Netflix recently raised its rates, the company lost a sizable number of customers, which is what happens when people… Read full post »

I have always said this—
I love the change of seasons.
And I mean it.
But just now I am clinging to Summer
by its ankles as it pivots toward the door
and leaves the room.
Wait! Don't go yet!
I call as I tighten my grip around its shin… Read full post »