Celebration of a Milestone!

On September 13, 2010 - my middle son Greg's 4th birthday - I began my blog Chief 187™Chatter. I had been blogging at a NASCAR social media site called Rowdy and had cut my teeth writing daily about all things NASCAR and not-so-much NASCAR. It seemed time to branch out on my own and write about whatever I wanted to, and I did. It was liberating, fascinating, cathartic, and fun.

That led to great things: writing thousands of published articles, time on-air on both Internet and terrestrial radio, starting my own radio program with Ronnie Crate Payne and Keith Hayes on Anthony Arnold's station Whoobazoo.com called Drafting the Circuits. I was determined to make this career work and dedicated endless hours, days, weeks, months and years to getting drivers on our program - we started humbly with young drivers who were making names for themselves like the incredible Tyler Dippel. Through hard work, consistency, positivity, and sheer passion, we continued to secure fabulous personalities in the world of Motorsports. Eventually we hosted names like IndyCar celebrity Bobby Unser and current stars Charlie Kimball and Alexander Rossi, 10-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel and champ Mason Mitchell,  NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Bobby Allison, and the legendary, incomparable Mario Andretti. Each person we had on the show was treated with the same awe and dignity. In addition to the radio show, I continued to write articles and was honored to interview NASCAR Hall of Fame members Leonard and Glen Wood. And, I was granted media credentials under my name for NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One races across the country. 

During the summer of 2016 I had run my course with this part of my career. I had suffered some personal losses and there was a racing one as well. Those reasons in addition to having been elected to my town's Board of Education led me to step away from my Motorsports career, concentrate on my volunteer work, and set a new career goal.

Writing a book was something I had always wanted to do since I was a young child. Taking years of writings, experiences, and dreams, I published my first book, Christmas Candi: A Guide To Year-round Holiday Bliss in October 2018. On the day I contacted the publisher in July 2018, I was asked by another person in my life to write his life's story: he has played Santa Claus for over 70 years! My second book started the day my first went to the publisher! 

The Man Behind The Beard published in the fall of 2019. By then I had begun work with a longtime friend on a third book, Drafting the Culinary Circuits. This was an innovative concept to follow the 2020 NASCAR circuit and devise recipes based on the local foods at each locale. This book dropped in winter 2020. 

In 16 months I saw my life's dream come to fruition: three books published under my name.

December 2017 found me back in the classroom, working as a paraprofessional to get back into the traditional workforce. I still work there finding much fulfillment working with students, always learning, and knowing my purpose. My Board of Education position lasted two full terms. Then I was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Sussex County Community College at the end of 2021. 

And I write. I always write. Promote. Share. Communicate. Observe. 

So, when I awoke this morning to find that my original blog site that I started over 12 years ago had reached a milestone - over 500,000 all-time page views - I was emotional. 

Yes, many blogs reach millions of eyes per day, so my numbers may be small, but I earned each and every view on my blog. When I started I was thrilled if a post found 10 viewers. I lost my mind when I had over 10,000 views on a piece, and then 20,000+.

Every once in a while I'll post a new blog, but mostly I promote an older piece that I am still so proud. Most recently I reposted "Wear The Swimsuit" and it still has wings.

I will continue to write, to create, to say what's on my mind. 

Today I want to thank you all for reading. For supporting my efforts. For leaving a comment. For sharing a post. For talking about my article or my book. 

Each word I write, article I "pen", or book I create and publish is a labor of love. For you to read, embrace, think about, purchase, and mention is the highest accolade.

Thank you. 

Please help me in celebrating this most epic milestone for my blog!

Peace.

Quick and Easy Easter Recipes

Easter time is a time of early spring, rebirth, pastels, Easter egg hunts, and family gatherings with tasty foods.

Many think of ham, lamb, or turkey as the main dish for an Easter celebration, and those are truly wonderful meals. The side dishes like cheesy potatoes, mint jelly, and stuffing are great as well. Add a spring vegetable like asparagus and the Easter meal is complete.

For those of you, however, who are not entertaining twenty-five people for dinner, do not like a roast, or are vegetarian, these meals don’t quite fit the bill.

Or, if you are doing one of these meals but want a supplemental dish that complements your spread but is unique as well, this meal is perfect.

I’m convinced, although I’m not by birth, that somehow I am Italian. I adore the Italians family values and their embrace of a huge spread on holidays and ANY day!

Pasta Primavera literally means spring pasta.

Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
• 2 medium zucchini or 1 large zucchini, cut into thin strips
• 2 yellow squash, cut into thin strips
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or herbes de Provence
• 1 pound farfalle (bowtie pasta)
• 15 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to another heavy large baking sheet and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes, about 20 minutes total.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoesand enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.



I recommend using a whole wheat pasta cooked according to the directions as it offers a nutty flavor and a strong dose of fiber.

In addition, I’d offer a multi-grain baguette for a side as well as a delicious tossed salad.

And, since dinner is so healthful, and it is Easter, I’d serve a sinfully delicious dessert!

Here’s the offering. With Easter Baskets overflowing with cute egg-shaped candies, I thought this would be an adorable and tasty way to serve them!

Chocolate Easter Egg Nests

Shredded Wheat or Rice Krispies and melted chocolate make perfect nests for candy coated Easter Eggs and they are quick and easy to make.

Hands-On Time: 20 minutes
Ready In: 3 hours
Yield: 8 chocolate nests

Ingredients:

5 large Shredded Wheat (or 2 cups spoon-size)
1/3 cup good quality milk chocolate chips
1/3 cup good quality bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter
3 tablespoons golden syrup, such as Lyle's

mini candy coated chocolate eggs

OR

3 cups Rice Krispies
scant 1 cup good quality semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup, such as Lyle's

Directions:

1. Crush the Shredded Wheat into a bowl with your fingers. Put the chocolate chips into a saucepan together with the butter and golden syrup and melt over a gentle heat.
2. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Stir the Shredded Wheat into the chocolate mixture and spoon eight mounds onto the lined cookie sheets, shaping into rounds with a dip in the center.
3. Chill in the refrigerator for several hours until set, then peel the nests carefully away from the parchment and fill with mini chocolate eggs.



These can be filled with jelly beans, foil-wrapped eggs, or the decadent Cadbury Mini Eggs I am so wild about. If you are expecting a lot of guests, definitely double or triple the recipe to be sure and have enough.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy and Healthy Easter/Spring! A very Happy Passover to those celebrating that holiday!

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Verve!

 

Steeped in history, full of positive emotion, and a chance to shake off the winter doldrums, celebrate Valentine's Day this year with gusto!

Decorate your space, make your Valentine's card/gift list, plan, and shop!

Where should I go to purchase Valentines and Gift?

As always, I recommend the local dollar store to help you stay on budget and still be generous. My go to is the Dollar Tree. They are nationwide and full of great ideas, wonderful values, and beautiful cards - Hallmark cards and Handmade cards are still so reasonable!

But you can supplement with some high-end items like live cut flowers from your favorite florist, homemade chocolates from the neighborhood candy store, lingerie from the town center boutique, and/or an amazing bauble from your hometown jeweler.

These are merely suggestions. Even if all you can do is construct a card from scraps found at home, it's a wonderful gesture!

Making the effort to tell your friends, family, and loved ones how you feel about them is good will that will come back to you tenfold, so start planning now!

There are only a few days until Valentine's Day. Yet, there is more than enough time to make this one the best yet!

Why not take my advice to heart and ENJOY Valentine’s Day this year?

I can help.

Isn’t Valentine’s Day just for overly romantic couples?

Remember that Valentine’s Day is for all kinds of love - familial, friend, newly smitten, long-term, or even loving and honoring yourself. It’s for anyone who loves love.

So, plan the kind of celebration that works for you.

What kind of celebration should I have?

A cute Valentine’s Day tea party with stuffed animals in attendance is adorable with littles in the house.

A cocktail party is fun for friends and family. Choose red and pink beverages (make sure to offer plenty of soft drinks, too).

Heart-shaped pizza party is delightful! Either make your own or purchase from a local pizzeria that could use your business.

Go on a heart scavenger hunt in your home! You’d be surprised how many things resemble hearts - like my potato chip! ❤️

Get some Valentine’s napkins, a box of conversation hearts, and a plan for February 14th in some way, you’ll be so glad you did!

 

 

 

Valentine's Day Is For Everyone

Valentine's Day is on Tuesday, February 14th. It’s nearly impossible not to notice as stores have been decorated and selling merchandise for this day since the day after Christmas.

Florists, confectioners, and jewelers are waiting to sell lovers a token of affection to give their significant others. And, of course, card stores and the United States Post Office are gearing up for the holiday as Valentine's Day remains America's second-most-popular card-sending holiday, behind Christmas.

Several people sighed while reading. This beautiful holiday has lost its meaning for many.

Contrary to pessimistic belief, it is NOT a Hallmark-made-up holiday. It is steeped in rich history and is a lovely day to tell those you love, you LOVE them.

Since the time of the ancient Romans, a mid-February celebration was observed. In addition, there was really a Christian bishop name Valentine who wed young Roman couples at a time when Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage. Claudius II found out and had Valentine jailed and sentenced to death.

Valentine was himself in love with a woman and, from his jail cell, penned a final love letter to her signed, “From your Valentine”. Although Valentine was put to death, his story has stood the test of time and with it a legacy of declaring one’s love unabashedly.

Valentine’s Day is NOT just a romantic holiday, but a day to tell ALL of those you love you do so. So, send a Valentine to a parent, a sibling, a dear friend, your crush, your spouse, your child's teacher who he/she loves, and anyone and everyone else.

There is far too much unkindness in this world. The news is full of BAD news. Let's turn the tide - let's spread LOVE!

Make a card, buy a card, pick up a bouquet of flowers, a heart-shaped box of chocolates, yes, a piece of jewelry, or simply tell everyone you know "Happy Valentine's Day"! It can be as simple or elaborate as you care to be or have the means to be. No stress, just LOVE.

My parents have been married 60 years on this Valentine's Day, the day they ELOPED.

Valentine's Day has been celebrated in my home since I was a child and my children know the joys of a wondrous Valentine's Season (Yes, SEASON) and a fun-filled, love-filled Valentine's Day.

Order your heart-shaped pizzas from your local pizzeria. Take the time to profess your love this February 14^th like Valentine did. Take every opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day with love and passion.

I implore you, spread the LOVE this Valentine's Day and you'll get it back tenfold.

 

 

 

 

Thirty Years

January 9, 1993

On January 9, 1993, at 20 years old, I said “I do,” to the man I had been in love for six years. He was 23. We were young, naïve, inexperienced, and a bit crazy, but we knew our hearts. We wanted to embark on our married life together.

Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Thirty years that produced three wonderful children. There were endless diaper changes, countless tears, temper tantrums, health scares, life-altering decisions, and love.

Always love.

During these thirty years I’ve acquired wisdom. Although far from “perfect”, we are still happily married. We have faced proverbial Giants, Dragons, and Pandemics and we are still together.

We’ve had doubts, droughts, floods, disappointments, setbacks, and famine, yet we always loved one another.

Always.

Raising children has been richly rewarding and God’s greatest blessing on us. Yet, children are depleting to a romantic relationship. We had to learn to navigate Parenthood without sacrificing Couplehood.

Our three children
December 24, 2022

We chose love.

Always.

We don’t always agree and at times have grown apart. Then, because we love – and like – one another, we find our way back. We choose to stay in love – and together.

Always.

I offer some wisdom to share. Take what works for you.

We are Human.

We are fallible, but we choose love.

Always.

Thirty Years of Married Wisdom

1.       Put the Couple first, above children, above self. The Couple is sacred.

2.       Be an individual. To bring the best to the couple you must live your life. Experience, explore, create, interact. Every day you will have something new to share with your spouse.

3.       Find time for intimacy throughout the days, weeks, months, and years. Intimacy is not solely sex. It’s emotional, it’s physical. It’s trust, comfort, and relaxation with your spouse. Without intimacy, sex is not fulfilling to the Couple.

4.       Make time for sex. Intimate sex. Passionate sex. Quick sex. There should always be time for sex.

5.       Learn that it’s okay to not have sex when you are in pain, exhausted, sick, or not mentally into it. But when these excuses are constant, seek help professionally.

6.       Go to the doctor regularly to stay healthy. Dentist and eye doctors, too. Stay in peak physical condition.

7.       Exercise regularly. Take care of your body and heart and they will take care of you.

8.       Seek professional therapy – marriage and individual if necessary. Learn to communicate better, love yourself more, and strengthen your marriage. Win-Win.

9.       Speak about your spouse in glowing terms around everyone you speak. Never demean your spouse in public. Never air your “dirty laundry”.

10.   Let your spouse overhear you praise him/her. Often.

11.   Talk about problems with your spouse before they fester.

12.   Decide who oversees paying the bills. Both partners should be aware of the home budget and financial goals and live accordingly.

13.   Chores should be fairly distributed. Only you and your spouse can determine what is “fair”.

14.   Hold hands.

15.   Sit together.

16.   Have Date Nights. Or Date Days. Or Date Mornings. They needn’t cost money, it’s about spending time together and making one another the priority.

17.   Learn to compromise. In a Couple, one person isn’t always going to get their way. It’s not 50/50 that makes a couple survive, it’s 100/100.

18.   Learn to have a sense of humor about Life. Life is stressful and dark at times, but laughter can brighten dark times.

19.   Honor your Couple milestones. Wedding anniversaries should be observed with reverence and celebration. EVERY YEAR.

20.   Do things apart. If one of you enjoys something the other does not, spend time apart so the individuals in the Couple can enjoy their recreational time.

21.   Do things together. Find a few things to do together that bring you both joy and enhance the Couple.

22.   Be kind to your spouse’s parents/family. If you love your spouse, it makes sense to love – or like – his/her family. There are always extreme exceptions, but overall, it doesn’t hurt to be kind, friendly, and loving.

23.   Fighting is part of marriage. When you stop communicating, it’s over. But fighting should have a time when you each listen to one another and figure out what’s going on, and there should be a resolution.

24.   Sing together. There should be at least a few songs you both enjoy. Belt them out in the car, in the shower, or whenever it makes you happy.

25.   Be patient. We all learn Life’s lessons at different paces. Allow your spouse time to navigate Life.

26.   Compliment one another.

27.   Complement one another.

28.   Bring one another coffee, tea, water, seltzer… Small acts of kindness are vitally important.

29.   Reminisce about how your fell in love, your wedding, and other early romantic milestones often. These keep the Couple aware of their powerful connection. Continue to make new romantic milestones that keep the marriage enduring.

30.   Kiss, always.

 

There are so many other nuggets of wisdom, but these made my top list.

As our 30^th Anniversary is upon us, I am most thankful our marriage has endured.

I’m thankful for all the help we’ve gotten to get to this point. Help from our parents and families, from our children and our friends. We also have had tremendous help from two therapists, two 12-Step Programs, and a stubborn belief that we belong together.

We are better together.

We love each other.

Always.

December 24, 2022

New Year's Eve 2023

New Year’s Eve is like the Rock Star of the Holidays! It is full of glitz and glamour, music and partying, and a huge kiss-worthy celebration at midnight.

Or it’s not.

For every person who parties like the former, there are scores of people who refuse.

New Year’s Eve is also a wonderful evening to spend safely tucked in at home. You can have a small get-together if you like, it’s fun to share the holiday with friends and neighbors, family and loved ones as you ring in a new year.

Foods can range from leftovers from Christmas week to appetizers and desserts since no one cares about a sit-down dinner on December 31^st.

But even if you hold up at home, alone, and want to honor this change of calendar, there is much to do if you care to participate.

If you have children who are too young to make it to midnight (or you yourself are), find celebrations in other parts of the world where it has turned midnight and 2023 has already arrived. Australia, Egypt, Germany, or anywhere that is in a time zone before ours. It’s an educational research project that can expand to HOW that country celebrates – traditions they observe, foods they eat, etc. – and allows for broadening of one’s horizons without leaving home. Plus, by celebrating before midnight comes here, you get to go to bed at a “decent” hour. Sounds like a Win Win!

With the end of a year, it is a great time to create a Time Capsule. Find a container that you don’t mind storing in your home that will be off limits for a few years or up to a decade. Fill it with a newspaper from December 31, 2022, and other ‘artifacts’ that are indicative of the times we’ve just lived. I don’t recommend putting in the latest iPhone, but you could throw in a defunct iPhone IV, other tech that doesn’t work but once did, and other items that show what was popular (posters, magazines, greeting cards), useful, and a part of YOUR life or that of your family’s. It’s a cool process to assemble a Time Capsule, and even more exciting to open it in the future. Just make sure you remember where you place it, so it doesn’t get lost forever.

Another way to honor the end of the year is to write a letter to your future self. It could start, “Dear Me in 2033”. You can include information of who you are now but can also encapsulate the hopes and dreams you have for your future. No one is too old for this project as having goals, hopes, and dreams keep us all motivated. The letter should be completely private, so you are totally honest with yourself. Let your mind wander and tap its most cherished dreams. Then, write it down so you can start working towards it. Powerful.

As for New Year’s Resolutions, I’m not a big fan. I know that most get forgotten by January 13, never to be tackled again until December 31^st when people think of the same hateful things – 1. Lose weight 2. Become a millionaire 3. Marry a millionaire…  And so on.

Perhaps you need to honor yourself in a different way. It needn’t be written down, but it can be. Forgive yourself. Yes, as a new year dawns, go into it free of self-loathing. Instead of telling yourself to Lose Weight, simply tell yourself to look in the mirror and love yourself. Then, make a small decision that you can manage like, walk 10 minutes more per day. That’s it, just walk. By the end of January, you’ll be feeling more energetic and want to add more time to that. You’ll start making better food choices – no food after 7p, especially junk food. Or, add an apple or veggies to meal.

Baby steps, lifestyle changes, nothing drastic that leaves one feeling deprived. It’s about feeling better about yourself NOW, not when you lose 30 pounds. Love who you are, forgive yourself the trespasses you feel you’ve done, and start 2023 with a renewed passion for YOU. Be kinder to yourself, be kinder to others, be accepting, and soon, your disposition will change for the better. Now that’s a New Year’s Resolution you can stick to!

Are you saddened that New Year’s Day means the end of the Christmas holidays? Do you abhor taking the Christmas tree down, undecorating your home, and having the absence of light?

Here are some recommendations. First, make undecorating the tree as festive as decorating it! Call some people up who you actually like to come over and help with this tedious chore. Offer beer and pizza, Chinese take-out and wine, or simply Christmas cookies and hot cocoa. They’ll appreciate getting out of their house, and with your task, many hands make for light work, and then you are left with the chore finished.

Let’s tackle the absence of (artificial) light. If you love the home decorated with lights, leave some up! Or, buy some now with the deep discounts at the stores (already 70% off or more in many locations) and put some up in your living room, dining room, bedroom, or kitchen. It’s YOUR HOME, decorate it the way you want.

Create a winter scene post-Christmas with snowflake ornaments and white twinkling lights. For Valentine’s Day, put up heart ornaments and red lights. The possibilities are endless and will help brighten the dark winter that lay ahead.

The New Year’s celebrations are waiting to be had; however, you want to observe them. And, although Christmas is ending for 2022, it is never over. Christmas is a year-round season and feeling if you allow it to be.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2023 and best to you all year long!

 

 

Angels

As 2022 comes to a close in a couple short weeks, we take time to reflect on what a year it was, what we learned, and how we want to proceed into 2023.

As the Christmas holiday is upon us next week, we find we have been surrounding ourselves with favorite things. Nutcrackers, toy trains, snowmen, and various other symbols of the season adorn our homes, our Christmas trees, and ease our mind. They are powerful reminders of happier times, family, celebration, and togetherness.

These symbols have the power to make the world a better place.

How?

Let’s explore.

Angels. Surround yourself with Angels.

Many - most? - cultures and religions agree that Angels exist. They are a common thread in our shared Humanity.

There is something comforting about the presence of Angels in our lives.

We are not alone.

I’ll say it again...

We are not alone.

In a time when people are questioning their beliefs and faith, it’s vital to understand that we are surrounded by Angels.

A line from Miracle on 34th Street,

 

“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

 

I believe.

I believe in Santa Claus, an Angel in my life.

And I surely believe in Angels.

If you are struggling with your faith in your religion, the government, Humanity, or God, talk to someone. It’s not easy but necessary. You are worth the effort.

Look for the Angels, they surround us daily. They volunteer, they wear uniforms, they smile brightly, hold our hands when we are scared or sad. They speak words of comfort and peace.

Angels are people. People are Angels.

I surround myself with Angels - year-round - and try to mirror what I can.

Surround yourself with Angels.

Be one.

The world can be and IS a better place if we just believe.

Santa Claus. Believe in Santa Claus. 🎅🏻

That’s right, Believe.

I understand for many that belief ended years even decades ago, but it’s time to reevaluate.

Santa Claus has been around for over 1700 years. His importance and presence have waxed and waned in many cultures over the centuries, but he has survived and thrived and still has a vital and powerful role in society.

As stated in Miracle on 34th Street (I’m quoting this again),

“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

I believe. Maybe you can again. Here are some reasons why believing in Santa Claus is not only great but helpful:

Santa Claus is omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful) and uses his knowledge and power for GOOD. That’s incredible in any era, but a beautiful and important fact for this 21st Century year of 2022.

Santa Claus is SELFLESS. He acts FOR OTHERS. He is a model for human decency, charity, and compassion.

Santa Claus is LOVING and CARING. He may keep a “Naughty List” but when it comes down to it, he gives children myriad opportunities to change for the better. He’s patient, wise, forgiving, and kind to a fault. He wants us to succeed. He wants us to thrive. He wants to spoil us. He has faith we will mend our ways and behave for goodness’ sake.

Santa Claus’ Generosity of Spirit knows no bounds. He wants to make our Christmas wishes come true. In addition, he wants us to help make others Christmas wishes come true. He hopes we work in tandem with him to provide children whose families can’t to have a Merry Christmas. He prays we follow in his actions to provide for those in our communities who can’t.

If we all believed in Santa Claus fervently, perhaps our communities - our shared Humanity - would be thriving, too.

I believe. Won’t you please join me in believing in Santa Claus, too?

Be the one you long to have in your life. Emulate the ideal and the ripple effects will be powerful resulting in like behaviors.

After our Christmas/Holiday symbols are safely tucked away in storage until next year, let’s remember the positive effects they have when we allow them to work through us. Truly our wishes of “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” will reverberate the entire year through if we keep the message in our hearts and not stowed away with the decorations.