That's the Spirit

Holiday Entertaining
As seen in “That’s the Spirit" with Clare Jackson in Main Street Magazine

It is that time of year again where we are having friends and family over for some seasonal cheer. There are some must haves in the “Liquor Cabinet” to ensure that you have a little something something for everyone. Here is how you take care of the who’s who of the guests you will be hosting.

The father in law; A great single malt - golden smooth nectar of the Scottish Gods. Pour this one in a proper glass and don’t spare a glug or two. Neat or on the rocks this gem is a slow sipper letting it warm your throat and belly on those cold holiday nights. Add a Montecristo #2 and you may reach a deep brotherhood with the senior male outlaw.
I recommend a 12 year old Macallan for the company and the 18 year old for your own private stash.

Mommy Dearest (hers not yours); A classic structured Merlot with lush ripe red and black cherry notes. Make sure you have ample supply as you know once she starts it can be a runaway train. Supporting local producers is where it is at. If you want to make it special and have a little tale to tell take a drive down to Niagara on the Lake and bring home a hidden gem not found at the LCBO. I recommend Henry of Pelham, Cave Spring Cellars or Inniskillin.

The Neighbour; An easy drinking Pinot Grigio is the best way to keep them snow blowing your driveway in the dead of winter or bringing over that steaming apple pie.
This white beauty chilled just right is the wine everyone will love. It is easy to drink, refreshing and works well with light small nibbles. I recommend Konzelmann’s‘Winemaker’s Collection’ Reserve Pinot Grigio 2007. Price is good and the wine is great! You might want to buy a case…or two.

The Core or Safety Net; well we all know that the Boss may drop by or cousins or friends that only come by during the holidays. Here is what you need to make sure you have them “all covered”;
A classic vodka-Grey Goose is a good bet.
Spiced Rum- Let the Captain loose in a rum and egg nog.
Beer- one import and one local…great time to try something new and out there.
Gin – for that one “friend” who wants a gin martini. I like Tanqueray.
Dark Rum – gotta have it for those who like it with cola and a lime.
Bailey’s – a creamy finish over ice.
Grand Marnier – a classic liqueur that will warm your soul – if you haven’t already sold it!
Champagne – to kick that old year in the ass and kiss the newborn year hello!

Enjoy the Holidays and be brave enough to stop a friend from getting behind the wheel when they have had too much fun.

The She Spot: Happy Holidays!

‘Tis the Season to Be Naughty
Cathy Broadbent
“The She Spot!”

Well, the cold is upon us, even those last die hard shorts wearers have had no choice but to finally succumb to the cold, hard facts. Speaking of cold and hard, this is also the time of year that we start to come down with afflictions, such as the dreaded Nippleitis. Thank goodness for padded bras, otherwise we’d all be walking around with the high beams on! Yup, that’s winter in Canada, a bunch of women running around with nippleitis and men running around with shrinkage. I think the people who can honestly say they love winter, are in the minority. I am proud to be Canadian, there’s nowhere else I’d rather call home and I consider myself lucky to have been born here, but when that damp cold gets into my bones and chills me from the inside out, my mind starts to fantasize about moving to a tropical island in the sun somewhere; just for the winter.

On the other hand, there’s nothing like being inside on a cold dark winter’s night, in front of a crackling fireplace, cuddling with the one you love. Taking a walk on a crisp winter night when there’s a full moon making the freshly fallen snow sparkle like diamonds can also be so romantic.

I love the crunch of the snow under my feet with every step. The key is to be dressed appropriately, if you’re too cold, it takes all the fun out of it. Yes, it’s not so bad if you can somehow manage to be warm when you are outside in the winter, but as far as I’m concerned, if we only had two days of snow for the whole winter, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I’d be happy.

The best thing about winter in my opinion is Christmas. This year I plan on being really good so Santa will come to my house. I’ve got it all planned out. When he gets here, I’ll be waiting with a nice hot cup of Hot Chocolate Butternut for him, (see recipe below), and I’ll invite him to sit by the fire with me. I’m going to show him that sometimes it’s nice to be naughty. I’ll be the Ho in his “ho ho ho,” dressed up like Santa’s naughty little helper. I want to make Kris Kringle tingle.

First I’ll roast his chestnuts with a fiery hot strip tease. Then Santa will get overheated, and start to remove his suit. I’ll unwrap his package, polish his Christmas balls, and suck on his candy cane. I’ll ride him like a reindeer and taste his sweet egg-nog. This Christmas, Santa will be naughty. Afterwards, I’ll make Santa and I a couple of Frosty Noggins, (see recipe below), to help him cool off. I’ll have a little talk with Santa about some ideas I have for toys he can make in his workshop for us women. Kids aren’t the only ones who want toys for Christmas. We probably have more fun playing with our new toys than the kids do! The novelty doesn’t wear off either; we play with them until they wear out and die! After our chat, Santa will be off on his way to spread more joy around the world.

I can’t wait for Christmas this year! This will be the first Christmas that I can say yes with absolute certainty when someone asks me if Santa came!

Hot Chocolate Butternut
Ingredients
2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
½ oz Amaretto
5 oz Hot Chocolate
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a mug and stir well. Garnish with a layer of whipped cream and serve.

Frosty Noggin
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Rum
¾ oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Egg Nog
3 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
Directions
Blend ingredients until smooth, pour into parfait glass, top with whipped cream. Decorate with a few drops of Crème de Menthe.

Best Holiday Outfit

Choosing the Best Holiday Outfit
By Louise Kana For Main Street Magazine (MSM)

2009

The problem isn't being comfortable in your skin: Instead, the challenge is simply finding wearable, modern clothes to fit your lifestyle, budget and figure.

Pros may tout fashion now as being ageless, but that's no consolation when you have to pick through racks of miniskirts and low-rise jeans to find styles you love.

Keeping up with trends can be even more difficult because many fashion magazines ignore women over a certain age.

Designers and magazines show styles on youthful models, but realistic merchants know not everyone sports taut forearms and flat tummies. In fact the average woman is a size 14, far from the zero on the cat walk showing the latest designer label.

Practically any fashion trend can be adapted if you know some general guidelines.

Quick tips to keep your holiday outfit current-Let the very young think (mistakenly) that dressing sexy means you have to bare every body part. Instead, you can show your sensuality with luxury fabrics (silk, leather, cashmere, fur) and rich colors (wine, chocolate, plum, champagne and midnight).

Watch your handbag: it is usually a dead giveaway to age. Have some fun with your handbag choice by trying lively colors (red, denim) and different shapes. The key here is to find a bag in a good proportion to your size. Shoulder bags that fit under the armpit (not too tiny or too bulky)
Use accessories to create maximum impact. Costume jewellery expert Isabelle Bryman suggests looking at your accessories in new ways: wearing pearls as a belt or a dress clip on a beret.

Don'ts
Don't wear baggy, shapeless clothes.
Don't wear ditsy and fussy prints like tiny floral.
Don't wear overdone, fussy styles or details (gold buttons, gold trim, etc.). They are terrible no matter the age.
Don't wear your skirts too short.
Don't overdo the glitz! Despite the fact that maximalism is in right now, you don't want to look like the Christmas tree! You want to go to the Christmas Party!

Movies

As seen in the September Issue of Main Street Magazine (MSM)

An adult evening ‘in’ can be just the thing on a rainy night, whether by yourself or with some pals, all you need are the right ingredients. 1. Snack Foods- you know the kind, popcorn, chips, chocolate and loads of ice cream and loaded nachos! (hey even healthy needs a break once-in-awhile!) 2. Strawberry Daiquiris, beer or other adult beverages of choice. 3. Favourite PJ’s! Comfy is a must! And finally… 4. Some great movies.

Below is a list of some of our favourites, for the girlies for the guys, and Laughing out Loud!

For the Girls:
Titanic: Have some tissue handy for the scene of when the cry of “Jack! Come back!” you know it gets us every time! Plus, it stars eye candy Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Notebook: Did you get goose bumps during Noah and Allie’s love scene on the dock?

Dirty Dancing: Any movie that is still popular more than 20 years later is definitely a keeper!

When Harry Met Sally: Who knew faking an orgasm could lead to this kind of success?

A Walk To Remember: Shane West is Mandy Moore’s angel in this tear-jerker but heavy flick-not to mention Shane is oh so easy on the eyes!

For the Guys:
The Godfather & The Godfather: Part II : Isn’t this in everyone’s home movie collection?

Mad Max/The Road Warrior: This movie comes in the top guy movie’s list over and over. Is it the brutal revenge or the car chases that keeps the guys coming back?

Fight Club: "First rule of Fight Club: You do not talk about Fight Club."

Office Space: Most fantasize about tying their boss to a chair and forcing him/her to watch it. Remember this great line; "It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care."

James Bond: You can’t go wrong with a James Bond movie. Right guys?

Laugh Out Loud (LOL):
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective; Remember the scene where Jim Carrey is dressed in a tutu and pretending to be mentally ill?

American Pie: "Well, we'll just tell your mother that uh…that uh…we ate it all!" Who will forget the hilarious scene when Jim Levinstein (Jason Biggs) is caught by his father (Eugene Levy) while making out with a warm, freshly-baked apple pie on the kitchen counter.

Austin Powers in Goldmember: the hilariously vulgar shadow-play or puppetry scene in the Sick Bay of Dr. Evil's (Mike Myers) submarine lair is a true classic of LOL hilarity!

Blazing Saddles: From beginning to end you laugh! This film is packed with political incorrectness!

Death Becomes Her: How can you not laugh out loud when Madeline's (Meryl Streep) head is rotated 180 (and later 360) degrees, and her shocked cry: "My ass! I can see my ass!"

Romance in the Glass

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Romance in the Glass

Michael Pinkus
Wine Talk: As seen in Main Street Magazine

I have to laugh at all those commercials, where the kids look like they are walking the plank and mom looks like she just won the lottery, as she skips down the aisles buying back to school things. It makes me think of my own mom and what a huge sigh of relief she must have given when it was time for me to go back to school. Kids are a lot of work (or so my friends tell me – since I do not have any of my own), in fact kids have been known to drive parents to drink. Not to worry, I’m here to help.

To begin with, I had to gather some information from the moms I know to begin to understand what it is like. I don’t think I fully understood how busy moms today really are; whether it’s taking care of the kids, hubby, the house or just dealing with the events of day to day life, mom needs to prioritize and take time for herself. Sometimes that time can include a bottle of wine, which can take you on a getaway for your mind. Now, I am not recommending you get schnokered, but a nice glass of something special might give you that relaxing vacation time you never got over the summer.

I’m also not promoting alcoholism, what I am promoting is a wine getaway, right here at home. If you think about it, wine is not just a beverage, like apple juice or diet coke, it has a history and a story to tell, and if you let it, it can take you to far away lands – if only for an hour. Wine has a romance to it, and is not just for romantic liaisons. Consider this next time you open a bottle of Italian Chianti (when out for lunch with friends), German Riesling (when company comes over), or California Chardonnay (during those adult conversation times), you have just visited three different countries and tasted their soil (what the French call “Terroir”).

Because wine is all about the place of origin, and is one of the few products we still buy based on where it is from. Some like an Australian Shiraz, Chilean Merlot or an Ontario Pinot Noir – and each time you open a bottle you are transported back in time to when the grapes were growing (the vintage year), when they were plucked, fermented, pressed, and aged in their country of origin before making their way across their borders to your table, your glass and eventually into you.

You are drinking history and you are experiencing the smells and flavours of a different country. So when the kids go back to school, take some time for yourself, when the laundry list of things to do has been done; that way when dad and the kids come home tell them you went to France that afternoon … and when they look at you with that confused look, you’ll know exactly what you’re talking about.

Suggestions, (take a trip for under $15 – all available at your local LCBO):
Crisp White: Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc (Chile) - $10.45
Light and Fruit White: Hardys Gewurztraminer Riesling (Australia) - $9.95
For the Locavores: Vineland Chardonnay (Unoaked) (Ontario) – $12.65
Fruity Red: Ogio Primitivo (Italy) - $8.85
Something Fun: FuZion Shiraz Malbec (Argentina) - $7.45
Big Reds: Castano Hecula (Spain) - $13.95

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November Issue Welcomes Matt Dusk!

Be sure to get each monthly issue of Main Street Magazine- Visit http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/ "get your copy"

Main Street Magazine welcomes Jazz/Pop Canadian Singer Matt Dusk.
You do not want to miss out on this great interview in the November issue of Main Street Magazine.

Want to listen to a sample from his new CD "Good News"- check this out; www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVRCX6biHfY

Do you have your copy of MSM?

Due to popular demand Main Street Magazine is in it's second printing!
The September launch of Main Street Magazine was a huge success- so much so in fact, that we have had to go to a second print to meet customer demand!

We have readers across Canada, parts of the USA and Over Seas!

Missing out? Want to know what all the buzz is about? Get your copy- visit www.mainstreetmagazine.net now for details on how to get your copy of this hottest new lifestyle magazine!

In The News

For Immediate Release
Maud Rivers, IRM Magazine

Launch of New Magazine

IRM will be no longer as of April 1 2009. But do not be sad; for the birth of “Main Street Mag” begins!

Toronto (ON) - Estimated web version launch date of the new magazine “Main Street” is April 2009- followed by a published version in the summer of 2009. This hot new magazine with ‘attitude’ is focused on the ladies of today who want more!

“Main Street” will have sexy hot pictures of men—that’s right ladies, from Maxim to the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated, men have had their fix of sexy ladies for years, now it is our turn! Of course we are not one dimensional, (kidding guys) so you can find a food section, letting us know about the latest chefs, restaurants, and reviews. Also you will find reviews on books, movies, music.

Articles pertaining to relationships, art, women in business and health and wellness. A monthly fun article called “Alfa Male” the voice of a man in this ‘women’s world.’ A Ladies Magazine will not be complete with out shoes, right? Fashion trends that ladies will wear, want and need will be included. Lifestyles including cigars, wine and cars.

This and so much more will give the ladies what they have been craving. The brain child behind “Main Street?” No other than celebrity author, writer, and former radio host “Tilly Rivers.”

Tilly’s focus as Sr. Editor and owner will be coordinating the monthly magazine, as well as writing the monthly feature article.

I will be staying on as a consultant during the first few months of transition, only too enjoy my retirement at the beach of choice.

Have a blast chillin@mainstreet!!

Interview with Dominique Chaponot

Dominique Chaponot is an artist who resides in Olyphant PA, she comes from a family that loves Art.
“Any Art.”
Her father was a saxophonist, her Grandparents won an Award in a dance contest in Spain, her cousin is a Jazz singer in Paris, and her aunt is a painter in Cannes.
Below is the interview with Dominique and Entertainment Editor Tilly Rivers.

Interview with Dominique Chaponot
© Tilly Rivers, 2009

TR: Can you describe the process you go through when
creating a piece from start to finish?

DC: This is difficult. Let me see if I can explain. For example, I will have a vision of a landscape with a barn, animals and people, I will take a lot of photos that match my vision, between 60/80. I sort the photos, and begin to change color, add shadow, shape, l blend everything put some light here and there, so many thinks can be done when you have your imagination running like crazy ! If the result reflects what I have in mind I am happy, sometimes it could take 6 to 9 months before l like it.

TR: You have won many awards for your works. Can you give us a few examples?

DC: In 2004- I proudly took not only first place for my b/w but “best of the show” at the annual NORTHEAST PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB - EVEHART MUSEUM in SCRANTON PA and the NORTHEAST PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB - Photographer of the year. Awards for 2005 included WESTMORELAND ART NATIONAL’S 1St Show - PITTSBURGH PA. - Best of Show and THE TENTH ANNUAL SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY SHUTTERBUG- I won the “People's Choice” photo. In 2006, AFA GALLERY SCRANTON - Best of show, continued to win awards in 2007 and took first place for at the ENDLESS MOUNTAINS COUNCIL OF THE ARTS. A complete list of my awards is on line.

TR: What has been the biggest challenge in the work you create?

DC: My biggest challenge is to show to the people that photography is not only a straight shot, you can do so many different things with photography art, you can open a new vision in photography, it's hard especially with old photographers, they do not too see photography skill in my creations.


TR: Do you still see the magic when you create?

DC: Yes absolutely, I feel this pulse each time I create; last year I created “Midnight Transpennsylvania” it's the reflection of my dream on the night of March 8th, 2007. It was a delightful dream, the one you have only once in your life, the sensation of peace was so intense that I had the urgent need to do an Artwork of it. It took me more than 3 weeks to realize this work, 54 photos combined together- images came to my mind as if I was guided, somehow I was back in time.

I have a gallery in Olyphant today, but I am looking to move to Vermont, Maine... I would love to give lessons and pass my passion for creation, I always think that Art brings civilization, and I know they have a lot of Artist over there.

--end--
For more information or to view more works visit: http://www.dominiquechaponot.mosaicglobe.com/

Burgers Done Right

For some of us, winter’s cold does not seem like it will go away. Mayhap then we need to unbury our BBQ and have a ‘summer’ day in February--- what better way to celebrate the upcoming spring then a juicy BBQ Burger---

Tips for Grilling Burgers
Author: Stephanie Gallagher

Grilling perfect burgers is easy if you follow these simple tips:
Use beef with the right amount of fat. I recommend 80% to 85% lean ground beef. The fat is what makes your burgers juicy.

If your ground beef is frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator before using. Do not try to cook beef from a frozen state.

To see if your burgers are done, check using an instant-read thermometer. Insert it in the side of the burger through to the middle. Burgers should be cooked to 160 degrees F.

Color is not an indicator of whether or not your burgers are cooked thoroughly. Burgers that are brown inside may not be cooked to 160 degrees F, and burgers that are cooked through may still be pink inside.

Handle the beef as little as possible while shaping the burgers. Over handling results in toughness.

Form patties that about 3/4-inch thick. Press your thumb in the middle of each patty to prevent it from bulging during cooking.

Refrigerate your burgers while preparing the grill. Preheat the grill long enough to get it nice and hot, about 15 minutes should do it.

Season the burgers with salt and pepper on the outside, just before grilling. This will prevent the salt from drawing moisture out of the burgers. And the salt, which enhances the meat's flavor, will hit your mouth first.

Place the burgers on the grill, and leave them there. Do not press down on the burgers during cooking.

Flip once, after 5-6 minutes.

Let your burgers rest at least 5 minutes before serving

About the author: Stephanie Gallagher is an award-winning journalist, food writer, author and mother of two. When she isn't in the kitchen developing new recipes, she can be found poring over cookbooks or browsing the aisles of local food stores and specialty shops for the latest and greatest kitchen products and utensils. She has written hundreds of food articles and interviewed dozens of famous chefs in her quest for the best, easiest and most fun recipes for kids. Stephanie comes from a long line of farmers, who helped instill in her the importance of respecting the environment and appreciating the source of our food supply. The author of four books, Stephanie has been featured on Oprah, National Public Radio, Lifetime television and other major media. She is currently working on her fifth book.

Media Tip: The Power of an Internet Presence

Those in whom are still trying to get reviews, and gain a presence via an interview for traditional radio, newspaper and magazines and are not thinking eZines, blogs and podcasts are quickly going to be left behind.

Traditional media channels do help, but by the very nature of their structure each organization is limited to a small geographical audience. An internet interview or review will reach millions of listeners quickly, without killing one tree!

Starting at 3 children are on the net, consumers today are on the net “checking you out’ and if they can only find one article or a stale website they will move on to what is hot, entertaining and fun. In order to capture their attention you MUST have a great internet presence.
It is time for professional entertainers to take a long look at their marketing and PR campaign regarding their media internet presence.


Podcasts use to be fluffed off, now they are among the top listened to stations, this is the new world where we gather information at a speed of light and want to be dazzled by a persons profile. Not sure if that is true? What about UTube and BlogTalk Radio? Both have millions of listeners/watchers every day!

If you are still hitting your head against the wall sending out request after request for press releases in the hopes you might be picked up by a traditional media presence, think about adding the net to your PR campaign an start building a profile that people will see.

Be selective when choosing Ezine and podcast hosts. Who is the host? Who is the Editor? Will they by their very name or popular following add to your profile? If you connect your name with theirs will it add to your search hits?

Think outside your subject and find common ground you and your possible fans have. What attracts your fans to you? Find Entertainment and Lifestyle Ezines that also have these common grounds.

And finally. JUST ASK. Send an email with your bio attached and let them know how great you are and that they might be missing out on a great opportunity. You do not have to be a super star today, but what if you are the super star of tomorrow? All media has egos, and they do not want to think they have missed something that could be great. Better yet, when you do make it big, they will have bragging rights about being one of the ‘firsts’ to interview you. The media is not looking for shy, they are looking for ‘dazzle,’ after all, they are trying to offer entertainment as well!

Interview with Artist Judy Cooper

Author: Tilly Rivers

As a child from a military family, how has this added / taken away to your artistic inspiration?
The military background leads to a lot of moving for a family, usually at critical times for young children and teenagers. It was difficult to have long-term friendships. I feel that led to a lot of self-sufficiency and solitude on my part. The art obsession was always there; those conditions just allowed it to play a larger role.

Tell us the history behind your artistic growth from realistic portrayals of nature and wildlife, moving to on realism and portraiture, stained glass, only to begin the circle again with the love of painting.
I was always interested in capturing a memory or feeling with imagery. Often, the source came from books I had read or things I had experienced. Portraiture is the ultimate test, because capturing a likeness combines so many things: accuracy, rendering, yet somehow you are also adding something that isn't there - your feelings about what you are painting. Animals and places are actually individuals too, but this is a more esoteric concept for some. I feel that every artist must first develop solid drawing skills. From there anything is possible. Even abstraction becomes informed. I see my tour through various art media as an unwitting enactment of those steps. I didn't set out with any conscious plan to develop myself, but the frustration that came from not being able to capture something led naturally to it. It is an ongoing process that is never complete.

What is your role as an artist?
I feel my role as an artist is to keep the arts alive in a world that is becoming faster and more hurried by the day. Many people come into a booth where my paintings are displayed and I can see their shoulders relax as they begin to smile. Some just look peaceful. It is a great feeling. So maybe I what I do is connect them with a lost part of themselves or their past.

What special message is found in your creations?

I don't think there is a message that applies to everyone. In some pieces, like "Lucky Foot", I am trying to say something specific, but not as a rule. I have noticed that there are many different connections to the same painting. All of them seem to be about feelings or memories.

What is the challenge of revealing the “art” in Earth?
The challenge is to remind people that it is there.

Explain the statement “Earth's natural wonders. Now, more than ever, they are in need of our attention.”
Our lives are very busy, and we often forget to stop and take a breath. A lot of us are disconnected from the things that a natural environment for us, trees, fresh air, small animals. There is a need to take a look at all of it before it is all gone. I am hoping that everyone that sees my paintings will take a bit of that feeling away and apply that energy somewhere in a positive way.

Where can readers find your works?

Readers can find my works on my website at http://www.theartinearth.com/, in the homes of select collectors and at venues I attend every year, like the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, which is one of the finest art shows in Canada. I will be updating my website regularly to announce new showings.

Can you describe the process you go through when creating a piece from start to finish?
I am an avid cyclist, so usually things begin with a ride through the countryside. This gives me the inspiration for all of my landscapes and most of my bird paintings. For the more exotic animals, I go to the zoo, or to wildlife rehabilitation centres. Then, I take all the pictures back and peruse them on the computer. Usually, I work from printouts of digital photos, combining several at a time as I go along. Sometimes, I do some editing in Photoshop to remove distracting elements and combine them there. I work on Masonite, which I cut and prepare myself, usually in large batches. (It would be terrible to have inspiration and nothing to paint it on!) I almost never do any preliminary sketches because I prefer to immerse myself immediately, although sometimes I will do a study of something in an 8x10 format to get the idea. For more complex pieces, I may build the image up in pencil first, but lately I have been forcing myself to be more painterly and work the sketch up with a brush. Once I am going on a piece, I don't usually divert my attention to anything else until it is done. Most of my larger paintings take couple of weeks to a month to complete, but lately I have been having great fun with quick 8x10 colour studies of the Southern Ontario farmland that I see from my bike.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Hmm.. That is a tough question.... I guess to answer it, I would look to people I admire. I admire people with energy and the ability to inspire others. For instance, there are some teachers I had in high school that made me want to work really hard to meet their standards. So I guess it would-be something like that. Oh and also great paintings.

How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as high energy with a tendency toward impatience (for some things). I appreciate fairness and honesty and hope to think I give it back. (I can also work tirelessly on a painting --mostly the ones that I secretly know will never amount to anything.)
What do you hope people think of when they view your work?
I hope that it will connect them with something good that they have misplaced in their lives -- or that they have limited access to for some reason. One of my friends has a tiny reproduction of a woman sitting by a waterside cottage at dusk. It makes her feel good to look at it when she is having a hard time. It would make me feel great if my work could do that for people.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about? The artist:--the woman
I am I think I will answer that with a quote (out of context) from wildlife artist George McLean, whom I really admire:
"Everything that could be said is in the painting(s)"

New Year Resolutions. Set up for Failure?

Author: Tilly Rivers
copyright 2009

So, by traditional of (okay help me here tradition of what-??) this is the day we are suppose to make resolutions. New Years Resolutions. I disagree, I think every day we should focus on the importance of what we want, and create a continuous goal plan.

Apparently the most common resolution, (which by the way means, a promise, and to me a promise should not be something without thought or done because of pressure.) are loosing weight, quit {smoking, drinking too much, a habit-of-some sort}lose weight, gain weight, get-out-of-debt, start a saving account, better job, be better at your job, get fit, eat right, exercise, get an education, get a better education, take a trip, volunteer, less stress, less grumpy, watch less TV, watch less violence, spend more time with the kids, be a better mom/dad, grandparent/etc. (Any of these on your list?)

According to statics 94% of the world write or say New Years Resolutions, 2% of that population actually keeps them. ONLY 2% keep a PROMISE made to the most important person-THEMSELVES! (If you can not keep a promise to yourself- how can you keep a promise to anyone else?)

Wow! Why do people break the promise they have made to themselves? Perhaps it is because we bend to the pressure of what is popular instead of wanting something truly in our hearts?! NO ONE can make you do ANYTHING- let alone a day on the calendar that has proclaimed it to be the day of CHANGE!

On New Year’s I count my blessings and reflect back on the last year without judgment. I am blessed my Mom is still with me, her stroke has taught me to be a better person. I am blessed that my children are safe and happy, and that be it because of me; or in spite of me; they are on the path of a good life and developing into good people. I am blessed I met many wonderful people during the time I owned a publishing company, and I am blessed that those in whom were nasty and judgmental when I closed it taught me that I could stand strong in the truth and they could say or do whatever they wanted, that some people are born to be judgment throwers, that does not mean I have to catch the balls of shit they flung and throw it back- nope- it meant I was learning that life comes with surprises, not always in pretty wrapping.

I am blessed to have my belief system, for the gift of meditation, yoga and Pict. I am blessed with the gift of my writing, I am blessed to be loved by a wonderful man, I am blessed to have a great friendship, I am blessed to have friends and I am blessed to have the opportunity to be a food critic, radio host and entertainment editor. I am blessed to have a beautiful T/F that makes me smile. I am blessed to be well enough to write this now.

Each of these blessings, and so many more, I will carry with me into this New Year, and when, or if, I am ready to make changes, I will do so knowing why I am, because when it is all said and done, you need to answer to whatever your higher power is, and yourself, and when the time comes and you are asked: “Have you been the best person you can be?” Your answer can be a strong; “YES.”

When you wake and face your reflection in the mirror can you look yourself in the eye and know that you are worthy of the best, because you do not do anything out of malice, or guilt, but that you simple did the best you could at the time with the knowledge you had? That a mistake means you have learned, and that an experience, no matter how horrible can teach, and that those around you many be professional judgment slingers, but that you are not walking into the arena of their sick game! Of course you can! Why for you too are blessed!


Happy New Year! Much love, much happiness, and many many blessings!