September 15th, 2010 Back to Blogging

So, where to begin…when you take a yearlong vacation from the blog, sitting down in front of the (blank) “add new post” screen is about as intimidating as walking up to a stage in a stuffy, packed auditorium, not sure if your dress is tucked into your tights or you’ve got a chunk of spinach wedged in between your two front teeth. Yes, I have stage fright of my own blog. I can write your website, build a portfolio of marketing collateral for your firm, write a 2,000-word cover story for your magazine, and whip out a column for your CEO. But personal writing? Too personal. The only way to make time is to dive back in — so consider this the splash. (Or drip.)

Things have changed at WriteHand Co. quite a bit since my last posting, and I feel inspired and compelled to share. Namely, I have a new boss. His name is Max (short for Maximillian), he’s 15 weeks old, and he’s doling out smiles and turning a new trick every day. He was born June 2, a morning person like his mom (5:31), and we’ve been a velcro duo ever since. Miss Mayzie, our Scottish Terrier (a.k.a. The Manager) is keeping us all in line, licking toes and ensuring that anyone who gets near Max is on her personal VIP list. It’s a short list. And she includes herself as number one on this list. Every day is an adventure — every hour. And the sticky ball of emotions that accompanies new motherhood has seriously shifted my life perspective and, I think, will probably change my writing and career in a fresh, positive way. (And no, I’m not talking about my new skill: nursing while conducting phone interviews.)

So that’s the big news. And related to that, I have a new pet project I’ll reveal when I’m good and ready (no hints, sorry). And as I write, my work continues to draw me into creative, exciting copywriting projects that are professionally fulfilling. I’m mothering, writing, driving new business and continuing to evolve WriteHand Co. as market demands change and clients require different types of communications vehicles. I will be updating my website this fall to reflect this new work.

In the meantime, take a peek of my series on HGTVpro.com about an Athens, Ohio, man who gave his home the ultimate green-energy makeover. And stay tuned for more updates on the writing life…

Cheers –
kh

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January 4th, 2010 Re-Nest Bests the Green Guide

Happy New Year! Trudging to the desk this morning was difficult after taking a hiatus from deadline during the holiday week, but finding this positive press on Re-Nest made Monday morning much sweeter. Re-Nest, a green home design website, plugged Green Guide for Artists as one of its most popular posts. Cheers! This is good news.

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October 19th, 2009 Plain Dealer review

I was tickled by the positive review for Dog Lover’s Daily Companion. Here is the clipping from Sunday’s Plain Dealer.

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October 9th, 2009 Scottie-tude

I don’t like tatoos. At all. But this is something I could live with.

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October 7th, 2009 Green Ideas. Artistic Writing. Oct 10 @BAYarts

Book signing. Live music. Tapas. Cocktails. Don’t miss this book party “unplugged” in an inspiring local arts habitat.

October 10, 6-8 p.m. reception
BAYarts, 28795 Lake Rd., Bay Village, Ohio
440.871.6543

*Green Guide for Artists and Dog Lovers Daily Companion available for sale

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September 20th, 2009 Stylin’ Mutts

The Style Mutt anniversary party and book signing attracted an eclectic crew of four-legged fans — and, of course, a die-hard troupe of daycare dogs that love Style Mutt’s playroom and their canine friends! Mayzie signed some books (when she wasn’t bombarding the treat station). The Sunday afternoon event was primetime for pups!

Here are some highlights:

Special thanks to Pam Alerine, owner of Style Mutt — hostess with the mostess! She provided a festive, friendly atmosphere for dog lovers, fantastic food from vendors like Danny Boys and a bit of shopping for us dog owners with a display of Silpada wares. I appreciate all who purchased Dog Lover’s Daily Companion. Email me and let me know your favorite entry in the book!

Proceeds from the event benefit the Berea Animal Rescue Fund — and they brought several canines up for adoption. Those dogs got star treatment!

Mayzie is worn out (and so is her mom). Thanks to everyone who turned out for the event and helped to make it a success for Style Mutt. It’s so important to support local, small businesses that are so much more than a pizza place or dog store… These owners become good friends, people we trust with — well, our dogs! That says a lot. More than a lot.

Thanks, Pam! Today was a great day.

Posted in Dog Days, News 4 Comments

September 15th, 2009 Book Signing @ Style Mutt!

Bring your barker, go home with a book!
Sunday, Sept. 20, 3-6 p.m.

It’s a birthday party for Style Mutt, celebrating two years in business.
And a book signing for Dog Lover’s Daily Companion, a book I co-authored that released this August.

Drop in at 19512 Center Ridge Road in Rocky River (next to Giaco’s Mower Shop on the corner of Wooster and Center Ridge).
Enjoy “Yappy Hour,” food, fun and fare from local vendors.

So what’s this Dog Book all about? (Here’s the elevator speech.) Packed with inspiring dog stories, training tips, practical advice, easy-to-build projects and insight into the canine-human relationship, Dog Lover’s Daily Companion is an excellent gift for a dog lover (including yourself!).

But why don’t you stop in Sunday just to check out Style Mutt, meet other dog lovers–it’s an excuse to dress up your dog and win a prize, or enter your pooch in a kissing contest. (You gotta see this!) Knowing how festive Yappy Hour can be, you’ll certainly liven up Sunday errands if you cruise by, say, on your way to Heinens.

Pencil it in!

Proceeds from book sales will benefit the Berea Animal Rescue Fund.

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September 9th, 2009 Sisterly Headlock

Erik,
You’re leaving for Austin tomorrow — an exciting adventure, a new job, a different city to explore. You will be missed!

Thought you’d like to see the very first headlock photo I have, taken in Virginia at the county fair. There are a series of these photos spanning a few decades, you know. There’s the O.U. headlock, Lakewood headlock, St. Patrick’s Day headlock, graduation headlock, random-bar-night headlock, wedding headlock… Always the same hug/clamp-down for the camera. Even as you grew well beyond my height, I could still wrangle an arm around you. I guess it’s natural instinct. (You know you love it. And, Yes. You have to be in the photo.)

Just so you know, Texas is known for big. And when I visit this year, well, you know what to expect! (No, not big hair…though I have documented photos of that, as well.) Big ‘ole…yes. Sisterly headlock.

Have a safe journey, and the family will be checking into the postage regulations on mailing a ham loaf to your new digs. I think it will preserve just fine. And so will the Tuesday-night dinner care that mom will bake right into it.

Love,
Your sister

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September 4th, 2009 Skippy Poster Dog

Mayzie, it’s time to get a job! Really. We can’t continue to shell out for those $10 “indestructible” chew toys (which are subsequently destructed in 2.6 minutes), and I’ve noticed that you have some time on your hands. I see you lazing away, seeking out the nearest spot of sun streaming in from the window so you can curl up and incubate…until the rustling sound of a rabbit outside rouses you into a barking frenzy.

I know, I know. I’ve told you to take a nap while I write–and even provided several (three, to be exact) beds so you can be cozy in every room in the house (three, to be exact). But now, it’s time to get a move on! You heard the news. “In this economy…”

But as I know, Mayzie, you must do what you love. And I’ve been thinking about your various skill sets and how we can turn those into lucrative J-O-Bs, which of course means you can get more of those $10 toys you love to maul. Here are my ideas. (Audience, cast your vote.)

1. Game Warden’s Assistant. Your keen aural capabilities make you a shoe-in for this job, Mayzie. You knew that squirrel was bopping over from the neighbor’s yard on to your turf…even though all the windows were closed, and you were in a fast, snoring sleep, and the radio white noise blurred outside distractions. Not for you. Your radar is always on high alert. You could really help a warden out — that is, if he or she wanted some “detail” on the squirrel population in Bay Village.

2. Taste tester. Now, this would be a perfect position for a girl who likes to sample the best in life. You are quite adept in sampling all the fridge has to offer…and I’m sure you’re interested in expanding your options. Now that I think of it, Clean-Up Crew is another job that might suit you, though I’m afraid you are an independent girl and being part of a “crew” might jazz your competitive streak. I doubt you would be willing to share the clean-up duties (especially since those clean-ups are probably quite tasty to test).

Wait…I’ve got it. Perfect! Something we can collaborate on, Mayzie–something you love more than anything, and something I do every day! You: Love peanut butter. I: Love words. Mayzie, you should be the cover girl for Skippy peanut butter, and I can write their new ad campaign targeting pet owners. Genius!

3. Skippy Poster Dog. Dogs love peanut butter, and with the pet market surging (even “in this economy”), marketing peanut butter to parents of four-legged children seems only logical. Think about it. You can pay $7 for a bottle of peanut-butter flavored whiz to squirt into a hardy Kong toy. (For those not hip to the Kong, think of it as a dog pacifier you fill with food treats to keep them occupied for hours. Or at least 5 minutes.) Or, you can pay $2 for a jar of PB. Most savvy and thrifty pet owners know that peanut butter is what dogs really want–not the whiz. Whiz is allegedly nutritious for dogs…better than the ‘butter. But I buy the reduced fat Skippy, anyway. (Ha!) Mayzie even has her own jar so I can dip rawhide bones into the ‘butter, too…though I suspect my husband and she share the Skippy b/c I’ve noticed spoon depressions in the peanut butter, and it’s not from Mayzie’s bones. But I digress…

Now back to the PB business, and the business of Mayzie getting a JOB. It’s perfect! (Skippy, are you listening?) Advertise Skippy to pet owners — and tap a new market of shoppers!

Stay tuned for future posts featuring Mayzie’s ad slogans. She needs to have more coffee (er, her “writer” needs coffee) in order to bust some creative moves. For now, let’s take a look at the images that would certainly win customers for Skippy…if they only used Mayzie as a cover model for their product.

Here is Mayzie, nosing into the near-empty Skippy container to get the very last lick!

Ah, success!

Posted in Dog Days, News 3 Comments

August 26th, 2009 1-Moment Meditation

If Martin Boroson can get a board room of corporate lawyers to say ommm, then I’m a believer. Boroson is author of a book called One-Moment Meditation: Stillness for People on the Go, and I interviewed him yesterday for a story on why vacations are good for your health. (If I only followed the advice I wrote more often…) Boroson holds an MBA from Yale School of Management — mix that with a background in Zen, psychology and add a quick-witted sense of humor… If he’s got a prescription for learning how to chill, I’m listening.

During our interview yesterday, Boroson described a one-moment meditation exercise that I (with his permission) will share with you. He says the purpose of a one-moment meditation is to experience deep peace in a flash. He says: “We start with a minute because a moment goes by so quickly that you’d have to be a master to notice one. A minute, however, is like a moment with handles on it. You know where it begins and ends, so it’s easier to grasp.”

All you need to do the Basic Minute is a timer. You can do it several times a day, but Boroson cautions, “Please don’t do the Basic Minute for longer than a minute. The point of this exercise is to learn that you can truly tap a deep experience of peacefulness in a very short amount of time, so if you do it longer, you’re cheating.”

Ready to practice the art of chill? Here’s Boroson’s Basic Minute for you to try at your desk.

The Basic Minute

1. Create a place of solitude.
2. Sit down.
3. Place your legs in a relaxed but fixed position.
4. Sit up.
5. Set your alarm for exactly one minute.
6. Place your hands in a relaxed but fixed position.
7. Close your eyes.
8. Allow your mind to settle into your breathing.
9. When the alarm sounds, stop.

Ah. I feel better already.

Check out Boroson’s book at www.onemomentmeditation.net. He includes other exercises such as the Portable Minute, The Emergency Minute, The Bonus Minute and the Surprise Minute.

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