Barb Best

Halloween Costumes and Dogs

Orange and black have invaded the retail world. Pumpkins, creepy decorations, and feed bags of over-priced candy block the aisles of every store – including the pet store. Orange is the new black, but dogs are the new orange.

Sniffing the $$$

According to MarketWatch, pet owners will spend nearly half a billion dollars on animal costumes this Halloween. 

Do dogs like dressing up? (I thought that was more of a gerbil thing.)

Animal behaviorists and dog cognition researchers suggest dogs aren’t crazy about dressing up, although they do appreciate the associated attention and treats from their owners. Imposing human garments on a canine likely stirs up pesky ancestral feelings.

Do you believe your special needs mongrel yearns to dress up as Albert Einstein or a bag of French Fries?

For God’s sake, a cocker spaniel is not comfortable wearing a petticoat and a sports bra!

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/on-dressing-up-your-pets

Concerns

One worries… […]

Not all of the news is disturbing and stressful.

Some is merely absurd and weird.

Ridiculous is Good

The Silly Seven

• A Cairo zoo is accused of painting donkeys to look like zebras. (Wrong on many levels, but resourceful)

• NY Post: Study shows the universe is filled with disgusting, greasy goop. (We knew that!)

[…]

Are you a worry wart?

Guatemalan Worry Dolls

15 Things I’m NOT Worried About… Yet

• Ebola growing in my Brita filter

• Pumpkin spice is back with a vengeance.

[…]

Testing… 1 – 2 – 3… Testing

There is available at-home genetic testing for likely traits such as cilantro aversion, earwax type (wet? dark-colored? sticky? Gross!), photic sneeze reflex (whatever that is), asparagus odor detection, and unibrow.

Seriously, do you need a DNA test to confirm your hair color (unless you actually can’t recall your original color) or remind you that you can smell asparagus in your pee?

Traits We Really Want To Know If We’re Carrying

• Smart Ass gene
• Propensity to drown in credit card debt
• Pathological Liar
• Lucky in love

[…]

Are You Still Kidding Me?

Ever finish your kid’s homework? Netflix cheat on your husband? Try to explain Alexa to your mother?

If so, you’re not alone—Stacey Gustafson’s back at it again with Are You Still Kidding Me?

Highly Relatable Stories

In this hilarious and heartwarming sequel to her #1 Amazon bestseller Are You Kidding Me? My Life with an Extremely Loud Family, Bathroom Calamities, and Crazy Relatives, Gustafson tackles the foibles of modern family life—from toddlers and teens to empty nesters—with wry wit and plenty of humor.

The Self-Care You Crave

Grab a cup of coffee, ease into the easy chair, and be prepared to laugh out loud along with Stacey—she may not be your new best friend, but you’ll feel like she is by the time you’ve finished these forty-five stories of family life, written by a mother who’s seen it all.

Your New BFF

Stacey Gustafson

[…]

Summer Fun

How to enjoy swimming and biking more?

Courtesy of (who else?) Hammacher Schlemmer…

More Fun Swimming

the pool guarding gator

More Fun Biking

the jester’s bicycle horn

And Don’t Forget Bailey, Lucy, Bella, Lucky, and Buster

the canine splash pool

Too much reading or watching the news is hazardous to your health.

Too much information, too much commentary will surely make you ill.

There should be a warning label on TV remotes:

“Watching TV cable news can be dangerous to your health.”

Forget opioid addiction – news junkies are now checking into rehab centers by the scores.

Take a break from breaking news!

Before your head explodes,

may I suggest some pleasure reading? […]

GOOD NEWS!

Please welcome our little bundle of book joy. We have a second edition.

Find Your Funny: The Humor Survival Guide 2nd Edition

Available just in time for summer reading that is fun and helpful

For ages 12 and up – and for adults who are young at heart

ON AMAZON 

“The quintessential book on the importance of humor in our lives.”

– Larry Wilde, New York Times Best Selling Author of How The Great Comedy Writers Create Laughter and Great Comedians Talk About Comedy

****

“The activities are creative and playful. The information is amusing and transformative. This isn’t a “Have To” book. This is a “Want To” book.”

– Jim Winter, Educator & Founder of Wavelength. Inc.

2nd Edition

Paperback version with black and white illustrations

Special price $9.99

On Amazon exclusively 

CLICK HERE 

Thank You!  Enjoy the Summer!

Technology is amazing.

Timesaving.

Stimulating.

Empowering.

Entertaining.

Seductive.

BUT…

• Must you count every step you take? Fascinating at first, mundane after a week.

• Do you desire a smart house? If you want to be surrounded by a superior intelligence – get a cat!

• Seriously… do you need a motion-activated, glowing LED illuminated toilet seat?

[…]

Wine On!

Introspection does not come easy to some.

Since ancient times, women (especially) turn to vino while searching for deep thoughts.

After all, research has shown that drinking red wine helps you think. Trust me – something about increased blood flow to the brain.

So surely, the blush of resveratrol in Rose´wine aids in ruminating on life’s great issues.

Wine: Ruminations from the Bottom of a Glass of Rose´

• Unfortunately, joining a meal kit delivery service will not solve all of my time management problems.  Seems it takes a good deal of time to cook a real meal.

• I am both the travel agent and tour guide on my children’s guilt trips. Where’s my commission? My tip?

[…]