There are plenty of great self-help books out today, but if you're a Texan (or from anywhere in the south) there's one that stands head and shoulders above the rest: The Try: Reclaiming the American Dream by author and cowboy ethics expert James P. Owen.
Do yourself a favor and start 2011 by reading it today. The Try is just that good.
Enter by emailing your name and shipping address (no PO boxes) to: Enter@BoomerBrief.com.
Hurry, promotion ends January 13!
When building our home a few years ago, Bob and I went for the "dream" kitchen. We included counter space for two cooks, as much light as possible and tons of storage.
Remember SNL's "It's a floor wax. It's a dessert topping." commerical spoof? This guy's got 'em beat...
#51 Don't believe anybody who tells you, it'll buff right out. It won't.Now I understand why Charlotte hates getting tapped for Bridesmaid duty. Any time your dress has to match the drapes you just know you're in trouble...
#50 Walking Distance is a relative term.Like a lot of you, 2010 was an up and down year for us. But, just when I had it pegged as a total write-off, it drunk-dialed me y'all and we hooked up again.
I don't know how I'll feel about it when I look back years from now, but for the time being I'd give it a 79 on the American Bandstand rating system. It had an OK beat, but it was a real bitch to dance to.
Not to get all Debbie Downer on you, because there were bright spots illuminating the way. And if they weren't actual bright spots, they did give us something to poke fun at (and God knows we love our snark at The Brief). So, I invite you to climb in the Boomer Brief Delorean and set the clock back 12 months. Let's look in our rearview mirror before we head out to the future.
Best Excuse for Moving Into a Cave without TV or Wi-Fi
Mid-term campaigns. Dallas' wet/dry election. Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. British Petroleum. Lindsay Lohan.
Best Reason to Move Somewhere with Excellent Cable Reception
The Texas Rangers. CLAW!
Best Trip for Wine Lovers
If you even pretend to like wine, you should run to Yountville, CA - stay at the Yountville Inn and visit the Hill Family Estate (not related, but I've begged them to adopt me) Tasting Room and enjoy a glass of their fabulous Clarke Vineyard Syrah. I'll be looking for your thank-you note in the mail.
Best Home Cooking
Charlotte's Tortilla Soup. If she doesn't share this recipe with you, I'll get it out of the lockbox and tell you about it.
I began keeping a crystal angel beside a picture of our son Cole when he was in the third grade. For 16 years, that little figurine has been a comforting reminder that there are angels watching over my boy. (Yes, he's 24 now so I've got to quit calling him that!)
It warms my heart to think Divine forces can intervene when bad things happen. If you can relate, you'll thoroughly enjoy these two new, Christmas-perfect books:
· Promise Me - A first-rate fantasy focusing on love, second chances, and the value of friends and family.
· The Miracle Chase - A true story of three girlfriends whose extraordinary experiences send them on a spiritual quest.
We're giving away eight FREE copies of these two uplifting tales: Promise Me and The Miracle Chase.
Read on for details on how to enter. Contest ends Dec. 30!
When it comes to shrimp, Bob and I feel a kinship with Bubba in Forrest Gump. He calls these little creatures "the fruit of the sea" because they can be prepared so many ways. And we couldn't agree more.
#49 When somebody says, "It's not the money, it's the principal," you can be certain it's the money.Like a lot of Boomers, I'm slowly warming to the idea of texting instead of calling.
Yeah I know, this makes me sound like that crazy old guy who yells Get Off My Lawn all day from his front porch. But hey, I'm catching up. I've already mastered the delete key, which saves me from using all that Liquid Paper on my computer screen.
Here's just one more reason to love that Repo Man!
#48 Your mother was right. They do only want one thing.When you're a middle-aged Baby Boomer, "milestone" birthdays come at you like Speed Racer on crystal meth.
Before you know it, you're dreading celebrating every birthday that ends in a zero and you start reading those pre-need funeral ads in the newspaper. It's depressing.
So when my good friend Terry Storer was staring down a "milestone" he did what Terry usually does. He starred right back at the sumbitch and yelled, I'M GOING TO COSTA RICA. WHO'S WITH ME? 
My hand shot up faster than if he'd asked "who wants a free, frosty glass of Absolut?" A few weeks later I'm in Jaco, Costa Rica with Terry and four friends.
Turns out Costa Rica is a banana republic that isn't Banana Republic. No flat front khakis needed. Just bring your golf shirts and shorts. I packed light.
There's nothing quite like candlelight to make a room warm and inviting. So why is it we have candles all through our home but seldom burn them (except to give the kitchen that fresh-baking-going-on-here smell)?
We're giving away two great gift boxes of Enjoy Lighting flameless, holiday-scented pillars ... FREE.
Read on for details on how to enter. Contest ends Dec. 16!
When our one and only son Cole visits, it's time for some classic home cookin'. (What 24-year-old couldn't use a break from fast food?) My challenge: fixing food we'll all enjoy without dallying in the kitchen. After all, I don't want to waste one precious moment when we are all together.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
Follow us on Twitter: @BoomerBrief
and @CharlotteBoomer
Know someone battling cancer? Baylor Health Care System's Sammons Says... cancer blog is a great place to go for help. Here, you'll find information, resources, physicians, support groups and just about everything you need to help you navigate your way through this illness.
Senior Forums is a great place to get the news and share views on everything from hobbies and healthcare, to food, family & travel.
Matt Drudge gets the goods and his site ain't bad either.
You don't have to live in Dallas to enjoy D Magazine.
