Independence Day from the Inbox

Does the sheer influx to your email inbox make you want to delete your account and assume a new identity? Maybe that of a 102-year-old lady from Bellville, Texas who hasn't a clue about email? (It's possible I was watching Willard Scott's birthday wishes as I wrote this post.)

I get anywhere from 50 to 150 emails a day. Sometimes it's people hitting the "reply all" button much like children given $100 and a parent-free trip to a candy store -- that is, with wild and manic abandon. (Reply all people slay me. It's very likely that if one day I finally snap, it will be at someone who has written "I'll bring the Capri Suns" and sent it to 160 people. I apologize in advance to the bringer of the Capri Suns.)

But another email issue is one I brought down upon myself like the electronic plague. People will send me links and say "you will love this flash sale/writing/coffee/wine/purse-of-the-month website/newsletter/blog" and then I'd sign up and, 95 percent of the time, delete the emails before I even read them.

This seemed like an appropriate week to declare independence. Independence from a bunch of email that didn't enhance my life even one tiny bit, but did suck up a bunch of time better spent elsewhere. Not to mention the stress of staring down a kazillion emails in your to-do box, and the general sensation I could be missing something important (like a client request or writing assignment or notification I won a generous settlement from a lawsuit in which I wasn't even involved) among the emails from Gilt Group and Daily Candy.

So, I zipped through my list and kept only the subscriptions that I actually use -- a couple of sites that send me coupons for overpriced clothes for my fashion-conscious pre-teens, a few blogs that either make me laugh, give great advice, or tell me something I didn't already know. (Hopefully this blog falls into that category for you, otherwise I've just written the most terrifically self-defeating blog post ever.)

After several days of my new-found independence, I'm proud to be an American ... where at least I know I'm free ... Wait. Sorry. What I meant to say is I no longer try to drown my iPhone because I notice I have 47 new emails.

Join me in the land of unsubscribe, won't you? (Except from this blog. Do not unsubscribe from this blog, please. In fact, encourage all your friends to subscribe by emailing them this link. Then we can all join forces to find the "reply all" people and make them pay. Probably by singing patriotic songs to them.)

Working at Starbucks

I love working from home. I don't have to deal with traffic, can pound out work without interruption, and can remain in my pink flowery pajamas and sporting Stephen Tyler hair until noon and only my dogs know the difference. And as long as I don't get between them and a good bone, they don't care what I look like.

But every now and then I feel the pull to get out of the office. Sometimes I just need a change of scenery, other times I'm avoiding the impending avalanche of laundry. Occasionally I'm just avoiding a spider that's made its way into my house against all measures and launching an attack seems like too much effort. Whatever.

When I want to escape, it's usually to a nearby coffee house. A Starbucks or the like is the perfect foil for procrastination. I never bring my computer charger, so time is limited.  Thus I'm not tempted to read the New York Times online (or, okay, peruse People.com for pictures of a pistol-toting Pippa).

But the last few times I've escaped to the haven of a coffee shop, I have been besieged by rudeness. Once it was a group of college-age kids putting a presentation to techno music without regard to other customers. Another time a lovely, but apparently lonely, lady offered non-stop advice on the utilization of an iPad. I should point out I was not using, nor do I own, an iPad.

But the kicker was the woman who conducted the recitation portion of her online French lesson, loudly, smack in the middle of a Starbucks at a Barnes and Noble. Every time she'd get quiet I'd think "whew, she's done" and I'd settle down to writing. Then out of nowhere she'd holler "Est-ce que je puis aller ..." and I'd have a flashback to getting kicked out of a college French class because my friend and I were laughing uncontrollably at an "I see London, I see France" joke. Let's just say a classmate's pants were not fully functional in covering up their underpants. I digress.

So I got judgy (not a word, but I like 'judgy' better than judgmental) and actually asked Siri to remind me to put earphones in my bag so I could block out the noise next time I was out. So last week, I found myself at a Starbucks where the music was distracting and loud. No problem -- I was prepared with my earphones! But when I popped them in, it still didn't drown out their music. S'okay, I cranked mine up. Then cranked it up some more. I love my music, so I turned it up SOME MORE. Ah, finally ... I hear only my music. I am so happy.

After a good while of me happily writing while listening to my music (I can't hear ANYTHING else! Whee!) I made a horrifying realization.

My earphones were not plugged in. So my music was blasting to the entire coffee house at top volume, with me nodding along blissfully unaware I was subjecting everyone else to Flo Rida rap about the life he livin'. Not a Good Feeling, Flo, in case you're wondering.

There is no point to this post except to say make sure you're earphones are pushed all the way into that little adapter thingy, and to thank the fellow sitting two feet from me who never even shot me a dirty look, and that I am thankful the original version of Cee-Lo's "Forget You" didn't play at top volume, thus inducing the toddler sitting nearby to say rude things to his preschool buddies the next day at school.

Today I am staying at my house while I am working.

Happy Weekend!

Back Up Your Files with Dropbox

Few things freak a writer out worse than a system crash. Particularly someone like me, whose upsetting penmanship mandates I type up everything and save it on my hard drive. So the last time I had computer difficulties, my Georgia Tech grad student/computer genius insisted I sign up for Dropbox. In short, it saves all your files, pictures, videos, whatever you want to the  Cloud, so all you need is an internet connection to access your files.


Which came in handy when my computer was infected with a virus a few weeks back. I'm telling you, Dropbox saved lives that week.


Go to this link today and sign up for Dropbox ... trust me, you'll be glad you did. 








PS: We went to St. Augustine, Florida this week for a little R & R. FYI, there's a lot of shells on the beach there. A whole, whole lot of shells. The pretty shells get crushed up and twirled in with the sand and then affix themselves to your skin and all your belongings. Tons of crunched up shells followed us home. Go away, shells .... go away.

A Cure for Winter Doldrums

Does anyone else find this time of year "blech?" All the shimmer and spirit of the holidays has given way to perpetually gray skies, and now that Valentine's Day is over I have no excuse to have candy in my house. Also, during the winter my skin is about as moist as a Triscuit, which just makes me irritable. Top that off with a two-week-long cold, and I needed to make some sunshine. 


Cue a little retail therapy!


Thank you Nordstrom, Restoration Hardware, The Container Store & Anthropologie for tiding me over until Spring Break, sunshine & warmer temperatures.




What's your favorite way to shake the winter doldrums {particularly when there's not a beach within 500 miles}?

They Sure Make the Dandelions Hardy Out in Idaho

While I am busy gnashing my teeth writing articles and such, thought you'd enjoy this reminder that persistence pays. It might make you go a little cross-eyed in the process, but it pays.

Declaring Independence

If I were to give one piece of free business advice to anyone wanting to take their business to the next level, (or careers in the case of recent graduates and newly minted managers) it would be

Never let waiting on someone stall a project.

In  other words, declare a little professional independence. Take off the self-imposed handcuffs. I mean, you’re smart, you have good instincts, and you’re responsible. “Duh,” you think. But you might be surprised by the number of people who will quickly pass the buck on a project under the guise of “waiting on approval” when the fact is, most of the time they don’t really need input. Why?

I’m sure someone in the mental health profession could break this down beautifully, but as a reader of lots of psychology articles in places like Self magazine, having spent nearly my entire winter in one doctor’s office or another, and as an avid purveyor of Web MD, I am very comfortable offering the following psychological/medical assessment:

Failing to push a project forward independently means you need a little injection of professional confidence.  

Why the lack of moxie? Because we get a nervous we are going to really screw up. Like lose a client, get fired, or heaven forbid make someone not like us. And so, we wait around for an authority figure to give us the go-ahead, someone to nod in approval, anyone out there who will back us up if it turns out we’re wrong. I’m here to help you break this cycle of passing the buck. It’s an easy process.

Step 1: Ask yourself “What is the worst thing that could happen if I make a move without first seeking approval?” Become an expert at understanding where to draw that line. For example, if you make a mistake, is the CEO going to hear about it? That’s one we’ll put under the boss’s nose. But my guess is more than 80 percent of steps in a project you can move forward without serious repercussion if something does go wrong. And much of the time, your boss/client/whoever is going to be thrilled with your initiative.

Step 2: Get the project as far as you can without approval, then send your boss or client a note letting them know (in the nicest way possible) that you are at a standstill on the project until you hear back from them. I like to include deadlines that are attached to goals (Dear Client: Attached please find the news release regarding your Penguin Breeding Company. If you can send changes and/or approval by Tuesday, we’ll remain on schedule for distribution by Thursday. If you won’t be able to get to this by then, please let me know so I can rearrange our distribution schedule.)

Step 3: Look at the project and see what else you can complete while waiting to hear back. Then send progress notes as a gentle reminder you are awaiting word. (Dear Client: Am very excited about announcing to the world your new Penguin Breeding program. I’ve assembled the list of media outlets and contacts, and as soon as I get your approval on the news release, we are ready to roll.)

If you consistently ask yourself “how can I drive this project forward,” it keeps you from passing the buck and becoming one of the scads of folks who make a lot of racket, but accomplish nearly nothing. And a good manager or client can spot these folks from a million miles away.

So today, put your finger on your most important project and do whatever it takes to get it as far along the path as you can. Keep track of your progress and results — because nothing builds professional confidence like a job well-done.

Happy Independence Day!

Amy Mac

Disclaimer: No penguins were harmed, or for that matter, bred, during the writing of this article.

Fly Me to the Supermoon ... Or at Least Get My Files on the Cloud

After my recent bout with a dead computer and the freak-out which inevitably ensued as I tried to remember the last time I did a back-up of my computer files (Do I have that 10-page white paper I JUST FINISHED backed up? What about those cute pictures of the kids I took this weekend? Those 72 article ideas I've had over the years and am just waiting for the perfect publication to pitch?), I have some advice.

Back your stuff up. Today. Seriously, do not put this off until later - you will thank me. Do these two things:

Go to Dropbox and back up all your document files to The Cloud. You get a certain number of gigs for free, and if I can upload all my documents without a fee I am certain you can, too. It's completely secure, easy to sign up, and easy to access. In fact, it automatically backs up your files, so once you've signed up ... you don't have to think about it again.

Next, bounce over to Picasa, upload all your photos, and select the "sync to the web" option. You can mark your photos private, so that creepy neighbor can't see your pics from the kids' dance recital unless you invite him to do so. And I recommend you don't.

Now, go do those two things quick.

Don't you feel better already? Yeah, me too.

XO - Amy Mac

Music I Love

I’m always listening to music when I’m writing. Here’s what I’m listening to right now.

Pride (In the Name of Love) {Dierks Bentley}

I don’t usually like country music, and I’m not usually a fan of remakes. Something about Dierks Bentley’s cover of U2’s class Pride is nothing short of perfection.

Dog Days Are Over {Florence + The Machine}

I liked it before, then the Glee cast covered it … and it magically uploaded to my iPod. Now I love it.

Don’t Change {INXS} and Fall Down {Toad the Wet Sprocket}

Perennial faves. These songs remind me of coming home from college and going to the Poplar Lounge in Memphis to see local favorite singer Todd Snider.

Little Lion Man {Mumford & Sons}

A divine recipe of great lyrics and a moody melody that somehow remains upbeat. Is it an apology, or not? I’m not sure, but I really like it.

Where the Streets Have No Name – Live from Boston {U2}

My favorite song of all time.

What Part of Forever {Cee Lo Green}

Cee Lo. How could you not be fantastic with a name like Cee Lo? And to be able to pull off a song on The Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack and be nominated for a Grammy for a song called F**K You – impressive.

Gloria {Van Morrison}

Was this song in the movie The Outsiders? Because that’s what I think of when I hear this song. Not that I remember much more than Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze from that movie, but anywho….

Reptilia {The Strokes} The Calculation {Regina Spektor} Uprising {Muse}

These are just current favorites that defy description. Not really. It’s just getting late so you’ll just have to take my word for it without explanation.

Cooler Than Me {Mike Posner}

I just think this song is kind of funny. And my girls love to sing it, and I love to sing it with them.

Forget You {Glee Cast}

As mentioned before, Cee Lo Green has a version of this song not fit for little ears, so this Glee version does in a pinch.

A Little Less Conversation and Memphis Tennessee {Elvis Presley}

After Elvis died, my mom and dad had to put away the Elvis albums for a spell because I would burst into tears every time I heard them. Luckily listening to Elvis makes me nothing but happy these days, so I listen frequently. Long Live Elvis.

Do you like to listen to music when you're working? If so, what are some of your favorite artists?

What do you mean this isn't covered under my warranty?

You know when you're working on a big project, something you are super-excited about, you've got major momentum, you're getting ready for the big debut, then....

the little wire that connects the adapter jack to your computer snaps in two and you can no longer charge your computer, thus must leave your computer with some rather suspect-looking computer technicians and can no longer access half the things you need because your last back up failed? You know that feeling? No?

Well, suffice it to say I am currently working on my daughter's teeny, tiny notebook computer which is causing finger cramps and potential blindness. And as soon as I get my computer back I will be getting that back up plan that sucks everything off your computer into that magical back up plan in the vast internet universe.

Until then, this is one of the few photos from that project I managed to upload pre-computer-wire-thingy-disaster.

Stay tuned....

In Real Life, I Am Not a Procrastinator

Here's my most recent article from Northside Woman ...

I am not a procrastinator. Really, I’m not. I relish finishing projects early and crossing them off my list with the swipe of a medium-point pen. I’m a planner, a scheduler, a regular Type-A, (some call it control freak) get-it-done type of girl.

But every winter, a strange sickness sweeps in with the bitter northern winds. The symptoms: a foul concoction of malaise, lack of motivation, and general dawdling. It’s the Procrastination Flu, and it’s been the bane of New Year’s Resolutions since the beginning of time.

Just while writing this article, I walked my dog (which he loathes), went shopping (which I loathe), checked Facebook (the Shangri-La for all who stall) and dashed off a few non-priority emails – all to avoid the inevitable deadline.

Like the seasonal flu, the Procrastination Flu follows a predictable pattern. A general hum-drum attitude settles in like a slacker relative. Then comes “I’ll do that tomorrow” fever, crushing fatigue relieved only with a heavy dose of reality television, and generalized weakness in all areas requiring discipline. Exercise? Nope. Errands? Not today. Effort of any sort? Eh, no thanks. Before you know it, your list of excuses to avoid your to-do list is as long the return line on Dec. 26.

I blame the craziness of the holiday season for weakening our defenses against Procrastination Flu. Let’s face it, many of us overexert in December: between shopping, baking, parties and travel, by the end of the year it’s a wonder more of us aren’t in a crumpled heap pulling bits of tinsel from our tangled hair while maniacally humming “Jingle Bell Rock.” By the time the New Year rolls around, we’re just too exhausted to do anything more than snuggle under a blanket and watch the new season of Glee.

Alas, few of us have the option of living a life of luxury where no action is required. Is there a cure for procrastination? Respite from the fever, the chills and the guilt from failing to make an appointment because you were catching up on “Jersey Shore?”

I know when I procrastinate, there’s an underlying cause for the illness – a virus of indecision, if you will. Maybe I don’t have everything I need to get started, I might need a bigger block of time to get something done, or perhaps the task is something I don’t like spending time on … but it’s something I must do.

A little scrutiny is like a Z-Pak for the procrastinator, and just getting started tends to be my miracle cure. Very often, the sense of accomplishment creates enough energy to push through that task list until I am officially a procrastinator no more.

So if you are waiting on someone (like me) to return a phone call, write a blog post, make an appointment or send an email, please be patient. We’re under the weather. But there’s some good news: progress is being made, and it looks like recovery is just around the corner. We’ll be back to our timely, Type-A selves before you know it.

And with that, I can cross this article off my list.

Amy M. Dawson is a writer, blogger and public relations strategist living in Atlanta. She doesn’t actually watch “Jersey Shore”, but knows people who do.

©2011 Amy McCormick Dawson

The Finisher (A Tip for Getting Things Done)

I am, by nature, a starter. I love concepting, strategizing and assessing big-picture goals. Give me a pen and notebook, and I can sketch out a multi-step plan to take over the world in 45 minutes or less.

Seriously, y’all should probably start hoping I will use my planning skills for good and not evil.

The problems start when it’s time to wrap a project. I snap my fingers and call for my assistant. Alas, no one appears. This is probably because I don’t actually have an assistant, unless you count my dog. He does not respond to snapping but will appear on cue for a dog treat.

So I hem, haw and procrastinate, and projects languish indefinitely, nested in my inbox like a snowdrift in Antarctica. That is -- eternally.

Obviously this calls for drastic measure. I needed a finisher, someone to push through the last couple of steps in a project that was complete all but for the fat lady singing. (Why does the lady have to be fat? I think I want my singing lady to be skinny, but I’d like her to bring me fattening snacks.)

Now, once a week The Finisher comes to my office. She’s amazing. She scans my to-do list, prioritizes the nearly-finished projects, and completes them with astonishing proficiency.

She knows she has only a few hours to knock out these projects, and it keeps her so very focused. Her job isn’t to concept a new branding campaign, her job is to edit the web site copy and send it to the client. She’s here to cross things off the list, not add to it.

Here’s a secret: I’m The Finisher.

I was forced to become The Finisher, and only slightly against my will. Because, you see, as much as I love concocting a new idea, I loathe in equal measure leaving tasks undone. Incompletes nibble at my conscience like squirrels on a carpet of acorns. They distract, leaving me feeling a bit frayed at the seams, and hemming things up is the only cure.

So I set aside one day a week and treat my task-oriented personality to a day of getting things done. I start with a plan, and refuse to be distracted. And while the creative process is one that delights, there is no comparison to the feeling of scratching a big to-do off one’s list.

Tell me, if you’re a starter, what are your tricks for balancing starting a project with completing it? If you’re a natural-born finisher, where do you draw inspiration to get a project started?

An Apple A Day

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, we must start eating more of these apples. Two (out of two) children have strep throat, and I have a cold, so today the girls and I had an official sick day. We spent it making chicken noodle soup and smoothies … and I tried to figure out some of the bells and whistles on our snazzy camera that I have no idea how to use.

Sadly, I may have permanently set our camera to take five quick pictures – with flash - right in a row every single time you take a picture. Which is alarming when under the influence of cold medication.

Anywho, Amazon.com is going to really appreciate all of you who commented with your favorite book since I’ll be downloading many of your suggestions right to my Kindle. Karen B. – you might consider asking for a Kindle from Santa this year …. then you can use your $25 gift certificate to download a few new books, too. Either way, congrats!

XO – Amy Mac

Under Pressure

It's a good thing the in-box is wood and hanging out on a sturdy desk - I'm pretty sure a topple would hit the Richter Scale.

I am definitely one of those people who works better with a little too much to do. Give me a little too much time on my hands and I'll give you a plate of warm, hand-decorated cookies and extra-clean baseboards ... but somehow miss something really important, like paying a bill or a kid with a broken toe (seriously.)

So being super-busy as of late makes me quite productive, but leads to a full in-box and a slightly neglected blog.

But I am back with good news : Shari, you won the cute office supplies from Carolina Pad! Send your contact information to amymacpr@comcast.net!

Everyone else, stay tuned .... more great giveaways coming soon!

XO - Amy Mac

The Birthday Boy and Belgian Chocolate

Yesterday was my husband’s birthday. He’d been in Brussels, Belgium since last Saturday, and the girls and I were very excited about him making it home in time to celebrate as a family. Here’s my to-do list to prepare for his special day:

1. Make Red Velvet Cake, including icing, from scratch
2. Purchase additional gift (I say additional, because he’d already purchased himself some expensive clip-on something or other for his bike and new running shoes) – something exciting that he might not buy for himself, like more of his favorite running shirts
3. Prepare his favorite home-cooked meal: fried pork chops, sweet potato casserole, squash casserole and buttered rolls, and sweet iced tea (we’re from the South. Doesn’t matter if it’s freezing cold outside, we take our tea iced. And sweet.)
4. Make a welcome home/happy birthday banner with artistic direction and assistance from the girls (ie, give them the poster board and some paint and let ‘um have at it.)

Then I got sick. Quite sick. Like drop the kids at school, drive directly to the doctor’s office and demand any and every kind of medication to MAKE ME FEEL BETTER sick. The morning of the planned birthday celebration. The very same day I’d planned to execute the above task list.

Soooo … I went to Plan B.

1. I purchased a Red Velvet cake from the bakery (and no, he didn't turn 15. But we felt 30-something candles was too much for this small cake so we tried to fashion a "3" and a "7" with the candles. It just doesn't translate well in the photo.)
2. I procured a gift certificate so he could buy lots of his favorite post-workout beverage.
3. We went out to eat.
4. There was no banner, but the girls substituted with hugs and kisses.

And … he had just as good of a birthday with list two as he would have with list one.

Here’s my question: when your perfect plans get sidetracked for whatever reason – whether you get sick, your car won’t start, your computer crashes or your great-aunt Bertie calls and your caller ID failed to warn you – what’s your Plan B? What’s your secret for getting your to-do list to the bare minimum so at the end of the day you’ve accomplished what you set out to do?

Leave your Plan B in the comments section of this post so we can all learn and enjoy!

XO – Amy Mac (PS - Isn't this little container Jake brought back filled with Belgian Chocolates extremely cute? I thought so!)

My Blue Sky

I don't know about you, but I am ready for a little less of this.....And a lot more of this...

I think the girls having strep throat makes the skies a little more gray, but am plenty thankful for fast-acting antibiotics that have them on the mend already (and I find it curious that a sore throat doesn't reduce noise-making whatsoever. Hm.)

Happy Weekend! -- Amy Mac

Looking for Some Sunshine on a Cold, Winter Day

Louis, our family dog and my constant companion in my home office, disappeared on me today.

Guess I can't blame him for seeking out a little sunshine on this 18 degree day in "Hot" lanta.

Stay warm!

XO - Amy Mac

Blame It On The Rain

Dear Merriam Webster’s Dictionary:

I would like to propose a new word for inclusion in the next printing of your dictionary: rainbrain.

Here’s a suggested layout:

Rainbrain (noun) /rayn-brayn/ • n. a condition that occurs simultaneously with water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere, creating a membranous coating of the brain resulting in procrastination, delay of scheduled events, lack of inspiration, impairment of decision- making skills, and general malaise. Can sometimes result in overwhelming desire to drink warm drinks such as cocoa or coffee throughout day, consume foods including mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, and in particularly acute cases - crawling back into a warm bed for a nap.

This new word warrants inclusion on so many levels – I mean, it would really explain a lot. It could help explain a number of embarrassing outbursts this past week. There were rain delays at the US Open likely resulting in Serena’s rainbrain, and I think it was raining in New York when Kanye joined Ms. Swift on stage at the VMAs, and I’ve got to assume there’s a ton of rain in Washington D.C. Those politicians always kind of look gloomy, no?

Personally, I might blame the rain on dining out several times this week instead of cooking dinner, lack of physical exercise the last 7 days, and possibly for some spur-of-the-moment shopping.

Regards,
Amy Mac

This Little Piggy Stayed Home

"Mom, I don’t feel good.”


“You’ll feel better once you get to school.”


“I don’t think so. My stomach’s been hurting really bad since last night.”


“Hmmmm. Let’s try some Tums!”


“Mom, four people are out in my class with Swine Flu.”


“Okay, go back to bed!”


Usually I’m not such a pushover. Especially when I have a business meeting that’s been on the books for weeks. Around our house, if you are not aflame with fever or having some very serious intestinal distress you’re not staying home.


Except of course when H1N1 (who comes up with these names? H1N1 sounds like an algebraic equation I never learned in school) is alive and well in the schools. The fact that my daughter’s friend who was at our house late last week is out with the swine flu was enough for me – I caved and let my daughter stay home.


The nightly news reports the economic impact of H1N1 (maybe we could call it Porky’s Pandemic– that has a nice ring) could be serious. Companies are preparing crisis plans for significant numbers of absentee staff.


No matter the size of our business – or if we’re simply running a household – it's time to get our crisis plan ready. Discover your email program’s auto reply function. Find a colleague who can step in to cover your urgent tasks. Become an expert at determining what absolutely must be done in a given day (for example, getting an important business proposal out the door … or feeding your family) and what can be delayed until you’re feeling better (web site updates, cooking intricate gourmet-type meals.)


It’s lunchtime, so I’m going to check if my little piggy wants roast beef, or if my little piggy wants none. But if anybody tries to go “wee-wee-wee” all the way home, I’m taking them straight to the doctor.

You Know I Like My Chicken Fried

Yesterday, I started my day with a business meeting at the Buckhead Club, went straight to another meeting with a favorite client, immediately to the PTA office at the girls’ school, zoomed home for a quick snack, swim practice, the library, then back home again to pull together dinner by 6 p.m.

So there I am in heels and suit pants (I shed the suit jacket at noon when the temp hit about 90-something degrees) -- frying chicken. Only in the South would you catch somebody – after a really, really long day – throwing together a dinner involving fried chicken, biscuits and gravy.

Don’t get me wrong – there are lots of days when a frozen pre-made lasagna and bagged salad passes as the evening meal. There are also days when I say “I am too tired to make dinner, or for that matter, clean up afterwards. Let’s eat out!”

But sometimes, ya gotta have biscuits. With gravy. And if it happens to be at the end of a long day – well, you just have to go with it.

And have your chicken-fried.

The Witching Hour

As you may already know, I write an article for a local, monthly publication. Sometimes there’s a theme I write around (like Mother’s Day, or summer fun) and sometimes they just set me loose with whatever I want to write.

For an upcoming article, I’m going to write about “The Witching Hour,” that time of day where kids of all ages seem to fall apart. If there’s a fit to be pitched, an argument to battle, a knee to skin or white carpet to spill grape juice upon, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. is the time for it to all go down.

I used to think the frayed nerves of the hour was an exclusive privilege of moms of infants and toddlers, and that my children would grow out of it, much like they outgrew the need for a nap. My kids are nearly 8 and 10 years of age respectively, and …. well, let’s just say someone burst into tears yesterday because we ordered her pizza instead of pasta at the restaurant for dinner. Seriously.

So parents of kids of all ages, send me your stories! Is there a Witching Hour at your house? (If not, can I move in with you?) What’s your best Witching Hour story? Did you figure out a legal way to keep the Witching Hour at bay? If so, I’d like to know!

Send your stories to amymacpr@comcast.net no later than June 30, and be sure to include your full name and contact information.