Last week was one of those moments where I was counting the days before I headed out to meet someone who I have held in high esteem --a famous figure in her own right.  No she's not a singer, or movie actress. Even better, she's an author.

Christine Michaels & Gwen Cooper

Meeting your favorite author is a highlight in life. For me it's more celebratory than meeting a  TV personality (with exceptions of course).  Their stories, words can move our hearts, enlighten our minds, make us laugh and/or inspire us to improve our lives and those around us.  I consider myself very fortunate to have met the authors of  my favorite books, all non fictional. I have three favorite books. Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir,
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and now Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper.  The first two are heavy drama material but are inspiring on many levels. Stolen Lives shows both the frailty and iron will of the human spirit. Malika Oufkir survived a desert prison for 20 years. In following a routine and exercising her brain daily to stay sane and alert, Malika escaped with her mother and siblings. This book has taught me to be constantly aware of my surroundings and to think fast and logically under pressure. By accident, I discovered that Malika lived in my condo building and soon I organized an Oprah- style interview in our party room and invited residents.



Greg Mortenson, in Three Cups of Tea is fighting terrorism abroad by building schools and educating girls in a country, Pakistan, that regards them merely above slaves. He made a promise to local villagers who saved him from an accident following a mountain climbing excursion, to return the favor and he did.  Little did Mortenson realize that by educating girls, Pakistanis would regard him as a hero and turn against the Taliban and other terrorists.  Mortenson, in my opinion deserved the Nobel Prize. Instead newly elected US President Obama received the award in 2008. While I have great respect for the Presidency, I am unclear as to his contribution to mankind.

Education is key to many societal ills.  Sometimes throwing millions of dollars to a government run program is less effective than an entrepreneurial program with less funding. Greg Mortenson's schools for girls is proof. I had the honor of meeting Greg in 2010. 



On March 28, 2013 I finally met my third favorite author. Gwen Cooper is a native Miamian  and overturned a taboo subject into a NY Times Bestselling book--a single woman living with three cats.  In the 90's living with more than two cats was frowned upon. But Gwen has a big heart and when the vet asked if she would a adopt a third cat, a blind, black kitten, she shunned society's labels.  Gwen was compassionate, not crazy.

Homer is the blind, black cat and in Homer's Odyssey, Gwen tackles stereotypes and educates readers:


1. about the unique essence of cats; they are not all aloof and scaredy cats
2. that black cats are sweet-natured and extremely intelligent and not bad luck; quite the opposite
3. how blind cats are not entirely handicapped; Homer would freely jump from great heights!
4. that a single woman with more than one cat is not a lonely woman and can lead a healthy, robust life.

My review years ago offers a more in-depth glimpse.

Gwen's book caught my attention the same time I moved into a new development where I discovered many stray cats in the neighborhood. I had heard about stray cats but never lived in a city in "depressed" conditions.  Homer's Odyssey inspired me to continue educating the public about the misconceptions of stray, feral and black cats to save them from becoming road kill or from the doom of the county shelter.

Her book was light-hearted, easy-to-read and made me laugh innumerable times.

And she recently launched "Love Saves the Day", an endearing fictional but enlightening story about an estranged mother and daughter. Hauntingly beautiful, heart touching, and at times painfully raw, this is a story about grief, hope and healing. It’s a story about the importance of memories, and of preserving a part of one’s past. The relationship between mother and daughter is complex but even deep rifts can be mended even after death. The simple presence and unconditional love of a pet, a cat, often like a child,  is greater than love spoken with words.  This book will stay with you long after you turn the final page.




These books collectively have given me the courage to take on a subject that is critically void of awareness and education. But I'm not afraid of a challenge and my mother always taught me to give back. Volunteering and helping others has always been part of my life. I truly believe if each person volunteered weekly or donated to a cause regularly the world would be a much better place.There would be more understanding, empathy, compassion and progress.

Here's to making the world a better place!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


simply click on any of the book images above, ORDER YOUR COPY (or any other product on Amazon) and my nonprofit Pawsitively Humane, Inc. receives a small proceed.  

**You must use these links to order so we get the credit.** 

Be sure to visit our nonprofit www.pawsitivelyhumane.org and use the Amazon banner links for any of your Amazon orders.  It's an easy way to help homeless cats and dogs just by starting your purchasing process with our site.

As a marketing professional I love to watch the SuperBowl mostly for the commercials. While I no longer work at an ad agency, it certainly serves as inspiration for campaigns for my own small company.

Creating an ad that is both memorable and impacts sales is extremely difficult.  Creative design reps and account executives huddle in rooms sometimes on oddly shaped chairs or bean bags with a multitude of snacks ranging from popcorn to pizza to soda and the brainstorm sessions commence, lasting hours.  Fumes seeping out of the door hinges.

Kudos to the agencies behind these popular and memorable advertisements. 

So here are my favorites and apparently my first three selections echoes that of American viewers. Which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below!

#1 Budweiser, “Landslide”
Budweiser's use of Clydesdale horses is a perennial favorite of mine and for many viewers. How? Why? Well deep down Americans love animals and the reunion of a horse, a pet,  an animal with which we formed a special bond, pulls hearts strings. We can relate to unconditional love. Admittedly it still makes me cry. But then again, I do work with animals. (My other job. www.pawsitivelyhumane.org). On the marketing side, Anheuser- Busch simultaneously launched a social media campaign to name the foal featured in the ad.  It was a viral hit.  Click here to learn what name America named the new baby Clydesdale.



#2 Tide, “Miracle Stain” 
A little humor goes a long way; While other attempts are scored as "cheesy", this commercial hits the mark. A San Francisco fan spills nachos on his jersey only to find the resulting stain resembles 49ers legend Joe Montana. As pilgrims — a/k/a Niners fans — flock to Montanaland to pay homage, his wife (a Ravens supporter) gets the last laugh when the offending stain is removed thanks to Tide.



#3 Dodge Ram: So God made a Farmer 
I'm a sucker for pets and patriotism. This ad had me choked up. It wasn’t flashy or filled with special effects, but Dodge Ram’s Super Bowl commercial that featured the late radio broadcaster Paul Harvey’s tribute to U.S. farmers won the hearts and minds of viewers Sunday night.

The two-minute spot featured a series of stark photos of farmers at work.  Along with a montage of still images, Harvey’s distinctive voice delivers the narration: his “So God Made a Farmer” speech, which he gave in 1978 at the National Future Farmers of America Convention.  He died in 2009 at age 90.




#4 Best Buy: Amy Poehle
This caught my attention for the humor and Amy Poehle plays the perfect neurotic customer while the Best Buy employee politely follows her around. OK so we know that Best Buy sells electronics, washer and dryers, tablets, etc. Who doesn't know?  However the commercial falls short and only emphasizes the weakness of these chain stores--the employees often don't know the answers for a host of product questions, hence the employee never gets a word in. Well at least it was entertaining.




#5 Taco Bell: Party Seniors
So it's not realistic (along with 90% of the ads) but I love to dance and eat Taco Bell late at night. Except most are closed after midnight. Maybe by the time I'm 70, Taco Bell will stay open until 3am. Nightclubs and parties in Miami end at 6am. 



#6 Got Milk: The Rock 
As a former fitness trainer and one who knows healthcare would be less costly in our country if Americans improved their lifestyle and eating habits, I love this commercial. It's hip, fun, humorous and gets across a clear message. Do you drink milk?


Yes, the SuperBowl is a form of entertainment on various levels. So even if you don't follow football closely like me, the commercials are another competition. 

So which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below!

It's the New Year!

It is true--as you age, every year goes by faster and faster. At the age of 43 turning 44 in October, the year 2012 was a whirlwind. My goodness, does this mean when I'm in my 50's time moves at lightning speed? Anyone? (feel free to comment below).

With all the noisemakers, clinking of champagne glasses, smiling faces and hopes of a better year, it soon dissipates and the celebratory atmosphere is quickly followed by  the dreaded word "Resolutions". Such a weighted word, don't you think? Perhaps since most people associate it with goals of weight loss and the low success rate, the word resolution is often associated with failure.  It can be daunting.

So many years I have made resolutions and not a single one involved weight loss. My life increasingly grows in complexity, mostly because I choose to take on hefty challenges revolving around a nonprofit I started. At the onset of the New Year, I keep it simple.  When curve balls are thrown my way, I reflect on those resolutions I have achieved. Only two I never fulfilled

• One year it was to learn to dance merengue and salsa. CHECK. (I was in my 20's living at home; no responsibilities other than my two jobs). 
• 1997 move out on my own to Miami. CHECK. 
• 1998 to get my Master's Degree, CHECK. 
• 2000 to buy my first condo, CHECK. in later years to learn to dance advanced Salsa, CHECK (although I never used it); 
• Next year to learn belly dancing CHECK (again I never used it). 
• To read more books, CHECK (even started a book club with my friend). 
• 2006 Learn to dance Tango. NEGATIVE.  
• 2007 Learn French. NEGATIVE. 
• 2009 Start a small part-time business. CHECK.
• 2012 Start a nonprofit. CHECK

With career advances and other growing family responsibilities, it means less time for yourself.  Losing a job can send your life in a tailspin and survival means forgoing fun goals like learning the Tango and French.  

I don't look at years 2006 and 2007 as failures. I simply could not dedicate the time due to life emergencies.One of my strongest attributes is that when I make a commitment, I see it through 100% or more.  I may  not be a genius, or scored high on my SAT's. But I'm a hard worker and complete any job or task to the end. The reality is emergencies do occur and managing and overcoming them is a triumph. I pulled through dark times without getting into debt, or borrowing money or asking for help. I survived on my own and those are the greater accomplishments than my New Year's resolution.

But I'm back on track. So what is my resolution this year?  A big one for me. To fine tune my time management skills and prioritizing tasks. It's easy for me to get distracted with fun tasks and procrastinate on the more important ones.  Sorry to disappoint any readers. My resolution is nothing sexy like learning the Tango or French language. But putting it in writing will encourage me to make an earnest effort. Starting now. So instead of shopping online for new office furniture, I'm going to work on writing that article. 

What is your resolution?