TV Lies Versus Cell Phone Ease

I recently read a thought-provoking article on what is evidently now being called “No-contact families.” What surprised me was how increasingly common it’s evidently becoming…. And that surprise led me to a deeper disappointment about present-day humans. Growing up watching The Cleavers, The Brady’s, even The Partridge Family….. my home...

Ofrendas Central to Day of the Dead Celebrations

Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is an important celebration in Mexico. It is a social and religious ritual with a parade and all-night candlelight vigils at the graves of family members in local cemeteries. The whole occasion is festive, and everyone talks of the dead as...

I Am Become ‘Sam’

Yesterday, I finally accomplished something I've been wanting to accomplish for many years: I watched all three LORD OF THE RINGS movies in succession on the same day. It was, indeed, wonderful to experience the entire story in one sitting – but it's also the first time I've seen...

Because We’re Worth It

The other night, while needing a bit of a boost, my wife and I went down a YouTube rabbit hole of L'Oréal commercials aimed at boosting the viewer's self-esteem. "Because you're worth it," was said over and over again by a glittering array of talented, successful women of all ages...

The Gifts Our Heroes Leave Us

We all have our personal heroes – or at least we should. Many of my friends and I lost one of ours this past weekend when Dame Maggie Smith died. I've been a fan of hers since teenhood, a devoted "follower" since my early 20s. She could brilliantly do comedicly...

Writing What You Know (Part Two of Two)

I remember that waaaaaay back in my Junior High School years, we had to read the play, watch the film, and discuss "Life With Father" – and (it seemed to me) the primary focus of making us study that was to fully understand the need to "write what you...

Show Notes From North Carolina

It's the morning after the first show. It was enormously successful, and I'd like to share some of my personal glamorous bits because I do lead and always have led a personally glamorous celebrity existence. I discovered the maid or the assistant or my butler or my driver had not...

Writing What You Know (Part One of Two)

My professional life has primarily been spent in the study of America’s great songwriters – beginning with my early infatuation with the songs of Cole Porter and then unavoidably spreading over to Rodgers & Hart, Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Frank Loesser, Jule Styne, Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, et al. It’s...

Listening – Not Just for Ears

I was watching an interview with Ryan Reynolds yesterday (I very much enjoy him), and he said, "If you're listening when you're making a movie, the movie will talk to you - sometimes YELL at you! - to tell you what it needs. You can have everything mapped out...

Shine in the Spotlight with Vallarta Calendar

This article originally appeared in Out & About PV and is reprinted with permission. Do you light up the stage in Puerto Vallarta? Are you a musician who captivates audiences, a performer who leaves them breathless, or a creative soul who brings joy with your unique talents? Vallarta Calendar wants to showcase YOU.  Kevin Feltner,...

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