by Heather the Jane

I picked up this so-plain looking candle holder at a thrift store (price tag: $1) a few weeks back. Two basic pieces: an open glass tube with three tea light-size indentations, and the wooden holder it rests in. What a great find! This candle holder is perfect for customizing decorations, drawing energy in, or celebrating uniquely. I can't wait until Christmas when I add some glittery stars, tiny bulbs and maybe a couple tags and little bows in there before I light my red and green candles. And hey, what if someone wanted to celebrate the fall? A few small, colorful leaves, some acorns and pine needles would be ideal. Add orange candles (ones that smell like pumpkin pie) – and you've got yourself a beautiful fall centerpiece! Have a special wish or prayer? Why not write it secretly on a piece of paper, slip it in here, and send it out into the universe while the candles burn above?

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By Norah Wilson (the Wilson in Wilson Doherty)

Okay, when this show first came out, I took one look at it and said, “Nope.”  It’s not that I don’t like TV shows aimed at teens; I gobble them up. But football? Total turn off. And I tend to prefer urban-set programs (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars, even The OC in the early days). One night as I worked at my computer and the TV played in the other room, I recognized Conor Oberst’s voice (Brighteyes) and got up to go see. It was the end of an episode of Friday Night Lights (FNL), and the song was “Devil Town”. I remember thinking if they played that kind of music, the show couldn’t be all bad. But I still didn’t go out of my way to watch it. Until about 10 days ago. Since then, I’ve burned my way through Season 1 and have dived into Season 2.

What great writing! Why did no one tell me??? Every episode has a killer hook at the end that has me frantically loading the next episode. I don’t want to stop for anything! Frankly, it’s becoming a problem getting my writing done.

My favorite character, of course, has to be bad boy Tim Riggins (played by Taylor Kitsch).

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by Heather the Jane

Here's a book I'd definitely recommend for your summer reading list:

DOGS THAT KNOW WHEN THEIR OWNERS ARE COMING HOME AND OTHER UNEXPLAINED POWERS OF ANIMALS by Rupert Sheldrake.

From the back cover:

How do cats know when it's time to go to the vet, even before the cat carrier even comes out? How do dogs know when their owners are coming home at unexpected times? .... With a scientist's mind and an animal lover's compassion, world-renowned biologist Rupert Sheldrake presents a groundbreaking exploration of animal behavior that will profoundly change the way we think about animals – and ourselves.

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