Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A Real Tire Pro!

Who would have guessed, Camp Verde, Arizona, hides great a secret? We have the best automotive repair shop on the planet and its name is Tire Pro Automotive!

I have been driving for over 50 years, but there is no truth to the nasty rumor my daughter spread around recently, that included, but was not limited to me driving wagon trains in Camp Verde's early years. Nor to the rumor that I am older than dirt, although that point could be argued. During all those years of driving, I have never had the kind of service and professional car care that is provided by the Tire Pro team.

It seems to me that if something is good, we should shout it from the rooftops. With so many businesses failing in the Camp Verde area, it is good to know my favorite grocery store, Bashas', and automotive repair shop, Tire Pro, are here for the long haul!

If you need some quality car repair at a fair price, go see my friend Jared and the team at Tire Pro on Finny Flats Road across the street from the Bashas'. Do what I did during the short wait to get my car fixed. I pigged out on belly busters at the Bashas' bakery!

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Book Signing Party on Saturday

If you bothered to click on the title of this blog, you have seen an example of what this party will NOT be like. For the few who actually read my blog, you know that I rarely plug my book or other folks' products. I like to keep the blog fresh and innovative. OK, some would say weird and bizarre. For those people who would say that, you can leave now. It's my blog and I will be weird if I want to!

This Saturday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at The Worm Book Store in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, I will be signing purchased copies of Evil in the Mirror. Also, for those readers who purchase the book, they will receive copies of Why I Ride Harleys and The Smoking Guardian Angel's Guide to Stop Smoking absolutely fREE while supplies last. The above-mentioned free books are my first published nonfiction e-Books.

I hope to see family, friends and readers who appreciate murder mysteries as much as I do this Saturday at 11 a.m.

Write on,

Mitt

Monday, June 28, 2010

The Tongue Has It....

So, if you clicked the title of this blog, you know what it's about, right? Wrong! You just think you do. This blog is about a very patriotic man, not a KISS member (no pun intended).

Once upon time, I was dealing with a very rebellious teenager who thought KISS walked on water, especially Gene Simmons. It got to the point where we even tried Tough Love to straighten him out. Needless to say, I was NOT a KISS fan, nor a fan of the smart-mouthed teen brat. After all, he was just a girlfriend's child, and after fruitless months of verbal abuse, I managed one of the fifty ways to leave your lover.

My first clue that Gene Simmons was more that just a freak in another freaking band was when I saw him play Tom Selleck's evil nemesis in the feature film Runaway. Although the movie received poor ratings, Simmons' performance was a four star for me and that is saying a lot considering the past experience with the evil teen.

Mr. Simmons has since played other notable roles and has a hit TV sitcom called Simmons Family Jewels which is quite good in its own different way.

So what has all this to do with a very patriotic man, you may be asking? Just click on this Gene Simmons and find out.

Write on,

Mittster

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Time Machine

A friend sent me a blast from the past and I thought it would be nice to share. If you think about it, cameras are really time machines. The pictures they take help us travel mentally to another time and place as real in our minds as you reading this blog."Perception is all there is - Manage it! There is no reality!" Tom Peters.

Hold on to your toupee, here we go....

The Beatles
I still love their music!

Brigitte Bardot
Yes, I still love BB!

Angelina Jolie and Dad
Holy crap, she has always had cow lips!

Marlon Brando
Was he ever that young?

Cher, Sonny Bono, Bob Dylan
Was I ever that young?

George Clooney
What a freaking dweeb!

Sean Connery
No way!

Elvis and Dad
He is still The King!

Clint Eastwood and first wife
His personal life sucked, but what a career!

MM and JFK
This photo is for those of you that doubted.

Jane Fonda
I hate the traitor bitch, but then again...one night would have been good!

Elton John
Music Man always....

Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith
Whoa! Thirteen will get you fifty!!

Madonna
Was she ever that innocent?

Jane Seymour and Freddie Mercury
I have met the delightful Jane, but not the very repulsive Freddie.

And last, but not least....
Star Wars
I didn't know Star Wars had three midget stars!

Hope you had a nice time machine trip. I know I did....

Write on,

Mittster

Saturday, June 26, 2010

The Funny Side of Authoring

I have spent some grueling hours this week working on my new murder mystery novel, Day Stalker. Well, it's Saturday and I want some humor and fun! With that said, I have now left myself in a quandary. I don't feel particularly funny and I may have forgotten how to have fun.

Whoa there, partner, before you click away from what I admit is a dud blog, give me a chance to find some humor. OK, now that you have clicked on humor and are feeling better about this blog, let us continue.

Personally, I am starting to feel more humorous now knowing that my links have probably made you laugh or at least pissed you off.

Perhaps I should have named this blog, My Funny Side of Authoring? After all, now that I am having a fun time at your expence, I can go on with my day laughing all the way!

Write on,

Mittster

Friday, June 25, 2010

Evil is as Evil does!

Check out the neat review my friend Ann Taylor sent all her writing friends.


"Hope you get your book soon....

Evil in the Mirror

Pick it up and with much difficulty you will put it down; this murder mystery is passionate, quick paced, fascinating, a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. If you enjoy murder mysteries put this on your must read list! I can’t wait until the movie comes out!!!

Thank you Mr. Winstead for your amazing creative works!! No wonder why there is only one book left at Amazon.com

Gives us more thrills and amazement!

Ann Taylor"



It's nice to have friends!

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Thursday, June 24, 2010

"We Don't Do Fear!"

If you watch the news or read newspapers, you are probably scared stiff about the condition of the world and the ineptness of its leaders. I would like to quote a full-page ad that was placed in the USA Today by Harley-Davidson a while back. I cut it out, framed it in an antique wood frame, and hung the quote on my office wall to remind me that fear really does suck!

"Over the last 100 years in the saddle, we've seen wars, conflicts, depression, recession, resistance, and revolutions. We've watched a thousand hand-wringing pundits disappear in our rear-view mirror. But, every time, this country has come out stronger than before, because chrome and asphalt put distance between you and whatever the world can throw at you. Freedom and wind outlast hard times, and the rumble of an engine drowns out all the spin on the evening news. If 105 years have proved one thing, it's that fear sucks and it doesn't last long!"

Oh, about those inept world leaders. Whatever happened to running someone out of town on a rail all tarred and feathered?

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Day Stalker

Well, eighteen chapters of my new murder mystery are finished, and if you click on the title of this blog, an excerpt awaits. As usual, it is not for the faint of heart....if you don't like murder mysteries, don't click the title!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

What the Hell is a Piaggio?

While I was in Tucson last Saturday for a book signing, I found the time to ride my brother's new three-wheel Piaggio MP3 400 motorscooter. Trust me, I have ridden a whole bunch of bikes in my day, but this one takes the cake!

The 400 cc water-cooled engine will zip you hard and fast, but it still gets 60 mpg. Here is the kicker; once you learn to ride the crazy thing and come to a stoplight, you flick a switch and the two front wheels lock while you sit there with your feet up off the asphalt. When the light turns green, you give it the throttle, the front wheels release, and you are riding a two-wheel motorcycle with an automatic transmission that absolutely flies!

The front wheels articulate, which give the scooter incredible turning capabilities, but you have to learn its handling characteristics or you will roll over and play dead. Talk about your perfect cafe racer, this baby can do it, and riding on curvy roads is pure thrill.

I used to be a Harley-Davidson purist, but let's face it, purists miss a lot of fun! I say take a test drive on one of these babies....you might just remove all the Harley stuff off your leathers and take a three-wheel trip to the high country of Colorado.

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Book Signing in Tucson Was Great!

What a day it was at Hangovers Bar & Grill in Tucson, Arizona, this past Saturday. I want to thank the owners, Cindy & Tom, and Rhonda (who was our hostess/barkeep) and Angela for organizing a fantastic book signing party which included a steady supply of scrumptious finger food. Also my thanks go to my "evil" twin, Walt, for getting so many people to show up and helping me to set up and sell my book.

We sold a bunch of books and had a great time to boot! You couldn't ask for a nicer group of patrons or bar staff. It sure beats having a signing at a stuffy book store. Who says bar customers don't have money or class? They have both and are not afraid to share the wealth.

I can't say enough about Hangovers. If you are visiting Tucson and want some great food, reasonably priced drinks and great company, go to Alvernon and 22nd Street for a real treat. I'm sorry I couldn't have put Hangovers in my book, Evil in the Mirror, but I think it was a pizza parlor in 1968.

My next book signing is July 3rd from 11 AM to 1 PM at The (nonstuffy) Worm Bookstore in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, Arizona. The store is in the Outlet Mall on Hwy. 179, and I hope to see you there!

Write on,

Mittster

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Rubba dub dub, there's oil in your tub!

Click on the title of this blog for a look at the CEO of BP. His message is clear....the gulf is screwed; the alien has landed.

When will we ever learn that Big Oil owns the planet and has since the birth of automobiles and the Industrial Revolution. Of course we all use automobiles, but only because we have been brain washed that there is no other way by, you guessed it, Big Oil and the Automotive Industry.

For the first time since I started driving a car about 50 some years ago, I am paying attention to the BP oil execs and others who lie through their teeth about the severity of the current oil spill. It's not the first time Big Oil has lied....it's just the first time that I have really listened. Because of what they are saying, I have decided to cut back on driving overall. If I stop using as much gasoline, perhaps that would send a message. Better yet, if we all stop driving so much, it damn sure would send a message. How about we start driving the speed limit and perhaps even slower than the speed limit? I bet that would send a huge message.

One thing is for sure....Big Government isn't going to help us. The Oil Cartels are not going to help us. Corporate America isn't going to help us. We have got to help ourselves and we need to help each other! I am here, I'm mad as hell and I want to help everyday Americans learn how to strike back at the bastards. We have to start at the gas pumps. Stop buying gas guzzlers, whether it be cars, boats, motor homes or whatever. I have a motor home, but you can bet it is sitting on a lot in Quartzsite, Arizona, in a carport that does not allow it to be moved, ever. If I didn't owe more money on the damn thing than it's worth, I would torch it!

What is happening in the gulf makes my stomach turn, but what is happening in Washington makes me puke. Get a freaking rope!

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Monday, June 14, 2010

"Interview With The Vampire"

Thirty years ago I read a book that would forever change my life. Anne Rice had captivated my mind and heart with her weave of seductive romance, love, horror and dark lust. I was transported to far-away lands and ancient times, but always with the same haunting characters because they were vampires. It wouldn't have mattered if they were kings, queens or paupers, Anne Rice built her characters with precision, care and mastery.

She was the first author who could take my mind, heart and soul into her story. I was living the parts and pieces of her work. I cried, laughed, lusted, and bled with her characters. I wanted to be a vampire, or so I thought. You see, they experienced life like I wanted to but didn't have the courage. What a life it would have been without fear, pain or death!

Thirty years later I was finally able to write my first mystery novel, Evil in the Mirror . I was so excited about my book being published that I e-mailed Ms. Rice and thanked her for her book of thirty years ago. She was gracious enough to write back and commented that it had indeed been thirty years since IWTV had been published, but hard to believe. She stated that her writings also reflected other author's influences. Best of all, she wished me success with my writing endeavors.

Do I compare myself with Anne Rice? Certainly not - she has forgotten more about writing than I will ever know, but there is one comparison that rings true for both of us. We are passionate about about our work and that passion shows.

Write on,

Mittster

Life in the Fast Lane

Whenever I think things are a little too hectic and that I may need to slow down, I listen to the Eagles and instantly get revved up for more writing and promotion work. These guys are my heroes. We all can learn from their talent and professionalism.

It's not enough to be talented, you also have to be willing to work your butt off to be professional, and being professional means being the best. The Eagles always give 150% to their audience because they realized early on that customer satisfaction is what keeps you on top.

Authoring books is no different. As I work on the Evil in the Mirror sequel, I am constantly reminded that Day Stalker must be better that EITM, and that I must give the customer the very best that I have to offer and then, give them more.

Having said that, I, in no way, compare myself to the Eagles. They are the highest standard of excellence in their profession, but what I can do is emulate their success. I am sure they won't mind. There is room enough for all of us on the pedestal.

Write on,

Mittster

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Where's the Beef?

I'll tell you where the beef is....the beef is in the reviews I've received from readers of my new murder mystery novel, Evil in the Mirror! Who would have guessed this book would elicit such great reviews? I am overwhelmed to say the least.

Thank you so much, Readers, and you can look forward to a great sequel this fall!

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Friday, June 11, 2010

I'm Off to See the Rabbit!

I am off to Quartzsite today and if you click on the title of this blog, you will meet the only people still there in the summer.

The transplanted mesquite trees on our lot need to be watered every month until fall or they will croak. It's a small thing on my part to keep the trees alive.

I'm just saying,

Mittster

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Why I Sold My Harley

My wonderful wife, Sandy, has kept the wolf from the door for over a year while I wrote two e-Books and a murder mystery novel. The novel is published and can be purchased from the Wheatmark Bookstore, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Now comes the time I must promote the novel with every fiber of my being. I need to sell 2,000 copies before Wheatmark Publishing will take over the promoting costs. That's the deal and it's a good one.

I decided to sell my Road King to cover the promotion costs. It's the least I could do, and even though it was depressing because I loved that bike, I feel better having done it.

Only a Harley owner can appreciate the sacrifice, and only a writer can understand the need.

I'm just saying,

Mitt

Who Am I Kidding?

Now that murder mystery Evil in the Mirror has been released into the wild, my life is starting to change in subtle ways. With a flurry of rave reviews on Facebook and Websites selling the book, my ego has been caressed and messaged. While working hard to write an exciting and worthy novel, I didn't think ego would play any part if the book were to have success. Who am I kidding? I love it! To be recognized as a good writer is like chocolate on vanilla ice cream.

Of course, I was informed by many people early on, that, "You can't make any money as a newbie fiction writer. You have to write and publish self-help e-Books" Well, guess what? I wrote and self-published two good e-Books and still didn't make any money!

Where does that leave me now? Ah, yes, EGO...that's why being applauded makes me happy. You can't take it to the bank, but it sure feels good. Maybe that's why I started a sequel in earnest. I have not a clue where this writing murder mystery thing will take me, but I am totally committed on going there and I plan to take my inflated ego with me....

Write on,

Mitt

Monday, June 7, 2010

A Most Unforgettable Woman

Next year, Nancy Bradley and I celebrate our 50Th high school reunion in Escondido, California. We were all part of our own special click. Nancy, Larry Corona, Bob Thompson and his girlfriend Rheta, my twin brother, Walt, and his many girlfriends, Bob Dutcher, who played in same rock & roll band called the Pharaohs as Bob, Walt and I did. Oh, hell, I can't remember the whole cast of friends that made up our world. I do remember it was a simple and gentle time.

We all headed our separate ways in 1961 with our hot rods, AM radios and diplomas. It wasn't until our 40Th class reunion in 2001 (my first since graduating) that we were reunited. Not all of us made it, but Nancy and her husband, along with Bob Thompson and his wife, and Larry Corona were there with me and my wife, Sandy.

This reunion started an e-mail relationship with Nancy that would have a huge impact on my professional life. After many, many years in construction, I yearned to do the one thing economics would never allow. I wanted to be an author! Of course, Nancy was already a published author and thus started the encouragement that would give me the confidence to follow my dream.

Nancy never failed to help when I would e-mail and ask how to do this, that, and the other. Her advice was phenomenal, as was the Love that always emanated from her heart. Her encouragement helped me write my first self-published works, The Smoking Guardian Angel and Why I Ride Harleys. What came next surprised even ME. I wrote my first murder mystery novel, Evil in the Mirror which has been published by Wheatmark. I am now writing the sequel to Evil in the Mirror called Day Stalker.

It's been nine years since I have seen Nancy, but excitement is building because I am fortunate enough to meet up with her while she is on tour in Los Angeles in August. I can't tell you what an honor it will be to see her once again.

I recommend Nancy's newest book called, Be A Ghost Buster. Why not meet Nancy and her very interesting group of investigator for yourself?

Write on,

Mitt

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Book Publishing 101

Click on the title of this blog and scroll down to the seven things you need to do when trying to publish a book. Out of the seven things that are suggested on this site, only three are real.

Novel Publishing Tips:

Familiarize yourself with the market. (You must have a target audience.)
Research publishers in your genre.
Research agents.
Write a query letter.
Don't let rejection stand in your way. (You can't please everyone.)
Once accepted, sit down with a lawyer and review your contract.
Have your next project already rolling. (Get busy with the sequel.)

The captioned tips are important. The rest are ludicrous. Unless you are a zillionaire, even if you find a publisher and agent who would take your book, you can't afford them. If you are a zillionaire, you are cruising on your yacht somewhere in the Mediterranean and could care less.

I could care less if you have money and if you do, why are you reading my blog? Go get some caviar or something and let we plebeians carry on with trying to publish a book!

OK, where were we....if you really want to publish your book, the only sensible way is with Publish on Demand or POD publishers. After many months of researching, I found Wheatmark Publishing and have never looked back. No, I don't work for this company. I am constantly mentioning their name because of the wonderful experience I have had and continue to have working with the Wheatmark team.

Listen up, I have an abundant mentality. There is enough for all of us in publishing land and unless you have a scarcity mentality, you will understand that helping others succeed is the only way to obtain success for yourself. I learn by teaching! I don't care if only one person reads this blog....it's worth every minute writing.

Now, here is something that will help inform you about what happens after your book is published. I wanted to know why the cover of Evil in the Mirror wasn't published yet on my Amazon site when it was already on the Wheatmark Book Store site, and how do I know who is buying books?

Write on,

Mittster

The answers from Wheatmark:

You are right … selling books is the bottom line!

As for where … that is hard to say.

Think of a stream of water … we put the electronic data about your book into the stream at the headwaters, the wholesaler. Big online book sellers pick up the data pretty quickly, all things considered. Amazon, B&N … maybe Borders (although it is unclear what they are doing these days).

Farther downstream you have smaller booksellers, including independents such as Powells. Each individual book seller makes independent decisions about which books to “pick up out of the stream” and when. Some booksellers pick up nearly all books. After all, since they don’t buy copies until they get an order, it costs them nothing to list as many books as they want. Some only list books which appeal to their target market – a specific niche.

Some of the listings you see in Amazon’s marketplace (those listings for “new and used”) are from independent booksellers and small niche markets. That doesn’t mean they actually have copies … only that they can get one when it is ordered.

So, the good news is that with distribution through a wholesaler, like Ingram, your book is available to any book seller who may choose to carry it by listing it for sale on their site.

Between this electronic exchange of data about your book between book sellers and the wholesaler, and print on demand technology making it possible for a book seller to order a single copy of your book as necessary to fill orders as they arrive, the potential for interested readers to find your book is greatly enhanced.

One final thought – the wholesaler does not report to us who purchased copies of your book. They report the number of copies they sold but not who bought them. So we are unable to tell you if copies were sold by Amazon, B&N, Powells or a mystery specialty site, etc. With such a presence in the marketplace, one could presume that Amazon might be generating most of the sales. But there is just no way to tell.

We don’t have a lot of detailed information about how and when Amazon processes book information and builds book pages. From what we’ve observed, however, it is clear that Amazon’s systems use several different processes with the information they get from the wholesaler, Ingram. It seems that several steps are involved in building book pages, with the image processing being the last one.

I monitor this and have noted that it seems to take several weeks for the book page to be completed, including the image.

All book sellers use the same source for information about books they offer for sale, the electronic data from the wholesaler. Each of them processes this data according to their own business rules and timetables. For example, it looks like Barnes & Noble has processed the cover image, but hasn’t yet processed the book descriptive text.

The bottom line is that your book’s pages on various book seller sites will settle down as they finish processing the data.

I’ll continue to monitor your book’s Amazon page and let you know when the cover image is up.

Hope that helps answer your questions.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Have you ever been to the Amazon?

OK, I know this is a sneaky way to get you to look at my murder mystery, Evil in the Mirror, but it's also a way to express my gratitude to Amazon.com.

Even though Amazon has yet to publish my book cover image like Wheatmark Book Stores, I am sure, eventually, it will get done. In the meanwhile, I am reading Sell Your Book on Amazon by Brent Sampson, and what Amazon has accomplished in a few short years is astounding.

I once had a brick and mortar book store owner refuse to stock my book because it was also on Amazon. To this person, Amazon was a dirty word. I now know why; Amazon sells books. Holy crap, what a concept! When I finished my first self-help book, I pictured myself signing copies at book store parties faster than I could get them out of the boxes. The boxes are still full and sitting in my garage. Want one? It's free if you come get it.

I only have three book signings planned for the whole year and they are at events where friends and friends of friends will be attending. I won't sell many books, but it will give me some exposure to murder mystery buffs. I suppose, if I have to go, I might as well bask in a little limelight and get an ego lift. Lord knows we can all use that occasionally....

Write on,

Mittster

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Open Letter to Smokers

Dear smoker,

One day after 20 years of smoking, I realized that spending a fortune to feel like crap had to stop. I was so tired of waking up with a nicotine hangover! I simply put them down, walked away and smoked no more forever. It was the toughest thing I ever did in my life and even though my marriage failed, my life did not! My ex has continued smoking to this day and her health is now failing even though she is not yet 50 years old.

All the literature say's that nicotine is just as addictive as opiates. No wonder it's so hard to quit! The tobacco companies hooked us and then left us alone to figure out how to quit. I had tried all the patches and pills, but to no avail.

Please do not be too hard on yourself if you fail. Failure is just the precursor to success! Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get on with YOUR life. This is YOUR life, but it is not a dress rehearsal. You only go around once. What you do today will dictate what your life will be like tomorrow.

I can't stand the thought of anyone having to lug a heavy air tank around in a wheel chair because they can't breathe, or having to deal with cancer or both!! I have lost loved ones to cancer and it is just horrible.

You are intelligent and beautiful. You do not have to give up even one of these attributes later in life if you will just stand up and be what you are! We do not need nicotine, alcohol or drugs to demonstrate our true nature. You are a Spiritual Being having a human experience. You have all the tools to quit smoking or anything else that is hurting you. Take a close look at my profile. What do you see? I am the example. I say this with modesty and humility. What you see is what you get when you tune into your true nature and tune out all the crap that makes you hurt inside until you break down and cry! Life is so wonderful. Am I sitting in a rocker waiting to die? No! I am going out kicking and screaming just like when I arrived. It comes down to choices you make now. Please write if you need support.

You’re Smoking Guardian Angel,

Mittster ():>)

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The Best Way To Learn Is To Teach

OK, you have written your first novel, but it has to be proofed and edited, and if you don't get it professionally done, you will be forever sorry. Now, what do you do with the finished manuscript? The devil is in the details....At this point in time all you have invested is time.

Now comes the day when you either run with the big dogs or stay at home. There is no doubt you have heard all the horror stories about failure trying to get books published. Do I look for a traditional publisher, Publish on demand publisher (POD), or do I publish it myself?

I first tried the latter with two small books. I still have a garage of book-filled boxes. Can you imagine trying to proof, edit, copyright, attain ISBN and other assorted numbers, publish, print, distribute, promote, and most important, continue to write new works simultaneously? Forget it, Charlie, it ain't going to happen!

Let me tell you something else that ain't going to happen. Sending a manuscript to a tradition publisher is a total waste of time unless you are very well connected, in which case you probably wouldn't need a publisher in the first place. If I had a nickle for every manuscript I sent to a traditional publisher....well, you know the story. Do yourself a favor and save the postal money for notification cards after you get your book published the only way that makes sense in today's world.

POD publishing is the way to go for the unknown writer. Does it cost money? YES, but so does every other business enterprise on earth. It takes money to make money is the absolute truth. You need a grubstake and if you don't have one, forget quitting your day job! If money doesn't matter to you, do not waste your time reading this blog. Bug off and let my passionate writing brothers and sisters learn something.

Before you pick a POD, do your own research and make up your own mind. Just make sure your research is indepth before you choose. I chose Wheatmark because of the free educational programs they provide and the cost effective way they approached my personal publishing needs. I am through the process, my book is finished and on the Web, and the rest is up to me. Promotion is the author's chore and no one else can or will do it.

Have a great day....I have promotions to do!

Write on,

Mittster

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Do You Remember Simple?

When I was a youngster growing up, the Coppertone ad was considered cute. Now? You could get arrested for having the picture on your computer.

Pinup girls were as risque as it got and even though, as early teens, we told each other how we would like to see a pinup girl totally naked. The truth was that we would have been scared to death if we had. It was the thought that counted.

Back in the day is a cliche that is used often, probably because it is important that we reflect on simpler times. It's food for the soul. Speaking of soul food....do you remember The Andy Griffith Show? How about The Cisco Kid or Howdy Doody? And, what about Walt Disney? Now, there are some simple times you can still experience at his theme parks!

Maybe we can learn something from Forrest Gump, because he was the epitome of simple is, as simple does. We should all spend one hour a day keeping it simple. Sorta like me and today's blog....My simple hour is up now and I am going back to selling my book!

I'm just saying,

Mittster