Do you smell Funnel Cake?

Mmmmmm? Can you smell it? The sweet, bready aroma drifting upon the air. You inhale, savoring the fragrance of the doughy-goodness infused with the essence of powdered sugar. (Well, ok, I like mine drenched in powdered sugar!) The fact that it is deep fried in oil does not deter you, after all, there can’t be more than 3000 calories per funnel cake!?

Its Oregon Trail Days again in Western Nebraska! That means: Food Fair. Street Dance. Music. Carnival. BBQ. Car show. Quilt fair. Chili cook-off. Wine tasting. Parades. Square dancing. Did I mention Food Fair? And the list goes on. Visit the official website so you don’t miss out on the action: http://www.oregontraildays.org/

I grew up all over the world in a variety of big cities. With that in mind, some people thought I would have a hard time adjusting to a small town but I absolutely LOVE it. Oregon Trail Days is one of those reasons. There is something special about a community that blocks off whole sections of town in order to promote people to gather and have a good time together.

Being an insurance agent in a smaller town is also one of the reasons I love my career so much. Working, shopping, and living in the same community as my clients, I am better able to help them protect the things that they value the most. And along the way many of these people become my good friends. There is nothing better than that. (Except maybe Funnel Cake!)

Does your community have a special celebration? What’s your favorite part?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Although not 100% Irish, I’m about as Irish as they come (red hair and fiery temper… occasionally…)

When I was a kid we visited Ireland and I have strong memories of green, green, and more green. The entire landscape was gorgeous and green, not to mention covered in historic castles. We visited one such castle, Blarney Castle, which houses the famous Blarney Stone. The stone is believed to be half of the
Stone of Scone which originally belonged to Scotland. Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone, because it was believed to have special powers of royal succession. There are innumerable stories and legends about the stone but the most commonly accepted version is that, in gratitude for Irish support at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 (a Scottish defeat of the English), Robert the Bruce gave a portion of the stone to Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster, who then permanently installed the stone in the battlements of his castle at Blarney.
The legend goes on to say that anyone who succeeds in kissing it is said to earn the gift of persuasive speech, eloquence, and skill at flattery. In other words: the “gift of gab”.

This all sounds just terrific, after all, who doesn’t need to have good communication skills, especially in today’s business world? However, as with many things, there is generally a catch --