I've used Apple’s iTranslate and Google Translate (and other apps) for years. But recently I switched to using the DeepL App exclusively and I am loving it! Not surprised that the translation app boasts a 4.8 rating from nearly 5000 reviews. DeepL has been especially helpful recently because I was learning European Portuguese for a trip to Lisbon and the app translates both the Euro and the Brazilian versions of Portuguese which might surprise some to know, are quite different. DeepL claims Read more [...]

Well here's a first for 5 Heart Rating... I'm replacing one with another and am extremely happy to do so! If you've been following along for a while, you know that I have touted the Audible app for years. I love the concept of listening to books (Yes, I know it's not for everyone...) for a variety of reasons, probably the most important being the fact that I feel listening is more dimensional than reading, especially when the narrator is really good. This is often the case when the narrator is also Read more [...]

Everyone working at Surly Brewing Co. is happy. Literally EVERYONE. Every single time I've been, I've noticed this. So when the manager happened to sit down next to me at the bar on a recent visit, I had to ask why. She didn't reply with anything out of the ordinary really. Just simply said they treat each other well. What a concept! Let's face it, even in the best of times the hospitality and service industries are tough. If you've never worked with the general public in a service capacity I Read more [...]

If you go to Dropps' website you'll see a tagline that reads: "We like to think of ourselves as textile engineers-turned-detergent scientists." I wonder if the guy I met about 25 years ago that had sold his ownership of many Burger Kings might have a similar tagline. Something like: "We like to think of ourselves as burger flippers-turned-dry-cleaning scientists." At the time, he told me he was getting into bio-friendly dry-cleaning products. He explained a bit and I didn't understand a whole Read more [...]

Hibiscus flowers are like pecan pie. I have never had a bad pecan pie, though I can't count how many times I've heard people say, "This is really good pecan pie." There are just some things that have all the right ingredients and Hibiscus is just one of those things. The Hibiscus flower is so photogenic! Seriously, have you ever seen a bad photo of Hibiscus? They are just beautiful!! They have that, "Here I am! Look at me! Aren't I beautiful?" kind of flowerona (flower version of the word "persona") Read more [...]