Falcone Heene and Why He Captured Storyteller’s Hearts

Blogging over at Health Bistro today about “Falcon Heene and the Flying Machine” — and how we all sort of hoped that truth was stranger than fiction for a day and maybe a little boy could really fly his own Mylar balloon up into the sky. For those of you living outside of the United States (or somehow managing to step away from Twitter and all television news for several hours yesterday), here’s a link to the events that held the nation transfixed for most of the day. To America, the “balloon boy” was a little James and the Giant Peach and Winnie the Pooh and Around the World in 80 Days all rolled into one, wasn’t he?

And then his story became a little Tom Sawyer.

Did we suspend our disbelief (like a Mylar balloon carrying 50 pounds of anything) because we wanted a little “fantastical”? Did we ignore basic science principles because of good-old-fashioned storytelling? I think it speaks to the fact that — despite being in an Age of Information — we are, at heart, always craving an amazing story.

Come on over to my post and tell me what grabbed you most about the story. Was it the UFO-chasing parents? The helicopters trying to stop a balloon? The hope that a little boy could be “flying” it? (Or perhaps the worry he could not.) Or the fact that the parents were already on TV twice before? — There were certainly enough “truth is stranger than fiction” details to go around!

Learning Great Stories From People You Randomly Meet

He was tall and lean, his bald head dotted with age spots. But the way he moved – the way he rested back languidly in the patio chair – spoke of a youthfulness that belied his 80 years. Maybe it was a smoothness borne of decades of athleticism. Or maybe a military career. Something. …

He moved his hands to swat the pigeons away, and his long fingers gave away more of his story. Something involving wealth. Something involving elegance. Something involving shiny automobiles, perhaps. …

“You’re a cool chick,” he yelled to me across the patio.

The waitress walked away as I squinted back at him through the heat. I pulled my chair in and set my purse in an empty seat.

“Pardon?”

“You’re a cool chick,” he repeated. He smiled when he said it this time. He directed his oversized sunglasses more pointedly toward me, but maintained his languid pose, one elbow draped over the chair beside him. He motioned again with his hand toward the empty patio. “It’s hotter than blazes out here, but you’re sitting outside.”

I laughed politely. “Well, let’s see how long I last.”

The heat truly was oppressive. Over 100 degrees. Continue reading

Recommended Reading for a Woman Who Needs a Boost

Wow, is it Friday already? These weeks are flying by. …

I’m blogging over at Health Bistro today. I did a book review of a very cool book: Mimi Spencer’s “101 Things To Do Before You Diet.” It was a great book. And it’s perfect for any woman in your life who needs to be reminded that beauty is much more than a number on a scale. She gives you 101 great tips, including: Buy a corset. Wear beautiful nightgowns. Learn to walk tall. Have a “signature item.”

They’re all terrific tips, and the book is a fun read! Come over to my post if you want to learn more, and please join in our discussion about learning to identify our best physical features — and playing them up to our full potential!

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