If you're going to buy something for the holiday...

I don't think this qualifies as shameless self promotion - since I'm not really promoting myself. I am promoting my wife's incredible jewelry, though.

OK, here's the deal - my lovely bride started making jewelry a couple of years ago and she is Really Good at it (I'm no expert, I'm just going by what I hear from so many other people who seem to know jewelry). I can tell you that my wife will work for hours on a necklace, bracelet, and/or earrings, and because they don't meet her standards, she will take them apart and start all over again - she's committed to making sure everything she produces is a high-quality piece of jewelry that will compliment the wearer.

This Saturday, Nov. 28, you can check out the jewelry for yourself at OverCoffee Cafe in Lantana Square in Hockessin between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

WHAT: Jewelry Show
WHERE: OverCoffee Cafe in Lantana Square in Hockessin
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 28 - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Now, here's the selfish part - when you come, make sure you tell my wife that you found out about this through twitter, facebook, or other social media - it will just help me out - thanks!

preparing for Frank Schaeffer's visit to Delaware

So, a couple of years ago I sent an e-mail to Frank Schaeffer, just letting him know that I appreciated his writings and that I would be using some of his material in a discussion I was leading at the time.

Frank responded and, next thing you know, we're exchanging e-mails from time to time - most of my e-mails ended with something like, "let me know if you're coming to the Philadelphia/Baltimore area for a book-signing or anything" - a few months ago Frank sent me an e-mail saying his new book would be published soon and I should see if anyone would want to bring him in as part of the book tour.

A couple of phone calls and e-mails later, and the great folks at the Community for Integrative Learning said, "Yes, we'd love to bring Frank Schaeffer to Wilmington!"

As we're preparing for his visit this Friday, I find myself reflecting on just how much of an impact Frank has had on my thinking - it was Frank's writings that introduced me to an appreciation for great art, film, history, writing, and clear thinking. It was also because of Frank that I discovered P.J. O'Rourke, which led to enjoying Christopher Buckley. Ironically, it was this time last year that I went to see Christopher Buckley in Philadelphia - and he and Frank have both been criticized heavily by people who used to appreciate them for the same reason, both men openly endorsed Obama in the '08 Presidential Race.

If you get a chance, check out my Twitter postings this Friday - I'll be getting Frank to his interviews during the day - first, Radio Times on WHYY at 11:00 AM, then Rick Jensen on WDEL at 2:00 - and, of course, the discussion Friday evening at First and Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington.

You can read a great article about Frank by Gary Soulsman here.
You can read more about Frank on his web site here.
You can find out more about Friday evening's event here (please come on out - walk-ins are welcome).