Words & Banter

NEW Year – NEW Attitude – And New STUFF!

We’re starting the new year with a new attitude and a new business venture – merchandise! For a limited time only (until the end of January), our Kickstarter campaign will be offering our exclusive, first-edition apparel collection. All include practical and empowering messages based on our real-life stories and experiences.

red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

I’m so excited about our new products. You might call it “merchandise with meaning,” but I think of it as “fun stuff” that inspires and makes you smile. And I’m thrilled we’re offering a selection of first-edition items, including stickers, even if only for a limited time.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

I love how each piece of merchandise provides humor, wisdom, and practical advice for everyday living but may also inspire better decisions.


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

I know we initially planned to have these items available for the holidays, but it seemed nothing went as planned.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

Life rarely does, but I think it worked out for the best because,
The NEW YEAR is a perfect time for a NEW ATTITUDE. And, hopefully, a NEW BUSINESS.

Our Red & Black Kickstarter campaign offers a selection of first-edition merchandise including a sheet of stickers with motivating phrases and eye-catching graphics, but also autographed copies of our bestselling book that can be personalized. Whether you buy something for yourself or for others – we hope it will help get the New Year off to the right start with inspiration and motivation. And humor.

DON’T WAIT! It will be a very short campaign (only 30 days), so there’s no time to waste.

Green rectangular button with image of Red & Black cartoon characters and next to them the text \u201cClick here for our Kickstarter page!\u201d displayed in white.

Photo by Aneese on iStock

October is Bat Appreciation Month, and while most people associate bats with Halloween, they remind Red of something very different and far more important: her daughter, Natasha, a memorable trip to Austin, and a surprising decision by Black.

What started with thousands of bats flying out from under Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge eventually led to Natasha and Black getting their first — and matching tattoos. Of a bat. (Yes, Black has a tattoo!) It's a family story about memories, unexpected connections, and how something as unusual as bats can become surprisingly meaningful.


Red's Headassets.rebelmouse.io

Thanks for sending me Natasha's Austin-inspired business plan. But while I know that's her future, I can't help but think about the first time I took her to Austin.


Black's HeadBlackassets.rebelmouse.io

All I remember is that it was love at first sight.


Red's Headassets.rebelmouse.io

It was on our way home from taking Sawyer to camp, and I told her we were making a slight "detour". She was so excited when I pulled up to the hotel, as she's always loved hotels. But that night, as we walked onto Congress Avenue Bridge and saw thousands and thousands of bats fly out into the sunset, she was mesmerized and "in love".
Keep Reading ...Show less
Photo by Lynda Sanchez on Unsplash

It's a running joke in my family that the only reason I go to the movies is for the popcorn. And while that isn't 100% true, it's probably close, as I can't remember a time when popcorn wasn't an essential part of the experience.

I can still remember seeing Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" when it was first released (in 1974) at the Massapequa movie theater, which was literally at one end of an old strip shopping center. It bore no resemblance to today's multiplex cinemas, and the concession stand offerings were very limited. It was dark and a bit dingy, and the seats were old and uncomfortable. But I didn't care because the popcorn more than made up for it. And while I sat through multiple showings of the movie (it's still one of my favorites), I was grateful my dad had given me enough money to buy multiple popcorns, as in those days there was no such thing as the big bucket, let alone free refills.

Fast forward, and some things never change...

Keep Reading ...Show less