Bonni Brodnick Blog

What's for mulch?

Curtiss Place (Maplewood, N.J.) I love this photo of my Dad with me and my sister on our front porch. (Dig the twin sailor dresses that my Mom sewed.) Dad absolutely adored us. (You can tell.) I miss his wisdom and rich philosphy of life. He was a straight shooter and could spot a phony a mile away. I was on a project for American Express when I received the telephone call from my mother that my father died while playing tennis. He was only 58-years old, had just retired, and I was newly engaged.  I remember screaming when I heard the news, hung up the phone and ran into the ladies' room hysterically crying. An older woman washing her hands asked, "Are you okay, dear?" I said, "Yes, I'm fine."   Why did I do that?  I was so NOT fine .  I will always regret that I didn't tell this concerned stranger that I had just learned that my father died and let her comfort me. I am forever grateful to my incredible colleagues who got me from Washingt...

Parallel Parking View from my room at the Marriott Hotel in beautiful downtown White Plains, N.Y. There is a wonderful balance to good parallel parking. Who ever thought one could find zen in the pattern of cars lined up in a parking lot?

Although we moved last week, we are in limbo between hotel and our new place. It is almost (term used lightly) like we are en vacance. They say that the limbo began when a couple moved out of their home and lived in a hotel for a few weeks while their floors were getting stained and polyurthened at the new digs. The dance was a way to keep upbeat while they waited for the floors to dry. Click here.  This clip simulates a night at the swinging Marriott in downtown White Plains. (I'm the one in the Frida Kahlo-ish skirt.)

(Rainy) moving day. Miraculously, everything lined up perfectly. Moving on.

Tempers short. As long as this:  - Where's the ... "I packed it," he said. "It's in the box." " Which box?" she asked as she looked around the room/s. There were many boxes. Stacked high to the ceiling/s. "I think it's in that one," he said as he pointed to a far corner that was five boxes deep from the wall. Packing tip: Don't forget to mark the boxes on two sides.