Alan Porter

Last month, my girlfriend got a cat.  I want to be as welcoming to this new addition to her family as possible, but there still seems to be a little tension between the cat and I.  Being the human in this human-feline “relationship”, I know I will need to decode all that secret kitty body …

Awww!! Napa Valley😊 Between the rolling, sundrenched hills to pairing my favorite Cabernet with chocolate, this wine paradise is a breath of fresh air.  A time to recharge my senses.  There is something for everyone in Napa – from the farmers markets, concerts, wine tours and winemaker dinners to just kicking back on an Adirondack …

PAWSibilities of Cats Ever since my girlfriend got a cat, her phone (like many other cat owners) is full of pictures and videos of her new furry feline. I want to be as welcoming to this new addition to the family as possible, but there still seems to be a little tension between the cat …

LABOR DAY The days are getting shorter, football season is underway, the kids are back in school and the Labor Day weekend is here.  To some, this may mean the “unofficial end of summer” or a time to score great deals on patio furniture. Although these are both true, the meaning of Labor Day may …

I think coffee is one of Mother Nature’s gifts to humanity.  If you think about it, coffee is a global phenomenon.  For some, it is an experience.  For others, it is a lifestyle.  It also supports economies all over the world.  I mean coffee really is an amazing thing.  Coffee is experienced by people from …

On April 22, 1970 Earth Day was born in the United States of America. It is a day to promote environmental awareness and the protection of our planet. Although this important day did not go global until 1990, more than 190 countries participate in this celebration today! Over 200 million people recognize environmental issues and …

There is always an excuse for a quick trip or vacation getaway. However, if you are indecisive about whether to spend your PTO in the mountains or city scene, look no further- Boise, Idaho is the place to go! Get the best of both worlds as the mountains are a short drive away from the …

What is the first thing you think about when you think of Thanksgiving?  Like most of us it is turkey, football, and pumpkin pie – maybe not necessarily in that order.   It was in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared a feast that is acknowledged today as one of the …

I think coffee is one of Mother Nature’s gifts to humanity.   I am not a huge coffee drinker myself, but I enjoy it when I do have it.  And if one thinks about it, coffee is a global phenomenon.  It is a life style for many.  It supports economies all over the world, I mean …

Last summer we decided to take a road trip.  Since my wife and I consider ourselves somewhat of wine enthusiasts, our destination was going to be the rolling hills, grape vineyards, and wineries of California’s Central Coast. Within this sunny valley, there are literally hundreds of wineries to visit.  Paso Robles which is a wine lovers …