I had forgotten how much a human being can love a dog.

We begin our third full week with Rufus. I love him more every day. I took this picture while playing with him in the backyard Sunday.

Our cock-a-poo puppy is beginning to exert his independence. He’s quicker than lightning. He visited two neighbors’ yards over the weekend before I could catch up with the rascal. He likes to hide out under my car. He doesn’t like the leash.

He has wild puppy spells. He zips around the house like a whirling dervish. He attacks all of his toys and dominates them with sheer force and determination. Then he melts in a furry ball of docility lapping up love, kisses and tummy rubs.

He’s pretty good about sleeping through the night now. His accident rate is on the decline. Puppy training will begin soon.

Rufus doesn’t like loud noises. All of those leaf blowers were starting to unnerve him.

He loves Cindy’s robe. He loves...

What North Carolina town or city has the best slogan? Please vote for your favorite. Also, feel free to create your own slogans.

Here are some I could think of but there are plenty of others:

Apex: Peak of Good Living

Asheville: Land of the Sky

Benson: A Slice of Americana

Cary: Technology Town

Dunn: It's All Right Here

Durham: City of Medicine

High Point: Furniture City

Raleigh: City of Oaks:

We're building a wall today - a Wall of Praise. Please write something on this blog honoring America's veterans. Let's really show how much we appreciate the sacrifices, courage, commitment, skills, dedication and stamina of the men and women who have served our country.

I will start by posting the lyrics to a song I wrote to honor my Carolina kin who fought at Kings Mountain in a battle that proved to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War in the South. The spirit of 1780 lives on today in the lives of America's military members.

America is Calling You
(Bill Leslie)

Over the mountains covered in snow,
They marched to Quaker Meadows,
To prepare to fight the foe,
Under an oak tree they gathered,
To craft a battle plan,
To win their long sought freedom,
To save...

If you haven’t already signed up for the gift basket mentioned during Monday’s blog, please do. Pledge to stay within two pounds of your normal weight over the holidays. All you have to do is post on this blog that you accept the challenge by November 20 and you will be entered. In early January we will use the honor system to find out how many of the entrants met their goal and those will be eligible for the final drawing. 

The gifts include four weeks of personal training from Tara Wind at Lifetime Fitness. Tara this week put together some tips to help us achieve our collective goal. She calls this: 7 Ways to a Better You: 

Monday: Get Some Natural Energy!

Cut back on caffeine! Drink half the amount of coffee or sodas you are having per day!

Focus on getting adequate sleep and eating energy boosting foods like fruits and whole grain carbohydrates.

Also join Bill's...

The holidays are coming. Ready, set, gain 10 pounds! Sound familiar? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.

I’ve strayed a bit from my nutrition regimen from the summer months when I lost ten pounds with the help of registered dietitian and trainer Tara Wind. But starting this week I am re-igniting the fire of fitness. I vow to stay within two pounds of my normal weight over the holidays. Join me in this challenge by answering this blog. If you join our team over the holidays and maintain your weight goal you will be eligible to win an overflowing gift basket to be awarded in January. The gifts will include a month’s worth of personal training with Tara at Lifetime Fitness, all of my CDs, my book Blue Ridge Reunion and many other treats you will love

Here’s my challenge. Pledge to stay within two pounds of your normal weight over the holidays. Sign up for the gift basket by Friday, November 20th and you will be eligible to win. All you have...