Reindeer Wrapping Paperand Receipts From Hell
Christmas used to be simpler. A few toys, a plate of cookies, and maybe a single string of lights that worked 60% of the time. Now? Christmas feels like a military-grade operation crossed with a Hallmark movie marathon and just a hint of psychological warfare....
BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Kim Mason
Kim Mason is living proof that curiosity—and courage—don’t come with an expiration date. In this inspiring interview, the beloved actor, director, and longtime portfolio advisor opens up about feeling more confident than ever, the power of mentors who spoke life into her, and why she’s...
Turkey Day Trouble
Pinterest is a liar. According to the internet, Thanksgiving should look like a Norman Rockwell painting sprinkled with glitter. Perfect turkeys, designer centerpieces, smiling families basking in soft autumn light, all while golden retrievers nap peacefully by the fire. My Thanksgiving? The smoke alarm’s going...
Tuscaloosa’s Riverwalk
On game days in Tuscaloosa, traffic grinds to a chaotic crawl as some 100,000 fans converge on the west-central Alabama town’s football stadium. However, during the other 350 or so days of the year, residents and visitors seek out other diversions, including the town’s libraries,...
Holiday Weight Gain? It’s Ozemplicated
BOOMers, it’s a challenge we face every November/December during the Season of Justifiable Over-Indulgence. We know (with rare exception, and I’m jealous of THOSE people) we’re likely to add a pound or 10 to our weight. Putting it on is effortless. We continuously seek an...
Living Well on Less
When Carla and Bill Simmons downsized from a large suburban home to a cozy two-bedroom condo, their friends expected them to feel deprived. Instead, they felt lighter — financially and emotionally. Without the big mortgage, endless rooms to clean, and constant home repairs, the couple...
Historic Fryemont Inn
There’s a distinct difference between North Carolina’s Fryemont Inn and just about any modern hotel. The run-of-the-mill hotel, regardless of its glamour, brand or rate, will never exhibit a “Book of Memories” on the coffee table in front of the fireplace. But Fryemont’s grateful innkeepers...
Gravy-Stained Gratitude
November has a funny way of sneaking up on us. One minute we’re sweating through early fall football games, and the next we’re Googling “how to thaw a turkey” and wondering where we stashed the good tablecloth (and if the cranberry stain from 2019 still...
BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Martha Smith
Martha’s story is one of faith, resilience, and deep compassion. A longtime Montgomery resident, she treasures the city’s small-town warmth and connections. Her 27-year career in community banking not only built her confidence but also taught her the importance of caring for others—a passion she...
Fly Fishing the Smokies
If we’re shooting a movie, it’ll be a cross between Deliverance and Hawaii Five-O. A scene from Deliverance was allegedly filmed nearby, but skipping over the lake at forty miles per hour is more like a scene from Hawaii Five-0… minus the sunshine. Storm clouds...
To Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave
One hundred years ago, tragedy struck at the site of what is now Mammoth Cave National Park. Nevertheless, the heartbreaking incident led to nationwide recognition of the astonishing cave system and the surrounding area. With over 420 miles of mapped passageways, it’s the largest known...
Where’s Johnny?
It was the original “must-see” TV. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Two decades after his death, Carson’s name remains in the news. For 30 years, he was the gold standard in late-night TV. For 30 years, he drew tens of millions of Americans (when...
Trunk or Treat Turmoil
Halloween used to be simple. Throw on a sheet, cut out two eyeholes, and you were a ghost. Done. These days? Every kid looks like they just stepped off a movie set with costumes that cost more than my first car. I’m out here duct-taping...
Rediscovering Radiance: A Real Talk Guide to Anti-Aging for Women
You catch your reflection in a window, or under the bright bathroom light, and pause. “When did those lines get here?” you ask yourself. Or maybe you’ve noticed that your skin doesn’t bounce back as quickly as it used to, or that makeup doesn’t sit...
YouTube to the Rescue: The DIY Friend in Your Pocket
You’ve been there. The faucet starts dripping. The Wi-Fi is acting up again. Or your phone suddenly refuses to send pictures. Your first thought? Maybe call your son. Or text your neighbor. Or drive to the AT&T store and wait for someone to explain things....