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...