I’m back.

I changed my mind. I know EXACTLY what I want to write about.

More to come……plus I’ll explain this in much more detail.

Talk soon.

It’s been a fun ride.

Thank you to all who have followed this blog for the past six years.

Although this started as a way of journaling my feelings, and this was a pleasure and privilege to write, I’m going to find another quieter outlet instead.

Peace to you all. ❤️

1. My beautiful niece Kemba – thank you for your hospitality, for being my sounding board, and for telling me what I need to hear, when I need to hear it.
2. The incredible sunshine of Southern California. It’s very healing.
3. Balance – it’s one thing to be fully aware of what’s happening in our world….its another to try and maintain a healthy mental outlook as we try and get through it.
4. Self-awareness….using this time out here to process the events of this past year has been incredibly helpful.
5. The UCLA football team. Thank you for saving Penn State fans from delusional heartbreak later in the season.
6. The beach – there’s something about having your toes in the Pacific on a perfect sunny afternoon.
7. In N Out Burger – seriously, we need this on the East Coast….WTF?
8. West Coast Sunsets…..’nuff said.
9. The Laurel Canyon music scene.
10. The feeling of being hopeful in general!

Here’s how I’d win on Survivor.

I can live on dry cereal, water and peanut butter and granola bars.

I don’t know this from camping….I know this because I let my cubbard get that bare two weeks ago, because I absolutely suck at cooking, and the couch was just too comfy for going to the store. And this is what I lived on in the meantime for two days.

You call it a “cookbook”…..I call it “the first thing to put out with the fire extinguisher” as I set it on fire while trying to make an entree.

I’ve decided to learn how to properly cook….at age 56….its time to overcome my fear of the kitchen.

I’m no Julia Child (although my imitation of her is pretty good), but I’m going to have fun with this challenge, and hopefully not get food poisoning in the process!

This is all part of the fresh start – taking on new challenges and opportunities, and finally facing the fears.

And with all of the new opportunities presenting themselves, I’ll approach these just like I will with my first truly self-made meal.

One bite at a time.

It’s been 76 days since moving back to the Keystone State.

Although it’s been a rollercoaster of a year, things are settling down. New friends, new opportunities, and new surroundings have helped to find a new sense of inner peace.

True confession – I didn’t just burn bridges in Alexandria – I napalmed those motherfuckers. I had to. I NEEDED to. And in doing so, I GOT MY LIFE BACK. It was the only way to turn a corner of my life that desperately needed to be turned.

My energy has shifted, mainly because of the move – I let go of the “façade” – the years of creating this “secure”image, and using that image to hide all of my insecurities behind. The glossy “TV/Music” persona, that truly needed to go. I LOVE that I haven’t picked up my horns in months! That may seem crazy to some people, but I could not be happier. These last few months have been about self reflection (while working through a divorce….wish there was a handbook!) and emotional healing, and letting all of the bullshit go.

Survival mode is no longer sustainable – living a “reactive instead of proactive” life is not for me. Having to pretend to be a part of a happy family as a third wheel was downright exhausting, and in the end, the “house of cards on sand” collapsed like it should have.

Things are looking very promising – great new challenges with the job, hanging out with a crowd with whom I have many more common interests, and even going out on dates….all of these have more meaning, as its about living an authentic, SECURE life. It’s not about cockiness or arrogance. After years of insecurity, and being worried about what people may think or say about me, its come down to this three word conclusion:

FUCKING LET THEM.

I truly don’t care – I left that energy across the Potomac, where it belongs (or that energy can die….who cares?)

“Mr. Today Show of Alexandria” and his façade can kiss my Pennsylvania ass.

1. Beautiful sun-splashed September mornings.
2. The PERFECT cup of hot cocoa.
3. My new neighbors Sam and Carol. Thank you both for reminding me about the important things in life.
4. The “Mechanicsburg Posse” – Amy, Gordon, Brie, Eddie, Lisa and the whole football-watching gang….THANK YOU for making me feel included.
5. The William Penn Social Club in Harrisburg – I’m now a member!!
6. Musical conversations that can go on for hours.
7. My true family – putting their pictures up on my apartment walls makes me feel closer to them.
8. The Towson State Tigers! My new favorite college football team!
9. The music of John Tropea.
10. New beginnings.

Lane Stowe, August 15, 1969 – August 14, 2025

Wait, what??

That’s right, I’m having a “death without a death”, as I’m truly leaving my old self behind at 55. in other words, I’m “killing off” the Mr. Today Show part of my personality that I absolutely detest. That’s the part of me that can stay with “The Real Housewives of Alexandria”, as I cannot detach from that part of who I’ve been fast enough.

My 56th birthday is tomorrow. This birthday has already been one of the best ever, and it hasn’t even happened yet. I’ve been blessed in unexpected ways, unlike my 16th birthday 40 years ago.

It was on August 15, 1985 when I was diagnosed with a severe case of mononucleosis. I spent two weeks in bed feeling like death warmed over, and I dropped down to 120 pounds. This is why I’m having a small get-together at my place tomorrow night. It’s never too late to have a belated Sweet 16 party!

To say this year has had some unexpected changes would be putting it mildly. This has truly been a year of change and growth, and the future is looking INCREDIBLY bright.

Happy Birthday! ☺️🎉🎊

It feels good to be back.

I should’ve never left.

The last 15 years of my life were not real. Not at all. Don’t even get me started on the whole Today Show thing….

I spent this entire time being something that I’m not, in hopes of fitting into someone else’s life. And I’m not the least bit surprised by the result.

Truth is, I should’ve moved back to Pennsylvania in 2021 when Lauryn truly needed me. Shame on me.

What’s the prize? Spending the last four plus years on auto pilot, just going along with someone else’s life.

God knows my work is cut out for me with Lauryn, but I’m in it for the long haul.

For those of you who’ve stuck around, thank you.

I’m still in the process of reintroducing myself, and I’m a work in progress.

And finally – for those who are here just to spy and tattle – I cannot say this enough from the bottom of my heart – GO FUCK YOURSELVES. You know who you are, and so do I.

Today is Day 2 of an incredible personal journey….no time for haters anymore.

I’m in a Keystone State of mind. 😎

It’s been a minute.

The winds of change….

Very sadly, Jenn and I have come to the end of our rainbow. I have nothing but love and the utmost respect for her, and my heart (as broken as it is) is full of gratitude for the 15 wonderful years that we had together. ❤️🌹

With this change comes wisdom, maturity, and also a very new reality. Life as a single person. Within this new reality, there needs to be one tiny little, itty-bitty change – and that change is the flavor of this blog.

Truth be told, writing started to feel stagnant….then I realized what’s been staring me in the face all along.

This blog shouldn’t be about my trials and tribulations – it should be about Otto.

His life is much cooler than mine will EVER be.

Yes, he will continue his social media presence, but I hope by doing this change, we connect with other dogs and dog owners, and maybe even connect with some rescue shelters as well.

I’ll throw myself under the bus….I was ready to give Otto up to Jenn with the separation – Otto is named in honor of Jenn’s family, and I didn’t want to take a part of her legacy. I’m glad I took my head out of my ass on that one, as I can’t imagine either of our lives going forward without The Floof, and I’m incredibly happy that Jenn and I easily found compromise for “co-parenting” Otto as we each start new chapters of our lives.

As I’m writing this, I can hear him asleep on the bedroom floor….theres a comfort and safety I feel from his presence, and I think it will be fun and challenging to write from his perspective of the world.

I’m going to ask Jenn if she’ll consider sharing pics of her and Otto going forward, so that all of his fun adventures are shared. He’s going to be a part of both of our lives, and hopefully he’ll continue to bring smiles and joy to many people for many years to come.

And besides, to not make this blog change would be a dog-gone shame, right? 🐶

Thank you, Randy Newman.

This has been a fabulous week in the Land of La-La. As I work full-time remotely, my boss gave me the green light to work from the West Coast this week, so that I can see family and friends that I have not seen in a while.

I’m truly enjoying my time with my niece Kemba. Although I only got to know my sister for a short amount of time, I’m truly blessed to have her daughter in my life. We’ve shared plenty of laughs this week, and I’m really glad that we have reconnected.

Now for a little bit of bragging about my great nephew, MeJean – he’s a senior at Cal State Long Beach, majoring in aeronautical engineering and physics! He did an aeronautical team presentation yesterday in a competition, and his team came in third place out of multiple teams! How AWESOME is that?

Looking forward to my hang tonight with incredibly talented musician Gussie Miller, as we plan on checking out a few bands with some of LA’s top studio musicians. Should be a fantastic opportunity to network, and who knows? I may even sit in on a tune or two.

It’s supposed to be 87° today and 91° tomorrow….i couldn’t ask for better weather. Yesterday was the PERFECT Southern California day – 77°, sunny, and not a cloud to be found…that NEVER gets old.

To friends out here who I did not get to see – I’m tentatively coming back out in early October for the Penn State/UCLA game, so hopefully we can catch up….

Meantime, back to the sunshine and hangin’ with my family….

LA…..I love it!! 😎