Okay, so it’s the Coffee Pot From Heck (it’s not that terrible), and if you want to be literal, it’s a coffee maker not a pot. But I had to get your attention. So what’s the problem? And what does the Coffee Fairy have to do with it? It’s complicated, as is life itself if you haven’t already noticed. I got the wrong coffee maker...

  Why not? At your next social event, you could prattle on forever (you’ll have to be more succinct on Twitter) about the silky sands, the incredible turquoise water and the amazing cloud formations, all of which look just like the travel brochures even when you just snap a quick photo with your iPhone.   As for the pleasure of reading on the beach, this...

A man should never comment on the good looks of another woman when he’s with you. You know that, right. And you’ve drummed it into his dear little head. If not, do so immediately. Use a large polo mallet if necessary. But did you know that it’s also not a good idea for women to talk too much about the appearance of other women? I learned this on...

Or do you? Yes, yes, of course you need friends. What would we do without them to laugh with, cry with, get mad at, sympathize with, envy, pity, gossip about. . . What would gossip be without friends? Celebrity trash talk just doesn’t satisfy that need for dishing the dirt on people you know. Or, as Bette Midler would say:...

I’m serious. Ever since I started blogging, I’ve been besieged with doubts. Shouldn’t blogs be topical? Sometimes my posts are, but mostly they’re just what I’m thinking about at the moment. That’s topical enough for me, sure, but good enough for the Blogosphere? Shouldn’t blogs have one subject: Like politics, or food, or...

I hated the ending of Downton Abbey. No, that has nothing to do with the Oscars. Just had to get it out of my system. We’re talking about movies here, folks, and something nice happened this year: there were a bunch of good ones. Really. For serious history lovers and those who want to giggle at Tommy Lee Jones in that ridiculous wig, there’s...

(But who’s counting.) Hey! In case you didn’t notice, I did a TV appearance. Here it is:     When you’re on TV, people ask you all sorts of questions: Were you nervous?Beforehand, yes, a bit jittery. But not at all during the actual show. Maybe you zone (as in The Twilight Zone) out because it’s so surreal. But you looked so relaxed on the...

Pat is appearing on GOOD DAY NEW YORK! Wednesday, February 6 at 9:15 AM With Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly — and Pat! Rosanna and Greg will take her   VALENTINE’S DAY QUIZ. You can take the quiz right here:   1. PAST LOVE You were madly in love with a guy, but he broke your heart.  Do you: A Feel grateful for the experience of having been in...