No email. No Twitter. No blogging while I was gone. But I did do some gambling and got a new iPhone.

I'll be out of the office Monday, July 14, dropping nickels in the slot machines and celebrating the upcoming nuptials of a good friend.

While I'm out, please feel free to contact Laura or Megan by emailing nfib@hammock.com.

I'll be back checking email and counting my winnings Tuesday, July 15.

Valentine's Day is a great day to support local small businesses.

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day. I don't want to buy (or receive) the same card that 102,593 other people will also get. Red roses are so overdone. Lingerie is too easy. But when I ran an errand during my lunch break today to pick up some chocolate-dipped cookies from our favorite little local bakery, it made me think about the other ways that local, independent businesses could be a great resource on Valentine's Day, or any other day.

• Instead of the red roses, go for a native plant at a local nursery.
• Go to your independent bookstore and find a romance novel written by a local author.
• Get a beautiful bottle of wine produced at a winery two counties over.
• A personalized bracelet from a local bead shop would be a great alternative to earrings from a big box store.
• Pick up a meal from your local sandwich shop and enjoy a picnic outside in the sun instead of eating at a chain restaurant.
• Get away close to home by spending the weekend at a locally owned bed-and-breakfast.
• Take in the art and talent at a local gallery or theater instead of a blockbuster movie.

Since Americans expect to spend $17 billion, BILLION, this Valentine's Day, why not keep that money local? I did, and I'm proud of it.