Dana Perino is a weekday fixture on FOX News Channel, hosting America’s Newsroom each morning and appearing on The Five in the evenings. On September 25, Perino is taking the show on the road for a special event with FOX & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade to discuss news topics and both of their New York Times bestselling books—Perino has authored three books, including this year’s Everything Will Be Okay: Life Lessons for Young Women (from a Former Young Woman)—at Asbury Park Theater.
Away from the studio, Perino is a newly minted Jersey Shore resident. Here, Perino shares her typical Shore day in Bay Head.
5:45 AM: I set my alarm for 15 minutes before sunrise—even on the weekends—so that I have time to brush my teeth, tighten my ponytail, apply sunscreen to my face, and get set up on my balcony to watch the sunrise. I love those early mornings when there are just a few of us up and about, listening to the waves crash and the birds chirp, and seeing the sky gradually lighten. I use this time for meditation and prayers of gratitude before beginning the day.
7 AM: My husband, Peter, and I take our Hungarian Vizsla Jasper to his favorite spot for his morning walk. We usually run into a few people we’ve gotten to know over the years in Bay Head. Generally we only know the person’s first name—our chats are casual and fun (never about politics, almost always about dogs). Jasper’s pals include Riley, Mace and Barkley.
9 AM: On Saturdays, I ride my Peloton (a favorite during COVID) and have a pilates class by Zoom.
12 PM: We are off to a tennis match or a lesson. I take a lot of lessons. You’d think that after spending all that time and money that I would finally get it through my head to “keep my eye on the ball.” I love being out there on the court, learning a new skill and being off of my phone for 90 minutes.
1:30 - 3:30 PM: Why is it hard to admit that I often just sit and read or chat during the afternoon? I guess I feel like I should be DOING something. If we have guests visiting, then I enjoy conversation. But if Peter and I are alone, I’ll power through a novel. I read The Plot in one day in July—I just couldn’t put it down. I love books and summer days like that.
4 PM: Peter or I take Jasper to the lake where he can go fishing. He’s never caught a fish, but he loves to look, point and pounce. If Peter is on duty, then I meet up with my girlfriend and we walk a 3.5-mile loop. I insist on touching the telephone pole at the end of the avenue for good luck, but she refuses thinking this is silly. Well, every once in a while she’ll humor me. I like these little traditions we’ve started at the shore.
5 PM: Time for a shower and to get ready for a night in where Peter grills and makes this terrific watermelon and feta salad with lime and mint dressing. Usually we have people over or we go to one of three houses for dinner, Jasper in tow. We walk everywhere we’re going, so we don’t go too far!
9:12 PM: Yes, at precisely 9:12 PM, I start to fade. It’s like clockwork. Peter says you can set your watch to my yawns. Once I start, I have about 30 minutes before I want to be in bed or, on the rare occasion, I can get a second wind and stay up until midnight. I feel like such a grownup!
Photography by: Courtesy of Dana Perino
