Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
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Friday, December 6th, 2013 I’m in Massachusetts for the next day or so, celebrating with my friend Trisha Wooldridge for the launch of her debut novel, The Kelpie Since I’ve never been to Massachusetts before, she’s taking me around and seeing the sites (in between book stuff and writing) and it’s been loads of fun. First we went to The Doctor Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden to see some sculpture created of the characters in his books. (I LOVE Dr. Seuss!) The Gardens are part of the Springfield Museums, so we got a chance to tour there also. Despite the terrible fog, I managed to grab a few photos.
The natural structure behind the lorax here–not really part of the Seuss exhibit– was created by planting and weaving saplings together. I’m told that in the spring and summer it’s beautifully green. It’s large enough to wander through. There’s a lovely little arbor in the center that would be perfect for a wedding. This ‘stickwork’ sculpture was created by artist Patrick Dougherty and contains over eight tons of saplings. Doesn’t it look like something Dr. Seuss would have drawn?  Yertle! But the best part of last night was dinner. I experienced a culinary delight the likes of which I’d never experienced before! “The Burger” was topped with bacon, 1000 Island dressing, red onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses AND a fried egg. Yum! Apparently, it’s a Massachusetts thing. I loved it. I can totally see this as a breakfast food.
Thursday, July 4th, 2013 History.com has this awesome July 4th infographic to celebrate the day (and I am shamelessly posting it here…) I’m off to eat a hot dog! Hope everyone enjoys the day. Click on the image to enjoy a larger (and more readable) version. 
Wednesday, July 4th, 2012  Happy Independence Day, everyone! Who’s got plans today? We’ve got none, though the Husband of Awesome™ and I will probably sneak off to see the fireworks later. We haven’t been to a “live” show in years. It’s been a weird schedule today: I slept in, got up and wrote some, recorded an installment for “BroadPod” (I’m sharing a work in progress, rather than an already published work!) and read a bit. I’ll probably write a bit more later before the fireworks, and then call it a day before heading out for the show. What have you got planned? Monday, October 31st, 2011  Happy Halloween! Hope everyone has a safe and tasty holiday! Friday, February 11th, 2011
And while I can’t stand frilly stuff, and hearts-and-flowers as decor on anything usually make me barf, I LOVE Valentines Day and the celebration of love. I can’t help it. I’m in love. I met my Husband of Awesome® my second year of college, and we’ve been together ever since. Totally storybook romance. (I won’t bore your with the details.) Below are both journaling prompts and story starters. Switch them around and use your romantic moments to write a fictional story, or, let the story starters jog your brain for events in your past to journal. Combine more than one to create a complex tale. I’m sensitive to the fact that many people don’t have my rosy outlook on romance. For them, I’ve included some prompts about the flip-side of love. All the way at the bottom are some prompts for school-age people. Enjoy! Rosy Prompts for Those In Love:
Not-so-Rosy Prompts for Those a Bit More Jaded about Love:
School-Age Prompts
Thursday, November 25th, 2010 Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone (including those not celebrating) has a terrific day. I plan to eat, socialize with family I haven’t seen in a while, take some photos, knit and talk genealogy. No writing. I just decided that. Today, I’m having a day off. Tomorrow I’ll write and finish prepping for Darkover. If you’re going to Darkover, drop me a line. I’d love to meet you. Stay warm! It turned really cold here yesterday, finally moving the weather toward winter. This morning it’s raining. (And I’m thankful we’re not getting the sleet the weather people called for. I’ll be on the road with all the other crazies. We don’t need the chance of an accident when there’s all that turkey to consume!) Gobble! Gobble! Thursday, November 11th, 2010
Your hard work, service, and dedication are neither forgotten, nor overlooked. My family has a strong history of military service: grandfathers on both my mother’s and father’s side of the family and more uncles than I can count have served. Some have given their lives in service, some have dedicated their lives to serving. Pictured is my great-uncle, Walter J. Rakowski. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as an Ordnance Officer (ammunition) up until the time he died in service. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. I often wonder, not just on days of remembrance, what life would have been like had they not made the choice to enlist. I know it wouldn’t be as good as it is. To all U.S. Military personnel: Thank You. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Web site, History of Veteran’s Day: The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words: Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.  Rest In Peace, Uncle Walter. Rest In Peace all who have served our country and are no longer with us. |
Writers - Maryland Writer's Assn. |
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Monday is Valentine’s Day!