Announcements and a Photo

I’d like to start this blog post by wishing everyone a very happy Friday!  Happy Friday! 

There are a few topics to talk about today. First – I’d like to wish my husband a wonderful birthday. I can’t sing his praises enough.  Not only is he an excellent father but he is the most amazing husband too.  He is that perfect mix of child-like amusement with all of the responsibilities of adulthood.  I feel blessed to witness all of the joys he brings to the world and to see how amazing he truly is.  Happy Birthday Mr. C!

Second, I have a little announcement about the grand unveiling of a very unique and exciting non-profit organization.  For the Next was born from a lot of work and determination.  How do I know about all the work that went into this organization?  Because Mr. C is one of those who helped to create it!  For the Next provides the public with access to many local environmental organizations.  If you have a chance, check it out.  If anything, you can have a glimpse of Mr. C’s programming and design handiwork.

Finally, I’d like to leave you with a photo prompt.

This is a picture of downtown in November.  I believe the family and I were trying to walk away the calories from a delicious lunch of curried French fries.  But I am certain you can come up with a more interesting story. 

I will be traveling about the country for the next few days, so you may find that my posts are less frequent than normal.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

NaNot, and other things happening in November

I know there are several of you crazy writerly friends who are braving the trials and tribulations of NaNo this month.  I applaud you, no really, I do!  Id love to have that opportunity to BIC and type until my fingers fall off.  However, November happens to be a very, VERY crazy month. So instead, I am keeping my fingers firmly attached to my hands while I grab my favorite pom-poms and cheer for those who are jumping into their WIP for the next four weeks.  “W-R-I-T-E!  Write write write!!!”

So here is what’s happening for the month of November:

A road trip.  Yep, a road trip.  This is a road trip that will require at least 8 hours of driving per day.  I will be gone for a few days and I might even arrive back home with all my hair intact.  (Or maybe most of it.)  But this journey will be fun as I find my way back to people willing to say they are related to me, and the joys of spending time in their presence.

It is also time for me to hide, since it is prime Turkey season and many of my online buddies (Who know me as TurkeyLurkey) are already discussing the different cooking methods they plan to use on me.  *Gulp*

For this month, writing takes a back seat to real life.

Do you have any big November plans?

Taking it with you

I’ve had a few little adventures to the doctor and dentist’s offices lately.  (All minor stuff – I hope)  These ‘adventures’ could have been spent in utter boredom, but instead, I found myself in an exciting world as I turned the pages of my book while sitting in the waiting room.   In his book ‘On Writing’ Steven King discusses the importance of reading.  His reasoning was simple:  You can’t be a good writer if you don’t read.  He also suggested taking a book with you, no matter where you are going.  When I first read this, I laughed.  Obviously Mr. King never took his kids on errands with him.  However, hubby has been available to do the babysitting for me during these medical visits.  So, I remembered to take a book with me every time I left the house.  I read while in the waiting room, read while waiting for the Dr. to examine me and even read while waiting for my prescription to be ready.  All in all, three chapters were covered during a single doctor’s outing but, more importantly, I came home without feeling frustrated.  I’d even call it a pleasant experience.  (Ok, maybe not completely pleasant.) 

So, what am I currently reading?
An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Its been a few years since I’ve read this classic.  In fact, the last time I read Dracula, I was in my early 20s and still in college.  It is interesting to see how stories can change and evolve as we grow and change.  During my first reading, I remember feeling a little bummed that the story didn’t have any romance in it.  (Can you tell I had a crush on Gary Oldman?)  However, I did enjoy the book and took note of the differences between it and Coppola’s movie.  Now, as a middle age mom/writer (and still having a crush on Gary Oldman) I read this book with a completely different reaction.  Certain scenes actually disturb me.  The entire ‘feeling’ during the book is dark and very oppressive. As a writer, I’m amazed at how the book was written.  Stoker created an entire, goosebumpy story out of journals, news clippings, telegrams and diaries written by various characters.  (Also known as an epistolary novel.)  The story was a work of genius, or at least a very good writer.

(Oh, and I could go on and on about the underlying themes of the industrial revolution with the development of steam powered machines, biological science, sex, religion and the developing role women and society had as a result of the changes industry was making.)

Have you ever read a book for the first time, again?

Stuff and some more Stuff

I’ve been trying to come up with something worth posting.  You’d think this was easy since I am not exactly a daily poster.  (Bows to those who have something to write every day)  But, honestly, there hasn’t been a whole lot of writing going on.  I did write a poem this week, but I must say that most if my ‘creative energy’ is being spent in other directions.  Namely, my health!  (I think I have reached the age were every year generates a new little health issue.  Is this the downswing to convalescence and death?  Ugh.)

I have also been spending some time tapping my fingers impatiently.  I have a short story being published in an anthology at the end of this month and the end is nigh!  But I haven’t heard any news yet.  (Taps fingers)  I also submitted a horror Tweet to Tweet the Meat and they decided to initiate a torture ritual.  They are counting down their top 5 entries by revealing one each evening.  Last night they revealed the fourth place entry, and tonight will be third place.  Each day I am checking my Twits (Whew, glad I included the ‘w’) wondering if I am at least in the top 5.  Just shove toothpicks under my fingernails and be done with it!!  (Taps fingers)

Oh, and speaking of torture and health issues, I have the wonderful experience of visiting my dentist yet again this week.  During the past four weeks, I have been eating and drinking through one side of my mouth because the teeth that received new fillings are entirely way too sensitive.  Every little grain and kernel feels like it is splitting my teeth apart and if I were to drink cold liquids, I may as well just pour it over an open nerve.  (Gah!)  I visited the dentist two weeks ago so she could take a look at my new fillings and discover the source of this pain.  Apparently, one of the new fillings is less than a millimeter away from my nerve.  Since the pain hasn’t vanished after a week of using Extra Strength Sensodine, I may be looking at a root canal.  (Sob)

On a lighter note, I am looking forward to celebrating Halloween, which is, of course, the gateway into our string of holidays here in the US.  Our city is having a neat little festival in the old town area.  What better way to spend a spooky evening, than to wander around Victorian homes and store fronts?

So, what’s happening in your life?

Hallows Eve

Mystic evening has approached,
Drowning the light; goblins delight.
Fairer evils dance and approach,
Doorsteps bright; footsteps alight.

Mirror the moon and drink the fairy,
Don the sheets and make some merry,
Hallows Eve, come and play
Before the night becomes the day.

Banshees wail and scream with glee,
Flying through clouds; under their shrouds.
Humans below scream and flee,
Phantoms are proud; they holler out loud.

Mirror the moon and drink the fairy,
Don the sheets and make some merry,
Hallows Eve, come and play,
Before the night becomes the day.

Bags in hand for sinful sweets,
Glutt’nous greed; time to feed.
Holler and moan the sun they meet,
Humans freed, darkness recede.

Part with the moon and toss the fairy
The sun has come; we mustn’t tarry
Hallows Eve, gone away
Now the night has turned to day.

In the Stacks

October’s Reading List

I’ve been spending a lot of time (Probably too much time) trying to piece together an outfit to wear to a wedding next month.  Unfortunately my figure isn’t made for dresses, so I’ve decided to go with a pantsuit.  (Have I mentioned how much I hate shopping?)  So, last weekend I took advantage of football season and left the hubs with the little ones at home to watch the games while I tackled the local shopping arenas.

(Side note – I’ve noticed a few advantages to this current economic downswing.  1. Lots of sales.  2. Salespeople are now incredibly nice and helpful, EVEN in the expensive stores!)

After I made a few stops trying to find slacks that fit curvy hips and short legs, (I tried on 12 pairs of pants!!) I decided to make a pit stop at the most wonderful place in the mall.  Boarders.

Mmm…. The smell of coffee mingled with new books instantly calmed my nerves, so of course I decided to spend the $$ on a couple of paperbacks and with the addition of a book lent to me by a friend, I now have my reading list for the month! 

Dracula – If you haven’t read this classic story yet, I highly recommend it.  It isn’t quite the ‘romance‘ that Coppola depicted back in ‘92, but the basic plot of the movie does follow the book.

An Irish Country Village – I’ve already read the first book of this three book series and my father lent me the third book which I will read in December.  (Its a Christmas book.)  So, when I was enjoying the sights and smells of Boarders, I decided to snatch the second book for some comfy reading by the fire this fall.

Three Cups of Tea – This book was lent to me by a friend.  She highly recommends reading it.  I haven’t opened the pages just yet though.  Last month was filled with deep and serious books and for now I am taking a bit of a breather.  However, I will get to this one in November. 

Now, if only I can find a way to wear books at the wedding.  Hmmm…..

Writers don’t write and read ALL the time.

Ok, maybe some of you do.  This person, however, likes a little televised entertainment now and then and for me, Mondays are the best days for sitting on the couch and letting my brain take a back seat to the pretty flashing lights.  My current favorite shows are ‘Lie to Me’ and ‘Castle’.  I’ll even put down a good book to watch ‘Lie to Me.’  Honest!

Here is my favorite TV show rundown….

Lie to Me
Castle
Cougar Town (Hilarious!)
The Office
And
How I Met Your Mother (This is slowly sliding off my list though.  Its getting cheezy.)

Some of you may have noticed that I am not watching any of the popular reality shows.  There is a good reason for that.  Horrible writing.    Once they come up with a good script, I might actually watch one.  And maybe my opinion of reality shows has something to do with me being a writer.  I enjoy good writing whether it is screenwriting, book writing, or even the occasional Hallmark card.  If it is good and witty, I like it.  Personally, I think it would be a blast to work as a writer for one of my favorite shows.

What are some of your favorite TV shows and could you imagine yourself writing the script?

October Weekend Photo Prompt

I wanted to find a scene that was a little spooky for an October Photo Prompt.  I hope this does the trick.  It was taken at a camping spot last summer.  Can you think of something eerie about this place?

Hero: Not just a meaty sandwich anymore….

I just finished reading an article at SBTB.  They discuss what I call ‘The Modern Hero’.  In the blog, a comparison is made between men who are often depicted as heroes in romance novels and men who are the quiet heroes;  the men who are willing to hold their wife’s purse in the waiting room while their loved ones undergo cancer treatment.

Often we think of heroes as macho men who are strong and dominant with bulging muscles and perhaps gold chains.  But I think the modern male hero is one who isn’t puffing up his chest and playing the ‘bad boy’ part.  He is the man who looks forward to being with his family, who is willing to change a few diapers and mop up the puke.  He is a man who sees the boundaries of ‘men’s work’ and ‘woman’s work’ as negotiable.  He is the quiet hero.  The one who doesn’t boast or brag, the one that encourages and adores those he loves.  I know that many romance novels have male MC’s that tend to be protective, beastly men who pull hair and ravage their women, (which is fun to read about) but when it comes to picking the guy that is a real life hero, there is definitely a very different list of requirements.

When reading this article, I couldn’t help but think of my father and my husband.  My father held my mother’s had through every sort of cancer treatment.  He adored her when she was bald; he adored her when her face was swollen from medications.  He always saw her beauty.  My husband is the same kind of man.  He is supportive, encouraging and willing to help when he is needed.  I may not see a lot of romance novels with a man holding his wife’s purse, but I know those heroes do exist.