Sunday, December 31, 2006

Year's End 2006

A custom for many at the end of the year is to pause, think back over the last year and what best and worst has come from it. A few items I thought about are: books, not newly published but new to me. “Jane Austen, A Life” by Claire Tomalin published in 1997 and “Her Own Woman, The Life of Mary Wollstonecraft” by Diane Jacobs published in 2001 are two of the best books I read out of many excellent ones. Curiously they are about two women writers living in the same time period, the late 1700s and early 1800s but living very different lives. Both their lives were severely affected by the lack of fortunes left to care for them. Yet both have left an imprint, both are still being read about and their works republished two hundred years later.

Another book that thrilled me (that I could read and learn about them) was “Stealing Heaven, The Love Story of Heloise and Abelard” by Marion Meade published in 1979. Nine hundred years after the fact, the love this couple shared until they died, separated by the walls of convents and monasteries is still exciting in the printed form. How can I choose a ‘best’ book? Impossible.

Looking over the videos I acquired this year in the absence of having television channels I choose The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes and Lynn Collins. This movie has it all, a great acting cast, great background music, great quality, colorful period clothing and scenes of a favorite city, Venice. Love, mystery, humor, history and the dialog of a poet. What more can there be?

I choose BBC’s “The Duchess of Duke Street” for the best series. This story has been around for a while, but I just found it by chance. Based on the true story of Edwardian Rosa Lewis who began as a servant and emerged into the owner-manager of the London society’s sought after private hotel, the Bentinck.

For the music category I have taken classical music into my sphere of listening. This came about by watching-Impromtu, Children of the Century and Chopin, Desire for Love-all videos of George Sand and Frederic Chopin and their mutual friend, Franz Liszt. After watching the movies I just had to know more about their music and I’m following up with books on their lives and other composers of classical music.
It’s been a good that will hopefully lead on to more good things in 2007.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Bizarre Happening

For the end of the year I report a bizarre happening to me. This is an extreme event that is hard to believe but true. I’m not an athletic person but have played baseball, football and soccer as a youth. I ran and walked for daily exercise for the past 15 years and now ride a stationary bike nearly everyday to keep up bone density, strength, etc.

Yesterday while sitting in a wing-backed chair reading a smallish size book, “A Mapmaker’s Dream” Meditations of Fra Mauro, Cartographer of the Court of Venice, by James Cowan I sprained my wrist! I was holding the book in my left hand, thumb on the inside, next three fingers on the outside and pinkie on the inside opposite page. Try it. Since the book is new and 7” X 5” I applied quick pressure to open the pages wider to read along the crease easier. Yipes! I pulled some kind of muscle or delicate vein or something that now gives me great pain at the slightest wrong movement. Bizarro!
Of course I wrapped it. Can you imagine trying to explain to a doctor how I sprained my wrist?

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Remembering Names

Everyone seems to have their own little ways of remembering names. Some with thought association as in what the person looks like i.e. John Bull-think of an English Bulldog, Mary Kay-think pink, Alice Bird-think bluejay. This can be embarrassing if you slip and use the association word instead of the name. Oh well.

Others use the repeat technique. Repeat the person’s name over and over again as you’re shaking hands, of course it’s hard to listen to what is being said while you’re concentrating on your repeats. Also it’s difficult to do this when you’re meeting several people at once.

Another way is to really look at a person while you’re hearing their name. I like to use this technique. This makes it especially embarrassing that I recently, in my last blog, took two fine individuals and formed them into one. My apologies to June Gibbs and Judy Baker. My mind was too full of bathing puppies, associating you both with the joyful event.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

New Puppy Wash

When June Gibbs invited me to the puppy wash at the new Animal Shelter, I heartily agreed to be there on Friday. The event is no longer a social gathering of animal lovers sharing an evening of volunteering, but it’s just as satisfying.

While waiting for a working crew to check in I played with the kittens. This gives them a chance to be out of their cages with the reassuring comfort of human touch. It gives me comfort, too. Sometimes I just get so busy with life. Stopping to play with a kitten or a puppy brings me right back to basic human needs. A connection.
The new facilities at the shelter are great to work in, organized, efficient. The puppies are as much fun as always, showing their different personalities early in their life. Some sit docile, letting us rub and scrub them, others are so full of energy they can’t sit still. They all love being towel dried getting ready to meet their adopted parents.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Florence Poets Society

The Florence Poets Society gave me another reason to give thanks this Thanksgiving Holiday. On Friday when I plucked open my mailbox a thick envelope lay there with their Massachusetts return address on the envelope. A question mark appeared in my mind as I walked to the house.

After tearing the envelope open, I read the brief note sticking out from a soft-covered book from co-director Carl Russo suggesting I see page 44. Wow! They published my “words & paper &” poem in the Silkworm 2006 annual review of the Florence Poets Society under the Poets of Distinction section. A complete but delightful surprise.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Bordentown Weekend

Heading back for a weekend to a place where I have planted deep roots was a replenishing of friendships and an awakening that change takes place while I’m gone. Breaking bread and drinking wine is still my favorite way to keep my friendships cemented. There is something ancient in sharing a table laden with food, drink, and the revealing of tales, like King Arthur and his Knights or the Pilgrims and the American Natives on Thanksgiving.

How could anyone do you wrong after the telling of stories across the table? Stories are meant to give the listener an insight to the teller. The reverse works just as well. Even though the sagas are for entertainment, true or no, the words will be remembered while the pimple on his nose will be long forgotten.

The first place to sup was breakfast at the Park Street Café, where everyone knows your name. And just in case they’ve forgotten, it’s written on your coffee mug. This warm spot has conversations bubbling over and hearty welcomes greeting you at the door. Discussions at my table are of a wide range and filled with laughter.

If you are ever feeling lonely, just stand on the sidewalk of Farnsworth Avenue in the business area. There is always someone passing by to say hello. In my case, Patti bumped into me and invited me to Oliver’s for lunch with Suzanne, Charlotte and Peggy. The new owners have kept the Oliver tradition of ‘food to tell your friends about’ and made additions with their own personal touch. Wonderful.

Friday night was a late dinner at the Wisdom Café with Pete, Tom and Anne. The next table over was two thirds of the Ellis family plus their friends. There are always good stories to be heard from them, to add to the tales at our own table. We all enjoyed our dinners immensely.

Saturday daytime was the Arcadia Authors’ Panel Discussion/book signing. The evening gathered us at the Blue Danube, owned by Margaret and Peter from Bordentown City. This is always my choice of restaurants to go to in Trenton. Stained glass windows are the exterior first clue to the coziness of the two rooms and bar interior with eastern European pottery, paintings and tapestries adorning the walls and shelving. Our server has been there as long as the owners, making her a welcome sight, too. We all enjoyed our dinners enhanced by pitchers of Sangria made earlier, especially for us.

Sunday loomed with the nagging thought that I was to leave my familiar friends and haunts. First, Prateeti was to join Anne and I for a lunch at the Sticky Wicket. It took us about a half hour to eat, but reluctant to part; we stayed for a full three hours.
I carried another round of wonderful memories back to North Carolina to be brought out on a gloomy day, a reminder of the good fortune in my life.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Animal Ark Grand Opening

The slight mist hanging over the Grand Opening of the Animal Ark in Warrenton, NC didn’t deter any of the high spirits wafting the air today, Thursday, November 2. Emcee Luke Lucas stressed that the building to house animals abandoned or in need of a home was completed under budget and three months before the original completion date. The ground breaking was exactly one year ago today. That’s a wonder in itself. He also mentioned that a value of over one hundred fifty thousand dollars was donated. Of course, we at CAP already knew that and we know how hard CAP members worked to obtain the donations.

Folks came from great distances, if only to learn how Warren County did this fine job. Dignitaries were in abundance. Politicians were name-dropping. Their own that is. Over and over speakers mentioned the determination of volunteer June Gibbs to get the job done and done right. She was definitely the star of the afternoon. Rightfully so. It was also mentioned that the Animal Ark is the finest in the entire state of North Carolina.
CAP President, Laura Thompson, brought her natural sense of humor to the podium by unleashing a long roll of paper, presumably with the names of all those who deserve thanks for their imput with this project. She spoke sincerely and brought a perfect end to the lovely Grand Opening of this beautiful, modern animal shelter.

Saturday, October 28, 2006

New Mystery Series

A Killer Collection is the first in a new series of collectible mysteries by JB Stanley. Molly Appleby writes for a weekly newspaper for collectors. On assignment, she just happens to be present when a big-deal pottery buyer dies at a semi-annual kiln opening. Relying on her instinct, she senses something amiss.

As she interviews different potters for her paper, she learns (and we do, too) about how a clump of clay becomes a desired piece, highly collectible. She also comes across information that proves the obnoxious buyer didn’t die by accident or suicide.

A former owner of her own antique shop, her mother Clara, is now a partner in an antique auction house, freeing her up to roam around the countryside, attending the right events. She and Molly team up to solve the crime and the others that follow.

Stanley delightfully weaves, humor, personal interest and a collector’s knowledge all into a cozy mystery.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Arcadia Authors’ Day

Exciting news! The Burlington County Library of NJ is holding an Images of America, Arcadia Authors’ Day 2006 at the library on November 11 beginning at 10 a.m. running until 3 p.m. Three of us who have written multiple books for Arcadia will serve on a panel. We’ll be discussing the ins and outs of writing an Arcadia book about Burlington County towns or subjects relating to them. An additional eight Arcadia authors will be in attendance also. The sepia picture covers of Arcadia books have become a beacon for anyone looking for town history. When displayed at the bookstore, they seem to just pull you to them like Mom’s apple pie cooling on a windowsill.

Refreshments will be served and Arcadia books will be available for sale, signed by your favorite authors, of course.

I’ve attended author panel discussions at Book Festivals and enjoyed them very much. I’ve never been on one so I’m delighted to have this first experience. I think. I’ll tell you more about that after the day is over.

Burlington County Library is located at 5 Pioneer Blvd. Westhampton NJ 080260 tele. 609- 267-9660 email: genealogy@bcls.lib.nj.us www.bcls.lib.nj.us

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Book Reviewers

I read book reviews. It’s one way to tell, from sitting at your kitchen table on a Sunday morning, whether a book is one you will enjoy reading. At least it is a first step, a hook to pull you in. Certainly one cannot always rely on someone else’s opinion about anything, especially fiction. In times past, a person has said to me, “Oh, this is a ‘must’ read. You’re gonna love it.” Well, I’ve taken that advice a few times and can’t say I always (actually, rarely) loved the book. Sometimes I was bored, sometimes the story was disappointing, and sometimes I disliked the writing style of the author.

Book reviews published in the newspaper or on the net can give you indications of the story subject, characters, plotlines, etc. Recently the reviewer told the complete plot, including which character gets killed by mistaken identity. Another told of a main character marrying and being unfaithful in the same sentence before we even got a chance to experience his falling in love. Do reviewers really have to reveal so much of the story? Why should I bother to buy a book when I already know what’s going to happen to everyone in the story. Half the fun of reading fiction is the unfolding of the story. Some novels depend on your curiosity and wanting to know what happens next.
Please let us enjoy the surprises the author planned for us.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Power Surge

Just when I thought all these little annoying PC problems had reached their peak, one more was piled on top. On a cool, sunny, perfect Wednesday afternoon, 10th September 2006 at 1:00 while I was chasing the shark (vacuum) around the house, I heard a distinctive POP! I had no idea what the girls (cats) were up to now but had no time to investigate. Company's coming so I had to finish my cleaning. Soon a terrible odor filtered out into the living room. An odor that couldn't be ignored. I adjusted my plan and followed it to the the source, my office.

My PC showed a blank screen that had been lit up just a brief few minutes ago. I crawled under the desk to check the outlet. Yep, you guessed it. A POWER SURGE! My surge protector was burnt out, blackened and stunk something awful! My printer was still on but the PC refused to light up. Oh, man! Everything else in the house seemed OK. Uh, oh. Not so. The TV was blown, but not the rabbit ears. Go figure that one. It always happens to the one that costs a lot more to replace.

A trip to Norlina Computer and Alan reassured me a 24-hour restoration of my PC for less than $100. Another $100 plus, for three new power surge protectors that Radio Shack swears really work. Is there no end? Could be worse, I keep telling myself. Guess I'll be reading more books than watching DVDs for awhile.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Easy Astrology Books

Astrology has always fascinated me. It is so accurate in revealing personalities born at certain times of the year and time of day. Your sun sign directs your life path and knowing this in advance can make your life easier. It can also help by diverting you away from individuals who do not interact well with your sign. ‘Tis a pity I didn’t have ‘Sun Signs’ by Linda Goodman published in 1968 when I was younger and could have benefited even more from it. This is a fun book, too, easy to read and nails down the personalities of people in your life.

A more recent book on astrology, published in 2006 in softcover, also easy to understand and very entertaining is ‘Houses’ A Contemporary Guide by Gwyneth Bryan of Bordentown, NJ. She begins with an explanation of house-based astrology, making it simpler for the novice. Coming to know your houses by your birth chart will help you to understand your self and many of the experiences you’ve managed to live through.

Even if you draw a total blank when looking at your astrological chart, you may enjoy reading how the case studies of birth charts that reveal the life paths of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Warren Beatty, Martha Stewart, Madonna and other well-known personalities. Saturn is among the planets in the Fourth House of Gloria Steinem. While she lived a troubled childhood caring for her severely depressed mother, a seed was also planted to help other women in stressful situations. Losing herself in books she eventually became a leader for women, guiding them through her leadership position in Ms magazine. Her chart is on page 14.

Just Google ‘free astrological chart’ to find a few locations online to print out your chart. Or read these two books first for pure enjoyment. Remember to read the Foreword and Introductions in both. Enjoy.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Learning New Stuff

Learning new things is good for us. It keeps our minds working, sharpening mental skills at all ages. New goals in learning keep our zest for living active. Learning something new enhances our overall sense of well-being. Except when it comes to learning new programs on the PC.

This new camera-to-computer is more than challenging; it’s maddening, frustrating and infuriating! The instructions that pop up on the monitor may seem to be written in English but they are as confusing as if they were written in Greek. I keep trying to tell the PC what I want it to do, the PC keeps telling me what it is going to do and that I lack something they need me to do. But I can’t figure out how to do what it wants me to do!

Eventually I’ll learn this process, too. Then I will realize that the new camera is a much better process than the old way. And easier. But getting there is another matter. In the meantime, enjoy.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Digital-Smigital

Happy that my computer has been just humming along, I decided it was time to learn all about how to operate the new camera I absolutely had to have, two months ago. It’s been sitting on my coffee table staring at me, daring me to try my hand at taking digital photos. This is a must for any ebayer.

My ‘old’ digital has been working for only five years. But it uses floppys and my new PC doesn’t. I keep thinking about the cameras of the past that I used for ten or twenty years and were still in fine working condition when I gave them away.

I took a few photos I needed for my pages in the 2007 IWWG Travel Journal that’s being put together via Marilyn Day to celebrate thirty years the Guild has been guiding women writers. Taking the photos was easy. I plugged the camera into my PC that sent a message to my printer. Terrible, unrecognizable black and white photos came out of my printer. Several times. I then scanned the photos that I wanted. Nothing happened there. Blank sheets came out.

My neighbor Lora printed out the color photos for me with her printer.

But that only solved the present problem. I investigated further and found out, via my PC, that my printer and scanner were not compatible with my new computer! This called for another trip to Raleigh to buy a new printer. What good is a writer without a printer?

This time I got lucky. I bought a new printer/scanner combination for less than a hundred dollars. $99 to be exact. I was ecstatic! Of course, then I had to buy a cable $35, back-up ink jets, $31 and of course the two-year service contract for $20. Seems that nothing is simple these days. Enjoy.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

PC Indigestion

A short time ago we had a thunder and lightening storm here in Macon. We were taught to enjoy these summer storms and watched them from our dry, big front porch. The storms still fascinate me, though I unplug my telephone line and computer at the first sign of severe thunder.

So I couldn’t imagine what happened when I couldn’t get online Friday night or Saturday morning. Panic set in by Saturday night. Sunday was a day crossed between moping, raging and beating myself up mentally for not knowing more about the mechanisms of computers.

The telephone line buzzed so loudly that the operator couldn’t hear my complaints on Monday. When I called her on my reliable cell phone, she told me it was a computer problem. I called AOL, who said it was a software problem. I called Gateway who said it was ISP problem. I called Micro-soft who said I needed a new modem.

On Tuesday I bought a new modem, still no online service. On Wednesday,I received news that they now knew the telephone was an outside problem with the lines. they gave me promises to fix it,

On Thursday, in a panic that my children never saw, even in the worst of their growing up, I unplugged all those wires from the back of my computer. Wrapping my arms around it, clutching it tighter than the last bag of eggs, milk and bread before a snowstorm, I gently set it on the front seat of my car. Next I hooked up the seat belt-around the computer-almost forgetting to secure it around me.

I drove to Norlina Computers. Alan plugged it in to his get-up. He was online in seconds!

Not a thing wrong with my Big Information Machine at all!

I drove home unsure of the mood I should be in. I was happy that it wasn’t a technical problem, but I was annoyed that my telephone still wasn’t fixed. Still, there was that promise that it would be……….. Enjoy.

CAP Puppy Wash

Recently I experienced my first CAP puppy wash. I was a little apprehensive because two cats reign supreme in my house. Plus I haven’t had any real contact with dogs since my kids grew up a long time ago. Seventeen pups were listed to be washed, towel dried, nails trimmed and smelling ready to meet their new families. The puppies were tagged to go.

Since I was the new volunteer not knowing just what to do, I picked up the pups one at a time from the incoming pen, held them, petted them and generally calmed them before placing them into the bath. Two people that knew what they were doing took over.
I think that each pup was happy to have personal touch and soothing since most of these were abused or abandoned animals. Sometimes both. If holding these pups reassured them that someone cared, it put me back in touch with how loving a puppy can be. My heart went out to a particular few that looked into my eyes with expressions that made me want to take them home with me. Alas, they were spoken for.

I graduated from holding to towel drying. Ah. There’s something special about towel drying a dog, like towel drying a young child after a bath. An invisible bond forms that lingers in my thoughts after the dogs have been loaded up into the van, ready to leave North Carolina and I’m home playing with my cats. But I’m thinking of those pups tugging at my heart.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Southern Fried Women

I just finished reading a collection of stories in "Southern Fried Women' by IWWG writer Pamela King Cable. The struggles, triumphs and laughter other women have lived went straight to my heart, touching me deeply as I recognized we share some of the same joys and burdens but with different backgrounds. The time-gone-by settings are familiar to some, new to others, delightful to read for all. These are full bodied tales that leave you satisfied. A good read, find it at: www.pamelacable.com.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Tomato Pie

During our Warrenton Women Writers session last night, our assignment was to write about a decade of our life. This pertained to last month’s exercise of writing about a favorite house we lived in sometime in our life. I chose 1945 to 1955. Included in my piece was the Saturday night special for my brother and I. We were treated to a tomato pie and allowed to stay up to watch “Midwestern Hayride.”

Eyebrows shot up when I read my piece. Silly smiles on their faces asking “What’s a tomato pie?” They immediately told me of their instant imaginations of what it could be. Sliced tomatoes between two layers of pie crust? Hunks of tomatoes wrapped up in a pie crust? Ugh, was their first reaction.

We all laughed when I explained this earlier creation of pizza. It was a thin crust with crushed tomatoes on it rather than the tomato sauce used on pizza. I still remember Papa’s Tomato Pies on Chambers Street in the Italian section of Trenton called Chambersburg. Wonderful memories. Writing brings them all back again.

Monday, April 10, 2006

A Writing Retreat in the Company of Women VI

This past weekend is the third time I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the Writing Retreat in the Company of Women, the sixth annual event organized by Doris Larson held at Punderson Manor State Park in Newbury, Ohio. Doris is the author of the “Great Inn Getaways” and “Bed and Breakfasts Getaways’ both from Cleveland Ohio area. You can see her creations at http://www.innwriter.com/home.html.

Only this year Doris couldn’t be there as she began recuperating from an emergency hip operation. Marsha McGregor did a wonderful job filling in for her with the help of Celeste Billhartz. Sixty-two women came for the weekend. An additional 18 came for the day. This writing retreat is like the appetizer to the IWWG’s main course of a week-long writing conference at Skidmore College in Saratoga New York in June. It’s a cozy, friendly setting for writing. Very inspiring.

We wrote under the guidance of creative and skilled teachers of their own genres, Pat Carr, Judi Beach, Marilyn Zembo Day, Judith Prest, Deanna Adams, Sandra Gurvis and Judy Huge, teaching Write to Heal. I started each day learning a body/mind stretch with Yoga instructor Pam Frost. She put us in good shape to begin our writing day. Writing in the company of other women writing is encouraging and inspirational. Of course we had a lot of fun, too.

Doris and Marsha and a few of the other participants belong to an Ohio writing group that can be found at:
http://www.albanypoets.com/womanwords/womanwords_writing.html.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Virginia Festival of the Book

This past weekend presented a first experience for me, the 12th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, VA. Even though I checked out their website for the event, I was not prepared for the excitement of the full scheduled selections of each day and into night. Panels of authors in all genres were offered. There were too many to mention here. You can find all the information at: http://www.vabook.org/

My friend, poet Hilda Ward alerted me to this adventure months in advance, graciously inviting me to stay with her. Hilda introduced me to authors, poets, publishers, volunteers and the folks who produced this smoothly run happening. I am immensely grateful for her hospitality.

Sunday night as a closing for the Festival, David Baldacci hosted friends Barbara Kingsolver and John McCutcheon appearing on stage together for the first time. She read some of her deeply moving poetry in a bid for peace. John joined her with his music. It was a very fitting ending, calming the excitement with a plea to end this war.

I bought a tall stack of books at the Fest, but was still delighted to visit a couple of used books shops in the neighborhood.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Each Life is Worth the Telling

Last weekend I attended the International Women’s Writing Guild sponsored, “Each Life is Worth the Telling” workshop for Carolina women. The workshop was held at the Lincolnton Cultural Center in the charming town of the same name. Director Hannelore Hahn flew down from New York City to lead us in our writing, reading and telling. Excitement swirled in the air as this group of approximately twenty women met, most for the first time.

We all came from either North or South Carolina with different backgrounds and different stories but with the common bond of being women who write. By the time lunch was ready, a visitor would have thought we were old friends reuniting after a long period away. Everyone that wanted to read had the opportunity to be heard. Some brought material with them, we all wrote and read from our exercises of the day.

When it came time to call the workshop to a close, a reluctance filtered the room. Hugs, chatter, addresses exchanged, photos taken, all activities of the original group of strangers now parting as friends.

Many thanks go to Director Hannelore Hahn, Pamela Cable, Sue Hajec for their efforts of pulling together a great day and to Valerie King and Tina for their warm hospitality.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Crocus

The winter in the Macon area of NC cannot be compared to NJ winters. Heavy snow fell from the sky here on February 12, too. But none of it lay on top of the ground. A few days later I woke at 6:30 am to the landscape covered with two inches of snow. By ten o’clock in the morning there wasn’t a snowflake to be seen.

A few days later still, I took an hour to stroll around Warrenton absorbing the beautiful historic homes into my mind’s eye. I took time to sketch some of these lovely trees, naked without their leaves but showing the beauty of what lies underneath the leaves of spring, summer and autumn. Then I came upon a front yard with hundreds of lavender and white crocus in bloom. I stopped short, stunned. The flowers were wide open like tiny little mouths waiting to be fed. A breathtaking sight to be sure. And a reassuring one telling us nature is laying the groundwork for the spring soon coming to us.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Words, words, words

Do you have favorite words in your head that you use often? Not curse words that you use because you can’t think of the real word you really want to use. Words that pop into your conversation that you never tire of, but hope others don’t notice that you use them too often. Some words just roll around your tongue like a favorite dessert, and lay there feeding your innards. Some words take practice, repeating them over and over until they roll out like it was something natural for you to say. Like fettucine, linguine, prosciutto, funghi freschi, castagne, zuppa inglese. Forgive the food names, I’ve just finished reading ‘Poet of the Appetites” The Lives and Loves of MFK Fisher by Joan Reardon and it’s still sitting just under my surface. Her foods were French but mine are Italian. Once you conquer the correct sounds of words that are difficult at first try, they become fun to say.

A few of the words I use too often are delighted, sensuous, passion, positive, synchronicity and enjoy. I love all those words. The most recent word to creep into my flow of words, slowly and quietly, is “y’all.”

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Second Bordentown NJ Ghost Book

Second Bordentown NJ Ghost Book
Before I left Bordentown as a hometown to return to whenever I need a hometown ‘fix,’ I recorded twelve new stories of hauntings in Bordentown for the next book. Like the second Arcadia Bordentown book, I’ve expanded my area of ghostly doings into the township. If there are any Fieldsboro spirits floating around, connecting to mere mortals, I’d like to hear about those also.

The next trip north is scheduled for May when I will record another ten stories waiting for me. This is the first time I have written from listening to cassette tapes. I have a new respect for stenographers who earn their living doing this on a daily basis. It isn’t easy. My cassette player back-up button gets a lot of use.

For anyone with a personal story of things that ‘go bump in the night, or daytime, either’ please get in touch with me. I’d love to hear all about it. Enjoy.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Warrenton NC Writing Group

We enjoyed great fun at the first meeting of the women’s writing group in Warrenton, NC. Seven women came to hone their writing skills, laugh, talk and share experiences. Two women, never having met before, actually found that they both know the same person up in Newark NJ. For a February subject, all eight of us wrote about how we met a person we love, or have loved, in our lives. Some stories were hilariously funny, some poignant, some touching. All were interesting.

Writing together is a marvelous way to connect with like people, to heal yourself and to show others your view of the world. We reluctantly ended the evening before eight o’clock when the library closed. The IWWG is again responsible for forming a great group of women writers.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Women Writers Alert

I could hardly wait to slip into my old habits now that I’m getting organized and have my keyboard under my fingers again. The first ‘thing’ outside of home stuff that I did was to go to the Warrenton County Memorial Library to ask if I could use their room to hold a Women Writers Group. The head librarian agreed graciously. If you are a woman, like to write, want to write or have been writing, come on down and join in on Wednesday, February 15 from 6:30 to 8:00. That’s p.m. All you need to bring is paper and pen. It’s free and experience is not necessary, only the desire to write. It’s through the encouragement of the International Women’s Writing Guild that the group meets.

The Warrenton County Library is at 117 S. Main Street in Warrenton NC. If you need further information, email me at; asbice@aol.com

If you are not in this area but would like to join a women’s writing group, check into the website: http://iwwg.org
Enjoy.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Some Assembly Required

One of the first things to do after un-packing, was set up an office. Upon the sage advice of my good friend Joe, I ordered a decent computer desk from Office Depot. No sense in simplifying things so I also got a file cabinet and a few odds and ends. Now that I’m living in the country they agreed to deliver to my door.

They did. The young, charming tractor-trailer driver brought my stuff and my 170-pound computer desk into the office. The desk was in a box. Now I knew ‘some assembly required’ was on the picture on the website. But I didn’t know ‘all assembly was required.’ They even suggested I count all the pieces to be sure everything I needed was there. I’m not sure I can count as high as the pieces before me.

Some assembly was required with my file cabinet. I screwed the handles on, after they sent them separately of course. They forgot when they sent the cabinet that handles were required also.

I lay all the pieces out flat so the wood wouldn’t curl by the time I got to it. Every day I looked at the pieces and said to my cats. “I can do this. It’s simply a matter of reading and following directions. I can do that.”

After ten days of looking and talking to my cats, I ran into my new neighbors at the gas station-food store. We exchanged pleasantries. Out popped “I may have some little stuff around the house that I am too busy to do. Do you know of any local handymen?”

Bless Joe Caplan and my new neighbors. I now have a great work station.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

New Girl in Town

New Girl in Town

Well, you would think moving to a new location would not be a big deal. Like what is it to email your friends the new address and telephone number, right? Wrong. You just aren’t aware of how many address changes have to be made and won’t be accepted by email. To list a very few: social security, ebay, paypal, professional associations, banks, magazines & newspapers, credit card accounts, attorney, accountant, investment broker, societies i.e. historical. It seems just like packing up to move; there is always one more thing forgotten.

Then when you arrive and come up for air from under the bubble wrap and tissue paper it’s time to go to the doctor’s for a check-up. Which one? Where do you go for a referral?

I try to go to the post office at times it will be less crowded because I can. I went to Littleton and noticed the clerk wore a nice ‘do’. I asked “where do you get your haircut?” She smiled and quickly answered “Rumors in Roanoke Rapids.” Then I continued. “I’m new to the area and that is the hardest thing to come by, haircuts, doctors, etc.” Just as quickly she answered. “Need a really good doctor, too? Dr.Replogle at Littleton Family Practice near the Food Lion.” From there our conversation continued. I received some very helpful information.

A couple of my new ‘neighbors’ up the road apiece also responded when I asked the same questions. These are recommendations I can rely on. They don’t benefit as a sales person would. They’ve lived in the area for many years and know the ‘skinny’ on where to go and where not to go. Blessings at earth level.