Friends. What would we do without them.

Ah yes, today I write about friends. A friend will always be there for you.


A friend doesn't care what you look like.

Friends make you laugh.



Friends mean everything.


AR&T love you.
My best friend died recently of brain cancer and my heart broke. All I have now is memories and thoughts of what might be, that never will.
She was proud. I wonder if it had to do with her Indian heritage. She was strong and she was weak too. Gosh I miss her.

Peggy and me. But I have made a lot of friends through writing. Publishing a book gave me so much more than a book. It gave me a new outlook on life. Because now I have so many new friends my heart is overwhelmed. And I thank the powers that are every day for this new gift. Love you guys. Each and every one of you.

I'm Taking A Break From Promoting

Well I finally came to the decision that it was time to stop working on promoting my first book, entering contests, and reading and commenting on blogs. I have to start finishing my second book.
After reading and answering three or four different emails, I would read and comment on all the wonderful people I have met through writing. No one wants to write a blog and give a piece of themselves to people who never ever comment. Now I will admit it is a real time consuming thing. There are so many great writers whose blogs I go to. Talented, kind, genuine and honest people who teach me things, amuse me and fill my life with their fantastic books. I have so many I want to read, I could spend months doing that alone.
So, I have decided to kick my self in the butt, and stop everything except writing, my own blog, the few blogs I am hosting for the Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers, and one or two interviews. I have this wonderful tale in my head. Of pain, fright, tenderness, romance and the will to be what you are meant to be. I will do it in the past by the use of a special magic Celtic ring just like in my first book. Hopefully, I have learned and grown in my writing skills, and this one will be even better. I expect you all to let me know.
Cheers for now...I will be back soon.

I leave you with the gift of laughter. My very favorite gift.

SENIOR DRESS CODE

Many of us on the way to 50, over 50, & WAY over 50, are quite
confused
about how we should present ourselves.


We're unsure about the kind of image we are projecting and whether or
not we
are correct as we try to conform to current fashion. In spite of what
you may
have seen on the streets, the following combinations, DO NOT go together
and
should be avoided:


1. A nose ring and bifocals.
2. Spiked hair and bald spots.
3. A pierced tongue and dentures.
4. Miniskirts and support hose.
5. Ankle bracelets and corn pads.
6. Speedo's and cellulite.
7. A belly button ring and a gall bladder surgery scar.
8. Unbuttoned disco shirts and a heart monitor.
9. Midriff shirts and a midriff bulge.
10. Pierced nipples that hang below the waist.
11. Bikinis and liver spots.
12. Short shorts and varicose veins.
13. In-line skates and a walker...


And the ultimate 'Bad Taste' in fashion
for the older folks...

14. Thongs and Depends!

And this for a second laugh!

HOW TO INSTALL A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

1. Go to a secondhand store and buy a pair of used men's work boots, size 14-16 .
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.
3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads:

Bubba,

Big'un, Duke, Slim, & I went for more ammo and beer. Back in an hour.. Don't mess with the pit bulls - they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up bad. I don't think Killer took part, but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait outside.

Cooter

Love you guys.

Helping Fellow Authors

One of the most important things in my life is reading. I have read everything from The Rise and Fall of The Roman Empire to Bertrice Small. Reading is such an escape for me. Within minutes of starting a good book I am lost to the real world.

Now it starts to get harder when someone wants you to help critique their work. You know that this story is someones baby. It means a lot to them. And you can also remember how hard it was to hear someones critique of your work.

Now I find there is a nice way and a not so nice way to do this. Sometimes people don't think before they hit that send key. Me, I agonize over what impact my words will have on the persons book I am reading. You want to help but not hurt. And that can be very hard to do.

So my advise is to think about how you would feel and try to use words that are kind and helpful. Because basically that is all you can do.

Then there's the story that just knocks you out. From beginning to end you are enthralled. The worst thing you can say is you need a comma here or there. I have a critique partner that writes so well, it freaks me out. After reading her first book I can see the light went on in her head and she now gets it. Everything she puts out there now is right on. All I can say is Wow.

So if you are ever critiquing someones work be careful, remember there is an author behind
those stories. A writer just like you who has feelings, but needs your help. Be kind, be honest and remember why you are critiquing. To help a fellow author put out the best book she can!
That's what it's all about.

A good day

Florida doesn't have a dramatic change of seasons. It's subtle, but it's there. The sun is lower on the horizon, the nights aren't as stifling, and strong breezes bring the hope of cooler weather.
Farmers are planting their winter crops. Some of the vegetable as great, but I still can't stomach those tasteless Florida tomatoes. But I do look forward to melons, corn, and other fresh edibles.
I don't need as much chlorine in the pool which is good. That stuff is expensive. But without a heater it's not as appealing. The rain cools it down as well as the fountains I love to listen too.
I find myself starting to write again, a little. Which is a lot better than nothing. A bit every day and eventually that second manuscript just might become a book. I can't plot, my head won't let me. So I wait until it comes. I just can't imagine how some writers can push them out so fast. It amazes me to see it.
My dog is starting to scratch less from allergies. The money I have spent on his vet bills have made a deep cut into our finances. My vet says the only way to stop his allergies is to move. Try selling a house in this market.
I enjoyed blogging for Dayana Knight, pleased to be invited. Now I'm gonna bug her till she gets a blog written for me. I just love stories about wolves and Curse of the Marhime is on my short list. Maybe with less vet bills I can actually buy something for me.
I have been spending a lot of time promoting. I did a chat for The Wild Rose Press on Halloween night. People write so fast that by the time I finish what I was saying, they are long gone to a new topic. Well I'm trying to come into this century.
Blogging, my space, facebook, polka dot banner, goodreads, they are endless and there is so much to do when you promote. Just looking through hundreds of emails is time consuming. But they say you have to do it to sell your book. So I jump in holding my nose, and hoping not to drown in it.
So I am alive, I am looking forward to voting a new party in. Hopefully, cause you never know. My mother is better after they took her off of some of the medication they gave her to calm her down after my father died. So that is comforting. My husband is not grouchy today, so that's good.
My friend Jianne Carlo, is writing up a storm. Publishing three books to my one. And they are hot! But they tell wonderful stories and I can't put them down. She had a computer crash, so I haven't heard much from her lately. I miss that, but I am glad her allergies are better. And I am glad her mom is okay.
I am going to Vermont in July. I love going home and I am really looking forward to it. It's funny that Vermont still feels like home. Hopefully people there will like my book since it takes place on the Islands. The local paper, The Islander is going to do a press release for me, and that's exciting.
So here I sit. My palms and the myriad other tropicals I have are so beautiful. When I look outside at the small part of nature that is mine, I smile.
It's a good day.

My blog with Dayana Knight

Today I have a blog with Dayana Knight! I hope anyone who has the chance will take a look.
Have a great day and write you guys, write!
A little reading wouldn't hurt either.

Here I am world.

Yes, here I am world. Wondering if anyone is really reading this. Wondering if I'm talking to air.

I have just published my first book! Now to me it's like this. I have no children, sadly, our lives just didn't go that way. Not that it wouldn't have been wonderful.
So I sat and thought, why was I born, what have I done or could do, to make a wave in this ocean of life? I really have not got enough talent at anything. I've got a little bit of the ability to do a lot of things. But real talent?

What could I do to leave a piece behind? I've always liked to write. Just most of what I've written has been disposed of. I've read thousands of book, from fantasy to romance. Right now I'm into time travel romance, I love it.

So I started to write, mostly late at night. In one of those black and white composition books.

Eventually I got a computer, and after slowing writing and rewriting for four years I got to submit to an editor. I'll tell you how hard that is at another time.

After changing even more things in the book, a lot more things. I got an offer to publish my story.

I still have not celebrated, imagine that. I haven't even done the happy dance.
The only thing I can think is that I'm so shocked anyone liked what I wrote, read it, and wants to publish it. That I cannot believe it.

Maybe someone else did it. Whoever it was please step forward, I need to know. I remember doing it, but I could have dreamt it.

It's a time travel romance, and it's very good, even if I do say so myself. That person inside me, trying to get out, is still there. I hope that all of me learns to believe in me, in this venue. Just think what I could accomplish then.

And someday, years from now, someone will know I lived and I could write. I won't just have been a feather in the wind, but rather a force.

Wouldn't that be great?