bridgesburning

Thoughts- may be Profound, Mundane and perhaps laced with a bit of Wit

Category Archives: Authors


by 30 Comments

Published Books Do Happen with NaNoWriMo

Well it seems I have been blogging less to get ready for the Magic Month of November.  You know ‘National Novel Writing Month‘.  How do I prepare?  Pretty much by reading everything available for advice and direction.  Thinking about chapters, beginnings and endings and of course middles.  Its the middles that have me in awe and I am pretty curious as to how I will handle it.

There are those of you that are already wonderful writers – well I guess pretty much everyone in my FITFS group of heroes.  So I got to wondering if any of the NANOWRIMO creations have ever been published.  Guess what?  Lots have so I am including the link here and also listing them below.  Because guess what?

When I need encouragement.  When I need hope.  When I need to know success is possible.  Well – all I have to do is look here!

 

I have copied the list from the Office of Letters and Light as also found in the link above.

 

Rebecca Agiewich— BreakupBabe (Ballantine Books, 2006). Contact: www.rebecca.agiewich.net

Jocelyne Allen—You and the Pirates (The Workhorsery, 2009). Contact: www.theworkhorsery.ca

J. Rose Allister— (Note: Contains adult content) Their Secret Paradise (Eternal Press, 2009), Kata Sutra (Siren Publishing Inc., 2010), and A Grand Seduction (published under Lisa Logan by Eternal Press, 2009). Contact: jroseallister.com

Laura L. Alton— Las Vegas Chew Toy (Fireside Mysteries, 2009). Contact: www.lauralalton.com

Jacob and Diane Anderson-Minshall— Blind Curves: A Blind Eye Mystery (Bold Strokes Books, 2007) Contact: www.boldstrokesbooks.com

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes— Persistence of Memory (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2008). Contact: www.randomhouse.com/features/atwaterrhodes

Robyn Bachar— Blood, Smoke and Mirrors (Samhain Publishing, 2011). Contact: robynbachar.com

Jill Baguchinsky— Spookygirl (Dutton Juvenile, 2012). Contact: mintconspiracy.blogspot.com

Jenna Bayley-Burke— Just One Spark (Mills & Boon, 2006). Contact: www.jennabayleyburke.com

Katherine Bell— Amaranth: The Preterhumans Book 1 (Cacoethes Publishing). Contact: www.KatherineBell.net

Hannah Biemold— In het hooi (Uitgeverij Vuurpapier, 2010). Contact: www.vuurpapier.nl

B.A. Binns— Pull (WestSide Books, 2010). Contact: www.babinns.com

Megan Bostic— Never Eighteen (Graphia, 2012). Contact: meganbosticbooks.com

Gayle Brandeis— Self Storage (Ballantine Books, 2007). Contact: www.gaylebrandeis.com

Ophélie Bruneau— Et pour quelques gigahertz de plus (Ad Astra, 2012). Contact: histoiresdoph.blogspot.com

BethAnn Buehler— Broken Together (Rebel Ink Press, 2010). Contact: www.bethannbuehler.com

Jessica Burkhart— Take the Reins (Simon & Schuster, 2007). Contact: www.jessicaburkhart.com

Geonn Cannon— On the Air (P.D. Publishing, 2007), World on Fire (P.D. Publishing, 2009), and Confused by Shadows (P.D. Publishing, 2011) Contact: P.D Publishing.

Kathy Cano-Murillo— Love Shine (Grand Central Publishing, 2007) Contact: www.CraftyChica.com

Teryl Cartwright— A Sensible Match (Vintage Romance, 2007) and Courting Constance (Vintage Romance Publishing, 2010). Contact: forthcoming.. Contact: www.terylcartwright.com

Dave Casler— The Story of the Great American Flying Broomstick, Book 1: Genesis (Mt. Sneffels Press, 2007). Contact: www.americanflyingbroomstick.com

S. Christopher— Gigapolis (Onyx Neon Press, 2009). Contact: www.onyxneon.com

Elaine Corvidae— Daughter of Snow (Mundania Press, 2010). Contact: www.elainecorvidae.com

Julia Crouch— Cuckoo (Headline UK, 2011) Contact: juliacrouch.co.uk

Lisa Daily— The Dreamgirl Academy (Plume/Penguin Putnam, 2008). Contact: stopgettingdumped.com

Martine Daniel— Legacy of Lies (Chipmunka Publishing, 2010). Contact: martinedaniel.co.uk

Corinne Davies— (Note: Contains adult content) Believing is Seeing (Siren Publishing Inc., 2010), and Believing is Trusting (Siren Publishing Inc., 2010). Contact: www.corinnedavies.com

Farhan Devji— Hockey Farmer (Cacoethes Publishing, June 2008). Contact: Cacoethes Publishing

Saranna DeWylde— How To Lose a Demon in 10 Days, How to Marry a Warlock in 10 Days, and How to Seduce an Angel in 10 Days (Kensington Brava, 2012). Contact: www.sarannadewylde.com

Sarah Dooley— Livvie Owen Lived Here (Feiwel and Friends, 2010). Contact: Feiwel and Friends

Moondancer Drake— Worlds Collide (PD Publishing). Contact: www.moondancerdrake.com

Delphine Dryden— Snow Job (Ellora’s Cave, 2008), When in Rio (Ellora’s Cave, 2008), How to Tell a Lie (Ellora’s Cave, 2009). Contact: www.delphinedryden.com

Cecile Duquenne— Entrechats (Voyen, 2010). Contact: entrechats.over-blog.net

Hallie Durand— No Room for Dessert (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012). Contact: authors.simonandschuster.com/Hallie-Durand/46783748

Julia Durand— Segredos do Submundo: A Herdeira (Minerva Coimbra, 2010). Contact: minervacoimbra.blogspot.com/

Erastes— Standish (P.D. Publishing, Inc., 2006). Contact: www.pdpublishing.com/standishendpage.html

Mette Finderup— Blink: En kærlighedsroman (Gyldendal, 2009). Contact: www.finderup.dk/blink

Anthony Francis— Frost Moon (Bell Bridge Books, 2010) and Blood Rock (Bell Bridge Books, 2011). Contact: www.dresan.com

Edgar Franzmann— Millionenallee (Emons-Verlag, 2009). Contact: www.franzmann.de

J.M. Frey–Triptych (Dragon Moon Press, 2011). Contact: www.jmfrey.net

Colin Fullerton— Like A Road (Blaurock Press, 2008). Contact: www.blaurockpress.com

Donna Gephart— Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen (Delacourte Press). Contact: donnagephart.blogspot.com

Terie Gerrison— SpringFire (Dragonspawn Cycle, Book 3) and SummerDanse (Llewellyn Worldwide). Contact: www.TerieGarrison.com

Ann Gonzalez— Running for My Life (WestSide Books, 2008) Contact: www.AnnGonzalez.com

John Gorman— Shades of Luz (All Things That Matter Press, 2009). Contact: www.shadesofluz.com

Erin Grace— The Indefatigable Wright Brothers (Jumping Duck Media, 2008). Contact: www.jumping-duck.com

Anna Scott Graham— Drop the Gauntlet (FEP International, 2009). Contact: www.annascottgraham.com

Bosley Gravel— The Movie (BeWrite Books, 2009). Contact: BeWrite Books.

T. Greenwood— The Hungry Season (Kensington, 2010). Contact: www.tgreenwood.com/thsindex.html

Sara Gruen— Flying Changes (HarperCollins, 2005), Water for Elephants (Algonquin, 2007) and Ape House (Spiegel & Grau, 2010). Contact: www.saragruen.com

Rebecca Hart— Call of the Sea (Inkspell Publishing, 2012). Contact: rebeccahartwriting.com

Abigail J. Hartman— The Soldier’s Cross (Ambassador-Emerald International, 2010). Contact: Scribbles and Ink Stains

Elizabeth Haynes— Into the Darkest Corner (Myriad Editions, 2011), Revenge of the Tide (Myriad Editions, 2012). Contact: www.elizabeth-haynes.com

Simon Haynes— Hal Spacejock No Free Lunch (Fremantle Press, June 2008). Contact: www.spacejock.com.au

Liz Hegarty— Salt River (Scholastic New Zealand, April 2009). Contact: www.scholastic.co.nz

Eric Hendrixson— Bucket of Face (Eraserhead Press, October 2010). Contact: eraserheadpress.com.

Rachael Herron— How to Knit a Love Song: A Cypress Hollow Yarn (Avon, 2010). Contact: www.rachaelherron.com

Harry Hol—Bagage (L.J. Veen, 2010).

Denise Jaden– Losing Faith (Simon Pulse, 2010). Contact: www.denisejaden.com

Kathleen Kaufman— The Tree Museum (Way Things Are Publications, March 2009). Contact: www.WayThingsArePublications.com

Heather Kuehl—Promises To Keep (Eternal Press, 2010). Contact: heatherkuehl.blogspot.com

Suzanne Lazear— Innocent Darkness (The Aether Chronicles) (Flux, 2012). Contact: www.ageofsteam.wordpress.com

Amy M. Levy— Welcome To River Street (Fey Publishing LTD, 2010). Contact: wtrs.info

C.J. Lines— Filth Kiss (Hadesgate Publishing , 2007). Contact: cjlines.com

Kimberly Llewellyn— Cashmere Boulevard (Berkley Books, 2007). Contact: www.KimberlyLlewellyn.com

Marissa Meyer— Cinder: Book One in the Lunar Chronicles (Feiwel & Friends, 2012). Contact: marissameyer.livejournal.com

Greg McCarthy— The Price of Life (Otherworld Publications, 2010). Contact: www.otherworldpublications.com

Maureen McGowan— Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (Silver Dolphin Books 2011). Contact: http://maureenmcgowan.com/

Jon F. Merz— The Destructor (Lawson Vampire Novels) (Pinnacle Books, 2003). Contact: Pinnacle Books

Erin Morgenstern— The Night Circus (Doubleday Books 2011). Contact: http://erinmorgenstern.com/

Ian O’Neill— Endo (BookStrand Publishing, 2008). Contact: www.bookstrand.com

Paula Offutt— Butch Girls Can Fix Anything (Yellow Rose Books, 2006). Contact: www.paulaoffutt.com

Jacqueline Paige— Mystic Perceptions (Class Act Books, 2010). Contact: www.classactbooks.com

Stephanie Perkins— Anna and the French Kiss (Dutton Juvenile, 2010). Contact: www.stephanieperkins.com

Nathan Poell— Post-Apocalypse Dead Letter Office (Oscura Press, 2011.) Contact: http://p-adlo.com/

Kalayna Price— Once Bitten (Bell Bridge Books). Contact: www.Kalayna.com

Prem Rao— It Can’t Be You (Cedar Books/Pustak Mahal). Contact: http://itcantbeyou.com/

Rashbre— The Triangle (Trafford Publishing, 2010). Contact: ashbre2.blogspot.com

Lani Diane Rich— Time Off for Good Behavior (Warner Books, 2004), Maybe Baby (Warner Books, 2005), and Wish You Were Here (Warner Books, 2008). Contact: www.lanidianerich.com

Vanitha Sankaran— Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages (Avon A, 2010). Contact: www.vanithasankaran.com

Francesca Segre— Daughter of the Bride (Berkeley Books, 2006). Contact: www.FrancescaSegre.com.

Yolanda Sfetsos— Shade of Grey (Eternal Press, 2010). Contact: www.yolandasfetsos.com

K.C. Shaw— Jack of All Trades (Ancient Tomes Press, 2009). Contact: www.kcshaw.net

Anna Sheehan— A Long, Long Sleep (Candlewick Press, 2011). Contact: www.annasheehan.com

Arianna Skye— Wings of Desire (Eternal Press, 2010). Contact: www.ariannaskye.com

L. Neil Smith— Sweeter Than Wine: A Story of Love, Sleuthing and Vampires (Arc Manor/Phoenix Pick). Contact: www.elneil.com

Diana Sousa— Início (Temas Originais, 2010). Contact: www.temas-originais.pt

Keris Stainton— Jessie Hearts NYC (Orchard Books, 2011). Contact: www.keris-stainton.com

Ransom Stephen— The God Patent (Vox Novus). Contact: www.thegodpatent.com

Amber Stockton— Promises, Promises (Barbour Publishing, 2008), Copper and Candles (Barbour Publishing, 2009), and Liberty’s Promise (Barbour Publishing, 2010). Contact: www.amberstockton.com

James R. Strickland— Looking Glass (Flying Pen Press, 2007) Contact: www.jamesrstrickland.com

Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen— The Compound (Feiwel and Friends, 2008) Contact: www.rockforadoll.com

Kyle Michel Sullivan— Bobby Carapisi (The Nazca Plains Corporation, 2009). Contact:Nazca Plains Corporation

J.H. Trumble— Don’t Let Me Go (Kensington, 2011).

Pamela Turner— Death Sword (Lyrical Press, 2011). Contact: PamelaTurner.net

Catherine Wade— Let’s Dish and Another Time Around (Samhain Publishing, 2009). Contact: www.samhainpublishing.com

Alayna Williams— Dark Oracle (Pocket-Juno Books, 2010). Contact: www.alaynawilliams.com

David Niall Wilson— Vintage Soul (Five Star/Gale, 2007) and The Mote in Andrea’s Eye (Five Star/Gale, 2006). Contact: Five Star/Gale

Nora Zelevansky— Semi-Charmed Life (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2012).

Magdalena Zschokke— Maybe Tomorrow (Windstorm Creative, 2007). Contact: www.magdalenazschokke.com

Back to “About”

Related articles


by 20 Comments

NANOWRIMO Getting Ready

Well here I go getting ready for this year’s event.  I chose not to do it in 2011 – fear of success or fear of failure sort of thing you know.  A few or perhaps many of my heroes I brag on each Friday in FITFS series are taking part, and since I praise not just for the sake of praise but also to somehow emulate the brave folk they are I am jumping in with both feet and all attached parts.  The NANOWRIMO site is full of information so today I shall try to sort that out.

Once I signed in I tried to put my photo in the appropriate spot but for some reason it will not upload, so those others who are participating can use your own imaginations as to what I look like.  I have chosen my badge for the event.

30 days.  Wow.  I know many of you have been successful so that is encouraging.  Also my dear Celi is taking part and I think my friend Joss is also so I could not be in better company.

I am not sure how to connect to community yet but will get that done today.

How many of my VCH (Very Classy Heroes) are also joining in?

 

WHAT I HAVE TO REMEMBER

I just have to remember this is only thirty days so it does not have to even last as long as Kim Khardashian’s marriage.

I can join as many regions as I like – (must do today)

It may be difficult at first but will get better as the days go by and the word count increases.

Being a Marathon of sorts I can get some sponsers to contribute to - ”NaNoWriMo is run a tiny team of eight novel-loving souls at the Office of Letters and Light (OLL), a grassroots nonprofit, and is funded almost entirely by participant donations” – which seems like a good idea and good motivation.

There is lots of great information at this link so please do look it over and please my VCH do let me know if you have signed up.  Your very presence alone will inspire me!

Related articles


by 3 Comments

FITFS Lois Roelofs Champion of Nurses into the 21st Century

LOIS ROELOFS

Blogging Heroes

Blogging Heroes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am hesitant to write today’s FITFS (Following in the FootSteps) series for two reasons.  The first is that Kathleen Korthuis, Lois’s sister passed away October 5, 2012 and so her focus is on preparing Kay’s eulogy and dealing with the sorrow and loss experienced by her family, friends and herself.  You know that the purpose of FITFS is to honor my heroes.  Writers of the blogging world who inspire me to be better and to somehow emulate them.  Writers have allowed me in some way to be part of their life.  I decided to go ahead with this post to let Lois know that she is in our hearts at this very difficult time.

The second reason I hesitated is that Lois is exactly who I would like emulate but she has set the bar high.  She is the ideal for me and I am in awe of her life and what she has accomplished and continues to accomplish.

Like me, Lois Roelofs has her heroes and certainly the most important was her sister Kay who was her lifelong career mentor.  In fact both of them attended the Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Lois’s 50th reunion takes place this weekend prior to Kay’s service.  How bitter sweet that must be.  Kay graduated in 1955, Lois in 1962, – oh and me from South Waterloo Memorial Hospital in 1969.  That’s right.  There is a sisterhood bond here beyond writing, nursing and blogging.

You know how some people, like all of my heroes, do what so many do, but they do it with that extra touch of class?  It is that extra touch that I guess I want to emulate.

Lois, says in her ‘About’ page that she initially started the Blog to center around the publication of her career memoir, Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor’s Journey of Faith and Self.  She is a Chicago girl, wife, Mom, and Grandma.

Blodgett Memorial Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a nurse from about the same era touches my heart and makes me get all mushy about old hospitals and old uniforms. (I still think the old fashioned hats signifying who the registered nurse is instead of non-nursing staff was wonderful.  We worked hard to get those black bands on crisply starched hats).  I took the photo below from the Blodgett web site and Lois also has the same one on her post of October 6th.  Kay helped open the first intensive care unit in the country in 1958 and she is the nurse poised over the desk.

Kathleen E. korthuis, PhD, RN

Lois I know this FITFS may seem more about Kay than you and someday soon I may do another honoring only yourself for your incredible achievements.  But I hope you will let me join you in dedicating this post to your sister,

KATHLEEN E. KORTHUIS, PhD, RN 1934-2012

Folks I hope you will stop by to visit Lois, read about her incredible life, say hi, and leave a comment or two.

Related articles


by 11 Comments

FITFS Barb19 Passionate About Pets and People Australian Style

Well happy Friday everyone!  Fridays are my favorites and all week long I look forward to Following In The FootSteps of someone I admire here in Blog Land.  Someone that I would like, in some small way emulate.  And today it is all about Barb Taylor who truly is passionate about pets and people and I think about everything that lives.

Our Barb is originally from the UK and after some serious world travels (having lived in Germany, Singapore, America and Australia) she settled down on the east coast of sub-tropical Australia.

Like me, she seems to have  started this blog back in January 2011 and committed to postaweek at the encouragement of a friend.  Her second post pretty much encapsulates her philosophy.  She said, “

A hundred years from now,

it will not matter the sort of house I lived in,

what my bank account was, or the car I drove . . .

but the world may be different

because I was important

in the life of animals and the creatures of this earth.

Are You Iimportant in the Life of an Animal?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
©passionateaboutpets.wordpress.com

From that wonderful platform Barb has given us all sorts of treasures about dogs, chickens, dingos, joeys, kangaroos, whales, and even wasps.  And there is more!

The very first time I discovered Barb was waaaay back when she posted on the Town she grew up in called Peebles.  I was so excited because I had just recently returned from Scotland so knew the area she talked about. (I left her more than one comment that day)

March 10th, 2011 ‘I was in Peebles a couple of years ago..just a Canadian girl visiting her mom’s native land…it is beautiful. My Mum was from Gorebridge.  Love the country..love the people and proud to have some of that fine Scots blood in me,
Christine’ 

So I am talking addiction here.  The kind you cannot shake -thank goodness-

As we, in Canada, face the coming fall and winter, Barb is sailing into spring and coming summer.

In September that year she and her hubby flew off to her homeland where she saw her brother for the first time in 25 years.

She is very proud of her adopted country – Australia – and there is a wealth of information about it in her posts.  Matter of fact there is a wealth of information about the world in general.  Living true to her philosophy she is indeed -

important in the life of animals and the creatures of this earth.

Actually I believe she is important in more lives than she realizes.

Passionate About Pets and People Australian Style

Please do stop by to visit, to learn, to feel.  And do say hi or leave a comment or two.  **I so wanted to throw in something about putting shrimp on the barbie since it is a comment linked to Australia and BBQs but just couldn’t work it in anywhere!

Related articles


by 16 Comments

Applause Please

applause – photobucket

As some of you know each Friday I do a Follow in the FootStep series honoring my blogging buddies.  That is you.  Any way I got thinking about some of the nice compliments I receive on behalf of my heroes and while I cannot possibly post all the comments I chose some to applaud those who take the time to comment and to acknowledge the recipients.  I hope I got everyone linked okay.  The first Friday in October the series continues.

To date I have done 13 FITFS to honor my heroes and oh my I have such a long way to go.  I hope these are not too lengthy for you as time is at a premium.

September 28, 2012 at 2:07 pm (Edit)

Ditto, ditto, ditto, Chris! It was LD who came over one Saturday (yes, I remember the day) afternoon in June 2011 to just “snoop around” my site as she put it. “Hey, this blogging thing might be interesting after all,” I thought when I received such sensitive and down to earth comments from her. She was the “wind beneath my wings” in those earlier months. I am grateful and I hope to meet her some day, as she did “limr” over the summer. She does great things to tie our community together via “Andy”, putting together a 25 day series of “O Holy Night” in December last year, asking the question that begs to be asked “Can I call you by name in cyberspace?” And, I think she has something else up her sleeve that has to do with ice cream! Cheers to our babbler and Ben & Jerry’s addict, LD!!!

 

  1. judithhb says:

September 27, 2012 at 11:50 pm (Edit)

Well we that is Lotte and I enjoyed our visit with Andy. I hope he gets to see many more places around the world before he goes home again to Lenore Diane.

September 21, 2012 at 12:51 pm (Edit)

ah, our Amy is an amazing soul and we are blessed she is part of our corner of the Blogosphere!

 

  1. ceciliag says:

September 21, 2012 at 1:18 pm (Edit)

I love Amy too, she has such heart that girl, is deeply moved to fight for the earths health yet maintains that lovely positive glow as she wafts through out lives. i agree with joss, we are lucky to have her!.. c

 

September 22, 2012 at 12:49 pm (Edit)

Chris, I couldn’t agree with you more. To Amy –I use a phrase “Bless his/her/your heart” when something really pulls my…well…♥. In your post “Delivering the Truth” you used that phrase in a moment of great compassion. It’s in phrases like that one you have made a connection to this reader, not to mention your Momisms: On venturing out — “Who did you like better than yourself?” On relationships –”If they were busy tending it (the garden) themselves, they may be amazed at the quality of help it would attract.” So true and it made me just lol. Yes, I have filed away a few gems as I’m not sure I could find them in a haystack of archives. Without teaching, you have taught; without preaching (or maybe you have–wink) you have told memorable stories. Thank you, Amy, for sharing all you do.

  1. Kathy says:

September 23, 2012 at 10:13 am (Edit)

What a lovely tribute to a blogging friend, Chris. Will stop by and visit her blog because of the beautiful energy you’ve shared…

September 14, 2012 at 1:24 pm (Edit)

Nicely done, Chris. Your words are not only a tribute but will increase Georgette’s readership–at least by one. Thank you. HF

  1. souldipper says:

September 16, 2012 at 3:31 am (Edit)

Oh, fancy that. Georgette is one of my heros, too. I love good story tellers who write well. She fills the bill for me. Thanks Chris and glad you’re you, Georgette.

  1. Lenore Diane says:

September 16, 2012 at 5:41 pm (Edit)

You have great taste, Chris. Georgette is one of my faves, too. I am thrilled for her children, because she has captured so many wonderful family stories and put the memories in one place. It is wonderful to have these things documented for future generations.

  1. winsomebella says:

September 17, 2012 at 12:19 pm (Edit)

Chris, we have a shared enjoyment of all things Georgette

  1. Darlene says:

September 7, 2012 at 1:20 pm (Edit)

Judith is my hero too and I love reading her blog!

September 9, 2012 at 12:07 am (Edit)

Let me add my voice to those ringing the bell of gratitude for how Juthithhb lives are life and shares it.

I keep hoping to win a Mega lottery so I can hire a cruise ship head around the world, picking and being joined by my far spread blogging friends. Staying strong by buying one lottery ticket a week with the hope of meeting you all.

Chris, think I will include all your heros’ and anyone you admire is worth admiring

  1. Darlene says:

August 31, 2012 at 3:33 pm (Edit)

I am also a huge fan of Katherine Gordy Levine. I always learn something from her posts and she has helped me improve the quality of my life with her practical, no nonsense advise

  1. ceciliag says:

August 31, 2012 at 8:31 pm (Edit)

wow she sounds like my kind of lady. i shall zoom over… still loving this series chris..

  1. misswhiplash says:

September 1, 2012 at 4:17 am (Edit)

how can I resist that…being a WOO, I need to catch up on the news…. I will say just how wonderful and uplifting it is to be able to speak one’s mind. Always in my younger days I was told ‘you can’t say that or you can’t do that’ NOW I can say and do what I like and if someone don’t like it….HARD CHEESE……mind you I would not say something that would hurt people…just my own opinion that I have kept quiet for so long

 

September 1, 2012 at 6:29 pm (Edit)

Thanks for the tip, Chris. I took a quick look at Katherine’s blog and, as another Old One, I’ll be going back to read in depth.

  1. ceciliag says:

August 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm (Edit)

Even the name brevity Of Roses is wondrous, I must pop over and visit before I get ready for the milking! Have a lovely evening Chris.. c

  1. Darlene says:

August 17, 2012 at 11:16 pm (Edit)

I am also a big fan of LCL and loved Brevity of Roses. Her blogs say what the rest of us are thinking. Thanks for featuring her

  1. judithhb says:

August 20, 2012 at 6:18 pm (Edit)

I am a big fan of LCL and love her book Brevity of Roses. Waiting on tenterhooks for the next book

  1. Chatter Master says:

August 10, 2012 at 2:52 pm (Edit)

Haha, “linky thing”.

Chris I love your FITFS. Kathy and Sara’s color, art and anchors are amazing!

August 10, 2012 at 4:42 pm (Edit)

I’ve often read Kathy’s comments on blogs I follow. Not sure why I never visited her blog but now it’s done and subscribed to! Loved this view you wrote into their art and ways

August 2, 2012 at 10:54 am (Edit)

I totally see why you love this blogger, Chris. The choicest morsels come from the heart – oh yes – it’s why we’re glad to have you back on a regular basis. Your heart shines through your words

  1. billduff says:

August 2, 2012 at 2:13 pm (Edit)

I agree completely! I follow The Chatter Blog and anticipate her thoughts!

August 2, 2012 at 4:54 pm (Edit)

Oh, I LOVE Colleen–my favorite biker chick! Love you, too, Chris!
Hugs,
Kathy

  1. judithhb says:

July 18, 2012 at 4:36 pm (Edit)

Lucky you to meet a blogger you admire, in the flesh. I too follow Joss and agree with all you say about her and her blog

 

 

  1. barb19 says:

July 19, 2012 at 4:04 am (Edit)

Joss certainly does have heart, we see it embedded in every post she makes, and she has such a keen understanding of people.. I remember when you met her in person Chris, and posted the above photo of the two of you, it must have meant such a lot to you both. I would love to meet her in person.

  1. carolisle says:

July 19, 2012 at 12:52 pm (Edit)

I am proud to say I too am in the “read Joss first” crowd. I speak to my local friends of “my friend Joss in Nova Scotia” as if we have tea together every day. Thank you Chris for sharing this lovely story of our friends

  1. souldipper says:

July 9, 2012 at 9:18 pm (Edit)

Chris, you may have been the reason I found the farmy…I honestly can’t be sure. But how does Celi accomplishes all she does each day? I laughed like crazy over her days in NZ as a single mom. Talk about ingenuity!

Aren’t these pets a joy to have? I’m amazed at what animals teach us.

  1. barb19 says:

July 12, 2012 at 5:46 am (Edit)

Chris, you have put into words exactly how I feel about Celi and her wonderful blog!
I can’t remember how I found her, but I shall be eternally grateful because she writes about everyday stuff and makes it so interesting and fun. I am in awe at what she does on the farm – where does she find the time? And she still found time to take animals to visit the Old Codger when he was rehabilitating, and still visits him now he is back home. I wish I had half of her energy!
Her blog is funny, educational and entertaining and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. She makes you feel like you are part of the farmy and all the animals she looks after. I look forward to her new post every single day, and re-live her day with her.
Yes, Celi has her own style, but you do too, just in a different way; I love reading your blog, it’s always interesting and fun to read

  1. Christine in Los Angeles says:

July 8, 2012 at 1:07 am (Edit)

Well, Zoe (see – we’re all best friends, already) called my sister and Ace blogger – of course we have always known Judith is an ace, but how nice to know, across the world, others are aware of the fact.
God bless, Christine

July 7, 2012 at 1:08 am (Edit)

I love how we are all connected through the world of blogging. To me that is the best reward. I consider Judith and Chris freinds and when something good happens to you, I am over the moon! Zoe Sharp commenting with Judith is just so wonderful

July 5, 2012 at 10:26 am (Edit)

I am THRILLED you will be returning to daily posting! And….we’re suppose to have a theme? Crap! I always LOVED your theme….your theme being you and what you wanted to write about. And I love Jaime’s “What I Learned This Week” series. Though her part about Ohio makes me want to hide my face!!!!

 

 

 

 

Related articles


by 13 Comments

Books, Books, and More Books

Libraries are wonderful places.  I have a number of ebooks downloaded that I will sometimes read, but for me, the satisfaction of holding an actual book in hand is the best reading experience.  Ebooks are a tad cold for me.  I guess the difference could be equated with feeling the warmth of interacting with another human being in person or speaking and seeing them on Skype.  Don’t get me wrong on the whole skype thing, when those you love are hundreds or thousands of miles away Skype is the best.

Skype Technologies S.A. logo

Skype Technologies S.A. logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But give me a day that cries out or even murmurs, Come curl up and lets get lost in another world, and it is the warmth of a good book I feel.

Andersonlibrary.wordpress.com

I just returned two books that I read last week.  Having thousands of books at your disposal feels like an ermine and mink kind of luxery (before furs were a bad thing).

The first book was by one of my eternal fave authors Dean Koontz and a part of the Odd Thomas series.  Picking up anything Koontz is like having an old friend visit and Odd is wonderfully entertaining.  Poor Odd, who by the way is so optimistic would never think of himself as poor in anyway is beset in solving a mystery with the also very mysterious Annamaria.

I’ve seen Mr. Koontz interviewed and he is a very gentle man who I think values his privacy but judging by the mega books he has sold his mind is as sharp as any scalpel cutting through a plot.  But I have have been a part of his literary family, Odd or not.

The second book I read last week is by an author that is new to me, but looking at her many many publications I am surprised I did come across her before.  Her name is Iris

iris johansen

Johansen and the book What Doesn’t Kill you certainly had many exciting moments.  Enough to prevent me from putting down the book at a reasonable hour and getting some sleep (which is a good indication of excellence).

In with all the suspense and action Johansen peppers sexual tension between Catherine Ling and Gallo.  Will they or will they not hit the sheets?  Personally I don’t care.  Her breasts growing taunt or taunting repeatedly is not of interest.  Ms. Johansen tells a crisp clean tale and I will read her again (and perhaps just skip over the less interesting stuff).

I have been trying to update and clean up my wordpress site this morning but it just seems to take so long and I have not suceeded very well today.  But I must not think of that right now for it off for a good cuddle with another book.

Related articles


by 9 Comments

FITFS Lenore’s Thoughts Exactly

My heroes all have wonderful characteristics that I hope in some way to emulate.  This last Friday of September 2012 (yes I know I am a tad early but I have been late with everything else this week so…) is all about Lenore Diane who is of course talented, and multifaceted.  When I look at her picture and the child grinning in her Babbler About page I think ‘Cheeky’.  Now cheeky is defined by the free dictionary as someone who is saucy and it just takes one look to find myself grinning from ear to ear.

This particular blog was started January 2010 so she has been inspiring us for sometime.  Now of course one blog is not enough for this lady so she can also be found at Kimberly and Lenore where she and her friend give ‘Our View from Opposites Coasts’.  It sounds pretty cool.

Lenore’s comedic wit has a number of outlets and her adoptee ‘Andy‘ whom she acquired through a White Elephant gift exchange is currently travelling the world.  Now it seems very strange to me that an armadillo of any kind came from a White Elephant exchange but he did and then k8edid had the idea to let the poor wee fellow have his desired travels hosted by bloggers.

Clearly the smile on his face is the result of his being entertained in Southwest Florida by K8edid, then Texas by Georgette Sullins (y’all remember this gracious southern belle?), then Judith in New Zealand another of my heroes I am sure you remember, then Virginia Beach, Iowa (sorta) and last in British Columbia.

If you have not yet met this Babbler who Babbles Like a Brook and at the same time spews wisdom for the ages I encourage you to drop in, say hi, and if you think you might like to entertain Andy please do let her know.

Related articles


by 11 Comments

Rereads? Rewatches?

What moves you to reread a particular book or rewatch a movie?

It may be of course that you do not ‘re’ either books or movies but I do and there are a handful (or more) that top my list.

Cover of "Apollo 13 (Widescreen Collector...

Cover via Amazon

“Apollo 13″ starring Tom Hanks and Gary Sinese is THE movie which was based on a book by Jim Lovell.  I think it was 1970 when Lovell, Swigert, and Haise headed off for the moon, following in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong.  Initially the press wasn’t much interested as it had all been done before, that is, until disaster struck.  I remember the actual real life event and yes the announced flight was sort of ho hum and then the world watched.  We never left Walter Cronkite for a minute.

The strange thing is that I know the story, I know the movie, and yet…

Each time I watch the movie I wait, holding my breath in the exact moments they have to establish communication after doing a burn to enter the earth’s atmosphere. And each time my eyes fill with tears.  I can’t help it.  Yes I know the ending. Again.  And again.  And again.

English: The actual Apollo 13 lunar landing mi...

English: The actual Apollo 13 lunar landing mission prime crew from left to right are: Commander, James A. Lovell Jr., Command Module pilot, John L. Swigert Jr.and Lunar Module pilot, Fred W. Haise Jr.The original Command Module pilot for this mission was Thomas “Ken” Mattingly Jr. but due to exposure to German measles he was replaced by his backup, Command Module pilot, John L. “Jack” Swigert Jr. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A part of my brain says, go do something useful, you know this story and how it ends.  And another part of my brain says, leave me alone to live in the moment.

You see?  I think it is all about living in the moment.  Really feeling and valuing every minute.  The ending almost doesn’t matter.  It is experiencing the moment when all fears, all hopes, come together.

Now I have a number of rereads when it comes to favorite books.  I have them close at hand to pull out every few months or every few years.  One absolutely gripping story, and yes it is still gripping is Michael Crichton‘s TIMELINE.  Good heavens that man was consistently entertaining whether it was The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, or TV’s ER.  The man was a writer and story teller par excellence and I for one miss him very much.

Cover of "Timeline"

Cover of Timeline

The telling moment in that book, you know the one where I lose all connection to the sane voice that says, Chris you know how it ends, comes when the Professor, and Kate and Chris are ready to return and Marek continues the fight and finally tells them to leave him.

It is less a story about time travel and more about connecting with multiverses (multiple universes), and one man’s sacrifice – which still ends well and gets him the fair Claire – and the evil of huge corporations with way too much money hanging around.  It is a marvellous story and I recommend to any who have not read it.

But again, the story is so well written it is about living in that very moment.

I think sometimes life gets so busy for us that we forget to appreciate moments by rushing ahead to the next thing we must do, and I always think it is wonderful that there are story tellers out there that touch our hearts, regardless of frequency, and remind us to live in the moment.

Do you have a favorite moment reminder?

Related articles


by 23 Comments

FITFS Friday – Georgette Sullins

Footsteps

Footsteps (Photo credit: courosa)

For those of you who may wonder what each Friday’s FITFS series is about, I will catch you up.  It’s all about heroes, specifically my heroes in the Blogosphere.  People I admire, have a blogging relationship with, people I want to emulate in some way (or in every way).  People I learn from.

You know that corny line in the movie with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, As Good as it Gets? – “You make me want to be a better man?”  Well, my Following in the FootSteps heroes enrich my life and by their very example make me want to be a better person.

And so it is with Georgette Sullins where this multilingual wife, mother, daughter, and grandmother takes us along on her journey of memories, life lessons, and new things discovered.  We get to arm chair it with this well travelled southern lady.  On her very first blog in Sept. 6, 2010 she started us off with memories of Oaxaca Mexico.

As a teacher for over 30+ years Georgette continues to teach us in the most delicious way.  Her entertainment value is first but oh my there are wonderful things to learn from all over the world.  I love how she did an end of the year review and in December 2011, I think it was, she gave us a recipe for mulled wine, that I had been searching for since 1985.  The exact recipe!

Georgette’s blog has universal appeal, I believe – and I say universal because should there be an intelligent life form in space I am sure they will also be reading her.

Oh! And she names scarecrows! Don Francisco is one!

Do I have a favorite blog?  Can’t say I do because as soon as I read one, it becomes the fave.

Now just what would I like to emulate about Georgette?

Certainly her ability to place us along side her as we travel, observe and learn.  Becoming part of her reality.  It’s a nice place to be.  In her company.  Could not ask for better! And, her enthusiasm for life, her joy and her faith! Oh! and her humour and wisdom.  Oh! and of course her appreciation for me which makes me want to do the same for others.

Please do drop by, say hi, and leave a comment or two.

*How do I choose my heroes?  Well, in the main it is they who choose me.  I cannot choose in order of importance as they are all important so I started first with those whom I have the closest relationship through comments on my blog and those who subscribe to Bridgesburning.  I have a long way to go because I have been very blessed by these most wonderful people. And if I can ever truly emulate them it will be by inspiring others.

http://georgettesullins.wordpress.com/

Related articles


by 2 Comments

Let’s Pretend Tuesday is Monday: Oh the Plots We Weave

I know!  I know!  There is a large percentage of people who hate Mondays.  Really hate them.  That first workday of the week signifies the end of weekend fun and the beginning of toil.  Now you see, for me, Mondays have always been about new starts, list of goals and objectives to be reached.  A day of such optimism.  Fridays conversely are not so much as I must come to terms with what I did not achieve.

Today ( Monday) is always ‘Oh The plots We Weave’ day when we look at a couple of actual news stories and comment of ‘what ifs’.   This sort of came about when I would post on a news piece and generally rant or comment.  Then I got thinking, this is where stories and books come from.  News stories, observing momentary interactions and letting our imaginations fly.

So first thing right out of the front page of the HAMILTON SPECTATOR there are 2 items which caught my eye and my ‘Oh Lord where is the sanity when you need it’ button.

1)  FATHER SUES PUBLIC BOARD OVER ITS GAY EQUITY STAND   Oh Boy, this isn’t even some backwoods notion, it comes straight from the mind of Eustathios ‘Steve’ Tourloukis a dentist in Smithville.  His claim is that as a praciticing member of his Greek Orthodox Church his rights are being violated.

Now now children, play nice.  Would someone please point out to our dentist that this province provides a large number of Christian Churches with the sole purpose of raising students in the environment you desire and that his child or children are part of a PUBLIC school.  You know Public as in every one of every denomination is free to attend.

‘ What if”?  What kind of plot could we develop from this little bit of information?  Well it could be the father has to loudly decry the learning material because he is in a personal secret struggle from these very urges…nah that is too common a thread.  ‘What if’  ..ah you know what?  Whichever way this plot goes it could be trouble.  Can you think of anything provoking?

2)  COURT ORDERS LONG-GUN DATA TO BE TRANSFERRED TO QUEBEC  I have to admit that there are a couple of things about Canada that make me squirm a bit perhaps even to the point of embarrassment and the Gun Registry is one of them.  Several years ago a registry was put in for guns.  It was badly managed, very expensive and about as effective as flying into the sun.  So now in a fit of rare insight it was decided to take down, nullify, disband, destroy, the long-gun registry.  In doing so the government continuing of its life long mission to give meaning to ‘stupid’, ‘most stupid’, decided to also destroy all the information they had gathered on the registry quest.  One province spoke up – Quebec – who is trying to keep its portion of the registry alive.  The Quebec court said the government has no right to destroy registry data….

‘What if”?  We created a super hero to fight stupidity -  faster than a speeding bullet? Where to start? Where to start?  Well first there will be the need to gather up all politicians and give each one’s head a good shake so they in fact will have their heads on straight.  Could you imagine a world where everyone was sane in political arenas?

What if then our dentist had the same thing happen?  Hello!  A moment of clarity!  I think I will send my child to a school that does meet my requirements for education.

**Please note there are far and wide implications in each of these cases.  There is also more detailed info that one needs to consider before being pro or con.  The only consideration I have presented in the subject matter as a possible story line or plot.  Besides the fiction will certainly be more interest than the reality of it all.  I think.

Related articles
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 216 other followers