Don’t you love this photo? Who doesn’t want to be a fairy princess? I grew up on a sheep ranch in southern Idaho. Often, my busy mother would shoo my sister and me outside to play. A heavy list of chores needed done without us around her feet complaining, “I’m bored.” Didn’t take us long to come up with ways …
An Author’s Stress Relief
Today hits the eight-week mark prior to when my debut novel, MOTHER OF PEARL, lands on store bookshelves. After months of writing the manuscript, negotiating the contract, edits, cover design, promo videos, website building, blogging . . . now the real work starts. The M word. MARKETING. Thank goodness I have one of the best publicists in the business …
God Bless America!
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and our family is gathering to celebrate. Doesn’t get much better than an Independence Day potluck picnic and BBQ! I’m taking a Watermelon with Feta and Mint salad I found in my Paula Deen magazine. Thought I’d share the recipe. Looks SO good, don’t you think? Ingredients 1 (5-pound) watermelon 1 Vidalia …
Goodbye Ann Curry
I’m ticked off! Something deep inside my spirit wants people to obey the golden rule of fairness. Like many, this morning I watched Ann Curry’s announcement that NBC was moving her into “another position.” My heart quivered as this beautiful, smart and dedicated news anchor fell into tears and apologized on air for letting viewers down. What gives? The …
Sweet Summertime!
Summer is my all-time favorite season. Maybe the notion is a carry over from elementary days and the end of the school year, but I still thrill when I rip the month of May from the wall calendar and anticipate what the months ahead will bring. Here are the ten things I like most: Watermelon and corn-on-the-cob. I eat a lot …
Dreams Are Made of This
Ever wake from a deep slumber with a start, and think . . . What in the world was I just dreaming? Happened to me just this morning. I transitioned into morning reality knowing full well I’d just been sitting with Aunt Bea from the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, a sitcom popular in my childhood and still shown on TV …
Trial Junky
As a former legal professional who spent a lot of time in courtrooms, I am drawn to trials. Especially in high profile cases. Like many, my eyes were glued to the television during the O.J. murder case. I even traveled to Beverly Hills and made my poor husband take me to the Rockingham and Bundy addresses made famous during that …
Where the Books Are
I’m often asked where I find good books. So, I thought I’d share my favorite venues. SHE READS This on-line book club, started and run by Marybeth Whalen and Ariel Lawhon, often promotes debut novelists who are not receiving the attention they deserve. Readers who join She Reads receive a number of benefits, including: Connection with other readers on the She Reads blog and …
Women of Strength and Dignity
Last evening I drank too much caffeine and couldn’t sleep. I found myself clicking through channels on late night television and landed on an old favorite of mine. The Big Valley. The ABC series ran in the late sixties and portrayed a woman named Victoria Barkley (played by Barbara Stanwyck), a widow of a wealthy nineteenth century California rancher. Week …
When a Writer Cooks Breakfast
“Honey, do you want your egg yolks yellow as the sun and flowing like a river? Or, would you prefer your breakfast scrambled with emotion, clinging to a plate of security?” Husband grunts from behind newspaper. “If I had more time, I’d grapple with a richly complex frittata, ripe with contradictions where strong-willed yolks unite with timid artichoke and …