The Pleasure and Treasure of Old Books
We’re moving. I’ve mentioned that before, but today it’s just shorthand. If you’ve moved, you understand. Part of moving is decluttering. I’ve mentioned that, as well. Going through memorabilia has a certain charm. Yesterday I sorted through a bag of old cutlery, separating the silverplate pieces from the stainless. The silverplate was my mother’s, not…
Read MoreCHU Ought To Be in Pictures
Today a quick CHUsday update. Remember CHU or Cookbook Hoarders Unlimited? Last year we had fun sharing recipes from cookbooks we hadn’t used in years or even possibly, never. When the giveaway that went with it ended I promised occasional CHU updates if I found something to share, and today I’m as good as my…
Read MoreSunday Poetry: By The Selves We Had To Be
Welcome to Sunday Poetry. If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here. I collect poetry as I find it. Sometimes I search while writing my own chapters or paragraphs, trying to avoid setting more words on paper myself. Sometimes I search when a poem I’ve stumbled on hasn’t spoken…
Read MoreAll Those Things I Needed To Know
The title of this blog sounds like a slightly different version of my first list blog, doesn’t it? Of course for that one I had questions that had never been answered. Today I’m sharing answers to questions I’ve researched for my next book. Every novel requires a mountain of research. Sometimes it’s as mundane as the right word…
Read MoreFinding Treasure in the Strangest Places
My husband and I are about to start a new adventure. We are moving, although our destination is undecided, and it’s time to put our house on the market. If you’ve ever moved, you know the next thing that happens. Not choosing a realtor, not painting the woodwork. Decluttering. Michael’s plan to declutter is simple. Dump…
Read MoreSunday Poetry: Later There Was Sleet
Welcome to Sunday Poetry. If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here. When I chose this poem early in the month I knew we were expecting snow that weekend, perhaps as much as an inch, but it never materialized. We’ve had a sprinkling or two in Northern Virginia…
Read MoreCan We Judge A Book By Its Cover?
Early in my writing career I grabbed every novel I could find in the series romance genre to get a feel for what authors were writing and publishers were buying. I remember one in particular. The novel was charming, the cover was so truly horrific that I kept going back to look at it as I…
Read MoreLists: I Love You Because. . .
Happy Saint Valentine’s Day. Did you know today’s holiday became popular during Chaucer’s time? The real “Valentine” is obscured in legend, based on the lives of two Catholic saints, although the stories of neither hint at romance. But the world loves lovers, and in the 14th century, historical facts were stretched and altered. Now, of course, we celebrate romance…
Read MoreSunday Poetry: Curved Close and Warm
Welcome to Sunday Poetry. If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here. Valentine’s day is fast approaching, and this poem recently graced my mailbox, to remind me of the beauty of two people in love. On Tuesday I’ll start a list especially for the holiday, but…
Read MorePinterest: Pinning Your Hopes on the Internet
The Fear Factor Another new toy on the Internet? Yikes. The first time I visited Pinterest.com, I knew better than to stay. Pinterest is the definition of a detour on the highway of life. All those gorgeous images? I knew I could lose my way for hours. It was time to pack up and go…
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