Mary Anne Benedetto Writing Life

Paul DiStefano's Behind Criminal Minds

2012-01-11T18:29:00.001-05:00


Still smiling although I've been glued to my computer!

Happy 2012 everyone! I personally have a fabulous feeling about this new year. I'm juggling four, yes that's 4, writing projects and two are coming down the home stretch for having soon-to-be-announced release dates. Never Say Perfect is in final, final, final editing stage, and 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing is just awaiting cover design. I've been spending hours upon hours fiddling with formatting--something I've never done before, but didn't feel that I was incapable of learning some new skills for my publishing operation, so I plugged away at it. I was gathering information from a variety of sources, and it finally all came together. I think God was feeling sorry for me when He saw from Above that I was ready to flip out. Fortunately, I made good notes when I found what actually worked to produce the desired results, so my next formatting job will be far easier.

I want to wish all of my writing friends a wonderful, adventurous new year filled with much success, blessings and favor!

Speaking of my writing friends, I recently had the opportunity to interview Paul DiStefano, author of Behind Criminal Minds . Let me give you a little background first. It wasn't until I moved to the Albany, New York area in 1970 that I began to hear a great deal about organized crime families. Growing up in Southern California, I was truly unaware of this arena of life--either because I was simply never exposed to hearing or reading about it or because I was actually oblivious and self-absorbed in my own little world.

Once I discovered that there was this very real element of organized crime in existence, I became fascinated with it and would read most anything I could get my hands on regarding the topic. So it was with great interest that I came across a newspaper article about a book entitled Behind Criminal Minds by Paul DiStefano, a former NYPD officer and detective. I could hardly wait to order it on my Nook, and it proved to be intriguing reading material.

Paul was gracious enough to allow me to interview him, and I have to be honest with you--I could have talked with him for hours. I hated to end the conversation, but figured that I had kept him on the telephone long enough.

After watching the Donnie Brasco Story about Joe Pistone, the FBI agent who infiltrated the Mafia as "Donnie the Jeweler," Paul came to the conclusion that he had encountered many similar experiences and that he should also write a book. Attempting to find a publisher, however, ended in multiple roadblocks.

Following his retirement from the police department, he became Head of Security for L'Oreal in New York and kept a notebook in his pocket. For three years, he jotted down notes and ideas about the topics he wanted to cover in his book and then finally put it all together.

Faced with the fact that the traditional publishers only seemed to be interested in contracting with celebrities, he tried to reason with them by suggesting, "Well, if you publish my book, then I WILL be a celebrity!" He said they didn't buy this seemingly logical reasoning.

He researched and located Xlibris to self-publish his book when the manuscript had reached its final stages of completion. At this point, his working title was Not Your Ordinary Day at the Office. His editor recommended changing the title to How to Commit the Perfect Crime. After giving this some consideration, he decided that it wasn't his goal to teach criminals how to get away with crimes and made certain that his manuscript was slanted more toward his personal experiences in New York City law enforcement. Another recommended title was Death Under a Magnifying Glass, which he found rather distasteful, but was agreeable to the change to Behind Criminal Minds.

Paul explains in his book that police work can make you cold and heartless.When asked how long it took him after retirement to feel as though he was once again emotionally balanced, he replied, "About five to seven years. It wore on me. I didn't know how close I was to a nervous breakdown. Today they have a psychology unit to help them. Twelve years in a homicide unit where you go every day into a negative situation just wears you down. There was never a happy situation--only in the respect of catching who did it, but it was always such a tragedy--lives ruined. And it wasn't easy to get along with the brass--the boss--there were personality conflicts that made it really tough."

He didn't hesitate to mention specific names in his book. I wondered if that worried him once the book was published and out there for everyone to read. "I only worried about one guy, and I didn't use his real name in the book. I called him The Candy Man. He said he would get me for my part in his arrest, but he got 55 years. I figured when he gets out, what would be our method of confrontation? Dueling canes? I'd be 96 and he'd be 88!"

"I was an excellent interrogator and interviewer. I found it pretty easy to flip people. I was a good actor and a great liar. Things are always changing though. About the time I was retiring, they started a profiling unit, and you go to a specific school for this specialty."

Considering that there are no second chances when your life is constantly on the line, I couldn't imagine how Paul dealt with that day in and day out. He explained, "You had to put it out of your mind or you'd go crazy. As a detective, you're wearing a suit and it's not as risky as being on patrol. You're coming in after the crime. But there is an accumulation of everything related to what we saw and experienced, and it took its toll. I began to have no feelings--nothing fazed me any more. And toward the end, I literally began to get shaky when I knew it was time to report for work. I honestly didn't know why. Then I began to realize I couldn't do this any longer. I had to get off this job."

Regarding any advice to other writers about the do's and don'ts of publishing, Paul offered, "Don't expect that you can easily get a publisher. Self-publish, and don't expect it to be a big money maker!"

Will we be seeing future books from Paul DiStefano? He thought for a second and replied, "I could write about the years when I was Head of Security at L'Oreal or when I worked in the Attorney General's office. I also worked as a private investigator for some top defense attorneys and had some dealings with the John Gotti case. I might just have more books to write. I'd also be happy to do some consulting for television producers because I've lived it. I know what it's all about. That could possibly happen in the future."

Something I really appreciated about Behind Criminal Minds, besides getting up close and personal through the eyes of an undercover officer, was that it wasn't written with a plethora of foul language. So many times, books and movies on the topic of law enforcement are peppered with language that actually detracts from my enjoyment of the story. My husband, Fred, always says, "Well, that's the way they talk. That's real life." But I get so offended by this and find it so unnecessary, it's hard for me to gain anything positive out of the movie or book. Paul's book tells the stories and his memories without the use of polluted language. Now, I must say that there were a couple of chapters about working prostitution duty that were rather boldly descriptive and contained elements of crudeness, but it was easy to understand why these stories had to be written in this manner. According to the author, "I really made an effort to clean it up unless it was a direct quote."

I loved some of the titles of the chapters in his book: The $85 Million Heist That Almost Got Me Killed, Moonlighting Working for the Mob, Good and Bad Times at the 1st Precinct, The Ultimate Assignment: Homicide Detective, and The Dead Speak from Beyond the Grave. There are several more fascinating chapters, but these are just examples of his straight forward topics.

So if you've ever been mildly curious about the inner workings of the New York City Police Department and organized crime, this is one intriguing tell-it-like-it-is book to devour! Paul DiStefano tells the stories as though he is talking to a friend, and as the book is nearing the conclusion he says, "I don't know about other cops, but I can tell you for sure, I function better with a heart than without one."

Behind Criminal Minds is available on-line through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or you can purchase it directly from the author. Contact him at 843-215-0785 or by email at Coachpaul74@aol.com. While you're in touch with him, how about encouraging him to write another book?

Blessings until next time!

Merry Christmas and happy writing!

2011-12-17T10:17:00.000-05:00

I wanted to take a moment out of our crazy year end holiday schedules to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and for us to remember that amongst all of the gifts of clothing, scarves, electronics and toys, the greatest gift is love. Love of family, love of friends and God's love to us surpasses any material gains we could ever know.

In sitting around the dining table with family and friends this Christmas season, be prepared with a copy of the Mini-Memoir. This is a free download at my Web site www.awriterspresence.com. Click on the page called "Write About Your Life." Scroll down, and you can print a PDF copy of the Mini-Memoir, which is a fill-in-the-blank one pager that will generate discussion by older folks as well as the younger generation. Let them know that you care enough to ask the questions and find out more about their lives. Be ready with a small hand-held recorder to capture the conversations at the table--priceless memories. It's my gift to you so you can preserve some of those family stories that will erupt!

God bless you all, and may 2012 be a productive and insightful season for writers of all genres!

Mary Anne

Misconception About Dedicated Writers

2011-11-27T20:14:00.005-05:00

This is a glimpse of today's walk at Garden City Beach, SC--the epitome of a spectacularly sunny, warm day. After living in NY for so many years, I thoroughly appreciate today's 74 degree temperature at the end of November.

I hope that everyone enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving weekend 2011. As it comes to a close this evening, I'm thankful that Fred and I were able to spend the time with my sweet, loving mom. She's the best!

The Writing Life:

I have to laugh when I think about the misguided perception regarding the life of a writer. People probably think that we sit around in our pajamas all day, dreaming up articles, settings, characters and plots for our books. They may think we have all the time in the world to write at a leisurely pace and that the words magically flow every time we are seated with our fingers hovering over our keyboards.

They may imagine us sitting at our desks with fluffy foo-foo dogs stretched out beside our sock-clad feet. They picture our four-legged friends adoringly gazing up at us as they wait for an occasional pat on the head or a treat. When we need a little break, we change into a pair of sweats and mosey outdoors to walk the grateful critters, stopping at the mailbox to collect the enormous pile of royalty checks awaiting us, and then settle back in for a few more hours of uninterrupted work.

Dream on! If this were only true! A friend recently sent a video via Facebook that was so real, it was scary. It features a British woman who is describing her day. She begins with the intent to pay her bills, but is so distracted by every other thing she encounters (and one thing constantly leads to another), so by the end of the day, she still hasn't focused on paying her bills. I had to laugh because I'm afraid I can really relate. I begin my day with a definite "To Do" list, but between interruptions, various tasks around the house that need my attention, and complete disruption when I decide to take a few minutes to check Facebook or post a comment, it is really difficult to finalize anything and gleefully cross a completed item off my list. Heaven help me if I ever learn how Twitter works (also on my "To Do" list).

Many of my long term projects are in various stages of completion, so it is difficult to feel as though anything is actually accomplished by the end of the day. Baby steps toward finalization ... that's all I'm doing. There's always more research to do, more review, more editing, changes that entered my mind in the middle of the night, and very important publishing decisions to be made. And more research. What is the latest in our speed of light changing industry? Everyone thinks it's so easy.

The truth is, however, I couldn't possibly be more enamored with what I do. I'm creating publications that will hopefully entertain through my "Never Say" series and guide people in writing their memoirs with my "Easy Steps" series. I can hardly wait to announce that these projects are finalized and available.

During the next few days, I will be working on formatting my first novel, Eyelash, for Kindle, Nook, and every other e-reading device. It was released as a print book in 2006, but I can easily see the value in offering it as an e-book before I release Never Say Perfect. Eyelash is actually a prologue to Never Say Perfect, though NSP is a stand alone book and contains a great deal of mystery, family relationships, friendships, inspiration and flirts heavily with romance.

As I study the constant changes in the publishing world today, I am more and more inclined to throw my hands up in the air and press on with self-publishing so NSP will finally reach my readers. People constantly ask me when my next novel will be released, and if I continue to hold out for a traditional publisher via an agent, I'm afraid that those fans will lose interest over time. I'm beginning to feel that they've waited long enough.

I'll keep you posted on how this project of formatting Eyelash for Kindle, Nook, etc. is going. It should be mighty interesting! I'm a DIY kind of individual, as I do enjoy holding the reins in my hands. I can only hope that I don't drive myself wild with this adventure.

Inspiration for today: Don't be disheartened when all seems grim. Ephesians 1:13b-14 (NIV) tells us: Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of His glory. It reminds me that He gives us strength and that our hope and power are in Him alone. May you face today with that peace in your heart.

It's Never Dull

2011-10-31T17:11:00.006-04:00

Murrells Inlet, SC

Dear Writers,

Just when you may think I've entered the witness protection program and disappeared, here I am!

We are closing in on the deadline to register for 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing, a two session seminar to be held on Saturday, November 5 and 12, 2011 through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University, specifically at Waccamaw Higher Education Center in Litchfield, SC from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Why only two sessions? Because you will be able to obtain a manual and all of the tools needed to continue your memoir writing project at your own pace by the end of the two sessions. To register, call 843-349-6584 and someone will be delighted to enroll you in the class. Hope to see you there!

The class manual for 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing is a project that I will be publishing in print form and as an e-book. It's on the "To Do" list, and the manuscript contains the necessary steps plus tips and hints, as well as a lengthy list of questions that you can use to interview relatives about family history or that you can use to formulate your own story. It also contains resource information and a few special stories by prior workshop attendees. Stay tuned!

Never Say Perfect:

I imagine you feel like I do sometimes. Is this manuscript ever going to be published? It's such a gripping story, and here it sits on my computer, waiting like a permanent bridesmaid and never a bride. After querying a handful of agents, I queried a "to remain nameless" (I don't want them to hate me forever) publisher a few months ago and felt strongly that this would be a perfect fit. I've heard nothing from them...not yes, not no, not maybe. Their Web site indicates that a followup e-mail is appropriate after a certain number of weeks, and we have exceeded that window.

Trying to obey the rules, I sent my followup e-mail and have yet to receive a response. Frustrated to say the least, I began searching for new resources regarding the world of publishing and found Mary DeMuth's book entitled 11 Secrets of Getting Published. I could hardly wait to begin reading it after ordering it on my Nook, and it definitely did not disappoint me.

I started with a fairly speedy read-through and then sat down with pen and paper to take some important notes. Following my second read, I am encouraged and have a new and revitalized enthusiasm for Never Say Perfect. Direct from the trenches, 11 Secrets of Getting Published provides an enlightening view of important suggestions for attempting to find a publisher. I had much more to learn than I had realized.

Honestly believing that my manuscript was as publishing-ready as could be, I felt that there was nothing more I could possibly do to improve it. It was neatly wrapped and packaged with a fancy bow. Wrong! After intently studying 11 Secrets of Getting Published, it was obvious to me that I now need to thoroughly review my manuscript to search for the basic newbie errors commonly detected by agents, editors and publishers.

For example, I'll be checking for head hopping (the book provides a clear explanation of this literary faux pas), cliches, passive verbs, weak verbs, rambling and overuse of favorite words. 11 Secrets succinctly and patiently walks the reader/budding author through examples of these writing bugaboos. And I don't think I'll ever become automatically accustomed to entering only one space following a period. Old habits are truly tough to break.

Taking Mary DeMuth's advice and applying it to Never Say Perfect can only improve my manuscript, after which I will be simultaneously querying a new batch of agents. Hopefully, at least one will see the value that the story holds for touching hearts and souls. An enormous thank you to Mary DeMuth for providing a guide that is direct, informative and not fluffy or sugar-coated. She carefully spells out what it means to struggle with being a writer, including all of the inherent challenges as well as blessings. Don't forget to visit her Web site at www.marydemuth.com to take advantage of the beneficial resources she offers. If you happen to sign up for her e-mail newsletters, you'll be truly blessed because she often begins with a word of prayer. Sometimes that prayer arrives just when I seem to need it!

Writing and Publishing-Not for those who expect instant success:

This entire year has been jam packed with frequent travel, family emergencies, blogging, professional education and a very few rounds of not my best golf. All of this has resulted in my writing projects moving ahead at turtle speed in terms of finalization. Hopefully, over the next couple of months I can dedicate enough uninterrupted time to finishing the projects that have been placed on my heart to share.

Is the writing life easy? It's rather comical actually--when I was working full time in property management and squeezing out paragraph after paragraph for Eyelash in my spare moments, I believed that if I could only write full time, accomplishing my goals would be so simple and I could be hyper-productive. What I discovered was that juggling multiple writing projects requires tremendous discipline and that every day normal life has a way of encroaching on concentration and dedication. I have also learned that I can only give my best efforts, and beyond that, it's in God's timing. As it all unfolds, may it always be to His honor and glory.

Until next time......

Back again!

2011-10-01T10:47:00.006-04:00

Whirlwind Schedule:

Most of my blog writing time has been devoted to www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com recently, but as the stories from that fabulous trip begin to wind down, I've decided to continue writing the blog with periodic posts about interesting U. S. destinations. Sharon, Laura, Marianne and I have discussed possible future European visits and placed London and Paris on our wish lists, but that won't be happening right away. So stay tuned....

In the interim, my luggage has frequently been packed lately and I've been on the road constantly. One destination was The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia, which I will definitely write about in a travel blog post in the near future. This was such an amazing location for a refreshing break in the action. A truly hidden gem! I had an opportunity to tour the kitchen and wine cellar at this resort, which was fascinating. Be sure to keep checking on the travel blog periodically for details about this location, as well as other great getaway sites.

Never Say Perfect:

Still waiting to hear from the publisher to whom the manuscript was sent for review. Their site says to check back with them if you haven't heard anything in 12-16 weeks. Well, we're getting into that vicinity very soon. Will keep you up to date. This manuscript will not be buried--even if it is necessary to self-publish it.

Memoir Writing:

Here's a little tip from my upcoming book, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing, for generating some of those long forgotten life events:

Listen to old favorite music. I visited www.musicoutfitters.com, chose "Resources", then "Top 100 songs from 1950 to the present", clicked on 1969 (the year I was a high school senior, yipes...was it that long ago???), and up popped a list of the biggest hits of that year. Just reviewing them brought forth a flood of memories to my brain. I could hardly write them down fast enough.

You can also access www.tropicalglen.com to actually hear the music that will bring you straight back to any year of your choosing. While this method may not work for everyone, if you've spent as many years being a music lover as I have, many selections will paint incredibly vivid memories. Another resource for listening to the music is www.youtube.com. Your favorite selections may just be available to you with photos or video. Just type the name of the song in the "Search" area and see what appears.

From church hymns to popular songs, some of my earliest musical recollections are:

"My Happiness" by Connie Francis-During an overnight stay in the hospital following my tonsillectomy at age seven, I awoke in the middle of the night and heard this song being played on a radio located at the nearby nurses' station. I recall being anxious to get out of there and back home to familiar surroundings, but I'll never forget hearing this selection of music that entered my room from the hallway as I eased back into my state of groggy, nighttime slumber.

"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" by Brian Hyland-I was nine years old, it was about 4:30 a.m. in North Carolina darkness, and my Dad was leaving for a trip to Arizona, where our family would be moving once school was over for the semester. There was a radio playing this song in the background as he prepared to say goodbye, and I had extremely mixed feelings about his imminent departure. I'd miss him terribly for the next two months, but our upcoming move to Arizona represented an exciting adventure, filled to the brim with the unknown.

Choose a year and select three or four songs to see if some special memories formulate. Write them down, type them into a Word document or capture your thoughts on a recorder while the thoughts are fresh in your mind. Continue this process periodically, and before you know it, you will have built a substantial collection of stories!

Let me know if this works for you, and don't hesitate to share some of the recollections with us. We welcome your submission of special memories.

Inspiration for today:

This verse just jumped off the page at me the other day from Proverbs 14:30 NIV. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Wow! "Rots the bones" struck me as pretty major stuff. The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that it is so true. When I am at peace in my heart, when I know my heart is in the right place and I am doing things for the right reasons, I feel a sense of comfort that I'm exactly where God wants me to be. If I'm wasting time being anxious or thinking about what someone else has or what they have achieved that I haven't, my insides feel as though I have swallowed rocks.

Have you ever known someone who didn't have one nice thing to say about anyone? Everything that flows from his or her lips seems to be coming from a negative position? I think that relates to envy as well. Perhaps he or she envies something about everyone else and that creates an evolving insecurity, translating into spouting negative comments so this person feels better about herself or himself. It gives them a feeling of superiority to point out what they perceive to be the negative aspects of others. Well, I do believe that an envious attitude rots the bones! I've seen it in the scowls on their faces that have long replaced the smiles.

Find something positive and encouraging to say to someone today. It will bring a natural smile to your face!

A Time and Season for Everything

2011-08-15T13:10:00.004-04:00

A Proper Time and Procedure for Every Matter:

I almost had to laugh when I reviewed last month's post. I was making significant progress with a variety of projects when a multitude of circumstances arose and ground almost everything to a halt. I have managed to produce a weekly post on www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com, which chronicles a recent trip to Italy, but that has been the extent of any meaningful work on my other writing projects. There was unexpected travel to NY because of the very sad passing of someone who was like family and shortly thereafter important medical issues with my mom, which took me out of state in yet another direction. Fortunately, Mom is doing just fine now, but we need to make some changes to have her in close proximity to us so we can be of better and speedier assistance to her in the future.

Life has a way of presenting emergency situations and priorities that cannot be ignored in spite of the fact that, as writers, we would love to retreat to a location where there are no interruptions or responsibilities that beckon us away from our work. When the time is right, I'll be once again firmly planted on the writing track. Until then, however, I wanted to share a few hints for assisting older relatives/friends with preserving their stories:

Motivate them by telling them how important it is to you that their memories be captured.
Encourage them by spending quality time with them to elicit their stories.
Move slowly. You can't rush them. They won't cooperate if they are feeling pressured.
Offer them the Mini-Memoir as a starting point. Free access at www.awriterspresence.com.
Initiate memory-generating conversations. Use a small recorder to preserve the dialog.
Retrieve old family photos, albums or movies to refresh their memories.
Supply questions in advance. They may need time for reflection before answering.

Try to be patient, but remember that their stories will remain with them and be unobtainable if they are not captured. I hope that these hints are helpful. I always think about my friend, Sandi, who was inspired to fly to Florida and spend time interviewing and recording hours of conversation and stories with her parents after attending my memoir writing workshop series. During the visit, she learned many details that she had never known and felt so much more connected after completing her story-gathering trip. The following year, the health of her dad deteriorated and he passed away. Within the year, her mother passed as well, and how thankful Sandi is to have taken the time and effort to preserve their stories. There may be no rewind in opportunity to begin a memoir preservation project.

INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT:
Although you may be going through a difficult time, try to remember that there are others who are experiencing difficulties greater than your own! If you focus on being helpful to them, it frees you to limit the amount of time spent dwelling on your own situation.

I Thessalonians 5:18: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.....(NIV)

Ecclesiastes 8:6: For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him. (NIV)

Wishing you the best with your writing projects!!! I'm betting that next month's post will be full of uplifting joy and praise!!

Writing Equals Details

2011-07-13T20:26:00.009-04:00

Update on writing projects:

My head is spinning with projects at this moment! I'll give a brief synopsis of what's happening as of today:

The manuscript for my second novel, Never Say Perfect, is in the hands of a publisher for review. Of course, this could be yet another dead end, but I pray that it clicks with the editor and good news arrives before I have one foot in the grave. I'm really trying to practice infinite patience on this project, as it's been ready to go for some time now.

I am about two to three weeks away from finalizing a book and e-book project entitled 10 Easy Steps to Writing the Life Story of Your Treasured Pet. This is based on information gathered and my experience in helping people write their pet stories. I wanted to make this option available to anyone who would like to capture the special memories of their other "family members." As we know, the devil is in the details, and I am chipping away at the various items on my To Do list that will be necessary for completing the project. Stay tuned!

This fall, I'll be teaching 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University and am in the process of developing a guide for that class and for eventual publication. It will also contain some select stories from former students who have graciously agreed to allow me to share what they have written. I'm excited about this project as well!

"Mr. Burns"...........................Quite a guy!!!

Two years ago, I was participating in a vendor fair at Cooper House and met Faith Robertson, who was one of the organizers of the event. When she found out that I assist people in writing their life stories, she said, "You have got to meet my dad. He has some very interesting stories to tell." At the end of that day, along came Mr. Robertson to help Faith pack up her belongings, and we were introduced. We chatted for a while, and what a charmer he is!!! At the time we met, he was 83 years old and full of spunk and energy. He began to share some of the highlights of his life, and Faith was right--he had some fascinating stories to tell. We talked about how I might be able to guide him in preserving those memories for his daughters, and shortly after that time, our journey began. He recently published "Mr. Burns" and has now held two book signings--one in Canada and one in the Myrtle Beach area, with yet another scheduled in Virginia at the end of this month.

At 85 years of age, he is more energetic than ever and is enjoying sharing his stories with many people who have been waiting to see exactly what he would reveal in his book. He golfs, bowls, enjoys boating, socializing and helping people, and is a huge inspiration to others.

Although his first name is Burns, people have called him "Mr. Burns" for many years. His book tells about the highlights of his life including relocating to Middleburg, Virginia from Quebec, Canada at age 5, serving in two branches of the military, falling in love and marrying his sweetheart, Rachel, owning a business, the births of his daughters, dabbling in thoroughbred horse racing, enjoying community service through his membership in the Lions Club and the American Legion, celebrities he met in the Middleburg, Virginia area, family outings as Washington Redskins fans, the travel adventures that he and Rachel enjoyed over the years, and the various trips he has taken with daughters, Suzie and Faith, in recent times. He doesn't hesitate to give credit to God for seeing him through all of the ups and downs in life.

Burns Robertson was such a delight to work with, and I will always treasure the time we spent together on this project. He reminded me so much of my own dad (1919-1999) and on those occasions when he would utter certain little phrases that my dad used to say, I would just shake my head and smile. Sometimes working with him almost made me feel as though I was being granted a little time with my dad again. Really special.

If you would like to order his book, he can be contacted by email at: burnsrsf@sccoast.net or an order can be directly placed through www.tbmbooks.com. You will enjoy his tales of a fascinating life.

I want to commend Mr. Robertson for seeing this project through to completion and beyond! He is one amazing character, and I hope that his memoir inspires others to preserve their memories as well.

If you are in the Myrtle Beach area and want to learn how to jump-start a memoir preservation project, sign up for my OLLI at CCU course to be held in November at Waccamaw Higher Ed Center!

Troubled and discouraged today?
I Peter 5:7 tells us: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (NIV)
We don't have to do life alone.......

Until next time, don't forget to read my Italy travel posts in www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com. A new segment is posted each Monday!

New Travel Blog and Pedals, Prayers & Perseverance

2011-06-17T09:08:00.007-04:00

New Travel Blog:
During a recent, somewhat unexpected visit to Italy in May, 2011 with three friends, Laura, Sharon and Marianne, I realized that this could possibly be the trip of a lifetime for me. In keeping with the theme I share with everyone who will listen to me regarding preserving our special memories, I jotted down pertinent notes during the day and wrote extensively in my journal at night. If I hadn't been so diligent about this, I would have already forgotten approximately 3/4 of the details of our trip. Yes, we have tons of photos, but the pictures don't portray our thoughts, feelings, and some of the particularly humorous situations. Only words can convey these intangibles.
This experience drove me to create a special blog for reporting travel adventures, so please visit www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com to learn all about this unforgettable girl trip to Italy. A new segment will be posted each Monday until the entire story is told. Don't forget to sign up as a follower so you won't miss a post!

Pedals, Prayers & Perseverance:
Speaking of sharing life stories, I am thrilled to announce the release of an amazing book by my client, David E. Herlt, of Pawleys Island, SC. A fan of organized, long distance bicycle rides all over the world, Mr. Herlt turned his journal notes about these excursions into a fascinating, poignant book entitled Pedals, Prayers & Perseverance.

I could never have imagined that stories about riding bicycles would be so intriguing, but Dave's book encompasses tales of the sport, the joys and sorrows of participating in these events, and the mix of personalities he met along the way. Accompanied by Mary Koster Herlt, they toured the roads from the Iowa cornfields to New York City streets before participating in a coast to coast Cross Canada biking event in 2004. This all took place after Mary had suffered a series of complicated health issues and had miraculously recovered sufficiently enough to begin a walking, biking, and tennis regimen about which she maintained a daily log of statistics. This book can be purchased by contacting the author at 843-237-2119 or by ordering on-line at www.tbmbooks.com, where you can search for the book by title or by author name. This is a book that everyone can enjoy, whether or not you are a biking enthusiast!

Until next time, I hope you are capturing the events of your life!!!

Easter Sunrise over Surfside Beach

2011-04-29T15:58:00.007-04:00

Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011:
How amazing to have set the alarm on Easter Sunday morning, awakening in time to join an enthusiastic crowd of people who had gathered for the purpose of praise and worship to God as the sun gradually ascended over the ocean right before our eager, yet misty eyes! The location was Surfside Beach Pier, SC, and it was a radiant scene to behold. How blessed we are to be able to drive only a matter of minutes to the beach for this glorious occasion. The crowds began to swell, and some folks chose a higher vantage point, locating a good spot to observe the panoramic view directly from the pier. The praise music was joyful, the message inspiring, and the greatest bonus was witnessing a group of several people wading out into the ocean for a baptism following the regular sunrise service. It must be rather challenging to steady everyone involved as each individual patiently awaited his or her turn while the waves crashed around them. We felt privileged to have walked to the water's edge for such a spiritual occasion. You can see from the photo that the rays from the sun reached down to bathe them in light and celebration that Jesus is risen!
NEVER SAY PERFECT:
Interestingly, I'm not yet discouraged about finding a publisher in spite of the fact that I've received five different agent rejections. For the many people who have been so incredibly patient while I go through this process, I apologize that it seems to be taking such a long time. I realize that I could self-publish Never Say Perfect and have it directly into your hands, Nooks, Kindles and I-Pads in a flash, but I vowed to really try diligently to find a publisher this time around.

The May, 2011 issue of More Magazine featured an article by Kathryn Stockett, author of the best seller, The Help, in which she chronicles her path to the publication of this well-received book. She states that she received sixty---yes, that is 60----rejections before an agent accepted her submission. How much time did she devote to seeking an agent? Three and a half years. This doesn't include the writing time...this was time exerted in submitting queries and then opening rejection letter after rejection letter. Somehow she managed not to become so discouraged that she would entirely give up. She instinctively knew that there was an audience for her book, and she persisted until publication became a reality. I am keeping this article on my desk for future inspiration!

For those who are still eagerly awaiting publication of Never Say Perfect, hang in there. The wait will absolutely be worth it!!!

LITERARY AGENTS:
Speaking of literary agents, I no longer view them as emotionless control freaks who hold our publishing fates in their condescending hands. I have been devouring the blog of Rachelle Gardner, a literary agent who really wants to bridge the gap between agents and writers. Her blog posts are informative, entertaining, and provide special insight into how this mysterious process of publishing actually works. From reading her blog, I have a better understanding of the general likes and dislikes of agents, how limited the number of projects they can undertake actually are, the fact that some agents purposely steer away from first time authors because they represent a learning curve factor that equates to time drain, and the simple fact that even though an agent may contract with you and has fallen madly in love with your project, it doesn't guarantee that they will be able to ultimately sell it to a publisher. Many ducks must be in a row, stars perfectly aligned, and it truly be destined to happen for everything to miraculously fall into place to reach the final goal of traditional publication; however, it definitely won't happen without persistence and a unique and marketable project. So there we are! I'm not ready to give up and call my dear friends, the self-publishing company that I love, quite yet. As always, I will keep you posted on the progress of Never Say Perfect, and don't forget to read Rachelle's blog at www.rachellegardner.com. Writers will find a world of valuable information by perusing her blog post archives.

I will definitely be writing blog posts more frequently, as there are some very interesting upcoming events that I will be sharing in the near future. STAY TUNED!

Matthew 17:2 (NIV):
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

No, this verse doesn't refer to Fred...but look at that brilliant sky!

LEGACY OF MEMORIES

2011-03-11T11:03:00.005-05:00

Below is a poem I recently wrote when thinking about those who resist writing their stories. Hoping you enjoy it!

It seems I'm always apologizing for the delay in creating blog posts, but there are so many projects in the works, my days fly by in a flash.

LEGACY OF MEMORIES

I wish I had told my story
Like my children asked me to.
While I could still remember
What they wanted me to do.

They were seeking our family history,
Anything I'd be willing to share.
I always meant to get started on that project,
It wasn't that I didn't care.

I was just busy with so many other tasks,
I had far too much on my mind
To zero in on my memories
For the loved ones I'd leave behind.

I could have told some humorous tales,
Pertinent occurrences, things I had learned, and more.
I'd have clued them in on stories they'd never have known
If I hadn't provided the key to my special memories door.

I really should have explained about
Some interesting events from my past.
To pass along to future generations--
A legacy that would last.

But it's too late for me now.
My eyes are closed--there's nothing more I can do.
Except to tell others--don't take your stories to the grave!
Leave behind a remembrance of you.

NEVER SAY PERFECT
I wish I had some exciting news about Never Say Perfect, but this is the update. I queried one agent in November, 2010, finally received a negative response in January, and sent three additional query letters. One very friendly, upbeat agent responded that they didn't represent Christian fiction, although their listing in the Christian Writers' Market Guide indicated that they did. Of course, that could have changed since the time of printing. Everything is always subject to change. The two additional agents acknowledged receipt of the queries, but I've not heard a word since that time.

Yesterday, I queried yet another agent, and am certainly hopeful regarding this recent submission. In my prior post, I hope that I didn't sound as though I am agent-bashing. It is not my intention to come across as negative about agents. I do believe that their services are a lifeline to authors--particularly to fiction writers--as a bridge to the publishers. The other truth is that they are bombarded by submissions, and it is necessary for them to weed through a tremendous amount of material. I'm not sure if agents are actually able to read for pleasure during their off hours, as they spend so much time reading every day in their chosen profession.

Some people say, "Go ahead and just self-publish Never Say Perfect as you did with Eyelash. We can't wait to read it!" Trust me when I tell you that I can't wait to get it out there, but I'm hoping for that validation which comes with having a publisher say, "I really like this book. We're willing to take a chance and produce it for you." If that isn't meant to happen, then I definitely would go the self-publishing route once again in order for the folks, who have been patiently waiting for this book, to be able to read about the latest saga in the life of Laina Strickland. Continue to stay tuned. I'm not giving up on agents just yet!!!

SUNNY DOGS TRAINING COMPANY--WHERE CANINES SHINE!
If you have a treasured dog in your home, and it hasn't intuitively mastered best practices in behavior, you need to call Kristen Askey at Sunny Dogs Training Company at (843) 903-7825 or visit her web site at www.sunnydogstraining.com.

Kristen teaches in-home private lessons, as well as group classes in basic obedience and socialization. She also conducts the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy class to get your new little canine family member off to a positive behavioral beginning.

When the day arrives that I find I am totally and completely retired, I intend to be the owner of a sweet, tiny foo foo dog, and we will be going to visit Sunny Dogs Training before we have the opportunity to form any negative habits. Check out the web site, and don't forget to tell others with persnickity pooches about Kristen and her classes!

INSPIRATION:
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
It's interesting to note that when you are walking life's path with Him, some of the desires of your heart have a way of becoming very different from what you originally thought they would be........

Until next time, and I surely hope it won't be such a long stretch of time until I post again. I do have some exciting topics to cover soon.

Mary Anne

Making 2011 the Year for Memoir Preservation

2011-01-11T10:02:00.004-05:00

STARTING THE NEW YEAR WITH A PROMISE:
Amidst the typical items on our New Year's resolution lists (usually related to getting more exercise, losing weight, toning those sagging muscles, pitching the donuts and making more nutritious choices for our meals and snacks, and vowing to stay in touch with friends and relatives) think about adding just one more. Why not make a commitment to creating blocks of time to work on preserving your life stories, as well as those of your parents, if possible? If it is too late to interview those family members who have passed on, write about your memories of them and then move on to your own stories. It is up to you to be certain that their history--and your own--live on. Resolve to take a life writing class, read a memoir writing book, or download a memoir preservation e-book, and allow yourself some quiet time to remember. Our stories are permanently lost if we don't make a conscious decision to capture them.

I was recently writing an article for the January, 2011 issue of Transitions, a monthly Grand Strand publication for seniors, and recalled that my dad's sister, Ruth, many years ago had used an old manual typewriter and had written about any pieces of information that she had been able to sketch together regarding our ancestors, as well as some family stories that were current at the time of her writing in January, 1983. I love reading what she entitled "Memory Excerpts of the Levi Greene Family", in which she announces that my great-grandfather was a shoemaker. It helps to be aware of these details, because now I understand why I have such an addiction to shoes!

My own mom recently told me that as a young woman, one of the jobs that she held involved working in the Shoe Department at Belk! Okay, that explains everything. I was doomed from the womb to be a collector of footwear. It's not my fault, honey.

My point is that if Aunt Ruth hadn't felt the urge to preserve family history, I wouldn't have a clue about these people. And the very same applies to you and your own loved ones. Write what you know, the stories you were told, and what you are able to find out from other relatives before your family history becomes extinct. Let 2011 be the year that you become pro-active and determined to leave a written legacy. You may just find that you actually enjoy the process!!

NEVER SAY PERFECT:
There seems to have been a bit of a holiday lull in the reading of the synopsis and first fifty pages of my manuscript by the agent to whom these items were sent. I have to be careful not to use this blog to vent my frustration related to the length of time that authors must wait to hear the news about whether they move on and try another agent or whether the one they have queried and sent the requested portion of their project to actually has any interest. I realize that they are totally inundated with queries and manuscripts, and they are entitled to enjoy the holidays just like everyone else. It's just unfortunate that our projects have to hang in limbo for such a long period of time.

At one point, I believed in seeking one agent at a time. Some state that they don't appreciate simultaneous submissions--they want to be the only one looking at your material at one time. I decided today that I'll search through the Writer's Market, a wonderful guide that supplies information on agents and publishers, and send my query to a few agents who do not object to simultaneous submissions and see if we can get some action going for Never Say Perfect! I consider myself to be a reasonably patient person, but these wheels turn so slowly. No wonder so many people jump straight to self-publishing in this age. We are told that most publishers don't want to see our work unless we have an agent. In reading the submission requirements on the websites of various agents, I'm seeing a trend now where several are becoming selective about who can even query them! Others are stating that they won't accept any queries for the next two or three months. It's an interesting ball game. But, even with that said, I don't intend to let this stop me. I just hope I'm not using a walker and unable to recognize my grandchildren by the time Never Say Perfect is in a book store.

"Oh, silly," you say. "Just put it out as an e-book on Kindle or Nook, etc. That's the present and future for reading." I know..I know. I own a Nook and LOVE it. But as long as there are still print books and physical book stores where people can walk in and admire an actual cover, I'd surely love to see Never Say Perfect residing there for a time. So I will continue to put forth the effort. Self-publishing Eyelash was an incredible educational experience for me, and really gratifying. But the difficulty is in marketing and distribution your own book. The experts say to use Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Okay, I use Facebook occasionally, but not regularly because I don't have time to read what my friends are cooking for dinner. I haven't tried Twitter yet because I'm afraid that it will become an obsession, and I don't have time for that either. I am on LinkedIn and have joined some pertinent groups, but I'll have to see how that works out. I believe that marketing/promotion of a book can be a full time job if done properly. Not enough hours in my day! But I promise to keep you posted on how the publishing quest for Never Say Perfect progresses.

A book signing in 2009
INSPIRATION:
After all of that carrying on about the publishing process, I think it would only be appropriate for me to switch to the inspiration segment of my blog. A former resident of the Grand Strand, someone who attended my workshops-Writing Your Treasured Memories AND Writing Your Christian Spiritual Journey, as well as a friend and fellow writer, Donna Weaver, has started a new blog at www.peace2sparkle.blogspot.com. You'll enjoy following her blog for a dose of inspiration and uplifting joy. She and I share a penchant for having a million irons in the fire and yet desiring to be a servant of God at the same time. Check it out!

In my crazy schedule where I could easily be at this computer 24/7, Psalm 62:1-2 reminds me:
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

I'll be back.....

Special Memories at Holiday Time

2010-12-05T13:18:00.008-05:00

SPECIAL MEMORIES:

During this interim period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we often straddle the banks of the river between reflection and frenzy to accomplish all items on the TO DO list. I'm feeling thankful that we spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with Mom here in SC and enjoyed some memorable times. She really enjoyed Sunday service at Beach Church and brunch afterwards at Wachesaw Plantation Club. We missed having her with us today when we repeated the same schedule!

One thought about this season of getting together with family members whom you might not see very often would be to take full advantage of the time and institute a new tradition. Allow each family member, from the youngest to the most mature in years, to share a special memory from the past--something that they will always remember as a life-altering moment, or simply something that is very meaningful to them. I'd take it one step further and make sure you have an audio recorder handy. I would say that you should video each individual as they speak, but sometimes video inhibits older folks and they might be intimidated, speaking less freely. It's fine to let them know that you are recording for posterity, but don't stick the recorder under their noses. Even the tiniest recorders on the market today are powerful, so placing it in a less obvious location can be helpful in allowing the memories to flow.

Let it be a tradition that is carried on and on. Have someone transcribe the notes from each gathering, and you'll have a great little book of memories some day!

GIRLFRIENDS VISIT:

Speaking of wonderful memories, four of my Cape May girlfriends, Candy, Dee Dee, Cheryl, and Mary Ann, were here in early November for a few days. Prior to their arrival, the weather was sunny and quite warm. The day after they drove into my driveway, it was rainy and dismal until....you guessed it.....the day they were leaving, when the clouds flew away out into the ocean and the sun was brilliantly shining. The same thing happened two years ago when they came to visit. Undaunted by dreary weather, we managed to shop and see some sights, just enjoying the company of one another.

I also planned a little get together--a Mary Kay party--so they could meet some of my other friends here in SC. I invited a special guest, and he was the hit of the Mary Kay party. The only problem was that he arrived the moment all of the women had removed their makeup for a skin care session! Hmmm....I should have considered sequence of timing just a little differently...But a huge thank you to Carol Austin of Mary Kay Cosmetics and her assistant, Jane, who navigated the session beautifully in spite of all of the distractions I provided!
Yes, Elvis was in the neighborhood and stopped by to say hello to the girls! Imagine their surprise when he walked through the front door at the moment not one of them was wearing a speck of makeup. And so many were under the impression that he was no longer living......Amazing!! A special thank you to Elvis for stopping by and creating an unrepeatable memory for all of us....

NEVER SAY PERFECT:
I promised to let everyone know about the progress of my second novel. The manuscript is finished, and a query letter, synopsis, and the first fifty pages have been sent to the number one agent on my list. I'll keep you posted as this publishing story unfolds. My intention is to make every attempt to attract an agent and publisher this time. If I exhaust all efforts without success, as I do realize that the publishing business has become tougher than ever, you may be certain that I'll publish it, as was done with Eyelash.

I believe that I learned a great deal from the experience of publishing Eyelash--sort of what to do and what not to do. The main obstacle with self-publishing is distribution. Yes, it can be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and it is easier than ever to publish an e-book for Kindle or Nook, but to have that book present in brick and mortar book stores across the country...naturally, that is the dream of most authors. With the growing popularity of Kindle and Nook, however, those dreams could begin to shift...making it easier and easier for authors to publish without a substantial monetary investment.

I have to admit that I LOVE my Nook. I never imagined that I would feel that way, but I remembered the titles of a couple of books that were on my wish list the other night and sat here in the comfort of my office, downloaded them in minutes, and voila! There they were for me to instantly begin to read. There are many positives about this technology. It may be the fact that it's such a time saver, and we all know about the desire for instant gratification.

Back to the dilemma of authors: There is still the issue of book marketing, whether the only source of availability of your book is on-line or you if have a garage that contains boxes of your treasured creation. One must still find logical, effective methods of getting the word out to the world so they are aware that your wonderful book exists. Fortunately, I write because I absolutely love writing, creating characters and situations, and I get to determine exactly what happens to these people. It's fun being in control of the outcome! Hopefully, someone will invent the magic formula for book marketing that will benefit all authors......Until then, I'll let you know what's happening with Never Say Perfect. Stay tuned!

INSPIRATION:

In today's sermon, the minister said something that really resonated with me: "When you choose to forgive someone, you are releasing yourself from responsibility of their choices." We can't make people do what we want them to do, and we can't stop people from doing what they are going to do. But if they happen to hurt us along the way, forgiving them will free us from the bondage of bitterness and anger. Let it go.....so you can have a peaceful soul. See you soon....

Catching Up...

2010-10-27T15:09:00.007-04:00

ANNIVERSARY TRIP TO CALIFORNIA: In September, Fred and I took a little trip to Northern California and visited the Napa Valley wine country. This year marked the occasion of our thirtieth anniversary, and when Fred asked me where I wanted to go to celebrate this milestone, I said, "Italy." His response was that as long as he is still in the working world, which means he travels constantly, he wanted to postpone the trip to Italy until such time as he is retired so he could thoroughly enjoy it and not have to turn right around from an international trip and immediately hop on another plane for work. Being the agreeable soul that I am, I totally understood and chose the next best thing: The Napa Valley.
Our weather was fabulous, and we toured several vineyards including Mondavi, Staglin, Miner, Gargiulo, and Castello di Amorosa. Each vineyard was distinctive in some way, and I learned a great deal about the process of wine making. I now know why some wines are far more pricey than others, something I never quite understood before walking through the actual details of the process. Several people said that the Napa Valley reminds them of Tuscany, but I'll have to wait a little bit longer to decide that for myself. I was especially impressed with Staglin Vineyards and their charitable contributions to mental health via their Salus wine collection and extensive fund raising efforts.
We enjoyed three rounds of golf with friends at Eagle Vines, Wente, and Poppy Hills. At the first two, the fairways weave in and out of the vineyards, which is rather interesting. Wente is an intriguing layout with lovely grounds, and Poppy Hills is very close to Pebble Beach. We had to stop in to absorb the breathtaking views of Pebble Beach.
We ventured south to Monterey for a brief overnight stay and then moved onward along the Coast Highway (where there must have been 500 people participating in a bike event) to tour Hearst Castle in San Simeon before we stayed in Ventura Beach. Moving on the following day, our final destination was the Ritz Carlton at Laguna Niguel, which was beyond amazing. It was an anniversary trip to forever remember--good friends and great times in northern and southern CA.
BACK IN SOUTH CAROLINA AGAIN: The truth is, however, that wherever I go, I love coming back to our home in SC, where the beaches are beautiful, the climate is generally pleasant, and people are friendly, warm and happy to be here. I'm teaching workshops in November through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University-Litchfield location, and look forward to meeting the people who will attend. I hear the most fascinating stories, and LOVE helping people write their life stories to pass along to future generations. This truly is my passion. Details are on my web site at www.awriterspresence.com.
2011 MEMOIR PRESERVATION CRUISE: Don't forget to call Kate to choose your cabin for the Bermuda cruise to be held in October, 2011. Deposits are required by 12/7/10, so contact Kate at (843) 294-9904 to secure your spot. We'll have a fabulous time!!! You will learn how to get started on a memoir preservation project, or if you've already taken my workshops, we'll have a workshop for those who have the tools to complete the project, but seem to be stuck in the mud without a shovel. Visit www.awriterspresence.com for additional information.
INSPIRATION: I have to say that God continues to bring the most incredible people into my path. I don't believe for a moment that we coincidentally run across these people. I do believe that He orchestrates circumstances that bring us into contact with certain individuals for a particular reason. We can't fool Him, you know. Sometimes people do things for others, and on the surface it would appear that they are ultra-generous and helpful. On occasion, it turns out that they actually have selfish motives for what they do, but God knows our hearts. We can't hide our secret motives from Him, and my point is that when you do something for someone else, let it be for unselfish reasons. Let it be because they need a hand, or an emotional lift, or a meal, or a ride to a medical appointment, or just an ear to listen. Don't make a mental note that they now owe you something in return. .....Lord, you know everyone's heart. Acts 1:24 (NIV) ....A happy heart makes the face cheerful...Proverbs 15:13 (NIV) You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Until next time, put a smile on the face of someone just because you want to do something special for them....and it will bring a smile to your own face as well.

Just a Bunch of Stuff

2010-09-11T11:23:00.005-04:00

ANOTHER GREAT LOCATION FOR A WALK:
As promised, I am featuring another favorite place for a nice, long walk. Today's selection is Market Common off Farrow Parkway in Myrtle Beach. This is a lovely, upscale area with many stores and unique shops. Some offices have now taken up residence here as well. It is a mixed use neighborhood with commercial and residential harmoniously coexisting, and it is extremely well maintained. The sidewalks are lined with palm trees, maple trees, seasonal flowers, and charming double head street lighting. Wooden tables, chairs, benches and rockers are plentiful just in case you need to rest those aching feet during your walk.
During my Sept. 10, 2010 walk, I noticed that it is particularly pleasant to navigate the sidewalks now that the family tourist season has shifted into the golf tourist season. This venue includes a small play area, where the little ones can climb and slide, as well as an area where chess aficionados can participate in a quick game with oversize chess pieces. Some of the restaurants offer outdoor dining, which can be a fascinating activity for avid people watchers on a beautiful, blue sky day.
Many people choose to walk their treasured pets at Market Common, and several of the stores welcome pet owners along with their pooches. Strolling along to the sound of outdoor music that is definitely from the baby boomer era, I listened to songs that I hadn't heard in years!
Market Common is a perfect place to take in a movie, purchase a new book, shop for gifts or clothing, and enjoy a pleasant dining experience.....or just take that long walk for daily exercise. Visit www.marketcommonmb.com for a list of fabulous shops and restaurants....but that's not all. During your walk, don't forget to continue on Howard Avenue and visit some stores that are not listed in the complex directory because they are just a little bit further down the street from the main area. One gem is Regan's Irish Cottage at 2834B Howard Avenue. You'll love all of the authentic Irish items from which to choose, and say hi to Theresa when you stop in. She will help you find the perfect Irish gift.

Ereaders:
Having made the decision to take the plunge and buy an Ereader, I just spent hours researching the differences between Amazon's Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook. I swore when we moved from New York to South Carolina that I was never going to accumulate the collection of books that I had to dispose of when we moved. Although I kept many favorites, including any books that were signed by authors whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, I was not going to turn this home into a library. We have lived here for three years, and I am shocked to see the number of new books I have collected.
I resisted purchasing an Ereader for a long time, waiting for the prices to slowly decline, the technology to be perfected, and the bugs to be squashed through trial and error. I also love to hold an actual book in my hand, turning the pages with anticipation; however, I believe that now is the time. I have no more bookshelf space, and when I travel I don't want to load my luggage with heavy books because of the airline weight restrictions and I can't possibly carry all of my reading material plus projects on which I'm working on board, so the obvious solution is a wireless reading device. Now for the big question!!! Kindle or Nook, both of which have a variety of wonderful features, as well as minor issues that could sway me either way. As of this moment, I can go to Barnes and Noble and immediately purchase a Nook, enjoying the benefit of conferring with a real person who will help me begin this journey. There are some advantages with Kindle, but the demand for the newest versions are so enormous, they are actually out of stock at Amazon. I also read some interesting information about battery replacement issues that have me leaning toward the Nook. I'll let you know what I finally decide, and I promise to take you along on this Ereader journey in future blog posts.

2011 Memoir Preservation Cruise to Bermuda:
This is going to be such an incredibly exciting time. Please join us, and tell friends and family all about it! Visit www.awriterspresence.co m for details! Memoir writing workshops along with loads of fun, and the opportunity to benefit a worthy organization, CASA (Citizens Against Spouse Abuse). Join us for the time of your life!

Never Say Perfect:
In between speaking to groups, teaching workshops, working with clients, traveling, researching, marketing, and accounting, I am still finalizing the editing process for this novel. I don't want to rush any part of it, as I want it to be a page turner that you simply can't stop reading. I'll let you know when the manuscript is ready to go and I am seeking an agent. Stay tuned.

Inspiration:
What does prayer give you? It offers hope, peace, acknowledgment that the situation is beyond your control and in Higher Hands. We don't always understand why things happen, but we are comforted that we are not alone in handling whatever may arise.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. I John 5:14 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Until next time, don't forget to be working on your memoir writing! Don't take your stories to the grave!!!

My Mom, The Boat Captain

2010-08-10T08:56:00.007-04:00

My Amazing Mom:

While recently visiting with Mom, she had arranged for us to go to dinner with some family friends. After our dinner, they announced that they'd like for us to take a ride on their boat on Lake Hickory, NC. Mom was very enthusiastic about this adventure, but little did I know that she would end up being the boat captain! She was so excited to enjoy the experience of driving a boat for the first time at age 83! God bless her. She is the most caring, loving, and inspiring person that one could ever have the privilege of knowing. I can't wait to see what she has on the agenda for my next visit!!

Huntington Beach State Park:

I know that in prior blog posts, I have promised to offer information on various wonderful places in the Grand Strand to take long walks for the exercise that we need, and I had referenced Garden City Beach in one post. This time, I am featuring Huntington Beach State Park. As you leave Murrells Inlet on Highway 17 South, the entrance is on the left before you reach Brookgreen Gardens. One really has to watch for the entrance sign, as traffic is swiftly moving along at 55 mph +. As we enter, we cross a popular bike path and then continue to a booth where fees for park use are collected. Passes for the parks can be purchased, and I discovered on a recent trip to the library that Horry County libraries are no longer selling the passes as they have in the past. It will now be necessary to purchase the pass for full price at the park. It's still a bargain, however. For the number of times I go there to walk, or even for use at Myrtle Beach State Park, where I'll pull into the parking lot in the middle of winter on a chilly day just to sit for a few minutes and observe the waves rolling into shore and the birds in flight, it is well worth the price. I definitely get my money's worth a zillion times over.

Anyway, once we have passed the booth, we drive very slowly across the causeway. On the right side is a sand bar where alligators frequently gather. Some days, there are no sightings during the causeway drive, and one day I counted seven gators! At the end of the causeway, one has a choice--turn to the right or turn to the left. A turn to the right takes you to a parking lot that is perfect unless it is a summer weekend afternoon, which can be crowded. This location offers a gift shop and indoor restrooms, which is a HUGE plus. It also is the home of the remains of Atalaya, the Moorish-style winter home of Hyatt and Archer Huntington. You can't miss it, and guided tours are frequently offered, and there is a minimal charge.

This is a 2,500 acre park with unspoiled, non-commerical beaches. If you walk from the jetty on one end to the first house you encounter at the other end (North Litchfield), you have walked three miles. They also offer coastal kayaking, a 2 hour guided tour of the salt marsh. Walking this beach, especially during the off season, makes you feel like you have landed on a special island without a building in sight--until you reach the first beach house in North Litchfield. It is truly one of my favorite walks, even in the heat of summer. I walk along the edge of the water, which is refreshing in spite of the temperatures. I highly recommend this walk, and you can discover more about this location at http://www.huntingtonbeachsc.org or by calling (843) 237-4440.

Never Say Perfect:
I have finished the editing process of reading a chapter of my new novel to Fred each night, but in doing so, thought of a few more incidents I would like to add, and need to smooth out a few areas. It's something that you just can't rush. You have to work with it, set it aside for a few days, and return to the project with fresh eyes and perspective. I look forward to the day when I can hit SAVE and know that I am truly finished with this particular book and can move forward with all of the other projects that are in various stages of completion. You will be the first to know when I am ready to make my first attempt at seeking an agent. I plan to take you through every step of this process, as you'll be able to follow along the path of Never Say Perfect right here in this blog. So you'll want to stay tuned!

2011 Memoir Preservation Cruise to Bermuda:
Plans are being finalized! The cruise will be from Baltimore to Bermuda on October 1, 2011 through October 6, 2011 on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. You'll sail with me and have your choice of workshops to enjoy during days "at sea." It will be an opportunity to meet others who are either writing their life stories or are just there to kick up their heels and tour scenic Bermuda. Call Kate Jensen, CruiseOne-Myrtle Beach with cruise questions at (843) 294-9904 and feel free to call me at (843) 215-4676 with workshop questions! A $100 deposit will be due 12/7/10 and final payment on 7/23/11. Prices vary with choice of cabin, so call Kate today. Don't take your stories to the grave--preserve them! Learn how to easily do this while you cruise the Atlantic!

Inspiration:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die.....
In memory of Peggy Jones, who passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, following a long battle with cancer. She's at peace and singing praises with the angels, arms lifted high! She's home.

Hanging Out With Mary Anne Benedetto

2010-07-13T16:40:00.005-04:00

Vacation & Never Say Perfect:
Okay, I think that there are people who believe that my entire life is a permanent vacation. Granted, I live where I can be at the beach in ten minutes and play golf 12 months a year, but they don't see the extensive list of my writing projects that are in various stages of completion PLUS another list of project ideas that I haven't even started yet. I don't want to begin another project until some of my works-in-progress are finalized!
I did, however, enjoy a wonderful break in the action by once again participating in our annual Cape May Girls Getaway Week. Some of us have been trekking with beach chairs, sunscreen, bathing suits, and beach towels to Victorian Cape May, NJ for over 20 years. Candy, Mary Ann, and I are originals, with Lori & Dee Dee joining, and then Robin, Calf & Cheryl for the past few years. The beauty is that each individual can do whatever suits them at any given moment without the others being concerned that someone is being moody or not participating. Everyone does their own thing all day long. We all know exactly where to congregate at the beach, so it's very easy to locate our group.
Personally, I love taking long, long walks around Cape May, and I don't usually hit the beach until sometime in the afternoon. On this trip, I took some time to soak in the local color of research for Never Say Perfect, the novel on which I am currently working. Just as in Eyelash, Laina Strickland and her husband, Dan, own a bed & breakfast in charming Cape May. I gathered information on various b & b's, talked to some guests, and also interviewed a woman who had owned a b & b in this location for 30 years. I sat in one b & b and made observations about the decor, furnishings, and atmosphere.
To me, half of the fun of writing a novel is the aspect of research. When we write about a real locale, as opposed to a totally fictitious setting, we want to be as accurate as possible. For instance, in my manuscript draft, Laina has to make a stop at the post office. I knew from several years of walking by that building that there is a sizable parking lot directly behind it, and I had written that was Laina parking there. On closer inspection, I noticed a sign that clearly states that this lot is for employees and official post office vehicles; however, there are a limited number of parking spaces in front of the post office, designated as 15 minute parking. So I've made the adjustment in the scene to have Laina parking out front. You may think that these are immaterial details, but in my own mind, I feel far more comfortable providing accurate information. Anyone familiar with that particular area of Cape May might actually recognize an erroneous reference.
I've always been drawn to research and details and am geared that way, so this is not tedious to me, but very satisfying. One of my favorite college courses was LEGAL RESEARCH! Need I say more?
The editing process for Never Say Perfect continues, including reading a couple of chapters to my husband, Fred, a few times each week. He's great at telling me that a scene needs elaboration or clarification or if something simply doesn't sound logical. My first reaction to his suggestions is usually one that is defensive and I attempt to argue my point, justifying why I wrote it a particular way; however, I digest what he offers and often realize that he does have a valid point, though it is extremely painful to admit such a thing. I actually like the way he challenges me to more closely evaluate what I am writing, rather than just compiling a collection of words and situations, twists and turns.
Never Say Perfect contains a great deal of mystery, and I LOVE to generate surprises in my writing. A huge thank you to my husband of 30 years on 7/19/10 for assisting me with this project!

2011 Memoir Preservation Cruise:
Plans are formulating as we speak for the 2011 Memoir Preservation Cruise!!! Tentatively, we are zeroing in on a departure of 10/1/11 from Baltimore on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas for a 5 night cruise to Bermuda. There will be choices of memoir workshops, plus loads of free time. This will be great for people just beginning a memoir project, as well as those who have already started. Plus it will be so much fun to gather everyone together to network and talk about their own projects and experiences. Every time I hold a workshop, I dispense a great deal of information and invariably learn something new from my students! If we don't capture our stories, we take them to the grave........just food for thought. I'll keep posting as additional information is available regarding the cruise and pricing. Plan ahead--it will be a memorable experience.

Inspiration:
In the midst of my crazy, busy existence I want to say that even when I am out of control, God is in control. He is my Source, my Protector, my Guide. Nothing happens in my time and through my wheel spinning efforts, but everything happens in His time and through His faithfulness to us. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 ....Yet another Divine promise.....

See you again soon!

Memoir Writing and Even More Exercise

2010-06-07T17:39:00.006-04:00

On The Road Again:
I just returned from a visit to Albany, NY, where I experienced yet another whirlwind trip. It always seems that we hit the ground running when we arrive, and we run short on time before we connect with everyone we would like to see. Unfortunately this time, Fred's Aunt Bridget fell and broke her hip just before we were due to arrive to visit with her on Memorial Day. We felt so badly for her, but she looked much better just before we left. She had gone through hip replacement surgery and is hopefully on the mend. She is such a character. She's the tiniest little Italian lady with an amazing sense of humor. She reminds me so much of the elderly mom on The Golden Girls. Our prayers for a speedy recovery are with her every day!

Memoir Writing:
The next two session series is scheduled for June 14 and 21 at Tupelo Bay in Garden City, SC, and plans are still being formulated for a 2011 Memoir Writing Boot Camp Cruise if there is sufficient interest. Information will be forthcoming.

There are people who are reluctant to write their life stories because they are under the impression that they have to include every single detail. Honestly, this is not at all the case!! We all have a right to privacy, and I don't know anyone who has gotten through life without ever making at least one decision that turned out to be not in their best interest. You don't have to divulge details that you are too uncomfortable to share. Writing about them can be a healing experience, and then you can leave those sordid stories on the cutting room floor if you choose. The extent to which you remove the mask and reveal the wrinkles is up to you! The important thing is to capture your memories before it becomes impossible. Start today.......You'll be surprised at the details you will recall.

Exercise:
In a previous post, I promised to begin writing about Great Walks in the Myrtle Beach area. I have compiled a long list, but I started with Garden City Beach. I discovered that if I drive north on Business 17, turn left on Atlantic Ave (Garden City Pancake House is on one corner, Wings/Dunkin' Donuts is on another corner), follow Atlantic all the way to the end, turn left at the traffic light, drive a short distance on N. Waccamaw Drive, and park in the small parking lot directly across the road from Calhoun Drive, I will enjoy immediate access to the beach without having to trudge any major distance, which is helpful if you are loaded down with beach chairs, coolers, umbrellas, and reading material. If you aren't planning to sit and watch the waves roll in, you can wear your beach walking shoes and set out in the direction of the Garden City Pier.

It is a twenty minute walk to the pier, and well worth it. At the pier, there is an arcade, a tackle shop, a cafe, and next door is Painter's Ice Cream, where you can treat yourself to an ice cream, well aware of the fact that you'll be walking another twenty minutes to return to your car. The web site www.pieratgardencity.com
indicates that they feature live music during the summer evenings, something I plan to check out. The walk is very pleasant, with the ocean on one side and a variety of condos and beach homes on the other. I never know what I will encounter next at Garden City Beach. One day during the winter, there were horses on the beach. Recently, I saw a woman who carried her beach chair and belongings to her desired location and set up her camp in the sand. I found myself staring at what I thought was a brightly colored hat, but at closer inspection it was a large parrot, adorned with brilliant shades of turquoise, blue and yellow. Until the bird's owner was settled into her beach chair, this bird sat directly on top of her head--even when she returned to her car to retrieve a stand for it to perch on. The sight of this beautiful bird proudly sitting on the stand attracted droves of young children, who were fascinated by the creature. I guess it's never dull at Garden City Beach!

Inspiration:
While in the Albany area this past weekend, I had the privilege of attending Grace Fellowship Church in Latham, NY. Pastor Rex Keener had just started a three part series on Esther, and one of his comments, although he hadn't been able to determine where the quote originated, was "God opens big doors with little hinges." I really loved that, and made sure I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget it. It's true that
so often we don't even realize what's transpiring behind the scenes on our behalf. Pastor Rex said, "Sometimes when it looks like God is nowhere to be found, He is still providentially working." What a blessing to know that He has our backs.......

Until next time, which I hope will be sooner than the monthly pattern I seem to have established, keep laughing, loving, and praying for those in need!

Honoring Moms

2010-05-04T15:36:00.003-04:00

Mom working on her Mini-Memoir

Happy Mother's Day
I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful Mother's Day in this beautiful month of May. I, personally, don't expect a great deal of fanfare for Mother's Day, but I do want to brag a little bit about my Mom. She's amazing, independent, loving, caring, resourceful, spiritual, and an inspiration to me. To know that every day I have a Mom who prays for me and for our entire family is a blessing that I can't even describe in words. It literally brings me to tears. I can tell her anything, and she's a willing listener. I can be silly, and she will laugh. If I'm sad, she'll cry right along with me. Every time I visit with her, we have a time of prayer together before I leave, and this has cemented a bond between us that no distance will ever separate. So this is a special tribute to my Mom, Clara. So much love to you, Mumsy.

Upcoming Workshop Announcement
On two Mondays, June 14 and 21, 2010, I'll be teaching another "Writing Your Treasured Memories" workshop series from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Sand Trap Room, located at Tupelo Bay Golf Center in Garden City, SC. Learn how to easily write your life stories to share with future generations. Or if you have older parents/relatives, learn how to capture their stories while they are still obtainable. Call me at 843-215-4676 for additional information or to register. Don't lose your family history! Please spread the word to others who may be interested!!

Memoir Writing
I am working on a publication relative to the process of working with parents and loved ones to preserve their stories. In my research, I heard from Carol Berman, President of City Girl Media, http://www.citygirlmedia.com. She talks about her experience in working on her Grandmother's memoirs, a process that has spanned the past eight years. She says, "Grandma was cooperative. She loves to tell stories. And I made sure there was the absolutely lowest-tech option for her to record them: a cassette player and a load of blank tapes. I told her not to worry about chronology, just talk into the tape recorder when she remembered a good story. Then I had a family member transcribe the tapes and I tried to put it all in order. I had Grandma review the stories and she had corrections. When she "re-remembered" the stories seeing them in print, some details needed to be changed. I guess I'll never know in some cases which was actually correct!"

What a treasure it will be for Carol's relatives to forever enjoy those stories! It is so worth the effort.....A special thank you to Carol for sharing her experience.

Incredible Books
A few years ago, I attended a conference in NYC, sponsored by the International Women's Writing Guild. I met some fascinating ladies, all at various stages of completion in their writing projects. That is where I connected with Judy Abrams, who was working on a book that would compile the stories of Holocaust survivors. Her book was published in 2009, and it is truly a book of inspiring stories that I'll always remember. Written from the recollections of a frightening time that these people experienced as children, it is such a gripping perspective. The name of the book is Remember Us: A Collection of Memories from Hungarian Hidden Children of the Holocaust. God bless Judy Abrams and Evi Blaikie, along with all of the Hidden Children Contributors to the book, for publishing this history.

I heard recently from Jeanette Friedman, who co-authored a book with David Gold, entitled Why Should I Care? Lessons from the Holocaust. She also interviews Holocaust survivors to obtain their memories, a challenging--yet rewarding experience. I applaud Jeanette for seeking to preserve the stories of folks who have undergone such tragedy and pain. It is so important to capture history through the eyes and hearts of those who have actually experienced it.

Memoir Writing Boot Camp Cruise
I am investigating the possibility of formulating plans for a 2011 Memoir Writing Boot Camp Cruise. This will be for beginners, as well as those who are in different stages of their memoir writing projects. There will be loads of free time, in addition to seminars and writing time. I'll keep you posted as the details emerge. If you think you might have an interest, depending upon the plans which are finalized, please let me know so we can be certain to keep you apprised! This would be a fabulous time!!

Stay tuned......

Promoting Memoir Writing and Exercise!

2010-04-01T12:43:00.005-04:00

General Info:
Here I go again--beginning a blog post with an apology for having been absent for a long stretch of time. The month of March flew by like a windy day in the Palm Springs desert! I blinked my eyes, and here we are in the month of April. March was so busy with holding memoir writing workshops, working on the manuscript for my new novel, Never Say Perfect, transcribing stories recorded by a special client who is writing his memoirs, and enjoying time with house guests. I did manage to squeeze in a couple of rounds of golf also, which was so enjoyable when I'm able to keep my brain focused on the game instead of running through a mental business "to do" list while I'm trying to putt.

Memoir Writing:
One of my fervent goals is to find ways to influence younger people about the importance of adapting a pro-active role in obtaining the stories of their parents, grandparents, and other loved ones and preserving them for future generations. Many times I am told by older folks that they would like to write their stories, but they simply don't have the energy or they feel that the project is too burdensome, or they question their writing abilities. With a little bit of help from a loved one, their stories can be captured before they are forever lost.
I recently heard from Nancy Wurtzel of Westlake Village, CA, who said, "Last year, my daughter (Katie, age 16) and I conducted interviews with my mom about her childhood and up until the time she was married. Mom is almost 90 and is the last living family member of her generation. She is still fairly sharp and we realized that we needed to ask her our questions now. There were boxes and boxes of old pictures and items from when she was young, but we really didn't know who was in the pictures or the significance of the other items."
Nancy continued by saying that the idea was actually Katie's, as she is very interested in family history and genealogy. She wrote out a list of questions and brought a tape recorder when they visited Nancy's mom in Minnesota. Their investment of time and energy produced eight single-spaced typed pages of the memories of Nancy's mother and afforded both Katie and Nancy the opportunity to learn about an aunt and uncle who had died at ages 21 and 20 of typhoid fever, stories of growing up on a farm in Iowa, attending country school, family scandals, and working as a young adult during World War II, etc.
As a birthday present, they gave Nancy's mom a scrapbook of her childhood. Her mom said that it was the best gift she had ever received.
Although I don't know Katie personally, I am so proud of her for her instinctive awareness of the importance of undertaking this project. She will never regret having spent this time gaining a better understanding and perspective of her grandmother through obtaining her stories. If you have living parents or grandparents, won't you resolve to do exactly what Katie and Nancy have done? Being prepared with a list of questions and a small tape recorder are invaluable tools in succeeding in a memoir project. The results are truly priceless!

Exercise:
I'll readily admit it. I'm so hung up on finding easy ways to keep from gaining weight because I find that with each birthday that I celebrate, the task becomes more difficult. Last week, the big news flash on television, radio, and newspaper was that it takes one hour of exercise EVERY DAY to maintain our current weight. This wasn't recommended for LOSING weight--one hour of daily exercise required to avoid GAINING weight. My heart sunk when I heard this. How would I ever squeeze a solid hour of exercise into my daily routine? I co-chair the production of our neighborhood electronic newsletter, and there are five families who do not have computer access so we print a copy for each of these residents and deliver them to their homes. When the news broke last week about the daily one hour recommendation for exercise, I was in the process of printing the newsletter for the computerless families. I made the decision to walk to their homes for the purpose of delivery. I didn't stop to consider that I would be winding through various sections of our community and not just walking the main road. I was walking for an hour and a half before I gave up and trudged back home to hop into my car to deliver the last two copies. I'll have to gradually work up to what could be a two or more hour walk!
Speaking of walks, beginning with my next blog post (hopefully very soon) my plan is to feature one of 20 Great Walks in the Grand Strand. Each post will describe one walk--including the location, length of the walk, pertinent information, and a photo. Stay tuned for this new presentation!

Inspiration:
For anyone who is struggling with difficult economic or general stress of life situations right now, take comfort in Jeremiah 29:11, which says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God bless you and keep you safe until next time!

Memoir Writing Workshops

2010-02-24T19:20:00.004-05:00

New class forming:

On the next two Mondays, March 1 and March 8, 2010, I'll be holding another two session series to help people jump-start their memoir writing projects. This series will be held at The Sand Trap Room at Tupelo Bay in Garden City, SC from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, and I always eagerly look forward to meeting the new group of writers and giving them the tools to get them started. Call me at 843-215-4676 if you'd like to attend.

The stories that emerge from these workshops are beyond imagination. It takes immense courage to exhume the skeletons of the distant past, snippets of dark experiences long buried, and shine a probing light on them--even momentarily. I have tremendous admiration for those who have been able to do this because there is a healing that can bind those ancient wounds when you view the past trauma as a mature adult. Bitterness eats at your heart from the inside out, and if you are a survivor of any kind of childhood abuse, expelling that burden that can produce hatred and anger, allows you to forgive and move beyond it. As I learned from a recent student, those experiences, as unfair and unconscionable as they are, can make you a person who wants to avoid the same type of behavior. To your monumental credit, you want to be someone who treats people with love and respect. My heart goes out to those who have been victims of childhood abuse--there is no excuse for it and no child should ever have to endure it. God bless you in healing those scars.

Writing at the beach:

Sometimes on sunny, but chilly, winter days when the breeze from the ocean is a bit too brisk for setting up my writing camp on the sand--beach chair, small folding table, bottled water and a snack, mini-pillow for my back, and ample supply of sun screen, I drive to one of two or three special locations where I can park my car and enjoy an expansive view of the ocean or the inlet. I might bring my lunch to enjoy while gazing out at the massive body of water that stretches as far as the eye can see, and/or bring a writing or reading project or my womens' Bible study lessons to work on in this inspiring atmosphere.

For the past couple of afternoons, I've done exactly that, and I love every moment of this solitude. Although yesterday, I took a long beach walk, I also spent considerable time just sitting in my car, working on my projects. The interesting thing is that I'm not the only one. At one of my favorite locations, I often see the same people sitting in their cars--reading the newspaper or a magazine or a book. Some people drive in, park, and just sit there mesmerized by the crashing waves, puffy white clouds, people walking their adorable dogs, and the sheer serenity.

If you are an ocean lover, there is a magnetic force that pulls you toward the shore line just to capture a glimpse of the scenery that lowers your blood pressure and sends a wave of the peaceful, easy feeling through you as soon as the foaming water is in view. This is evidenced by the steady stream of cars, many sporting northern license plates, that I witnessed pulling into the parking lot during my automobile work time in the past two days. They drove in, maneuvered as close to the beach as cars are allowed to venture, drivers and passengers stared out at the rolling sea for a moment, and then exited the parking lot. Perhaps this is a daily routine for them during their Myrtle Beach area stay, or perhaps this was the last day of their vacation, and they just wanted one final peek at their beloved ocean. The fascinating aspect was that there was a steady stream of such vehicles, countless drivers in the quest for one last view. The parking lot was so busy with this activity that for a moment, it reminded me of the drive through at the bank or a fast food restaurant. I totally relate. That's why I'm sitting there working on my next novel....or making my "to do" list or my grocery list or my prayer list. It's where I feel closest to God--where He breathes down on me and says, "You are My child." So rather than being annoyed with the ocean gawkers driving past me, temporarily partially blocking my view, I say, "Enjoy, my friend. I totally understand."

Exercise:

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am somewhat exercise obsessed. That's because if I don't stick with it almost daily, my clothing begins to strain at the seams. I know that it's a lifetime commitment--along with making the appropriate food choices. As a friend said a couple of days ago, "It's all about calories in vs. calories out." But I have to tell you that I made an amazing discovery the other day. How often do you pull on a pair of pants that suddenly seems to have reduced by one size while in the dryer? Then you say to yourself, it's me--it's not the dryer. I must be gaining weight. Well, I have some news for you. A couple of years ago, I found a particular pair of pants that I liked. So I bought them in two additional colors. I had black, brown and khaki. For some reason, I seemed to wear the black and brown pairs more frequently and, therefore, they experienced the force of the washer & dryer on a regular basis. Okay, same style, same designer, same size, but the khakis fit much more loosely. So, it really COULD be your drier and not your chubby body that makes your clothing feel too tight sometimes. I'll admit that this isn't always the case, but this semi-scientific study does prove the possibility. So I feel better just knowing that! It's time for me to close this post and hop on my jogging trampoline!

Until the next time.....may God richly bless and keep you!

Future Personal Historian

2010-02-03T19:17:00.002-05:00

NEVER TOO YOUNG TO CAPTURE OUR FAMILY HISTORY:

At Thanksgiving, 2009, my eight year old niece, Lauren, (okay, Lauren, I know you're nine now, but you were eight then) was working on a school assignment that involved interviewing a relative to obtain portions of their history. I was beyond delighted to see her asking Mom the questions, as I've been working on Mother for ages to capture as many memories as she is ready and willing to share. Somehow, she seemed to be more cooperative with Lauren than she is with me! I'm only joking, Mom, as I know you'll be reading this!!
In my opinion, as a Personal Historian, who teaches workshops and works with individual clients to help them preserve their stories for future generations, it is never too early to begin interacting with relatives, asking questions, recording answers, and gaining a deeper understanding of the life experiences of these folks while the opportunities remain. The driving force behind my decision to participate in the Soleil Lifestory Network program to certify as a lifewriting instructor was relative to a tour of Pearl Harbor where I recalled that my own Dad had been in the Army, stationed at Schofield Barracks and was at Hickam Field when Pearl Harbor was bombed. I was stricken with emotion when I realized that now, after being right there on the memorial, hearing the historical details, and having a heightened sense of what had occurred there, I had tons of questions to ask my Dad about his experience, but it was too late. He had passed away about five years prior to my trip to Hawaii.
I realize that many Veterans will tell you that they really don't offer much dialog about their experiences, particularly if it was as traumatic as his story must have been. What saddened me is that I had never asked. If I had ever sat down with him, small tape recorder in hand, and asked him the appropriate questions in a gentle, loving manner, I'm certain that he would have told me everything that he could recall. Shame on me for never taking the initiative. So that is why I drive my Mom crazy about wanting to preserve her stories, and why I think it was fabulous that Lauren has a teacher who understands the importance of giving an assignment of this nature. Kudos to all teachers who require students to spend some time interviewing a relative!
Tomorrow morning, I have a telephone consultation scheduled with a gentleman whose daughter-in-law was stuck sitting next to me on a flight last fall. Anyone who has the misfortune of being my captive audience usually gets to hear exactly what I do and why. She loved the idea that helping people capture their stories is my business, and she ordered a gift certificate for her father-in-law's birthday. She had recently given birth to her first child, and after her conversation with me, she knew that she wanted her son to be blessed with his grandfather's history. I don't know why it always amazes me that God brings certain people into my path at His perfect timing, but He perpetually does. As I teach my upcoming memoir writing workshops in Litchfield, SC, I know that I'll be touching precisely the people who will benefit from the knowledge I'll be imparting. The best part is that what I teach them will also positively impact their future generations. It's a warm and cozy feeling.

God bless & see y'all again soon!

First Blog Post of the New Year

2010-01-11T17:16:00.003-05:00

Delinquent Blogger:
Believe me when I tell you that I wish I could blog twice weekly, but given my current schedule, that's not going to happen. Some of you are probably saying, "Thank you, God!" and others are thinking, "Aw, that's too bad. I'd like to see more." I seem to be lucky to sit down and write once a month for this purpose, but will continue to issue new posts as often as I can get my act together.

Christmas Holidays, 2009:
We had a wonderful visit in the Albany, NY area with friends and family. Our advanced ages are beginning to get the best of us, however, as we sometimes become exhausted with the schedule. We simply want to cram as much into the visit as possible and love seeing everyone. We always enjoy a sleepover with adjoining rooms at our hotel with all three grandchildren. Now that they are 14, 11 and 8, I keep wondering how much longer they'll even think it's fun to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa! They grow up so quickly.

Novel-in-Progress:
Most people who have read Eyelash ask me at one time or another, "When is your next book coming out?" One of my new year's resolutions is to finalize the manuscript for book #2 this year. So far, it has had a few different working titles, but right now I'm leaning toward Never Say Perfect. Once you read it, you'll surely know why.....I'll keep you posted on the progress, but I feel that the first draft is approximately 3/4 written at this point. Once complete, it will require review, editing and re-writing, but finishing this year is a distinct possibility. I maintain a list of projects that I would love to sink my teeth into, but I have to resist the urge to begin anything new until the present projects are "in the can".

Help 4 Kids:
Friend and neighbor, Sandi Blood, and I co-chair the electronic newsletter production for Blackmoor, our beautiful community here in Murrells Inlet. I usually interview a long term resident and a newer resident for each issue, and when I spoke with a resident this past week, they told me about an organization with which they are associated. It is called Help 4 Kids, and they volunteer in the program called "Backpack Buddies", which serves 10 Horry County schools and approximately 1,000 underprivileged children. Snacks are donated or purchased to send these children home with juice boxes, mac & cheese, oatmeal, cereal, crackers, pudding, applesauce, breakfast bars, etc.--anything that is small and reasonably nutritious and can be placed in these special backpacks for them to take home for consumption over the weekends. These children receive a free breakfast and lunch at school, but are in danger of going hungry on the weekends.
When school is not in session during the summer, outdoor camps are held and the children have fun doing projects, Bible schools, and other activities. They are given a hot lunch and plenty to drink during this time. Volunteers are especially needed at that time.
Once school resumes in the fall, new book bags are filled with supplies, new shoes and clothing. Help 4 Kids works with Toys for Tots to make certain that these children will not be forgotten at Christmas.
I visited their location in Murrells Inlet and met Barb Mains, the dedicated founder of this organization. Her goal is to provide the necessities for these children in a manner that will not embarrass them. She is energetic and amazing, and told me about a benefit that will be held on Friday, February 5, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Villa Romana Italian Restaurant, 707 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 at $8.00 per person. Tickets will be available until February 2, 2010. If you would like more information, please call (843) 651-4310 or visit www.help4kidssc.org. Barb's e-mail address is barb@help4kids.org. Monetary and snack item donations are always welcome at 12053 B Hwy 17 Bypass South, Garden City, SC behind Bedding World, next to the K-Mart parking lot of Inlet Square Mall. Their office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please give some consideration to helping these children!

Choices:
I am determined to get into the habit of making better food choices during 2010--more fruits, veggies, water, and fewer diet drinks, cookies, and chips--more walking, less sitting. Of course, I HAVE to eat popcorn at the movies, but that's a given.
Also, I would like to be more conscious of how I can be helpful to others this year. Even a kind word, understanding smile, listening ear, and an offer to pray for more folks would be a good start. It's always beneficial to have a goal.....

God bless you, and

Until the next time:
"Flatter me and I may not believe you; criticize me and I may not listen to you; but encourage me and I'll never forget you." Anonymous

Eyelash, Moms, and Memories

2009-12-14T17:28:00.004-05:00

Another few weeks have passed since my last blog post. They say that as we age, the time seems to zip by more quickly, and I must agree!

EYELASH:
I had the privilege of participating recently in an independent author's book fair at The Litchfield Exchange in Pawleys Island. It was an amazing experience to visit with all of the other writers, view the variety of subject matter represented, and feel the excitement and energy in a room full of creative people. Each of them knows exactly how it feels to be in the middle of a writing project and have to temporarily put it aside to deal with more pressing life issues. They have experienced waking up during the night with a thought that must be captured before it vanishes. They know what it's like to spend time in solitude while transferring their ideas from the brain to the written word. It was a wonderful time because in addition to chatting with potential customers about my novel, Eyelash, I had the opportunity to bond with other writers who understand the struggle of producing a book that people indicate is an enjoyable read, yet not having the capability of readily exposing it to the world, the nation, or even their own state. That doesn't stop us, however. We continue to write because we love the process, and there is always hope that eventually the "big break" will miraculously knock at the door!

Kate Jensen & her Mother,
Dorothy McGuirk Lewis
in February, 2009

MORE ON MOMS:
On my last post, I talked about Mom visiting us and how much we enjoyed spending time with her at Thanksgiving. She is such a treasure, and we are so thankful that she is in good health! I'd like to tell you about the Mother of my friend, Kate Jensen. I met Kate through Pawleys Island Women in Business and Coastal Power Women, and she's a fabulous cruise agent. She's incredibly personable and upbeat, and I immediately liked her from the moment we chatted. I had recently worked on a project for a local senior center. Ordinarily, I would go to the center and give a speech about writing our life stories to pass along to future generations. After visiting this center, however, I knew that my usual speech was just not going to work there. Desperate to devise a way for these folks to be able to share a snapshot of their lives with loved ones as well as with each other, I developed a list of questions that they could simply fill in the blanks to capture some of their history. I call it the Mini-Memoir. As I gently instructed the seniors at this center about the project and what we would be doing, I distributed the sheets for their use. Some immediately went straight to the task at hand, obviously taking a moment to reflect and then write. Others appeared confused and uncertain about what they should be doing with this piece of paper. For those folks, I sat down and worked with them to capture their thoughts--even asking the questions orally and writing down their answers for them. During this process, I met the most adorable lady whose hair was adorned with the most beautiful flower! She was so sweet, and was one of the seniors who decided that they'd like to take the paper home with them to give their answers some further thought. When I returned to the center a couple of weeks later to pick up the sheets, there she was again--this sweet lady with yet another brightly colored flower in her hair. I learned that her name was Dorothy, and she was 88 years old. I collected all of the sheets, turned them into a booklet for the seniors, and returned to the center to distribute the publications. I felt that if they all had the opportunity to see the entire collection, they might have more to talk about and be able to relate to one another. Most of the seniors seemed delighted that someone actually cared about knowing some of their favorite things from the past. I was impressed with Dorothy's answers. For an 88 year old, she came up with some snappy comments!
A couple of months later, Kate and I were talking at one of our meetings, and knowing that her Mom had been staying with her, I inquired about how she was doing. She told me that her Mom had been having a wonderful time going to the local senior center. I told her that I had just recently done the Mini-Memoir project there, and she said, "My Mom is Dorothy, and she always wears a brightly colored flower in her hair." I told her that I knew exactly which lady was her
Mom. I'll never forget her because of that distinctive flower and her clever answers to some of the questions.
Kate told me the origin of Dorothy's floral hair accessory, and this story is precious. It seems that many years previously when Dorothy was trying to reference one of the ladies at church to her husband, she had said that the woman had gray hair and glasses. Her husband said, "That describes all of the ladies in the church!" Dorothy determined at that moment that she needed to distinguish herself from all of the other gray haired ladies with glasses, and began wearing a flower in her hair. She was absolutely correct. Everyone would remember her because there was something pleasantly unique in her appearance, and besides that--she was adorable. Dorothy passed away on November 3, 2009 at the age of 89, but I will never forget her or her collection of flowers.

MINI-MEMOIR:
The aforementioned Mini-Memoir sheet is located on the bottom of the page entitled "Write About Your Life" on my web site, www.awriterspresence.com. Feel free to print it and share it with parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts--anyone whose life is important to you. This is my gift to everyone in 2010, and I urge you to use it to capture just a glimpse of the lives of your loved ones while it is still possible!

I wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a wonderful new year!

Thanksgiving and Moms

2009-12-01T19:34:00.003-05:00

A FABULOUS THANKSGIVING...in spite of a cold!

We had the most wonderful Thanksgiving, although on Thanksgiving eve, I was stricken with a horrible cold. The timing could not have been worse. Mom was here from North Carolina, and John & Amy & family were in town as well. I'm not sure if the meal that I prepared was good or not because I really couldn't taste anything. I felt like I was having an out of body experience that day--I think I was semi-delirious. Everyone said that dinner was good, and I hope that they weren't just being kind.
Mom's birthday was the day she arrived here, and I was telling her that my dear friend, Dee Dee, says that when it's her birthday, she celebrates her "birthday week"--not just the day of her birth. So I told Mom that we were going to do the same--celebrate her birthday week, and we had a great time. She went to church (Beach Church) with us on Sunday, and I wasn't absolutely certain how a long term traditional Southern Baptist would enjoy our contemporary service. She said that she thought it was great, and also very much enjoyed the sermon. Whew! I was glad to hear that. Then we went to breakfast at the Prince Creek Diner, and we all liked our choices there.
On Monday, we went to Mom's favorite store, Hamrick's, and did some shopping. Then we were off to lunch at Damon's on Ocean Blvd. It was so pleasant sitting there with my Mom, just chatting and visiting and eating a leisurely lunch while we looked out at the beautiful ocean view, observing the various groups of birds soaring along the water in single file--headed to southern destinations for the winter.
Tuesday evening, we headed to the Alabama Theatre to see the Christmas show, and Mom thoroughly enjoyed that outing, as did we. She loved Ricky, the comedian, and thought that the show was really well performed. She especially loved the traditional Christmas hymns, which were saved for the last segment of the show. She could see that we have many talented musicians and performers in the Myrtle Beach area!
Wednesday was spent preparing for Thursday, but I was already feeling horrible. We were supposed to go out to dinner with John and family Wednesday night, but I just couldn't do it. All I seemed to be able to do was sleep after the preparations made on Wednesday. Thursday was a blur, but I surely did enjoy seeing everyone. Fred was a huge help on the cleanup, wanting to give the rest of us a chance to visit while we could. I'm sure that they didn't find me to be very lively, however!!
I drove Mom back to NC on Black Friday, and traffic was very light--surprisingly, even around Charlotte. That was a treat. I returned to SC on Saturday, and again, traffic was extremely light, for which I was very grateful. I know for sure that our Heavenly Father was with me on that trip because I felt so horrible and the entire trip both ways is a blur. From the time I returned on Saturday and straight through Sunday, all I did was rest and sleep. Sometimes that's all you CAN do. But I'm so glad that Mom had a good birthday week because we certainly enjoyed having her here. These are special memories to treasure always!
Hoping your Thanksgiving was fabulous! We are very blessed.

Not Enough Hours in the Day!

2009-11-10T12:08:00.004-05:00

Mr. Myers with lovely
wife, Alma, and former
students (l to r) Ross,
me, Val, Karen

CATCHING UP:

I can't believe that it's been almost a month since I wrote this blog. So much has happened since that time. It has truly been a whirlwind! I'll cover a few bits and pieces in this post.

REUNION:

The 40th Class Reunion of Apple Valley High School and Victor Valley High School, held in Las Vegas in mid-October, was a huge success in many ways. Ross Kallenberger and Karen Pinkerton spent countless hours planning and coordinating our weekend events, and I hope that they know how deeply their efforts were appreciated.

A couple of days prior to the reunion, I was able to spend some quality time with my childhood friend, Janie a.k.a. Hollywood (see older post). One great find on our shopping excursion was the Miche Handbag (see http://www.michebag.com/). I've never seen anything like this handbag. You purchase the basic bag and then choose from an enormous variety of shells that magnetically attach to the basic bag. You don't have to constantly change handbags to match shoes or outfits. You just change shells. It's incredible, and I truly wish I had been the one to invent this! I'm really not a big handbag girl--I usually use the same one for the season (except for dressy evening wear) because I despise loading and unloading the essentials from one bag to another. I will invariably forget to transfer some very important item or two. This certainly solves that issue, and I absolutely LOVE it!

The reunion events were wonderful, and we were able to spend some visiting time with a remarkable individual, Mr. Don Myers, who was an amazing teacher. I had the privilege of being in his class during fifth and sixth grades, and what I remember most about him was his enthusiasm, his willingness to encourage our creativity, and his innovative style. He took a personal interest in each student, and I can speak for many who were fortunate enough to be his students. Today, we are better and brighter in many ways due to our time with him. God bless Mr. Myers and his lovely wife, Alma. Spending some "catching up" time with them was a huge highlight of my trip. These two are energetic world travelers and rank very close to the top of the list of most interesting people you would ever meet. We wish them every blessing!

During this reunion, we all met at the host hotel for a time of reconnecting. Adorable name tags, bearing our "big hair" senior photos, were provided. The only difficulty was that someone forgot that we have all reached the age where larger print has become a necessity if we are going to actually decipher something. So we spent a great deal of time staring at the name tag photos and then squinting to read the names of people we still couldn't recognize. It was a hoot because we were all pretty much in the same boat with this vision handicap. There were some people I would have recognized in a heartbeat, and others that I'm still not sure if I ever knew them!

We all headed to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign for a group photo and then on to the lounge at the top of The Hotel at Mandalay Bay. The view was spectacular, and the visiting time was enjoyable. There were quite a few really young folks in that lounge who probably wondered, "Who let all of these old people in?"

Saturday morning, we attended a brunch that lasted from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00, and I believe we were there for most of the time. That was my opportunity to spend time with Mr. Myers and present him with his own copy of Eyelash. That's his punishment for having promoted creativity! Alma read it on the way home to Arizona, and said she really enjoyed it. Thank you for the kind words, Alma. The next book will be better. That was my first stab at fiction, and I have learned a great deal since that endeavor.

Saturday evening was a lovely outdoor dinner in the hotel courtyard by the pool, where we were delighted to see Mr. Dennis Bender, one of our former history teachers and football coach. Always quite the character, it was a pleasure to chat with him. The entire weekend was very special, and will remain in my memory as a fabulous time. It was amazing to spend time with people I hadn't seen for between fifteen (our last reunion) and forty years. Thanks again-Ross and Karen!

I would like to mention that my husband, Fred, was a peach throughout the reunion activities. The only person he had previously met was Hollywood, and not once did he act as though he was being tortured by attending these events. He was quite sociable, although he did disappear frequently from the Saturday night dinner to dash into the casino to catch the latest Yankee game score. Not a problem, honey. You're the best!

EXERCISE:

I'm still working at it. As I write this post, my jogging trampoline is in the living room awaiting my imminent arrival. Even in Las Vegas, I managed to walk frequently. If the truth be told, I actually walked further than I had intended. It's that visual impairment that makes objects appear closer than they really are. One 90 degree day, I walked from Convention Center Drive to New York-New York, but made several interim stops--The Fashion Mall, lunch somewhere (it's a blur), a restroom stop or two. I know...at any time I could have hailed a cab or taken the monorail system, but I was up for the challenge. It's just like visiting New York City. You only absorb the true "feel" of being there if you participate in some extensive walking excursions. Hopefully, it's not 90 degrees if you make that choice!

INSPIRATION:

I think that people tend to underestimate the power of prayer. I've seen the most miraculous results of people gathering to pray for someone. Don't hesitate to pray for your loved ones-your parents, your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your siblings, your nieces and nephews, and your dear friends. Start a list of people that you will pray for and then really stick to it. I want my grandchildren to know that I pray for them every single day. Their great-grandmother prays for them as well. What better way to show your love than to pray for someone? It's that SOUL connection. Have a fabulous day!

Everything Breaks!!!

2009-10-11T12:45:00.002-04:00

Just as I was preparing to write a new post on my blog, my laptop died. What an excruciating experience. Fortunately, I do keep all important documents backed up to flash drives and my new novel is always on a flash drive so the data wasn't at risk; however, it's the issue of whether or not it's the hard drive crashing or did the operating system decide to blow up??? And where are all of those program disks that came with the system??? (Very important!)

So I was over a week without the use of my laptop as I know it, and did manage to check e-mail remotely through web mail just to put out fires, but try being without immediate access to the computers to which we have become enslaved and see how it feels. You may find that you accomplish some household projects that would have otherwise been once again delayed, but I have to tell you that I felt as though I had been cut off from civilization. Additionally, I don't like having to reschedule clients, which is exactly what I had to do since I was unable to function efficiently.

Thank God there is a local guy that I call Jim, The Computer Guru, who has me up and running and able to attempt to catch up with everything that has been put on hold. Thank you, Jim!!

As I thought about how instantaneously a computer can cease to operate, it occurred to me that eventually almost everything breaks. Think about it. Computers, cars, our bodies, pets, appliances, houses, HVAC systems--everything has a life expectancy. If we're fortunate, these things may operate beyond that time frame but eventually everything needs repair or replacement. Sometimes we feel as though products were designed to fail twenty-four hours following the last day of the warranty.

The interesting thing is that everything else can break, but not our souls. The body will decline, die, and decay, but our souls continue throughout eternity. They have no shelf life, and what a blessing to consider that in the BIG picture, all of this stuff that seems so important to us that breaks, was only temporary anyway. But the soul.....the eternal soul.....an overwhelming concept. So the words of inspiration today are from Psalm 62:5--"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

I wanted to start with something inspirational this time before moving on to the subject of exercise because in my last blog post, I was so caught up in describing the unusual restrooms at the Broadmoor Spa, I realized that I didn't write ANY words of inspiration, and I don't like to neglect to do that, because God truly is my rock and I always want to give Him glory for everything that is accomplished in my life.

With regard to exercise, my 40th High School Reunion is RAPIDLY approaching, and have I met my exercise goals? I really believe so. I have been using my jogging trampoline almost every day and feel very comfortable that I am not bursting out of my clothing. I, personally, love a jogging trampoline because I can park it right in front of "Dancing With the Stars" and just keep jogging along without even realizing the time. I don't recommend this for everyone, however, because some folks report a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness when using this form of exercise equipment, so if you have this tendency, a jogging trampoline is probably not your best choice. I think that regardless of how we choose to do it, the object is to keep moving, and to try to approach it as part of a daily routine...just like brushing our teeth and flossing. We can't wait until we're in the mood to exercise, because it probably isn't going to happen! I'm looking forward to writing a blog post about the reunion! It should be mighty entertaining.......

On the subject of memoir writing, there has been an interest in giving gift certificates for family members who want to write their own stories, but just don't know how to get started on a memoir project. This can be arranged! I will work with individuals (even long distance by telephone) to give them all of the information that I provide in my local workshops. Don't hesitate to contact me for the details if this interests you as a gift for a loved one!

Now that my laptop is once again under my fingertips, I have a great deal of catching up to do so I will sign off now, but I am HAPPY TO BE BLOGGING AGAIN!

Roughing it at the Broadmoor

2009-09-22T19:49:00.012-04:00

Pike's Peak-14,100 foot
elevation-Mary not
smiling-turning green

Outdoor pool at the
Broadmoor

The Broadmoor:

Last week, we had the privilege of spending a few days at the fabulous Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. I can't begin to describe the beauty, relaxation, and accommodation that this location provides. From the yummy dining, the fabulous spa, the picturesque outdoor lakeside pool, charming paddleboats, hidden flower and sculpture gardens, the blue Colorado sky with the cottony white puffy clouds, and charming boutiques to the meticulously manicured 54 holes of golf, this place is amazing. The staff members were incredibly helpful and friendly. Rumor has it that one of the three golf courses is far more challenging than the others, but I won't reveal which one is the toughest. A visit to the spa is a MUST, where one will find all tension eliminated by the experts in facials and massage. It features a special relaxation room, where one can lean back in a comfortable, cushiony lounge, sip lemon flavored water and nibble on fruit, and read a book or magazine while occasionally gazing out a gigantic picture window that exposes a background of spectacular blue sky and mountain scenery. A visit to this spa isn't complete without a brief stop in one of the restrooms--even if you don't really have the urge to go. The restrooms were the talk of the dinner table, as the ladies were astounded at the unique experience of sitting on a heated toilet seat at the spa. That wasn't all, however. The bidet has nothing on these toilets. They were fitted with some type of contraption with a control panel on the righthand wall where one could choose a front light spray, front heavy spray, rear light spray, rear heavy spray, and the best----a dryer. I must say that I have never seen anything like this in my entire life--the toilet seat of all toilet seats. I could have stayed in there for half an hour just to experiment with the various sprays and dryer. I pushed every button just to see what it would happen next!

Then we took the cog railway to the top of Pike's Peak. The Broadmoor is at an elevation just above 6,000 feet and Pike's Peak boasts an elevation of approximately 14,100 feet. Let me assure you that at that height, it definitely impacts your body. I felt light headed, queasy, woozy, and almost disoriented; however, it is something that everyone in good health should experience once. I've been there twice, so I've exceeded the requisite one visit. Next time, I think I'll try out the golf course or the heated toilet seat instead. You will notice in the photo that I am not smiling, and yes, that is snow on which I'm reluctantly standing. I was turning green at the time, and stayed outside just long enough for the photos.

I highly recommend the Broadmoor, however, for a well deserved getaway!

Exercise:

I can honestly say that I have continued with my goal to exercise every day, if possible, even during our travels. I have been able to take long walks or find some form of exercise almost every day. Last night, realizing that I hadn't managed to walk outdoors all day, I retrieved my mini-trampoline out of the closet and jogged while I watched the season premier of Dancing with the Stars. I'll be doing the same thing in just a few minutes. When all else fails, the mini-trampoline is a life saver. My goal is to make exercise as vital to my schedule as is eating!

Memoir Writing:

I feel sorry for anyone who is unfortunate enough to be seated next to me on a long flight. Not only will they find out that I advocate passing along our stories to future generations, but before I'm finished with them, they'll be embarrassed if they don't agree that they need to capture the stories of living relatives before it's too late. I met some wonderful folks during this recent trip to Colorado Springs, and I hope that they will forgive my enthusiasm for memoir writing. I can't restrain myself from discussing this passion. Pretty soon, my photo will be posted in airports with a caption "Sit by this lady at your own risk!"

See you soon....

Labor Day Cogitations

2009-09-07T14:28:00.003-04:00

UPDATE ON EXERCISE:
When you are determined to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, it is challenging as well as interesting to find ways to vary your fitness routine. I find that if I don't deviate from just working out with an exercise DVD or just walking the neighborhood, I'll definitely get bored and begin to find excuses not to exerise at all.
Thus far, I've managed to remain "on track" in my determination to add some form of exercise to my daily schedule; however, this becomes difficult during times of travel. On a recent trip to Albany, New York, I took one look at the treadmill in the hotel's small workout room, and knew that I just couldn't stand there, trudging along, looking at a blank, white wall. I remembered a beautiful park, The Crossings, that is located in close proximity to this particular hotel. I grabbed my sneakers and a bottle of water, drove to this lovely park, which offers a variety of paved, peaceful walking trails, and thoroughly enjoyed several long walks during my stay in the Albany area. There is something to be said for the benefit of fresh air during exercise, as opposed to being couped up in a small room that is dense with the odor of sweaty, well worn sneakers. Bad enough if they are your own, but sometimes in the gym setting, your nostrils are filled with the combinatorial malodorous atmosphere of multiple pairs of sneakers that should have been replaced long ago.

The point is that wherever you are, you can locate a pleasant place to work out. If the weather isn't cooperative, you can even choose a free TV exercise channel that is available at many hotels. This channel allows you to pick a workout that fits into even the tightest of schedules, choose one that enables you to concentrate on a particular problem area, and all in the privacy of your own hotel room. I definitely took advantage of this during my recent trip.

I'm considering going out for a neighborhood walk right now, but I keep hearing the sound of rifles firing in the distance. I understand that today is opening day of alligator season in South Carolina, and Fred and I are assuming that what we are hearing would be those permit-carrying alligator hunters out there shooting like people practicing at a firing range. Hopefully, none of those shells will find a spot in the local neighborhoods, but perhaps a beach walk might be in order today! I think it's safer there.

I've been joyously entrenched in working on writing the life story of a fine octogenarian gentleman, who would like to share his memoir with family and friends. It's a fascinating process, and his memory is remarkable. I'm having such a great time with this project, and every time I work with individuals or groups in life writing, I am so blessed to hear and learn about their unique experiences and aspects of living to which I might never have been exposed. I LOVE what I do!!

In working on my current novel-in-progress, I'm looking for a resource who is a plastic surgeon. A character in the book is in medical need of the services of one, and I need to ask him/her a few pertinent questions in order to insure the authenticity of this particular situation. I put the word out to a friend, who will work on this for me during this upcoming week. Hopefully, her friend, the plastic surgeon, will be cooperative. I feel it's so important to fully research areas with which I'm unfamiliar because although it is fiction and I can make up anything I want, it has to be realistic!

I think that's about all I have to say today, this alligator hunting Labor Day, 2009, except for one thing! If you've never heard of the Four Spiritual Laws, visit www.4laws.com/laws/english/flash/. It could change your life.

See y'all very soon!!

Capture the Life Story of your Beloved Pet

2009-08-18T09:34:00.009-04:00

SAMMY'S TALE
Pet Stories:
If you check out my Home Page at http://www.awriterspresence.com/, you'll notice that I am launching a new arm of my writing business. This is something that I had never imagined I'd be doing, but the idea was suggested to me, and I decided to see if it is actually a service that people desire. What is this new offering? Writing the life story of your treasured pet!
The average life span of Fido, Fidette, or Kitty is comparatively short. This is a fact. There are a multitude of heartwarming pet stories out there, but people rarely take the time and effort necessary to capture them. How does this service work? I will ask you a series of questions to formulate the story of your pet or former pet, you can e-mail me a favorite photo (or small prized photo collection), and I will create an attractive booklet that preserves his or her life story to share and treasure forever. You can order one single copy or several copies to distribute to people who love your pooch or kitty.

To create the prototype for this booklet, I interviewed Amy Maselli, who told the gripping story of acquiring her little Maltese, Sammy. My sincere thanks to Amy and Sammy for participating in this project, which resulted in the adorable booklet, Sammy's Tale.

The beauty of this service is that it makes a fabulously unique gift for the loving pet owner, and gift certificates are available! (Think Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day...) The cost is only $50.00 to have the story written and approximately $10.00-$15.00 per booklet. Booklet costs vary based on the number of color photos included in production. This service can be easily provided from a long distance, so you don't need to be a Myrtle Beach area resident to take advantage of this opportunity. Don't hesitate to call me any time if you have questions!! (843) 215-4676 or (518) 441-8107

Class reunion:
I'm counting down to October 17, my 40th (YIPES!) high school class reunion. Our Southern California high school class has decided to hold this event in Las Vegas, and that brings an entirely different level to "getting in shape for your reunion". Las Vegas in October, weather permitting, could mean wearing a bathing suit at the pool, definitely cocktail party attire, and the possibilities for feeling weight-scrutinized are endless. From dearest old best friends to the women who didn't like you then and couldn't care less about you now, an impending reunion gives you a sense of being under the microscope. From the guys who have gone from six pack abs to sixty extra pounds and thinning or mysteriously vanished hairlines to those who have managed to retain a certain charm and tremendous appeal, a reunion makes you feel as though you want to make some attempt at looking your best--at least for that one weekend of visiting Memory Lane.

Therefore, in honor of and preparation for my October 17 reunion, I am committing to at least 1/2 hour or more of exercise five days a week. And for the purpose of accountability, I am going to include in my blog entries whether or not I have managed to achieve this goal and what types of exercise I managed to squeeze into my schedule during the prior week. My ultimate goal is not to be a skeleton by October 17, but simply reasonably toned. I'll keep you updated on how this works, and perhaps you'll want to start your own exercise accountability blog in the future!!

Update on FLOATERS:
Since my last blog post, I've been amazed at the number of e-mails I have received from friends and family who said ,"Welcome to the World of Floaters!!" or that they had experienced this within the last few years or even just recently. I also appreciated those who e-mailed and said, "Thanks for the warning!" I'm happy to report that the pesky black spots that I've been viewing through my left eye have become less obvious, but seem to be more prevalent when I first walk outdoors into the bright sunlight or when I step into my shower, which is surrounded by a very light background. It would seem that posterior vitreous detachment (cause of floaters) is sort of a boomer right of passage, similar to receiving your first AARP card in the mail.

Lifewriting:
I'm gearing up for the fall lifewriting classes that I'll be teaching through Coastal Carolina University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. I absolutely love teaching these workshops and giving people the tools to make them realize, "Yes, I really can create a memoir project!" Some folks would love to write their stories to pass along to future generations, but they find the very idea overwhelming. After they have attended my workshops, they know that it is not only possible, but they are enthusiastic about making this potential project a reality. Please see my web site at http://www.awriterspresence.com/ and choose the page "Write About Your Life". Scroll down to locate the dates, locations and descriptions of the workshops that I'll be teaching this fall, and don't hesitate to call me at (843) 215-4676 or (518) 441-8107 if you have any questions! I'd love to see you in my workshops. You can also visit www.coastal.edu/olli to view the entire catalog of classes.

I'll leave you with this quote, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:5-6

Have a wonderful week, and find something that makes you laugh!!!

Mary Anne Benedetto

I'm BACK..........

2009-08-10T21:18:00.004-04:00

Okay, I'm totally mortified that I haven't blogged in almost a month, but it's been an incredibly wild and busy time--consumed with travel and entertaining friends and family here in beautiful South Carolina. I'm back on schedule now (I hope) and feeling like a blog delinquent--overcome with guilt.

In the past two weeks, I've seen more Grand Strand attractions than the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. While my friend, Lori, was visiting, we saw the Magic of Ireland show at the Palace Theatre at Broadway at the Beach, a tour of Brookgreen Gardens, time at Huntington Beach State Park, shopping, and an evening at Legends in Concert. Love those Blues Brothers!

When our son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren arrived, we went to Alligator Adventure, the Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach, enjoyed time at our Blackmoor pool, dinner at Medieval Times, played miniature golf at Jungle Lagoon, and thoroughly kicked up our heels in the warm ocean waves at Huntington Beach. Had a fabulous, memorable time!

On a different subject, I keep wondering why someone doesn't provide us with a list of events to anticipate as we age--just so we'll know what to expect. For instance, after Lori arrived a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday, we were sitting there calmly enjoying a delicious lunch at the TPC of Myrtle Beach, where we were overlooking the infamous 18th hole. I saw this sudden flash before my eyes, as though someone had just taken a photo with a flash or lightning had just struck directly in front of my eye. Then the best part occurred. I began seeing black spots through my left eye. I'm the kind of person who doesn't like to panic and seek medical attention at the drop of a hat, so I calmly sat there and didn't tell Lori or my husband, Fred, who was then chatting with us at our table. I recalled a few years ago when Fred had a similar experience, he was told by the doctor that this was a common occurrence and the "floaters" he was seeing would likely be permanent, although in time, less intrusive.

On Monday morning, I visited a recommended ophthalmologist, who essentially told me, after examining both eyes thoroughly, that in our 50's and 60's, the vitreous gel (the clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of your eye) can pull away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment, creating "floaters" (which are tiny clumps of the gel or cells inside the vitreous). He did say that they tend to fade over time and become less bothersome, but never really go away completely. GREAT!
I've also been told by other people who have had this experience that your brain begins to adjust to seeing these spots, and it does become less annoying. GREAT!! I can't wait.

The point is this.....if and when this happens to you, the important thing is to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to be certain that the retina isn't damaged. That is the danger in this occurrence. I am fine and am adjusting to the aggravating spots..I am less aware of them each day. But why doesn't someone warn us about these weirdo things that happen to people as they approach senior citizenship? If my husband hadn't already had this experience a few years ago, I would have thought I was having a stroke. So I just thought I'd write about this experience in the hope that if and when it happens to you, you'll know what it is all about and remember to seek the attention of an ophthalmologist at first opportunity!

That's it for tonight, but I'll be writing within a few days about my upcoming lifewriting workshops. I promise......

Memorable Moments

2009-07-14T22:02:00.007-04:00

In my last post, I wrote about long term friends from whom I had recently heard. I also connected with another friend from my California school days, and her name is Cathi. We were essentially inseparable during our school years, and she was truly like one of our family members. My brother, John, was born when I was 15 years old and my friends considered him quite the novelty at the time. Cathi was right there to give him a bottle when needed, but I don't recall whether or not she was into diaper changing. As 15 year olds, I'd say we thought that was pretty gross and should be left to the parents whenever possible.

I'll never forget the evening my parents broke the news to me that they were expecting. It was quite a shock to me (as well as to them, I believe). They sat me down and told me that Mom was pregnant, but they promised that it wouldn't interfere with my social life. Dad specifically said that I would not be expected to be a built in baby sitter. "Whew!" I thought. "I'm glad to hear that!!" But something magical happened when that little guy was born. I really didn't mind helping with him. I spent many an hour with him cuddled against my neck, as I sat with him in the rocking chair in his nursery, singing sweet little songs to him to help him go to sleep. It turned out to be good training for me because when my own dear son was born when I was twenty, I felt reasonably confident about infant care. I have to laugh because Fred and I sat in Magiquest at Broadway at the Beach last night, chatting with my brother, John, as his three children raced around with their wands--doing whatever it is that kids are doing in there with those wands, and John's patient wife, Amy, was dashing around attempting to keep track of their three children and a nephew! It's rather mind boggling to realize how much time has elapsed since John was that little toddler who was always so curious about what his sister and her friends were doing. He's turned out to be a fine family man and someone that I am proud to call a good friend. And I always love to hear from Cathi.

Cape May was a fabulous time once again this year. The photo at the top of this post is from that location. I was able to produce a great deal of writing for my second novel during the trip. Once I get on a roll with the thoughts and ideas, it just flows so automatically, and hours can fly by. The Cape May Girls are making their bucket lists, naming all of the things that they would like to do before their demise. We're going to produce a booklet with a group photo on the front and individual pages with a photo of the particular person and their bucket list following. I have two participants who haven't yet turned in their bucket lists....I won't mention any names....but I hope they are almost complete. They know that I'll be hounding them before very long. As soon as I finish the three main projects I'm working on right now, I want to tackle the Bucket List booklet! It will be lots of fun to look at these booklets in the future. We had a wonderful week in Cape May, and the time seems to fly. I guess when you are spending so much time doubled over in laughter, the hours tick by quickly.

Okay, I probably shouldn't be blogging this late at night after working most of the day on a client's family history and then working on my book. I'm beginning to get drowsy and there is no telling what I'll write, so I had better sign off for today! God bless you all.

Connecting with Dear Friends

2009-07-02T12:18:00.003-04:00

This has been a banner week for connecting with "old" friends. Don't you just love those friends who are a part of your history and although you don't see or hear from them for months or even years, when you finally have the opportunity to chat or visit, the time since your last connection is non-existent? It seems as though you just talked yesterday because you seem to pick up exactly where you left off.

If you have friendships that I just described, you are so blessed. Take a moment to call one of those special connections, and you will be uplifted by a sense of closeness that is punctuated by the unique space of your heart that is occupied by that individual.

This week, I heard from my friend, Janie. We've been friends since childhood, and although she lives in California, we touch base periodically. We'll always feel linked regardless of the miles of separation and the peaks and valleys of life that we have shared via letters, telephone calls, and e-mails. She probably doesn't know that she had a nickname in high school. She was referred to as "Hollywood" because her father was a cameraman for a movie studio and worked with many celebrities including Barbara Streisand. He was such a kind, down-to-earth guy--even though he was well acquainted with many famous people. Anyway, I'll see Janie at our 40th (you must be kidding!) class reunion in October. Our California high school class will be holding this milestone remembrance in Las Vegas, which is always interesting in itself. I hope that lots of the folks from our class will be able to attend, as it's wonderful to be able to catch up.

The other person that I heard from this week from the past was Tony, the funniest guy you'd ever want to know. We've been friends for many years, having become acquainted when Fred and I were big Siena College Basketball fans back in the days when Mike Deane was the incredible coach. Attending the games was something that we thoroughly enjoyed as a winter activity because those winters are cold and long in the Albany, NY area! It turned out, however, that becoming involved in cheering for the Siena team evolved into a cherished social activity that forged some wonderful friendships. Tony was a vital part of that scene in an era that we will never forget! The very best to you, Tony, in your retirement!!

And speaking of friend connections, I'm on my way to Cape May, NJ to meet a fabulous group of girlfriends for a few days of hilarity that we've been sharing for a week in July for almost twenty years. I'm not kidding. The eight of us never stop laughing the whole time we are there, and it's one of the most therapeutic events in my life every year. It's like a week long pajama party with bathing suits. I highly recommend this for other ladies--get a group of friends who are comical, considerate, caring and conversational and plan even a long weekend together. You'll never regret it!! Looking forward to seeing you Cape May Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those who are working on their lifewriting projects, think back to your most favorite vacation and write about the details of that trip. Include a good, solid description of the location, surroundings, accommodations, activities, travel involved, and what made it so special. Make your readers feel as though they were right there--seeing everything you saw, participating in everything you did (okay, maybe not EVERYTHING!), eating the types of foods that you ate, describing the local culture, and bringing us along the paths that you walked. If you can locate photos from the visit, use those to refresh your memory of the details. Capture the moments!

Happy 4th of July holiday to everyone!!!!!!!!!! God bless and keep you safe this holiday weekend.

SC Writers Workshop and Shadetree-ers

2009-06-24T16:40:00.003-04:00

South Carolina Writers Workshop:

I recently joined the SC Writers Workshop. It's a great concept with an interesting group of people, but so far I've only been able to attend one meeting. The writers submit their pages (example-a chapter from their current novel or other writing project) in advance, and the group members critique the work and then meet to discuss each submission at length. While in attendance at my first and only meeting, I sat there thinking that if I submit my work, I'll break out into a heavy sweat while they are tearing it apart--line by line! The truth is, however, that it will be beneficial to obtain feedback on the book that I'm currently writing, and when I reach the point where I am ready to allow eyes to see it, those will be the first people to have a glimpse of this little gem that I'm creating.

Shadetree-ers:

Driving along Business Highway 17 last week, I spotted a scene that brought back a vivid memory of my dad. I saw a pseudo-garage--more like a canopy where someone had erected an open air automobile repair business. It reminded me that my dad would have called this person a shadetree mechanic, or a shadetree-er as he would often say.

What is a shadetree mechanic? It is someone who works on their own vehicle in their driveway or home garage, someone who is fearless about tackling the maintenance of their own vehicle (whether or not they are truly proficient at this), and someone about whom dealerships and professional mechanics cringe because sometimes they do more damage than repair.

My recollection is that dad was sort of an automobile mechanic snob in a manner of speaking. He felt that people shouldn't be tinkering under the hood of a vehicle unless they were properly trained. Eventually, the auto makers began to design vehicles in such a way (computerized diagnostics) that many shadetree mechanics and do-it-yourselfers threw up their hands in frustration because the mechanical design made it more and more difficult for the average person to manage their own maintenance.

Dad stretched the use of the term to include anyone in any situation who was claiming to be an "expert" in any field in which they were not officially educated. For instance, if an individual was not a licensed barber or hairdresser and he or she cut the hair of relatives in his or her home, dad would refer to them as a shadetree barber or hairdresser. The example that stands out most in my mind was when he heard someone giving their interpretation of Bible passages and they were either 1) not an ordained minister or 2) he didn't happen to agree with them, then they were a shadetree theologian.

I think Dad would have been a good minister in some respects. He knew the Bible inside out and loved studying and teaching it. I don't, however, think that he would have had the patience to schmooze the occasional congregation members who tend to be chronic complainers, gossips, and instigators. He wouldn't have been able to resist the urge to tell them exactly what he was thinking! One time my husband, Fred, asked Dad why he wasn't a minister, as it was apparent that he loved talking about the Lord. He replied, "I never got the calling."

We all need to think about using the gifts and talents that we've been given in ways that glorify God. He may never call us to travel the world or be a nationally known anything, but we can touch lives every day in our own little spheres of influence and allow His light and goodness to shine through us.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)

Hoping that you're having a blessed week!!

Capturing Your Unique Story

2009-06-17T17:21:00.002-04:00

Writing workshop:

I just finished a private workshop series with five delightful ladies, each of whom arrived at last night's session with their first story relative to a memory or series of memories. As I sat there listening to each story being read aloud, I marveled at the diverse subject matter being presented by this group. They had spent time deeply searching their memory banks for a topic or theme that they felt personally compelled to write about for their very first selection, and each was beyond impressive. Hearing the stories of others is one way to generate more and more of your own memories. This was such an endearing group, and it simply reinforces why I have chosen to teach memoir writing workshops. I enjoy seeing the looks on their faces that tells me that they now know that, in time and with effort, they can really complete this project. I love this calling!

Update on the bicycle seat situation:

If you have been following this blog, you are aware that my husband, Fred, refuses to ride his new bicycle because he believes that the seat was designed for something other than the male anatomy. At one point, he threatened to place a pillow on the seat in order to ride the bike. (If he does that, he's riding in this neighborhood ALONE!)

When I was at Huntington Beach last week, the sight of a bicycle whose owner must be related to Fred, was almost more than I could fathom. I was so wishing I had brought my camera. The owner of this bike had placed a large, thick chunk of yellow foam rubber on the seat and secured it with miles of duct tape. Okay, let's give him credit for being innovative, but I must say that I've never seen anything quite like this.

Signing off for now. Think about writing your stories to share with loved ones--your unique experiences--capturing a composition of you...for them!

One Life to Live and Hip Hop Abs

2009-06-08T16:06:00.006-04:00

One Life to Live:

I heard a comment on the radio today that referred to "One Life to Live". It instantly reminded me of several things:

The soap opera that premiered on July 15, 1968. I had just completed my junior year of high school in Southern CA.

The Clairol commercial "If I've one life...let me live it as a blonde!"

The Dolly Parton quote "I'm not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know I'm not blonde."

I'm wondering if I was subconsciously influenced by the Clairol commercial because I've been living life as a blonde for just about two decades. Occasionally, Fred inquires whether or not I will ever return to being a brunette, and I always justify my blondeness by saying, "I don't think so, honey. When the grays start to take over, it's best to go lighter." I don't believe that he's convinced.

The real point is this. I stopped to consider how short this life really is in view of eternity, which is definitely a concept that is tough to grasp sometimes. What we do here and now--every day--does matter. My goal is to hopefully be able to look back and feel that my life made a positive difference for others. I don't want to live my one life feeling angry and frustrated with people whom God has placed in my path, even if their personalities and mine will never gel. (I'm not talking about Fred--this is just an example!) Regardless of how you slice it, life is short--too short not to try to make every day count. Too short not to do things for God's glory rather than our own, tricky as that can be sometimes!

Words of wisdom:

Every day, we're faced with choices. We can make wise decisions....or we can make foolish ones. For instance, as I realized yesterday, choosing to eat a taco while driving and wearing a white top is not a stellar choice. You know that you really want to do it, but you know that if you do, you'll definitely have a mess on your hands. I should have waited. Lesson learned. Hey, maybe I can use that in my new book!

Hip Hop Abs:

For all of you doubters out there, Fred has participated in Hip Hop Abs with me twice. I was very impressed at how he stayed right with the program--with one exception. On the second day, during the middle of the DVD, the telephone rang. Fred made a mad dash for the telephone, announcing, "I'm sure it's for me!" He looked a tad disappointed when the telephone became silent after the one initial ring, and he dejectedly returned to his position in the exercise routine. He's back on the road now, and probably grateful to be far away from Hip Hop Abs!! Beth, thanks for introducing me to DVD exercise. You were my inspiration.

See y'all soon.

Back in Murrells Inlet

2009-06-02T12:09:00.003-04:00

I realize that the object of a blog is to try to write an update at least a couple of times each week, but we've been away for ten days and I was unable to place my blog writer's hat on top of my head during that time. I did spend several hours working diligently on my second novel, and a great deal of our flight time was utilized for this purpose. There seems to be something about being confined in a plane with very few distractions that enables me to experience a flow of the creative juices. Perhaps it's the altitude or maybe the inability to use a cell phone during flight. We had an extensive layover in Charlotte, and my little fingers were flying like crazy on the keyboard of my laptop during that time as well. Fortunately, I'm equally creative sitting on the beach, so I don't have to book worldwide travel in order to enjoy progress on this project!

We loved visiting with everyone in New York, where we truly have an amazing group of family and lifelong friends. We enjoyed visiting Grace Fellowship Church in Latham--always a blessing. Special prayers go out for Shawn and Karen regarding their health issues.

I'm speaking at a luncheon tomorrow for a group of ladies on Pawleys Island about writing our stories to pass along to future generations--something I really love to do. I want everyone to understand that you don't have to be a celebrity to write stories about your life that are interesting to someone. Perhaps the general public might not be particularly interested in your story, but most everyone has nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, or cousins who would enjoy knowing more about you, your life experiences, and some special words of wisdom that you would like to share. You don't have to tell EVERYTHING. You pick and choose what would be beneficial for others to learn about you. Perhaps you have traveled to some fascinating places--destinations that many of your relatives will never see. Write about those unique events. Even if you had a miserable childhood and don't care to re-visit it, you could write about the positive experiences of your lifetime. I try to influence every individual that they have something worthy to impart to others. What would you like for future generations to know about you?

I promise to be far more blog faithful in the months ahead!!

DIVING INTO THE BLOGGING POOL

2009-05-19T22:39:00.004-04:00

Many people tell me that I should write a blog so they will be readily updated on the current status of a variety of subjects such as:

The progress toward completion of my new novel
The latest on workshops that I'm teaching
Inspirational tidbits
Mental meanderings about any subject that pops into my brain

Therefore, with the magic of the internet and the amazing power that it represents, this is my blog debut.

New novel-It is progressing slightly more slowly than I had hoped, but every day is filled with such a variety of time thieves, I don't seem to have the large blocks of uninterrupted time to finalize it. It is totally outlined so I won't lose sight of the direction in which I intend to travel with this story, but I know that when I go to Cape May, NJ to meet my dear friends for our annual Girls' Getaway week in July, I'll be relaxed as I sit in my anti-gravity beach chair and the words will leap rapidly from the section of my brain where they are currently stored directly onto the writing pad in my hand. I'll keep you all posted. The story in the new book will keep you perched right on the edge of your seat--lots of mystery, relationships, romance and a touch of inspiration.

Mental meanderings-Why does it become so difficult to avoid gaining weight as we age? I attempt to harness the extra pounds by eating reasonably nutritiously, exercising, and remaining as generally active as someone who is glued to a computer can possibly be. But it is a continuous battle. Fred and I recently purchased bicycles because we have a lovely area in which to pedal ourselves around the neighborhood after dinner instead of vegetating in front of the television. Fred, however, is not being particularly cooperative about this endeavor because 1-he bought the sports package for cable that enables him to watch his beloved Yankees 2-he insists that he needs a different bicycle seat because he thinks that the one which came with his bike was designed for male torture. If you take a look at his bicycle in about ten years, it will probably appear to be brand new. In view of his reluctance to ride bikes with me, I decided that it would be fun if we tried some other form of exercise together. I succumbed to the temptation of a recent infomercial for Hip Hop Abs, which is a fabulous workout. To date, Fred has not been tempted to participate in this activity with me, but I'm going to keep trying. I'll let you know if I am successful in obtaining his cooperation. Do you think there is any remote ray of hope?

Workshops-I'm still speaking to community groups and holding a June workshop series. Will teach again for Coastal's program in the fall. But I'm also enjoying some editing, as well as some private client family history projects. No wonder my golf game stinks. I'm really busy!

Inspiration-Community Bible Study has ended this month for our summer break. Studying Revelation was a completely amazing experience, and we are looking forward to Genesis in the fall. I've met some wonderful ladies through CBS, and hope to enjoy some lifelong friendships with them. I can only say that I'm blessed to be doing everything in which I am involved, and I don't ever want to hesitate to give God the glory for everything that is accomplished. He is my strength.

So until next time, keep smiling, keep looking at the sky, and try to do something special for someone today!