Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Summer Reading


I know it's not summer yet but it's hot here in Florida so I'm already working on my summer reading list. Currently I'm reading Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety. I had read it twenty years go and forgotten how good it was. Cheap (The High cost of Discoutnt Culture) by Ellen Shell is also on my bedside table. Fascinating but it sure takes some of the fun out of outlet shopping.

For light reading I selected Susan Wiggs' Summer by the Sea. Besides being a great relaxing read, it's full of delicious Italian recipes. What's on your list?

Friday, May 14, 2010

Lilacs and Romance

It's lilac time again here in the middle of nowhere in upstate New York. Driving down any country road with the car's windows down is a heavenly experience. Our yard has several ancient lilac trees in it, as well as a bunch of newer trees, so our home is sweet with the scent of their flowers.

This is one of my favorite times of the year! Sure, I love the purple and white flowers (which I have in vases in almost every room!) and the scent they impart, but mostly I like the way they make me feel. I can't explain it, but lilacs just feel romantic to me. They remind me of stolen kisses, long hand-held walks and moonlight... ah, well, let's just say they remind me.

Anyhow, is there any flower that speaks loudly of romance to you? Any scent that immediately brings your heart fluttering?

Wherever you are, I wish you lilacs!

Have a nice weekend!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Celebrating the Day

We have lovely weather - if only it wasn't so cold. Yesterday while out in the countryside I saw all the trees blooming, everything was fresh and green, the little lambs skipping and playing, it was a rural scene that must have been there hundreds of years ago. Passing by an "Elizabethan" built school goes along to confirm that.

Spring - new beginnings, fresh starts - that's what I always think. It makes me feel good to see everything blossoming. My mind has blossomed too. Timidly on Tuesday, I went to look at a novel I had started last year. Circumstances had made me leave it there and the idea of looking at it, all love and joy and conflict, made me feel physically sick. "Get over it girl," I told myself on Tuesday. In I went, there it was, I started to read...not too bad, needs some tweaking here and there but when I
reached the end of what was there, my fingers went to the keys...yes, I started to write. Not much that first day but there it was, new beginnings. Today my head is full of ideas. Is this my Spring? I do hope so.

Ciao!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Tomorrow (May 12)is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. When I was diagnosed with 'fibro' thirteen years ago, I had never heard of it but recent TV pharmaceutical ads have made the syndrome more reognizable. Unfortunately none of these new drugs offer a cure.

Fibro feels like the day before you come down with the flu -- everything aches -- your neck, back, legs and shoulders. It's called wide-spread achiness and is caused by a malfunction of the central nervous system. Lots of things help -- heating pads, medications, massage, guided imagery tapes and the support of family, doctors and friends.

Initially I thought if I just ignore this illness it will go away. That strategy didn't work. In fact it brought me to a crashing halt and left me almost bedridden. So now I work with it. I use all the tools I can to relieve the fibro symptoms and rest when I need to. It's frustrating to not be able to accomplish as much as I used to. But on the plus side I know I've grown more understanding, less judgmental and met some wonderful people along the way.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Good News!

Found out this weekend that my daughter is expecting her second baby! I'm doing the grandma dance right now. And I'll probably have this stupid grin on my face for the next 7 months. She's due in December, the same month of my birthday.

My son-in-law wants a boy this time, he says there's too many ovaries in the household. But I have news for him, girls run in our family. Either way, we'll take a healthy baby...any sex.

May is turning out to be a great month for us.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Voting Day

Today over here in the UK, we are voting for a new Government.We call it the "general election" as opposed to the local elections, which happen more frequently.

So many people don't bother to vote. It really is sad, especially when you think of the people who fought and some who died, so we have the right to vote. I've never been apathetic about voting, even as a younger person. That stems from my Grandfather, Richard Owen, who was a big influence in my life. Grandfather went through the First World War, as he would say "up to his neck in muck and bullets" for the most of that war. I can remember his medals kept in his drawer in an old brown envelope. He wanted to forget.

My Grandfather and Grandmother more or less brought me up, as both my parents worked, and I lived part of the time at their house. Grandfather had many stories to tell and I used to listen in awe and received a wonderful education in the process.

Always A political, we were often the only house with a Vote for.... poster in the window. So I am off to vote this morning, and then I will take numbers for the party I support. I won't tell you which one but if anyone has read my very early books about life in Manchester, you would be able to guess!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Sorry Larkers, I've been very busy the last two weeks and it's occurred to me that I've neglected this blog. I've snuck away from visiting relatives today to post. You know how it is when you have relatives in town. I even took time off from work to spend time with them.

Yesterday we had a cook out. Steak and chicken kabobs on the grill, corn on the cob, and I made a dump cake. We also had rice, chips and dip. Too much food but then left overs are always good to take to work for lunch.

Tomorrow we're making a trip to St. Augustine. We'll have to go in two vehicles because there's 8 of us. I hope it's not going to be too hot because we've already experienced some hot summer weather. I think the older I get the less I can take the heat. Doesn't help when you have hot flashes.


On top of visiting relatives my daughter and son-in-law are in the process of purchasing their first home, so I've been involved in that. Closing is slated for May 20th and it will be nice when it's all over and we can relax again. Buying a house can be stressful. And there seems to be so much drama involved with regard to all the documents you have to provide.

I enjoy spending time with my family. Wednesday we're just gonna hang out at my niece's house.


My next release is coming out this month. May 24th Talk Dirty to Me will be released at Ellora's Cave. It's my first short romance. We'll see how it does. It was certainly easier to write!