Writing prompt Thursday

Before I give you this week's prompt, I should probably share what I wrote for last week's. Last week's writing prompt was: The sound...

The sound of a door screeching open at the end of the hall sent shivers up her spine. When she heard footsteps echoing off the walls her heart pounded and blood roared in her ears. They found her. They were coming after her. Run!


Now for Today's writing prompt: At the end of the dock...


Remember, don't think, just write. Let your imagination go and your fingers do the work. Most of all, have fun!

Writing “The End”

Is there any more heady feeling for an author than writing the words, “THE END” at the end of a manuscript?

Since I wrote those words on my fifth manuscript this past Monday evening, I can honestly say, “No!”

It’s the best. You get this warm, fuzzy feeling inside you that kind of worm itself around inside your body until it bubbles up to the surface. Then you want to shout your giddiness to the world.

Yes, I did just that. I opened up my back door and yelled, “I did it! The End!!”

Who cares that it was only ten degrees outside and that I was standing in my yoga pants and a tank top yelling this into the cold night air at the top of my lungs. Who cares that my neighbor called to see if I was okay. All that matters is that writing THE END was well worth getting a little frost bite on my tiny tootsies. Not to mention other places that I won’t mention. [wink-wink]

It does not matter how many days or months an author labors over the writing of a story. It could be three or thirty months. It is all a labor of love, rather like being pregnant for nine months and then pushing that baby out. It’s all in reaching the end target of producing that wonderful child or story that will not happen until the words THE END are written on that last page or you’re holding your squirming, beautiful child in your arms.

I say rejoice in your ending, shout it out to the world, and celebrate.

Because tomorrow, the next story will come and you will have no choice to start your another labor or love.

Tom Sawyer Day in Florida

If you saw a sign that said, Tom Sawyer Day, what would you think? Perhaps people were getting together to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Uh, no. Tom Sawyer Day in my father's mind is a community event to wash the community fence.

First of all, you need to know that not every person is aware of who Tom Sawyer is. My father did receive several phone calls asking that question.

On the other hand, everyone knew what BYOB meant. Or did they?

Actually, they did not. In this case, BYOB was not bring your own booze, but stood for bring your own bucket.

The incentive for this laborious project that encompassed 850 feet of fencing was free drinks, of the water and soda variety.

Yes, this was a successful venture! Thanks to 12 people who brought their buckets, brushes, and their great attitudes for wanting to experience literature in the true sense of the word. . .by washing a fence just as Tom Sawyer did.

Wait! Tom Sawyer didn't wash the fence. He somehow convinced the other boys that washing the fence was fun.

Ahhh. Now I get it. My dad played Tom Sawyer today. He got others to do the work all in the guise of it being fun.

Lucky for him everyone did have a blast hanging out with their neighbors, getting wet, and enjoying the sunshine.

Great job, Dad!

Writing Prompt Thursday

It's been a while since we had a writing prompt but since I am in the middle of working on the ending of my work-in-progress I thought it fitting to boost some creativity. And the best way to do that, at least for this writer, is to start off with a little writing prompt.

Writing Prompt: The sound of. . .

Remember to have fun! Write whatever comes into your head and just let the words flow.

Share what you come up with by posting back here.

Happy writing!!

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Bacon Cheeseburgers, and any other kind of burger.

Today the rest of the world is discussing Valentine's Day, love, boxes of chocolates, and best dates. I thought it would be more interesting to talk about burgers.

No, not a McDonald's or Burger King burger, but a little place you like to go to eat a burger when you have the craving.

I am actually not a huge hamburger fan, but on occasion I do get a craving and when I do, I want it now. For example, yesterday. I was driving to the paint store to pick up some paint (obviously) to paint a little table for my library. As I was driving, this little pang of hunger hit me and I thought, "Cheeseburger."

Seriously! That is how my mind and stomach work together. It's actually worse than that. My stomach was very specific as to where I wanted the cheeseburger from. It spoke to my head and said, "Windham Junction."

Not kidding!

When I was in the paint store the guy behind the counter asked one of the girls there if she wanted to get lunch. He said he wanted a burger.

I asked him, "Where are you going to get a hamburger from?"

OMG! Yes, he said, "Windham Junction."

That clinched it for me. After painting my table, I packed myself up into my car and bolted to Windham Junction for one of the best cheeseburgers.

What makes a good cheeseburger or hamburger? Or what draws you to a particular place for a burger? I mean you can get a burger almost anywhere, right?

Well, what makes the burger so ggod at Windham Junction is not just the fact that it is made fresh right when you order, but that the bread is not a typical bun. It doesn't come from some grocery store plastic bag. It isn't served on a sesame seed bun. It's a fresh type of ciabatta roll. It's soft and delicious and unlike any bun you've ever had a burger on.

The meat is cooked just right so it's not dry and is Angus beef. You can hear it sizzling in the background while you wait with hunger pangs gnawing at the inside of your stomach. Then, of course, they don't assume you want cheddar for your cheese, you get a choice of cheese as well as toppings.

Let's just say this is one burger you will eat even when you are beyond full.

Where do you go for a great, out of the box, hamburger? Why?

Friday night author and wine event!

A Literary Evening - Author's Night at Zorvino Vineyards !!!

FREE !!!

Need a special night out or a good book to read? Tonight is the night!

Join us for a very special evening on Friday, February 11th at Zorvino Vineyards as we feature as many as 50 different New England authors who will be on hand to discuss, sell & sign their novels.

Meet the writers in person!!!

This is also a fantastic charity event for the community as we will be partnering with 4 New Hampshire libraries to help bring the joy of reading to all. Each library will be offering raffles of different items including signed books by our authors plus wine & other great prizes. Check with the individual libraries to see what they have to offer and to purchase raffle tickets. Current libraries who will be involved are the Sandown Public Library, The Colby Memorial Library from Danville & the Plaistow Public Library with two more ready to join us.

This event will run from 6 pm to 9 pm and will be free to all. Zorvino Vineyards will also be offering a FREE raffle of our own. Everyone who signs up for the evening on our website will be entered into a chance to win a " Private Wine Tasting & Tour For Up To 20 People."

This event will include a cheese & cracker platter and a walk around tour & tasting of our facility. Just sign up online, print your ticket & bring it to our book signing to be entered.

We will also offer a cash bar and will have the winery open all night for complimentary wine tasting so you can browse for books, wine & gifts for that special Valentine for the following weekend.

You need not be here right at 6 pm. Come to the front door of the function facility anytime after 6 pm and stay as long as you like until 9 pm.

See you there!

Author's Night at Zorvino Vineyards !!!

A Literary Evening - Author's Night at Zorvino Vineyards !!!

FREE !!!

Join us for a very special evening on Friday, February 11th at Zorvino Vineyards as we feature as many as 50 different New England authors who will be on hand to discuss, sell & sign their novels.

Meet the writers in person !!!

This is also a fantastic charity event for the community as we will be partnering with 4 New Hampshire libraries to help bring the joy of reading to all. Each library will be offering raffles of different items including signed books by our authors plus wine & other great prizes. Check with the individual libraries to see what they have to offer and to purchase raffle tickets. Current libraries who will be involved are the Sandown Public Library, The Colby Memorial Library from Danville & the Plaistow Public Library with two more ready to join us.

This event will run from 6 pm to 9 pm and will be free to all. Zorvino Vineyards will also be offering a FREE raffle of our own. Everyone who signs up for the evening on our website will be entered into a chance to win a " Private Wine Tasting & Tour For Up To 20 People."

This event will include a cheese & cracker platter and a walk around tour & tasting of our facility. Just sign up online, print your ticket & bring it to our book signing to be entered.

We will also offer a cash bar and will have the winery open all night for complimentary wine tasting so you can browse for books, wine & gifts for that special Valentine for the following weekend.

You need not be here right at 6 pm. Come to the front door of the function facility anytime after 6 pm and stay as long as you like until 9 pm.

See you there!

Telephone SCAM my Dad

Telephone SCAM my Dad? No way!

The brief story you are about to read below is true and happened to my father this week and told in his own words. Please read and beware.

It all started out with a call from 891-536-8430. The caller identified herself and asked me to confirm my name. She then related to me that I was a recipient of a Government grant of $10,000. My response was that I had not applied for any grant. She then assured me that I was selected at random and the grant was indeed for me without any application. She told me that all I would have to do was to go to the nearest Western Union station and collect the money that would be transferred.

Now, here comes the catch. I would have to bring along a picture ID and have $200 available in cash or a credit card. These funds were for a security check and would be returned upon completion of the entire transaction. Upon arriving at Western Union, I was to call 209-890-9011and I would then be given the necessary instructions for the “security check.” I responded by stating that I thought this was a SCAM. She assured me that it was not and indicated that I could verify this by checking out a web site, www.grantsus.net.

Sure enough, there is a web site with this address and yes, the telephone number given is listed on the site. However, that site is really for applying for grants. Nothing about the site indicates its validity as being part of the government. They do indicate on the site that they have been seen on CNN and the four major TV networks. Of course, this proves nothing.

After this conversation and my falsely agreeing with the person on the phone that I would go to Western Union, I tried to dial the calling number. When I did, the call immediately went to an announcement after dialing 1-891, informing me that 891 is not a valid area code. After not appearing at Western Union in the agreed upon time, I started receiving calls from both the numbers listed above. I chose not to answer. The calls continued to come in that evening and the morning of the following day.

I have reported this information to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office so they would be alert and could use their communications to alert folks in the county if they so choose. The Deputy responding to my call was extremely courteous and agreed that it was a SCAM. He opened up a report and placed it on record.

The moral of this story is that it was indeed a SCAM and you should be aware that you should not fall into this type of trap. I hope that this information is helpful to you and increase your awareness that there are folks out there that will attempt to bilk you out of your hard earned money.

Snowball Anyone?

You've heard about those people that strip down and dip their half-naked bodies into the ocean for ten seconds, well that's nothing compared to snowball.

Snowball is a game that twenty people, including me played last Saturday.

What is Snowball? Snowball is softball in two feet of snow and played with a 16" ball.

You start with a pristine field covered in two plus feet of snow. But where's the baseline? Well, to get a baseline you have to plow the field. Notice I said plow, not plough. This is not a wheat field. This is a ball field covered in snow sow you have to create you own baseline.
Here's how. You line everyone up and shuffle down each baseline and make way for the runners. The beer is optional and the women are last in line cus you know, why not let the men show their big strong muscles.


You gotta be careful while playing cuz you don't want to get too cold or too hungry. So stock up on hot cocoa (spiked, of course) and homemade rice krispy treats.

Do you think they're smiling a little too much? I think they touched the spiked cocoa before the game started.

After the second or third inning of hitting full team lineups, no matter how many outs, when you start to have to use the dugout fence to hold yourself up and you look bedraggled like this, don't forget to take a break.



The snow makes for a great sofa. Oh! The beer is optional.



Be careful using a white softball as it may disappear. "Where did the ball go?" Or maybe she just wants to show off her derriere. We started out with a red, white, and blue softball, but since it got so wet we switched to the second ball which was all white. And yes, at one point four or five people were on the ground searching for a ball in two feet of white, cold snow.

Then again, it may not be the white softball that you can't find. It could be first base. "Somebody help! Where did first base go?"





Where did the ball go? It wasn't supposed to go up!










Then you have the smiling hitter who in the back of his silly and possibly sloshed mind saying, "Bring on the heat! Let's knock this ball out of the park."








Of course, you may actually hit the ball. Look at that surprised grin! "Did I actually hit it. . .that far?" Shh. Don't tell him I said so, but it probably only went three feet in front of him.







The best part of the game, besides the new friends that you'll make, and the achy muscles that you will have for days is the party after the game. Check out these smiling faces who are thinking, "The game is over. Bring on the food!"

I hope these pictures have inspired you! Go out, grab twenty of your closest friends, a ball, a couple of bases, bats, and some munchies, and have a blast.

We did!!