Longest hike I did in Ireland and I survived!

Day 5 Ireland –

It is a wee bit more frosty out this morning. The car was actually covered in frost along with the grass and anything that sat outside all night long. The nip in the air made my ears bright red on my walk into Kenmare, but there’s nothing like the smell of cow dung to clear the sinuses and open your lungs to the fresh air of the Irish countryside.

This morning I could not decide whether to pack up the car and take a drive to Dingle or try to walk part of the Kenmare Way. I decided that since it was looking like a gorgeous sunny day ahead to walk into town, have breakfast, and if I can figure out this Walker’s Guide to the Kenmare Way then I will hike the 15 kilometers to Inchaquin Lakes/Waterfall and then another 6 kilometers through a valley in the Caha Mountains. Part way through this trek is a stone circle and at the end is the waterfall.

But before I go there, I must get food and hydrate.

This morning I had a breakfast bap. “What’s a bap?” you ask.

A bap is a light, floury, soft roll. A breakfast bap has egg or ham or sausage and maybe an egg or cheese if you want. I went with the Irish bacon, egg and cheese bap.

Cross my fingers that my calves and shins survive this hike. Yikes! After yesterday’s long walks, it’s iffy.

On my way to Gleninchaquin I had to cross over Our Lady's Bridge, which was constructed in 1932-1933 to replace the original suspension bridge that went up in 1841.


Near the bridge is some type of park where they probably hold concerts. I believe that based on the stone sculptures standing in this spot as well as the rockwall benches that are spread out.

After crossing over the bridge the rest of the LONG walk is on a narrow road that parallels the river. It's a peaceful walk except for fear of some car coming around the corner and smashing into you.

Actually, the drivers are very used to hikers walking this road. There are even signs telling drivers to be cautious of walkers. As a matter of fact, I have never waved to so many people in my life.

Whenever a car saw me they would move over and then wave as they passed me. Isn't that a nice gesture? Seriously! Every car that drove by yours truly waved.


As part of this walk I actually ended up on the Beara Peninsula. Cool! Check out the sign to the left. The Beara Peninsula is a peninsula on the south-west coast of Ireland, bounded between the Kenmare "river" to the north side and Bantry Bay to the south. It has two mountain ranges running down its center: the Caha Mountains and the Slieve Miskish Mountains.

I was headed toward the valley of the Caha Mountains.



I saw a black sheep for the first time ever on my walk in the Gleninchaquin park. Yes, I took pictures.

The walk was long but pretty.

Gleninchaquin Park has breath-taking landscapes and scenery. You walk around and through beautiful streams, mountain paths, rock passages, along glens and lakes to higher altitude all framed by the Killarney McGillicuddy Reeks along the horizon.


The walk through the park was quiet except for the sheep I ran into and the occasional car that drove through. I would so not want to drive through the park. It was almost worse than Kerry Way.



There are these beautiful blue lakes in the middle of all the brown land and rock.



I ran into another hiker and we chatted for a few minutes before I walked down far enough to see the waterfall. Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a falls due to the fact that they hadn't had a lot of rain. It was more of a trickle.


On my walk to the park, I stopped at a pier to give my legs a break and met a very nice couple whose names are Linda and John from England originally but now live in Ireland.

They were the sweetest couple who thought for certain I was nuts to want to walk that far. They insisted that they drive me to the opening of the park so my 40+ kilometer walk was cut short a couple of kilometers. Linda and John even invited me in for coffee to their place, but since I was working against time and sunlight, I had to take a pass.

They gave me their phone number in case I found myself too tired to return to the cottage by foot. As my way of thanks, I gave the couple a copy of NEVER TEMPT DANGER. I loved their reaction.

“You’re not the Denise Robbins, are you?”

Too cute!


I did survive my 38+ kilometer walk. BARELY!

By the time I walked back into Kenmare, or maybe I should say waddled into town, all I wanted was food and drink and to put my feet up. The bad part is I left my car at the cottage so I still had a ways to go.

I decided very wisely that if I sat down with a pint of Guinness that I would never get up and make it back to the cottage. So I stopped at the only Chinese restaurant in town and ordered Take-away. Take-away means to-go.

I managed to make it back to the cottage before dropping and then I scarfed down the worst chicken with garlic sauce I have ever eaten. By that time though, who the heck cares. I only had breakfast and walked over 26 miles. I needed sustenance.

Sheep, Kenmare River, Old boat, and an Old Church make for interesting exploration

Day 4 Ireland –
Day 4 in Ireland was a busy exploration day.

I woke to sunshine and frost on the ground. I slipped my bare feet into hiking boots, picked up my camera, and walked out to the back patio and took pictures of the sun shining over the mountains and the crystal sleeping on the grass. Peaceful and beautiful.

This morning I took the long route into Kenmare Town Centre, which is about 2.2 kilometers. It was less scenic, but the sun was shining and I did see a sheep farm up on a hill. I managed to get a few distant shots of sheep roaming or grazing. See the little specks in the background? Those are sheep.

In town, I stopped in at Café Mocha for breakfast. This morning I had a fried egg, bacon, and cheese on a croissant and a coke to drink. I will say that you know how everyone says a Guinness in Ireland tastes better than anywhere in the world…well, a cold Coke tastes better in the states better than any place else. I have had two cokes since I’ve been here and both times it tasted a little funny. I checked and it’s bottled in Ireland. Must be the water. :-)

I have my cameras packed and after breakfast, I am heading out to find some picturesque places Eoghan from the Skyline Gallery recommended to visit.


Well, I found one place that Eoghan recommended called The Pier and The Sound, an inlet off the Kenmare River. On this area of water is an old boat that I took some great pictures of.

This place was so beautiful on a sunny day, I could have stayed there all day just soaking in the rays.




On my walk back into town I found an old church called St. Patrick's Church, Church of Ireland. St. Patrick's Church was dedicated in 1858 and replaced the old ruin church called Killowen Church that was built in 1811.

Look how beautiful this hundred plus year old church looks.I mean look at the detail on the windows and how the roof line matches the design. I'm in awe of such work!

I walked back into town and decided to play tourist by doing a little shopping. Very little. I found a little shop called The White Room that specializes in old world Irish linen and run by a lovely woman named Sheila.

I swear to you the first words she said to me were, “You’re from America then?”

She heard my accent. Then we chatted a little over a few things and she asked if I was of Irish descent. She said, “You look Irish.”

HA! She could have no idea how that made me feel. All warm and fuzzy inside. Especially since I’ve been doing family research ad know that at least two branches come from some part of Ireland.

Sheila and I ended up chatting for quite some time about this and that and then I gave her a copy of one of my books. Of course, then we talked some more.
On my walk back to the cottage, I stopped and bought a small lime green bucket filled with a rose bush from a woman on the street and then walked the short route to the cottage.

After a short rest, I trekked back into town on foot and did some more exploring. This time I found a small bookshop where a bought a book of Irish superstitions and a walking map of The Kerry Way.

Guess what I will be doing tomorrow? That is if my legs survive. Today was a huge walking day for me. I did at least nine or ten miles between the trips from and to the cottage on top of the exploring.

Killarney and the death-defying roads of the Ring of Kerry

Day 3 Ireland –

Day 3 of my Ireland vacation I decided to play tourist. After cleaning up and blowing up my hair dryer (good hair was just not meant to be on this vacation), I got in my car and drove to Killarney. I walked around the town centre and the first thing that caught my eye was a place called Murphy’s Bar. There was a gentleman out front cleaning the windows and door.

It caught my eye because that is the last name of my new heroine. I passed it by and went my merry way visiting a bunch of shops and then wound my way back to Murphy’s.

At that point, I asked the gentleman if he minded if I took a picture of the pub. He answered, “Make it a good one.”

Then I went inside and learned more about the pub and how it opened in 1955 by a man named John Murphy. After I left Murphy’s I wandered the town some more until I came across a shop that served hot cocoa. I got it to go then got in my car to drive part of The Ring of Kerry and visit the Killarney National Forest Park.

I got some great pictures there! Take a look.


Let me tell you...the scenic route of the Kerry Way is more like a trip into white-knuckle driving. The narrow roads are death-defying.

You're either driving on the inside near the rock wall and any minute may end up smashed against its side or you're driving on the edge and may meet your maker in a tumble down a cliff. Not kidding! Beautiful scenery, but hair-raising drive.

I drove the narrow and windy road of the Ring of Kerry until I got to Moll’s Gap. I paused there for a quick stop into a little shop then was on my windy way again.

Back in Kenmare, I parked the car at the cottage then was back to walking into town where I watched a man cutting stone for a rock wall. I never knew how they did that.

OH! And the top of their rock walls that they build now are different than I have ever seen. They place the stones standing up on the top. I should have asked why they do that, but check out the picture.

On the way into town, I took a side detour, found a way up to Cromwell’s Bridge, and actually walked over it. HA! That was way cool and no simple feat. Very steep getting down and very little space for footing. I wonder how they did that back in the days of people actually using the bridge?

I walked back to Stone Circle this afternoon and yes! It was open. I left my 2 Euros and went in. I don’t know, I guess expected to feel the energy. I’ve visited other places like this and the vibrations or energy you feel or I felt was overwhelming. I walked into the center of the circle and never felt a thing. Kind of bummed.

This Bronze Age Stone Circle is reputed to be one of the largest remaining examples in the South West of Ireland.

The Kenmare Stone Circle is actually an oval (which is unusual, most are round) With 15 Stones in the circle and a boulder dolmen in the centre, which has an impressive capstone weighing about 7 tons. The Circle has been thought to have been orientated toward the setting sun.

Stone Circles were often aligned to specific solar, lunar and celestial events. Archaeologists believe that these events may have been linked to the rituals and ceremonies performed at the circles.

I’m sitting at Davitt’s Restaurant and Pub having an amazing Irish Burger with first a pint of Murphy’s and now a Guinness.

Shhh! Don’t tell the guys I work with but they were right, Guinness is much better over here than I would have ever guessed. Even the waitress said there is a difference in drinking Guinness in Ireland than from tap anywhere else in the world. I believe she may be right.

Hutchins Folly - a little Boston in Kenmare, Ireland

Day 2 Ireland –

I had hoped Day 2 of Ireland would turn out much better than Day 1, but that was not the case. After spending a good ten minutes trying to figure out the shower, I did manage to get a hot shower. Thank goodness! I should have stayed in it.

When I went to plug in my Euro to US power strip, it didn’t work. The adapters I brought didn’t work. Then when I said, “Screw it, I’ll just use my converter for my laptop”…that was the biggest mistake of all. Plugging in the hair dryer blew the converter!!

I yelled, “Are you kidding me? Do I look like I need this crap?”

Did the heavens above really think I would be happy with this morning’s fiasco?

Talk about bad hair day! All I can say is, “At least I’m clean.”

Well, no UK plug nor the heavens above are going to put a halt to this disastrous start to a trip. I got dressed, packed my backpack, got into my broken car, and promptly got lost. I wish I were kidding.

No tears, just hysterical laughter at this point. I mean, seriously, this could only happen to me.

I managed to get myself unlost then found the center of Kenmare. I parked, got out of the car, and stopped at the first open door, which happened to be a superette. The clerk was friendly and helpful.

“Yes!” They had power adapters. “Bummer!” Only one of them worked. I swear the fates are against me.

Having solved that issue, I walked part way around town until I came to a small breakfast place that was actually open, called Prego.

Inside, I had Prego Toast and Irish bacon. Both were excellent! Thank goodness. The Prego Toast was the restaurant’s version of French Toast made with some kind of special bread and grilled in olive oil. The bacon was a cross between a slice of bacon and a small slice of ham, only you can’t cut it with a knife. Very salty and very good.

In the afternoon, I decided to venture out by foot. I walked the 1.5 kilometers on the tiny road from my cottage into Kenmare Town Center and ventured around the tidy town.

I did manage to see Cromwell’s Bridge. Sounds kind of like a funny attraction and it is. But it’s a rock bridge. Wait until you see the picture. Fascinating!

The bridge had nothing to do with Cromwell. The name originates from the Gaelic word for moustache. It's hard to imagine that a stone arch can survive all that time but it has.

I wonder how they got all those rocks to stay in place while they built the bridge?

I was told that both banks would have been built up with earth and gravel to make it easier to traverse it.

After venturing out for a while, I popped into a little shop where I bought a couple of books on folk songs and ballads popular in Ireland. Guess what I will be learning to sing?

Then I wandered in to the Wander Inn and had a cup of hot cocoa. A quaint little pub owned and operated by a woman who busts her tail waiting on all the drunkards and visitors while rugby or cricket plays on the gigantic televisions all around. If you’re looking for a quiet place to visit…this is not it. It's a place to talk and watch sports, and maybe play a game of pool.



Now that I was warmed up again, I went out for another hike and found another old ruin called Hutchins' Folly. Hutchins' Folly, according to the sign posted nearby, was built by an American to commemorate the battle of Bunker Hill. Are we not funny people or what?

After my picture tour of Hutchins' Folly, I stopped in a gallery called the Skyline Gallery and met the owner and photographer named Eoghan, pronounced Owen. Very nice man with great pictures. I tried to convince him to come down to the stone cottage and take pictures of the river from there. We’ll see if it works. I’d buy one of those.

OH! On my walk back to the stone cottage in a little drizzle, I heard a gunshot. Talk about jump out of my hiking boots. My guess is that someone just shot an Irish cow. There are signs on a local butcher shop in town saying they age their Kenmare beef 21 days. SHIVER!

I went to Ireland and fell in love

I told my father before I left for my first real vacation in over ten years, to my first vacation in Ireland that I was going to Ireland and was going to fall in love.

I did.

Not with a man, but with the country.

It wasn’t love at first sight, it was gradual. The affair didn’t start out on a great note. In fact, I wanted to turn tail and fly back home the same night I arrived. But I didn’t. I stuck it out and day after day my fondness grew to adoration, to affection and then to love.

I couldn’t get enough of the countryside of Kenmare, Ireland. I wanted to spend every waking minute outside soaking in the feel and I did. As the days passed I found myself waking up earlier and earlier. Unable to sit still and stay inside I would clean up and dress and the minute I put my hiking boots on I was out my green cottage door.

I saw the land in its shades of wheat and green, gray and blue. I walked the narrow roads to wherever my heart felt like going or the land felt like leading. I smelled the cow dung, heard the cock cock-a-doodle-doodling, let the crisp air kiss my cheeks.

From my little piece of Ireland, I saw mountains with snow, rocky hills covered in dry grass, and a tidal river that would be low in the mornings only to return in the afternoons and fill up her inlets with treasures from the sea.

I explored ruins older than any I have ever seen with a history meant to be discovered and shared. I walked narrow roads that abutted rock walls or farms or even cliffs. As I hiked and explored, I questioned who was here before me. What did they do? How had they lived? Did they love the land? Where did they go?

With each day, my heart grew larger, my love grew stronger, and I found myself longing. Longing for a little piece of Ireland, of Kenmare. Longing to stay.

I thought it would be the water, the river that would draw me in, but it was the people. Both now and past. It was the day I discovered the old church ruin that I realized I was in love. The day I accidentally walked into a graveyard and stopped dead in my tracks.

The feelings and emotions that swept through me as I strolled past headstones and stood in the old church tower were overwhelming. The words that passed through my mind were, “You’re home.” And I was. For whatever reason that day, I walked into a place I would not voluntarily walk into and I tumbled head over heels in love.

Sharing a wee bit of Ireland

I recently took a trip to Kenmare, Ireland and thought I would share thr trip with you. I'm going to share the pain, the fun, and the images of where I went and what I did. Stay tuned for more to come!

Day 1 Ireland –

After a very long trip and no sleep, I arrived at the Cork airport a little late with snow coming down. SNOW!

Nothing like New England snow, more like a drizzle of snowflakes. By the time I got into my rental car the weather had turned to a sunny rain. As I drove almost two hours to Kenmare on the left side of the road the first thing I noticed were the Daffodils popping up in giant patches of yellow along the road. These weren’t in someone’s yard. They were on the side of the road. It looked like spring everywhere.

Everything was going along smoothly until I had to drive through some tiny town where the two-lane road really should have been a one-lane road when cars are parked on both sides.

Here is where my passenger-side mirror slammed against a parked car’s mirror. It wasn’t until I had the living crap scared out of me that I noticed that most parked cars turned their mirrors inward. Apparently, for just such incidents. Good to know.

Oh! And just because a road looks only narrow enough to fit one car going one way, don't believe that's how the Irish use their roadways. As I drove down the narrow, one-lane road that led to the stone cottage, I practically ran headlong into another car coming at me. Holy cow! Talk about give a girl a heart attack.

Lucky for me the young man that almost took me out took pity on me and backed his car up until he found someone's drive and pulled in so I could pass. Yes, this is a regular occurrence on many of the roads in Ireland. At least where I have been so far.

Note to self and anyone else every traveling to Ireland...rent the smallest car you can possibly get. Think mini-Cooper or clown car.

Here is a picture of the stone cottage's front door. Notice the green paint color. Almost every door in Ireland is painted a different color than the surrounding neighbors.

I arrived at the cottage at 2 PM Ireland time and waited for the caretaker to show. The caretaker, a very nice gentleman by the name of Raymond, brought some daffodils with him to put in a glass and set them on the dining room table that overlooks the bay.

Raymond gave me instructions on how to turn things on and off. I had to flip a switch to use an outlet or turn the stove or microwave on. Interesting.

The cottage wasn’t as quaint and cozy as what I had hoped, but the view was fantastic. Water, birds, mountains. Breathtaking!

I made it into town, found my first pub called O'Donnabhains and had my first Guinness with Irish Stew. The Guinness wasn’t bad…This coming from a girl who is very fond of IPAs. The stew was excellent and too filling. Unlike our stews where everything is cut up into tiny bites, this place served it with half potatoes in the center, big slices of carrots, and chunks of meat that fell apart at the touch. Yummy!

After my walk and brief tour of Kenmare, I returned to the cottage my first night, curled up under a blanket in the living area with the gas fire in the fireplace going and read until my eyes and my body finally gave out. I am too old to stay awake for 48 hours, but not too old to enjoy doing it.

I hope you'll stop in tomorrow for more pictures and tales of my trip to a beautiful country with friendly people.

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!!