Daydreams

I know there are many daydreamers out there. For me it's a time for happy, pleasant thoughts. As a writer I often find myself spacing out. Sometimes I review past memories, or I imagine my characters in different settings. When I'm doing this I don't consider myself lazy. Instead, I'm being constructive. I am developing new ideas for my next book. Of course, people who are not writers don't understand this, but without time to daydream many of my books would never even have a first page.

C = Castles

Until my trip to Scotland, England and Wales in 2006 with my sister, I had only seen pictures of castles. The first castle ruin we visited in Scotland was Dumbarton that dated back to 450 A.D. We then took a ferry to the Isle of Butte and saw the ruins of the Rothesay Castle built about 1098. The following day we went to the huge Edinburgh Castle.




After Scotland we went to England. The first castle we visited was the stunning medieval Alnwick castle (the film location for the Harry Potter movies).



One of the most memorable nights during our trip was spent staying overnight at the castle in Durham.



The following day we went to the 14th century Raby Medieval Castle, and the ruins of the Bernard Castle. Another beautiful castle we visited was in Nottingham. We then went to see the Keniworth castle ruins in Warkwickshire.




My favorite castle was the one in Warwick founded in 1068. That day besides touring the castle, we experienced many things. We saw the world’s largest siege machine – Trebuchet. We went on a ghost tour, watched knights on horses, and a jousting match with knights and squires. We also attended the King Maker’s feast in the evening.



The next castle we saw was in Wales. The first one was the Chepstow castle ruins, and then we went to the Cardiff Castle.




Back in England we went to the Farleigh-Hungerford Castle ruins, and then we went to the Winchester Castle built in 1067. This castle holds the famous King Arthur’s Round Table. In the same village was the Wolvesey Castle ruin.



You probably think all we did was visit castle, but I actually have more pictures of churches and cathedrals. We also visited areas where our ancestors were from. It was a wonderful three weeks of exploring.

Brain

This A – Z challenge isn’t so easy. It’s only the second day and I’m already having trouble. The only thing that is coming to my mind right now that starts with a B is brain. Maybe it’s because this has been on my mind a lot.

About the time my husband started getting really sick; my son was diagnosed with a slow growing brain tumor that was activated by a car accident last August. He had surgery and had it removed in November. The things I’ve seen him struggle with are amazing. (Wow, that’s the word I used yesterday.

My son’s occupation is computer programmer. The first problem he noticed after surgery was he had trouble with number sequences. Next he had problems with multitasking. I can’t even imagine what life would be like if I wasn’t able to do more than one thing at a time. He hasn’t let either of these difficulties stop him. I can’t believe the strength he has to take everything one step at a time. The great thing is he is doing it. He is going forward with each obstacle that comes his way. His determination is great. The exercises they give him in therapy are difficult and some of them I can’t do. He has become a strong man because of all these challenges. Yes, he has changed, but it is for his good.

Amazing

I decided that it was about time I got back to writing my blog, and decided to take the Alex J. Cavanaugh A-Z blogfest challenge.

Since today is Friday, April 1st I need to use the letter A. In grade school we always said that A = apple. However I'm not going to use that word.

The main reason I've been away from my blog for so long is I had been taking care of my husband. He passed away on March 15, so now I need to get back to one of the things I love most, and that is writing.

I have discovered in the past 15 days how amazing people are. I have been showered with love from all directions - people in my church, my writing friends, neighbors, my high school buddies, and relatives. My house has been overflowing with food, and with flowers. It's wonderful to be surrounded by so many caring and marvelous people.

People are incredible, and amazing.

Chocolate Roses

This great book is written by Joan Sowards, and I would recommend it to ALL my friends. The back cover reads – Janie Rose Whitaker’s world revolved around her chocolate shop until Roger Wentworth and his young daughter moved into the apartment across from Janie’s. Anyone would think Roger fit the mold of the “perfect” guy, but soon Janie discovers secrets that could keep them apart forever. Though she resists getting involved in Roger’s complicated life, they are drawn further into a bittersweet relationship.

I love the suspense Joan twisted into this story. Besides lots of mystery, there was also plenty of romance. I found myself laughing, crying, and wanting to know what would happen next. Sometimes I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and some nights I found myself fighting to stay awake so that I could find out what was happening next.

I’ll warn you ahead of time to pay strict attention to everything you read, or you’ll find yourself hunting for the answers at the end because Joan includes a quiz at the end of her book.

BLOG TOUR

Trapped
By ~ Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

This book has it all –
family secrets, intrigue, and romance

and the tour has already started
(August 9-August 24)

THREE autographed copies of the book will be given away

All you have to do is leave a comment (along with your email address if it isn't on your blog profile) and answer the following question.

Which Austrian city would you most like to visit?

The more blogs you comment on, the more entries you'll receive. All comments must be left by midnight MST on August 27 to be eligible.

August 9
Heather Gardner

August 10
Jewel Adams

August 11
Mary Greathouse
Teri Rodeman

August 12
Lynn Fowlstone
Christine Bryant

August 13
Valerie Ipson
Sheila Stayley

August 16
Deanne Blackhurst

August 17
Connie Hall
C.S. Bezas

August 18
Kimberly Job
Tristi Pinkston

August 19
Karen Hoover
Nichole Giles

August 20
Alison Palmer
Jessica Williams

August 23
Joyce DiPastena
Laurie Lewis

On the back of the cover, it says - When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap - a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She - the only firstborn female in hundreds of years - only Emi can free her family from the curse that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into evil designs.

As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences. Can Emi break the curse before it's too late?

Just reading that much, made me want to read the enitre book. From the very first exciting paragraph until the very end the book was full of suspense. The longer I read, the more I found it difficult to turn the pages fast enough.

This was a well-written, magical story. I loved the captivating settings, suspense, and all the twists and turns along the way. The romance and mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I’m glad that I read this book and look forward to reading more by Ronda in the near future.

Erie Canal Cruise

I have wanted and waited for the chance to take a ride on the Erie Canal. Yes - it was everything that I had expected. I loved going through the locks (gates) - watching the water raise and then later in the trip watching as our boat got lower in the water. I took over 40 pictures and it was hard deciding which ones I should share.











locks opening




under a bridge













heading back