John Stossel: “I just want clueless people to find something else to do on Nov. 4.”

     

Maybe you are familiar with John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20.  Tonight he asks the question whether it should be the duty of some US citizens not to vote.  If you lack an ever loving clue, would it be better for everyone if you just stayed home on November 4th?  Some will suggest, no doubt, that this is an attack on younger members of our society.  Some will say this is nothing more than an elitist pipe dream. 

While I do not believe we should create a litmus test to determine voter eligibility; it would be wonderful if people didn’t simply exercise their right to vote – but actually invested the time needed to understand the issues fully (but holy hades DO NOT rely on a single news source to cement your understanding of civics).

Registering at a rock concert may be wonderful.  But if you recognize Judge Judy and haven’t a clue who Ruth Bader Ginsburg is – maybe you should skip the music and pick up a history book!!!!

P.S.  – I keep hearing people say that this candidate or that candidate brought them to tears.  Tears?  I’m sorry that’s a little scary to me.  Unless you’re crying in your beer I’m not really sure why any politician can evoke that much emotion with a planned (often disingenuous) speech.

Blaming My Mother…

I’m a big believer in the notion that we have become a society of victims.  Today I’m jumping on that bandwagon.  A few weeks back my wise, dear mother and I discussed the forthcoming release of my debut novel, The Catcher and the Lie, with Samhain Publishing.  Foolishly, perhaps, I let it slip that I was hoping a particular reviewer (from a very popular website) would actually read my story.  I went on to explain that some review sites tend to give almost everything high marks, whereas this site tended to pull no punches.  Our conversation then took a precipitous dip.  My mother paused – coughed, if I remember correctly – and gently asked if I really wanted my book in the hands of a potentially scathing reviewer.  At that moment I insisted it was what I really, really, really wanted.  Honest feedback from someone that is extremely well respected.

Okay, I stand by my original response.  But now I’m paying the price for dwelling on my mother’s words every other minute of the day:

• Sleep – just isn’t what it used to be.  I’m waking up, practicing speeches in my head about how I will graciously accept feedback that tells me my writing skills are on par with a fifth-grader.  (Thanks for taking the time to share why my story made you bang your head against the wall.  Maybe with my next book I can aspire to the skills of a middle school student).
• Weight loss – I’ve dropped three pounds in the last week.  Seriously, I think I’m burning calories in the middle of the night when I toss and turn.  This is not entirely a good thing, because I usually treat any weight loss, even a few ounces, as an automatic green light to eat everything in sight.
• Coffee overload – instead of two cups a day I’m consuming MORE.  MUCH MORE.  The result of course is that my fingers shake, impairing my ability to type quickly. Not good when you are trying to write your next manuscript.

So, today I blame my mother.  For supporting me in my goal to complete a manuscript.  For picking up the phone every time I call (which is more than once a day).  For reminding me that words can wound – and I might be crushed to smithereens after November 11th.  Yeah Yo Mama!

True Confessions…of a Part Time Psychic!

Warning…I am about to share too much information.  If you suffer from headaches, delusions of grandeur, or periods of unexplained confusion consult a physician before reading any further. 

 

On this day in history, circa 1997, my life shifted in a subtle way.  First, I will divulge what happened and then I will share the reason it impacted me.

 

The Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 554.26 points, forcing the stock market to shut down for the first time since the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. 

 

Now I am not, nor have I ever been, a Wall Street Wizard.  But in the early part of October 1997 I told my husband that the stock market was going to crash.  As we rode down a side street in Sarasota, Florida I told him that on October 27th the market would experience its largest point loss in history.  His reaction — mild amusement.  I insisted that he write down the date and what I predicted.

 

Fast forward a few weeks.  As I watched the television, breaking news updates began to pour in.  October 27 was shaping up to be a devastating day for Wall Street.  By four o’clock that afternoon my husband was scratching his head.  How the hell had I known weeks before that this was going to happen?  My answer?  It popped in my head out of nowhere.  Clear.  Urgent. 

 

This would not be the only time I had a strange sense of a future event.  Each time I told my husband in advance (with great insistence and often great clarity) what would happen.  It’s weird.  It’s disconcerting.  But I’ve never doubted that it’s real.

 

 

 

Please Join Me on Election Day…Part 1

After extensive over indulgence in food (no liquids unfortunately) I’ve come to the realization that this may be the year I exercise my right to choose my own candidate for President.  As I ponder the endless possibilities I’m drawn repeatedly back to one individual whom I believe can appeal to a broad public spectrum: (see below):

 

• Hollywood would love this chick — she’s all about peace!
• Global Economists could breathe a sigh of relief — check out the chunky gold; clearly she knows how to invest $$$ wisely.
• Look at the background:  This woman screams tree hugging, environmentalist.  GO GREEN!!!
• She’s…well, she is a SHE.  Let’s face it there is a segment of the population that places a great deal of stock in the gender of a candidate.
• Look at that smile.  In these turbulent times this country needs an individual that can laugh in the face of absurdity.

  Here’s hoping that everyone exercises their right to VOTE responsibly!

John Murtha Calls Western Pa. ‘Redneck’…

Although I no longer reside in the great state of Pennsylvania, I maintain a strong affection for the people, the institutions and the history that abounds there.  Perhaps that is why I take umbrage at Congressman John Murtha’s use of the term redneck to describe a portion of the population.

Instead of pontificating about the danger of publicly denouncing those who have put you in office — I’ve decided to poll some fine young citizens and ask for their reactions to Mr. Murtha’s assessment.  The picture below best sums up their response:

Bye, Bye, You Contemporary Guys?

Dear Author and Smart Bitches, she goddesses when it comes to blogging, are teaming up to save contemporary romances.  Alleluia.  While I have pretty broad tastes when it comes to reading, contemporary is where my heart lies.  (Shhh – it’s also what I write and gosh darn it I want you to want me; I need you to need me, I love you to ….)

Anyway…it’s a darn good cause Hop over to their websites for more details!

Are You Ready to Take a Chance Again …in 167 Days?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yippee!  My lovely editor with ‘The Wild Rose Press’ just sent me release date information for ‘Ready to Take a Chance Again’. 

Page Count: 252
Digital Release Date: 2009-04-03
Digital Price: 6.00

Print Release Date: 2009-04-03
Print Price: 12.99

Print ISBN: 1-60154-431-6

Print ISBN 13: 9781601544315

 

Blurb:

Turning to Barry Manilow for inspiration seemed desperate, even to Grace Winston. Nevertheless, a warbled rendition of Ready to Take a Chance Again, chased down with an overabundance of cheap chardonnay, left Grace primed for an extreme life makeover. Now she must choose between a flame that burned her in the past and an engaging man with a past of his own.

After a decade in the military, Jake Magee is finally ready to settle down with the woman he’s spent years dreaming about. Unfortunately, past mistakes threaten to derail his plan to show Grace he can be the man she always wanted. To win her heart, he must first find a way to win back her trust.

 

He’s Got the Whole Deer in His Hands…

At six inches tall and weighing just over a pound, Little Orphan Rupert, was delivered by Caesarean section at a wildlife hospital.  His mother (rest her soul — yeah, I know people will argue this point) did not survive an unfortunate run in with a vehicle.

Dogs of the World Unite…Brother Can you Lend a Paw?

Although none of my canines are ‘blood’ relatives they stand united in their commitment to always remain one step ahead of their human counterparts.  On most days they tolerate my efforts to keep their antics confined to a large den and a fenced in backyard.  These areas have witnessed the battle between large teeth and furniture fabric.  The rest of my home has remained relatively unscathed.

This brings me to a welcome home (unwelcome) surprise.  When I left yesterday to pick up my children from school, my three lovely mutts were napping in front of the sliding glass doors – soaking up sun and dreaming of wayward chipmunks.  I secured a four foot gate (normal procedure) at the entry to the den and blew a kiss in their general direction.

Thirty-five minutes later they greeted me at the back door.  Free. Happy.  Full of chewed DVD’s, discarded trash, fruit off of the counter.  You name it — they ate it  

Here’s the fun part of the story.  The gate was still in place (slightly tilted but upright and locked).  Now I can visualize my border collie mix gathering his courage and taking a grand leap.  And the beagle/walker -well he is a trailblazer – trained on the streets; lived hard and loved freely before the bonds of adoption.  No doubt he concocted the scheme and took the lead on the breakout.  But the basset hound…well, let’s just say gravity is not on his side.  Frankly, there is no way he scaled that wall alone.  He had to have help on the inside.  Did they form a canine ladder?  Did they approach their escape like a game of leap frog? 

Right now it remains an Unsolved Mystery!  Round one goes to the dogs!

If My Nose Were Full of Nickels, I’d Blow It All On You …

I love my family.  I love my country.  And I love my books.  In fact I adore them.  So much so that every room in my house has hidden industrial sized bins full of paperbacks.  Unless a book is really distasteful to me, I keep it — forever. 

I think I would be horrified (as would my spouse) if I had any notion of how much money I spend a year in the bookstore.  The truth is, it would be exponentially higher if my expectations as a reader were met more frequently. 

Some authors are auto-buys.  They consistently weave a story that resonates with me.  This week I broke pattern and picked up a book that I initially dismissed as “fluff”.  It was an Insider’s Guide to the The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward.  The series itself is a little ouside of my normal tastes.  But it rocks.  Really intense.  Amazing characters.  It makes me envious — I so want to be able to bring my own writing up to that level. 

So, I’ll keep spending my nickels.  Reading not only entertains me but also inspires me to keep pushing past my own writing obstacles.  Maybe someday (suspend belief for just a moment) a book with my name on it will end up in an industrial sized bin in somebody else’s basement