Sometimes...

I get so bogged down in the daily quest of survival I lose sight of me.  I start questioning what I’m doing. 

At the moment my characters’ voices are muddled.  They’re being drowned out by the day to day activities in my own life required to stay alive.  Not being able to hear them clearly makes it tremendously difficult to get lost in their lives, to discover their stories, to know them well enough to relate them.

It makes me doubt myself.  Dumb because I know really do know better.  Even so, it’s times like this I pull out my previous accomplishments to remind me that my writing really doesn’t suck, no matter how much it seems to.

What do you do when you forget that you’re capable of whatever you put your mind to?

My Last Dark Day

Things are often not as they first appear…

What’s a woman to do when faced with yet another in a never-ending cycle of anniversaries guaranteed to ruin her day?

Step one, respond when contacted on-line by a friendly couple.
Step two, accept the wife’s claim of the husband’s empathic sensitivities as fact.
Step three, go along quietly when the husband miraculously comes to the rescue just when he’s needed most.
Step four, have the courage to put complete control in his more than capable hands.
Step five, don’t think. Go with the flow. Be open to all possibilities. Relax and enjoy.
Step six, repeat frequently.

Available from Total-E-Bound. Click here for more information.

All Roads Lead to Ripon

I wrote this book years ago. I’m not sure why, but one night this week I clicked it open and read it. There were so many little things in it that I didn’t remember writing. I was amazed.

What I did remember was using a trip I had taken as a kid as the basis for the heroine’s journey. Reading that was kind of fun. It brought back a lot of memories, things I hadn’t thought of in so long. Yeah.

It’s funny how life turns out.

Today's Lesson

Alright kiddies, today we’re going to talk about tea. Why? Because I recently rediscovered Taylors of Harrogate, one of the oldest independent family run importers of tea in Britain. A million years ago I spent some time in Harrogate and stumbling across their tea brought back a slew of memories. (Some of which can be found in my book, All Roads Lead to Ripon.) Taylors has been around since 1886. They began as tea importers, expanded to café owners and now handle coffee from around the world as well as tea.

There are thousands and thousands of varieties of teas but they all fall into three basic categories. Black, green, and white. The difference? They time of harvest and the way the leaves are processed.

Tea leaves are plucked from a hardy evergreen bush, camellia sinensis, by hand. Only the bud and top two leaves of a branch are used so this task is still performed by hand. For black tea, the freshly picked leaves are withered in warm room to remove much of the natural moisture. Then the leaves are rolled through machines which crush them. Next the leaves are permitted to ferment. This oxidization releases the essential oils and enzymes which darken the leaves and allows the flavor of the tea to develop. Finally, the tea is fired in very hot ovens, turning the leaves black, after which they are ready to be sorted and packaged.

Green tea starts out the same way but is not fermented. Because of this, the leaves are lighter and the flavor is milder. Taylors uses green tea leaves as a base for many of their blends because it mixes nicely with various fruits and herbs.

White tea also comes from the same bush but is plucked very early in the spring, always before the end of April. After that time the leaves are considered too old and will become either green or black tea. White tea only withers for twenty-four hours before drying and packing.

Tea is graded based on the size and coloring of the leaves and whether they are whole or broken. Each has its own specific characteristics that make it desirable to Taylors for use in the wide variety of products they offer. Charles Taylor, the company founder, noticed that variations in water supply could affect the quality of the brew and made it a priority to supply the most suitable blend of teas for each area in Britain. The family has carried on the tradition ever since.

I’ve sampled a wide variety of Taylors tea and have enjoyed it all. If you have the chance, pick some up and try it for yourself.

Released Today!

From Total-E-Bound

Blurb:

Sometimes it pays to revisit the past.

Jane runs from a smothering ex who won’t take no for an answer right into the last thing she’s looking for—a mysterious stranger who appears wherever she is, watching her.

Simon knows they’re meant for each other the first time he sees her. Why she can’t just do as he says and accept that is almost beyond him.Can some help from an interested observer be what they need to have a forever together?

Reader Advisory: This story was released as part of the Bound Brits Anthology by Total-E-Bound

Excerpt:

“Enough,” he snapped. “Lower your voice or I’ll give you the spanking you deserve right here.”

She balked. “As if. You don’t have the balls…”

“Bloody hell.” In a flash, he had his foot propped up on the nearest ledge and Jane bent over his thigh. Her arms were twisted behind her back, her wrists clamped in one hand. “Silence, Miss Templeton.” His flattened palm landed on her curved cheek.

“Hey, ow.” She struggled to get free.

“I said silence. Hold still,” he commanded with a flurry of swats. His hand was beginning to sting.
Even though she was protected by a layer of denim and presumably some sort of knickers her arse probably was too. He wished he were able to watch her cheeks turn that spectacular shade of red and feel the heat radiating from her smarting flesh. That she’d pushed him to administer her first spanking today, here, prematurely, instead of as he’d planned infuriated him even more than her childish disregard of common sense. He clipped her harder.

“Stop. Oh God, stop or I’ll scream,” she gasped, squirming in a futile attempt to avoid the blows.

“No. You won’t. You know that as well as I do because you would have already done so were you going to.” His hand flew ceaselessly.

“Please,” she whimpered, crying openly. “Please. Don’t.”

The haze of anger faded enough for him to realise that her reaction was changing. At first, Jane had fought to escape and to shift away from his hand. She had been rigid with fear and demanding he release her. Now however, her entire demeanour was altered. He became more methodical with his slaps and was thrilled with how her hips shifted as if seeking more. Moans interrupted her sobs. She continued to beg, softly now, but for him to continue instead of to stop.

“Are you ready to be reasonable?” he asked, pausing the spanking to caress her curves.

His voice seemed to draw her from the trance and Jane stiffened immediately. “You bastard! Let me go.”

Renewed fury surged through him and he resumed her punishment. “Language, Miss Templeton,” he repeated. “I won’t tolerate it.” He emphasised his words with a few strategically placed smacks. “If I need to remind you again, I’ll thrash your bare arse no matter where we are.” His thumb grazed the seam of her jeans covering her slit. “I can feel your wetness through your trousers. I can’t wait to witness it unhindered.

Click here to buy.

Yep, It's Monday

I went to the neurologist today for my yearly visit. The main reason for going is to get my prescriptions updated but I also go to see if there are any new and improved treatments. When I mentioned how bad the last two weeks had been, my doctor decided it was time to try something else, not new, just new to me.

Doing what we all should, I inquired about side effects. One, it may cause weight loss. Oh my, how awful! I don’t think I could stand that. Do you think I should risk it? The other major one, and the one that may be cause for some concern, is that it may make me temporarily stupid. Huh? He explained that while I will still know the way home I may, at times, find myself unable to remember certain words and terms. I can just imagine me calling Neeley now, asking what that thingy that guys have is called. You know, the one that gets hard sometimes. The condition generally doesn’t last very long, a few days, but if it persists, discontinuing the medication will make it go away.

Hm, okay, to prevent additional migraines I feel it’s worth a try. I did think it wise to inform my boss just so she didn’t think I had a stroke or something. When I told her she said yes, she’s had experience with that medication and it did cause that type of thing to occur with the individual she knows. Now that that’s covered, do you think I can get away with being totally outrageous and saying bizarre things on a whim, just because I already warned her? Think of all the fun I could have. Of course I should probably wait to see how I react to it first. I may not have a choice in the matter. Either way, it could prove to be an interesting week next week.

Don't forget, Total-E-Bound's Prezzie Hunt contest in celebration of their one year anniversary ends on the 29th. First prize is a year's supply of ebooks.

Also in TEB news, today is the kick-off of the Litergasm author chats. Here's the schedule:

Monday July 28 - Jude Mason Jamie Hill 7pm - 10pm EST
Tuesday July 29 - Victoria Blisse 3pm - 5pm EST
Wednesdsay July 30 - Desiree Holt 7pm - 10pm EST
Thursday July 31 - Ann Cory 7pm - 10pm EST
Friday August 1 - Brynn Paulin 7pm - 10pm EST
Saturday August 2 - The BIG PARTY!! 6pm - 1am EST

I'll be popping in and out of most of them as I know a lot of your favorite TEB authors will so make sure you do to. There will be lots of great excerpts and plenty of prizes!

On Writing

I had someone comment the other day that it must be difficult to set my work aside and relax due to all the stress associated with it. I mistakenly thought he was referring to my day job because some of what I come in contact with can be heart-wrenching. When he explained that he meant my writing it really surprised me.

To me, writing isn’t work. The necessary promos and website maintenance, yes, those are work, but not the writing itself. That’s something I do because one, I have to for the characters living within my mind and two, because I truly enjoy it.

I will never be a well-known commercial writer, not that there’s anything wrong with those who are. I know individuals that have an idea and are more than capable of sitting down and writing it into a story that they know will sell. I both respect and admire them as we all should. Doing so on a consistent basis isn’t easy. It requires a lot of talent and dedication.

But that’s not me. I write first and foremost for myself. I always have. I will continue to do so. I started out because a friend I share books with challenged me. We had read the same thing and were discussing how disappointing is was. I made the claim to be able to do better and she dared me to prove it. I’d been having an ongoing dream so I wrote it down. She enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it so I proceeded with other stories I had swirling around my head. I showed a few more friends and eventually they ganged up on me, nagging until I submitted something.

So off went one of my books to Ellora’s Cave and not even the one I feel is my best. I waited, fully expecting a rejection which I planned to use to make my well-meaning friends leave me alone. You can imagine my shock when I received a contract offer instead.

As much as I love my friends, none of them ever knew, until now that is, just how close I was to saying no thank you. Me? A published author? I really didn’t see it. Who on earth would ever want to pay money to read anything I’d written? But then I sat down and gave it some very serious consideration and signed the contract. I remembered Ellora’s Cave isn’t in the business of being nice to people. They provide books, good ones, to their target audience. If they thought people would like what I’d written then why not see where this might lead?

Being published has been an overall good experience, interesting too. I’m proud of my books. Through them, I’ve encountered some truly wonderful individuals from all walks of life. There’s a part of me that’s too curious to stop now.

As I said, I’ll always write just for me first. I’ll submit in order to share with everyone else after I’m through picking over a book and am happy with the final result. I make myself a little insane at times, obsessing over a section until it’s just right but that’s me. Even when I’m doing that and mad as can be at my characters for not helping me since I know they could provide the perfect words, it’s still fun.

So to respond to the gentleman’s statement, I don’t step away from my writing. When I’m out and about doing other things my characters are always with me. On the whole they tone it down when they know I am preoccupied elsewhere but there are times when it’s difficult not to lose myself in their antics. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Okay writers, your turn. Do you consider writing work or is it something you do because it’s part of who you are?

Tour de France Update - Winner Stage 7, July 11 – Sanchez, Spain
Overall Leader – Kirchen, Luxemburg
Cadel Evans, Australia still 2nd

Tuesday Extra

Be sure you read today's real blog too...see below.

Happy Birthday to Total-E-Bound Publishing!



In honor of their one year anniversay Total-E-Bound is having some great contests. Here's the one I'm involved it.

Total-E-Bound's Prezzie Hunt Contest

Come and celebrate with us this month and join in the fun. TEB

is one year old and we're partying!


Total-E-Bound is having a birthday prezzie hunt! Find all of the birthday pictures to win stacks of books!

>1ST PRIZE: 1 year Supply of eBooks

>2ND PRIZE: 6 month's supply of eBooks

Here's what to do: Follow the links below to the 21 authors' websites. Find the picture of the birthday present and collect the letter underneath it. When you have collected all 21 (in order!), email Competitions@total-e-bound.com with the sentence. Put "Prezzie Contest" in the header. This contest runs from July 1st to July 29th. Winners will be picked on 30th of July and announced on the TEB competitions page.

Search these authors' websites (in order):

Dakota Rebel - http://www.dakotarebel.com/
Kay Wilde - www.kaywilde.com/
Cindy Spencer Pape - http://www.cindyspencerpape.com/
Ann Cory - http://www.anncory.com/
Jamie Hill - www.jamiehill.biz/
Victoria Blisse - http://www.victoriablisse.co.uk/
Ellen Ashe - http://www.ellenashe.net/
Barbara Huffert - http://www.barbarahuffert.com/
Sage Burnett - http://www.patriciaparkinson.com/
Donna Grant - http://www.donnagrant.com/
Ericka Scott - http://www.erickascott.com/
Bobbie Russell - authorbobbierussell.tripod.com
Aurora Rose Lynn - http://www.auroraroselynn.net/
Lisabet Sarai - http://www.lisabetsarai.com/
Saskia Walker - http://www.saskiawalker.co.uk/
Marie Harte - http://www.marieharte.com/
Desiree Holt - http://www.desireeholt.com/
J.P. Bowie - http://www.jpbowie.com/
Brynn Paulin - http://www.brynnpaulin.blogspot.com/
Marie Haynes - www.freewebs.com/mariehaynes
Bronwyn Green - http://www.bronwyngreen.com/
Good Luck and have fun!

Wrting News

First mine:

I received my copy of the July issue of Scarlet Magazine today. My short story, Happy Birthday to Me, is in the center pull out Cliterature section. So cool to see MY name on the page even if I don’t know many people I could actually show this to. It’s not up on the Scarlet site until next month but you can read it in the Total-E-Bound’s Free Read section of their new and improved website. You can click on the Scarlet cover to get there. Warning – It’s a very short story with a whole lot of heat so don’t be surprised. That’s what the magazine people require. Generally, my stories have a plot surrounding the steamy stuff which makes everything fit nicely. I'd love to hear what you think.

I have a question for writers. What do you do if you finish something and can’t decide if you like it well enough to submit it? Send it anyway? Let a trusted few read it and go on their opinions? Trash it and start on something else? I am essentially finished with my most recent WIP and I think it sounds mechanical. I let someone new see it and she commented that I make the characters come to life, that she can picture them clearly. Maybe I’m just being paranoid but I’m still just not sure even though this individual reads a lot and makes sense when we’ve discussed books other than mine.

Now for something from Ellora’s Cave:

We've decided to hold the first EC Convention (2009)in Akron, Ohio. I spoke with the convention center this week and should have bids from several area hotels by July 1st. I will meet with them again on July 2nd to schedule some appointments with the hotels we are interested in. If all goes well, we should have details for you by the end of July. We are looking at the following dates (all Friday-Sunday) :

Sept., 18th - 20th
Sept., 25th-27th
Oct., 2nd – 4th

Please put a post out on your sites to see if your readers are interested in attending. This will help a great deal to estimate the number of rooms we will need. Ask them to respond with name, address and Ph# (optional) via email to conventions@ ellorascave. com (notice that "conventions" is plural). Mention the above dates and the following "tentative" outline.

Friday Night – EC/CP/TLC Celebration Party
Saturday Morning – Continental Breakfast
Day – Workshops
Night – Awards Banquet **The city is working on something fun for you to do (if interested and thirsty) after the Awards Banquet.**
Sunday Morning – Continental Breakfast
Afternoon – Book Fair
Evening – An author sponsored event. RT has a movie and popcorn night at their farewell gathering. If you want to participate or have a suggestion please let me know.

Once I have an idea of the number of interested people (authors, readers, book stores, models), and we decide on the hotel, food, etc., we'll be able to determine the cost.

Am I going? I’d like to but really don’t know if I can yet. How about you?

Happy Dance Time

Sorry but break out your umbrellas.

Beyond Meddling released today from Total-E-Bound. This story is very special to me. Nope, I'm not explaining why. You'll have to read it and then I'm sure you'll understand. I posted a tame excerpt a few days ago to help Molly write my release ditty. Never read any of Molly's work? Shame on you! I'm honored so be sure to check it out.

The wonderful and talented Amarinda Jones posted an adult excerpt today so I'll post one that's in between.

Excerpt Beyond Meddling, not so tame:

As he thought back to the first days of their reacquaintance, his fingers gripped his cock. Before they left the coffee shop Be had accepted his invitation to meet again the next day. They ended up going for a walk around the lake. At one point they took a break to sit on a bridge and watch a pair of swans. It had warmed up by then and Be unzipped her jacket. He couldn’t help but notice she was braless. By her grin he could tell that she knew he’d noticed.
Mm, he sure had. How could he not? Her top was pale green and light weight. Her nipples were protruding and he could see them clearly. He squeezed his shaft, stroking faster at the memory of how much he’d wanted to slip his hand under her shirt and touch her. Or even better, pull her shirt off so he could sample her. Just the thought of having his mouth on her luscious breasts made his cock throb. He’d kissed her then. Or she’d kissed him. He wasn’t entirely sure. All he remembered was one moment they’d been talking, the next he’d lost his train of thought because he was staring at her chest and then they were kissing.
Oh God her lips were so soft. He was lost as soon as he first felt them caressing his. Then she’d leaned closer, her breast ended up pressed against his arm. It had taken all his self-restraint not to devour her. And that was before he’d heard her little whimper. The thought of that sound, so full of desire, pushed his control to the edge.
“Evan,” she’d sighed. “Touch me,” she’d whispered, her breathing ragged as her hand guided his to her breast.
The memory of that first touch was more than he could stand. He groaned as his cock pulsed, emptying himself until he was drained. He slumped then, resting his head against the arm he rested on the shower wall until he finally noticed the rapidly cooling water. His heart sank. Be was already gone for him. In a few short days she’d be gone from the area and it would be final. He wondered how long he’d continue to torture himself with thoughts of the woman he wanted more than life itself but could never have.

In other book street-dance-worthy news, the Bound Brits Anthology was reviewed by Joyfully Reviewed.

All Roads Lead to Ripon is intriguing. Barbara Huffert kept me guessing about Simon. I thought for sure All Roads Lead to Ripon was going to have some paranormal elements because of Simon’s secretive nature. When I found out what Simon was all about, I had an ahhh moment. Ms. Huffert kept me on my toes.

Thank you, Jambea! Click here to read the full review.

Well that's about it for today. It's about to rain again so I better go close up my windows.

Just a Bit of News

Beginnings of a migraine from hell today so this will be short. At this rate it is going to be a very long summer.

Soon as I feel better I'll be dancing in the street again. Please come join me. Why? As part of Total-E-Bound's anniversary celebration in July, they are releasing three volumes of Lust Bites. Beyond Meddling, my story that will be availabe on Monday, is in volume 3. Sorry, no cover to show you yet but I'll post it when I have it.

Here is the whole line-up for that volume:

Picture Perfect Lexie Davis
Carnal Collision Jamie Hill
Beyond Meddling Barbara Huffert
Beg Me Desiree Holt
The Sexier Side of the Hill Victoria Blisse
Pandemonium Alexis Fleming/Lyn Cash

What a great bunch to be included in!

The Zen Queen, Anny Cook, chose me for the Blogging with a Purpose award. Thank you, Anny. I'm honored. More on that tomorrow.

Time for me to go find a way to lull the baby oragutan growing inside my head back to sleep before his little foot pokes a hole in my skull. Cheer on my Penguins for me. I couldn't stand watching them skate around tonight so I'm counting on all of you.

A Nike Moment

Yesterday. I mentioned that I was overdue in shocking my mother. Well my interview with Total-E-Bound is now posted. Problem solved. Oh yeah is it ever!

I'm not entirely sure what possessed me to answer some of the questions as I did. Must have been having a Nike moment. Ever have those? One where you probably shouldn't do what you're about to do and even though you know it, you Just Do It anyway? I really try not to indulge in them often these days. I remind myself that I'm too old for such nonsense. But do I listen? Of course not. Especially when I've been moping and need cheering up.

Which brings me back to my mother. Yes, I called her and told her the interview was on the site. I also told her I preferred her not to read it. She agreed so now when she does she won't be able to comment without me sighing dramatically and pointing out that I asked her not to because she's not old enough. We certainly have an odd relationship.

Perhaps I'll share past Nike moments in the future. Or perhaps not. There are some things that you really don't need to know about me.

Oh no! Neeley commented on my vicarious exercise program. She's rearranging things, which I knew, and soon will be back working and living on campus, which I knew, which means the mainstay of vicarious physical activity is about to be gone, which I didn't think of. She's unwilling to become one of those annoying people who talks on the phone while in a gym just for me. Thank you, I hate them. But, but, but...I need my exercise! Come on everyone, help me convince Neeley she needs the fresh air and should walk around campus instead of going to a musty old gym.

I think the Promptel virus is spreading. (See Amarinda's posts for explanation.) I got home and there was no dial tone on my phone. Argh! I unplugged everything and waited 20 minutes for the line to reset, what they had me do last time, and guess what...yep, didn't work. So I called on my cell phone. When I finally got to a live person, I told them the problem and his first question - was I calling from the phone number I was reporting the trouble on? Hello! No dial tone here. Generally, that means the phone doesn't function thus making it impossible to call anyone. The next question - have I tried unplugging everything? Um yes, I believe I already specified that. Finally, he ran a line check and discovered it was an external problem, not an internal one. As I suspected. He then informed me they'd be out in two days to fix it. Two days! Wrong! I did my best Amarinda Jones impersonation and he agreed to check with the service desk to see if there was someone in my area. Could I be reached at the number in question? Sure, soon as you fix it. Low and behold not five minutes later the phone rang. Yes, the non-functioning one, not the cell phone. It was Promptel checking to see if I was still having problems with my line. I don't know about you but that sure seems like an internal problem on their end, like someone pushed the wrong button earlier maybe. Geez, technology.

But I do have a good technology bit to report. If you haven't read the comments on yesterday's blog the groqit folks must have an alert system. They stopped by to say hi and that they are linking my blog to their news page. How cool is that! Thanks Evelyn.

Coming Soon...

From Total-E-Bound, May 19th...

Beyond Meddling

Blurb

Evan Wilton is lost and confused. So much so he’s about to let Belynda Himmel, the woman of his dreams, slip away. He has every intention of doing just that, for Be’s own good of course, when his grandfather shows up to knock some sense into him.

Now if only he can get past the fact that the man died months ago and actually manage to listen to him, he might end up where he’s always wanted to be - in spite of himself.


Yep, today's a good day. I'm still coughing but it's just amazing how much better a new contract and a spicy cover have me feeling!

1-800-FIX-ROAD

I heard on the radio this morning that it's pothole season again. Gee, I didn't know it had ended. I think in Pennsylvania it's kind of like daylight savings time...it gets longer each year.

The report went on to explain why we have so many potholes forming out of nowhere. It's partly because of the weather. Apparently the temperature drops and rises, causing road surfaces to freeze and thaw. No, really? The breakage caused by that phenomenon is aided by the salt that PennDot applies to prohibit the formation of ice. Hm, interesting. As I recall, they only salted in my area four times this year and yet it seems like there are just as many potholes as other years. Shouldn't it be more proportionate?

Something I've never understood is that surrounding states have the same weather conditions yet the roads seem so much better. Is this an illusion or did someone in PennDot annoy the powers that be, thus eliminating themselves from the good road formula sharing list?

On the upside it's soon trout season. Maybe each fisherman will be able to have his own personal fishing hole right at the end of his driveway so they won't all need to crowd together on the local creek bank.

Other news - Hello by Dakota Rebel released today. It's the first comedy offered by Total-E-Bound and, knowing Dakota, it's sure to make you laugh out loud.

Enter the Bound Brits Contest and Some Random Thoughts

First things first...the contest.

Where are the Brits Bound?

Celebrate the release of Total-E-Bound's new anthology Bound Brits with our "Where are the Brits Bound?" contest. Bound Brits offers six sizzling bondage stories set in various spots in the United Kingdom. To win a free copy of the anthology, plus a gift certificate from the woman-friendly adult toy store Libida.com, all that you need to do is figure out where each story takes place. Second prize is a gift certificate from Total-E-Bound.

It's easy. The map shows six locations, numbered and labeled. Below are links to each author's website or blog. You'll find information on the setting of that author's story somewhere on the linked page. Once you've discovered where the Brits are bound, send an email with the subject "Bound Brits Contest" to barb@barbarahuffert.com listing each location with the appropriate author's name. On March 23rd, we'll randomly draw a winner from among all the correct entries.

That's all there is to it! Good luck!

Author Links

Sierra Cartwright http://www.sierracartwright.com/
Portia da Costa http://www.portiadacosta.com/theretreat.html
Barbara Huffert http://barbarahuffert.com/
Dakota Rebel http://www.dakotarebel.com/contests.htm
Cassidy Ryan http://cassidyryanwrites.tripod.com/
Lisabet Sarai http://www.lisabetsarai.com/getaway_girl.html

Now for other stuff.

For those of you who read my recent MySpace blog I can report that the trivia question on my shampoo bottle has not changed. Kind of disappointing, that. I was really liking the idea of interactive quizes in the shower.

When I turned on my computer tonight I found an offline message from my good friend and fellow Bound Brits author, Dakota Rebel, congratulating me. Had no clue why so I checked the Total-E-Bound site as instructed. Have you already visited her blog? Do you know what I found? If not, I'll tell you. There is a best-seller list on the home page...and Bound Brits is on it. How cool is that! According to the very wise and talented Ms. Rebel we are now entitled to use the label Best-Selling Author. Congrats ladies. I'm honored to share the title with you.

What happened to my winter? I love winter. I keep hearing about it everywhere else. So far however, it hasn't made it to Reading. It used to snow here. Really it did. I'm not delusional. And when it did, kids actually went to school. All day. I suppose pointing that out qualifies me as old but at least I haven't said that I had to walk six miles to school in a blizzard up hill both ways yet.