HUMP DAY .... AN AWARD TO GIVE. SIX NEW FRIENDS THIS WEEK!

Happy HUMP day everyone.... Today I would like to welcome six new friends. Now that I am back in Chicago I can catch up on all my new friends, which I am so looking forward to do. During the A-Z I was fortunate enough to meet so many new and wonderful bloggers. My blog family is still increasing, but more slowly, and that is just fine. Now I can keep up.

So for this week I would like to give a big an warm welcome to Paula, Ann, Sue, Rebecca, Ellen, and Rosalind. I will definitely be popping by you blogs this week to say "Hi."

Today I also have an award to give out. The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. It was given to me by Susan Oloier of Memoirs of a Writer. Susan, who is incredibly sweet herself, honored me with this award a few weeks ago. I met her during the challenge and she was and still is a wonderfully supportive friend. I appreciated all of her kind comments during the challenge and she gave my ego a boost when I really needed it. It has been a trying time for me lately with the rejection letters piling up, and if it weren't for friends like Susan I would really freak.

Of course this award comes with a few rules. I have always had a tendency to bend rules just a bit, but I will do what I can. I already thanked Susan. That is the first. Now seven things about myself. Since it's been AGES since I wrote about myself it's time for my new friends to know a few things about me.

1. I love ANYTHING creative. I love to write, draw, paint, create things for my home, etc.

2. I LOVE the holidays, especially Christmas. I plan a few months ahead on how I am going to decorate and what I am going to make.

3. I am an INSANE Harry Potter fan. I have already been to Wizarding World in Orlando, Florida about ten times on my two visits there in the past year. My dream is to fly to England and do one of the HP tours there.

4. I became a writer when my Interior Design business took a plunge two years ago. Although I still have a few loyal clients, I barely make it. But on the plus side it gives me the extra time to write and illustrate my books. Now I am querying my first book Amber and the Whispering Willows like crazy.

5. I love anything vintage. I live in a stunning vintage condo built in 1913. The details are AMAZING. Plaster moldings, nine-foot ceilings, and hardwood floors. I have a terrific view of Lincoln Park from seven windows and I can also see downtown in the winter months before the trees fill in for the spring and summer.

6. I enjoy blogging more than anything. It enables me to keep in touch with other writers and information that has really been an important part of my life the past year.

7. After ten weeks in Florida, I am rejuvenated and can't wait to take Chicago by storm this summer. Many friends are visiting, so I will be playing host. It should be a blast!

So now you all know more about me. Now I must pass this on to new friends. Although this award states it must be fifteen people. I don't wish to take up to much of you time so I will just award this to any of my blogger family who wishes to have it. TO ME you are ALL SWEET and deserve it!

Let's make this HUMP DAY a memorable one!

THE JOURNEY... CHICAGO ARRIVAL

Hi, all,

I finally have a free moment to post. After two long grueling days driving for almost 1300 miles, I finally made it back to Chicago.

I felt like I never left. Dark clouds loomed over the city as I approached. The never-ending shades of gray bore down on the buildings and lake. A slight drizzled added to the muck from the love bugs that collected on my windshield and front grill. Another car wash awaits.

I was lucky to find a parking spot just across the street of my building. Dressed in only a muscle shirt and jeans the damp air hit me like an icy kiss as shivers ran up my spine. Will winter ever leave here? A good thing I thought ahead and throw on the hoodie I had placed on the passenger seat.

It's always good to be home after a long trip, but lugging in months of packages and the over-expanded wasn't a fun welcome home.

I just checked the weather for the week... I looks like cold, grey, thunderstormy skies all week. Today has an sunny and 80 degree forecast, but somehow the overcast skies looks to me like the will win out over the sun desperately trying to force its way through.

Thank you all for your safe wishes. As you can see, they worked. The drive was LONG but not too much drama besides a lot of construction in Kentucky.

I hope all the MOTHERS had a wonderful Mother's Day! You have the hardest job of all and should be appreciated more than one day a year.

I'm also sorry I haven't visited all of you in a few days, but now that I am home I hope to play catch up.

May today bring all that you desire!

EARTHLY ANGELS ARE BACK! AND FLASH FICTION FOR CHERIE ...

Today is Cherie's Flash Fiction blogfest.So hop over to Surrounded by Books for Cherie's and the other entrants stories ....  I chose to write a period piece for this blogfest.  I hope you enjoy it.

The Cameo

Today’s my sixteenth birthday. I rush to the mirror to pin up my long, dark hair.  I fashion it into the style of the day. I want to be the next Gibson girl.  Putting on my favorite lace blouse and black velvet skirt, I twirl around to catch myself at every angle. 

“Perfect.” I dash out of the room to descend the three flights of stairs of our turn of the century brownstone. Father and Mother will certainly have something wonderful for me, waiting in the dining room. 

Cheers chorus around the table from my older brother, Louis, and my four younger sisters. He pulls out a chair for me and places a wrapped box into my hands. I smile and thank him. I notice other presents, but I chose to open Louis’s first. He is not only my brother, he is my best friend. Untying the ribbon, I take off the lid. Inside is a small black box. As I open it the lid creaks. 

“A cameo! Oh, Louis! It is beautiful. I have never seen one like it.”

“It cost me two week’s salary,” he said, grinning.

“You are the dearest.” I jump up and kiss him on the cheek. 

He blushes.

I step to the mirror over the buffet and pin it to the center of my collar. I stare at the captivating face carved into the shell. A single sparkling diamond hangs from her neck. “I will treasure it always.” 

Later that afternoon, tears well up in my eyes. The cameo is no longer pinned to my collar.

For a half century I never knew where I lost that cameo. I was thinking about it, when the bell rang. Still living in the same family home, my daughter came to see me with her three children. It’s my birthday. 

My grand-daughter and two grandsons, kiss me on the check. The boys take off like a shot. They love to run up and down the stairs. Janie sat next to me.

“Grandmother, is it all right if  I go to the doll room. It’s so pretty in there.”

“Of course, just be careful. Those dolls had belonged to my little sister, Eva.”

A sudden tear rolls down my face. Eva died at such a young age, still a little girl. I never step into her room. I recently opened it back up to show my grand-daughter Eva’s doll collection.

A moment later, Janie walks into the living room carrying one of the dolls. I recognize it at once. Eva’s favorite. “I didn’t see that doll when I opened the room last week.”

“She was in the chest at the end of the bed. Isn’t she beautiful?” Janie coos.

A flash of light flickers from the doll as Janie plays with her. 

“Look Grandmother, she’s even waring a pretty pin.” 

I can not believe my eyes. My heart beat faster. Another tear escapes. “Would you like to hear a story about that pin?

“Okay.”

Now for my favorite segment .... Well everyone it's Friday and for all of you who know me before the A-Z challenge know I post my Earthly Angels segment every Friday. For the benefit of my new friends I will explain. Please bear with me regulars.

This segment actually started with the Chicago blizzard back on February first. I am reposting this from February 3rd.

                                             

Nine hundred cars were towed off Lakeshore drive in Chicago yesterday. Could you imagine, sitting in your car for twelve hours? Then, finally giving up and trekking through the snow for miles during the worst blizzard Chicago had seen in over thirty years.

My heart goes out to those poor souls. Mother Nature can be cruel at times and I am sure you all know. I must share with all of you the plight of one of my commenters from yesterday's post. A courageous soul who weathered the storm and made it though.

Joicy013 said...

"wow that storm was something! yes there was lighting that looked like fire during the storm. the winds were bad! I was out in the road picking up my sister who was stranded at work and let me tell you something. i could see nothing. windshield ended up falling apart with the ice and wind, about 2 cars on every block left stranded. took us about 2hours to get home, which would usually take 15min. woke up this morning to have snow up to ny waist in some areas of the yard."

Could you imagine the family bond to drive in such a storm for your sister. You are a kind and caring soul and you sister is very lucky to have you.

I find acts of love/kindness to be truly amazing. With our hearts filled with love for the month of February, I'd like to ask all of you, "What act of kindness/ love has been bestowed on you? Tell me about the wonderful person that came to your aid in a time of crisis. I really want to know. 

We are all blessed with angels in our lives. Not the heavenly bound creatures, but the ones bound to earth. Let me hear your story.

This is how it all began. If you know of any Earthly Angel please let me know. I would love to tell your story in my Friday segments. Next week I will post a new set of stories. 

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVERYONE!  

I most likely will be on the road driving north back to Chicago. From what I see of the weather I will be in he midst of lots of rain in Kentucky, Indiana, and Chicago on Sunday.... What fun. I can't wait. Wish me luck. I just might have to stay another three or four days in the sun....

BLOG AWARD .... TIME TO PASS ONE ON!

Happy Thursday friends. Today I am finally going to pass one of two wonderful awards that were given to me during the A-Z challenge.

The first is from a dear friend and amazing BLOGGER N. R. Williams. She has an epic fantasy novel currently out ... The Treasures of Carmelidrium. If you haven't read it you should.

Her second publication is a charming story, The Magic of Windier Woods. Both can be purchased at Amazon.

Nancy was kind enough to award me the Tiger's Delight Blogger Award created by her talented daughter. She has a business to help us author's design covers, book trailers, and format for Kindle and Smashboards. So check out Tiger on my Bookshelf.

Now to pass this award you must link back to Tiger 85 @ Tiger on my Bookshelf. Tell your favorite things about blogging. And pass the award onto three friends. This isn't too difficult, right?

What I love about blogging is the countless incredibly talented people I have met. Words cannot describe how I feel about the people in this community. Writers have the biggest hearts I have ever seen. They will help you with a blink of an eye. They will stand by you thick and thin, and build you up when the outside world is cruel and unfeeling.

I would like to pass this award to three friends I have become so fond of in past few months.

Siv Maria @Been there, done that. She is an incredibly funny and imaginative blogger who is like my long lost Norwegian sister. Her posts on Norwegian folklore are captivating. So if you don't know Siv hop over to her blog.

ali cross @ Ali Cross. ali is know as the NINJA...  she has created a whole world to help bloggers continue to grow as writers. She offers different Ninja programs to help aspiring writers complete their WIP'S. She also has a weekly chat on Thursday's, which is today, so hop on over and join in on the Ninja love.

Holly Ruggiero @ Scribbles & Splashes.  I got to know Holly well during the A-Z challenge. Although I've known her for months, her posts during the challenge really were amazing. Her talent and wit are unsurpassed. Every time I see her bear icon I have to smile because I know it's her.

So please don't forget to drop by these amazing ladies blogs if you haven't already.

EARTHLY ANGELS POST returns tomorrow .... YAY! I have missed this feature and I am thrilled to be able to post it again. Many of my new friends aren't familiar with this weekly feature so I hope you enjoy it.

Have a beautiful Thursday everyone.

JUST A FEW MORE DAYS! A-Z REFLECTIONS ON TOP.

As each sunrise sprinkles diamonds of light on the shimmering waves, I wake to another glorious day in sunny Florida.

Alas. I shall be leaving in just a few short days to return north to the remnants of winter still lingering. I hope to see perfusions of flowers outlining the exquisite Lincoln Park in Chicago on my return. As mother nature sets forth her most dazzling creations, the city becomes alive. I hope to arrive at it's awakening.

It will be a sad day to say good-bye to the roar of the waves and the sandpipers skittering across the dampened sand, but all amazing things must come to an end. Saturday will be mine.

March and April have brought a warm and welcoming world to me from these sunny shores. Spring flowers are still bursting in vibrant pinks, corals, and reds mixed between swaying palm trees. Soon I will get to experience it all over again in the north.

Life has been such a blessing these past few months. I am thankful to have had them. I hope spring has been rejuvenating to you as well.

Please let me know what wonders this spring has brought to you. Life is so precious we must appreciate every moment.

Have a wonderful day everyone. May it be truly special.

Here's a sample of one of the gorgeous floral displays at Epcot I was fortunate to see. 

WELCOME NEW FRIENDS ....

I am thrilled at the overwhelming response to my post yesterday. Since I haven't visited all 170 plus blogs for the Reflection A-Z challenge yesterday, I plan only to give a formal welcome to my new blogger friends today, so I can continue to read the rest of the posts and have easy access for the other challengers to read mine.

Welcome, Sue, Jessica, Spencer, Waton Redhead, Paul Anthony, and Lisa. I will finally have the time to visit all of you and my other new friends who have joined my blogging family this past month. I've missed getting to know you better and I look forward to doing so.

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

THE A-Z CHALLENGE REFLECTIONS MEGA POST!

Greetings fellow A-Zers and friends. I would first like to congratulate ALL who have MET the challenge. Lee @ Tossing It Out decided on a A-Z reflections post... We have  to TELL our feelings about the challenge. Don't forget to drop by his blog to visit other A-Zers to see what they got out of this challenge. 


My first thoughts ... It was a tough, but WELL worth it. Lee and his co-hosts did an AWESOME job organizing this event. They also made time to visit us and leave positive and caring comments. THAT was not an easy thing to do with 1300 different blogs involved.

When I first signed up for the challenge, I thought it was be a fun way to post my blogs as well as meet new friends. Little did I know it would turn out to be SO monumental. As we all tried to visit as many blogs as we could, we soon realized we didn't have our magic wands adjusted for this. But I must say that I did meet some FANTASTIC people and I am very grateful to the challenge for bringing these talented individuals to my blog. Hopping around gave us insight into imaginative and unusual ways to achieve our goals.

I, for instance choose a theme which really challenged me, though at the time I thought it would be a piece of cake. For those of you who didn't make it over to my blog, I decided to write Flash Fiction with a riddle or twist. The first few were about 200 words, but as the comments rolled in, I found I had to top the previous day. So then I went to 300, then 400, up to 500 plus words. I spent HOURS researching and writing at my highest level. I wanted to please you as best I could. So as you can well imagine, it took away from my editing, and querying time. I must admit toward the end, I really pushed myself. But all your kind words and genuine support got me through it. THANK YOU ALL! I never would have made it without you.

Something wonderful came out of this challenge for me. I learned so much about writing. Flash Fiction is a tough medium. Having to create a start, middle, and end in 200-500 takes a lot of thought and expertise. And as we all know in writing, practice DOES make perfect. Several bloggers commented I should create a book with these excepts, and I really like the idea. Many of you know that I illustrate and to create a book with these shorts with illustrations would be quite an interesting project. PLEASE let me know your thoughts on this. Do you think it's a good idea?

To wrap things up, this challenge was a blessing in disguise and I am very thankful I joined in this challenge. I appreciate and admire all of you!

Now I can visit your blogs more often and get back to my edits. After a month of HIGH alert it's nice to fall back into the comfort zone. 

Many of my posts were mystical, so here's a beautiful reflection to enjoy. 

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE...