If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would have to be chicken and dumplings. I love, love, love them. A pot of chicken and dumplings is a comfort food that reminds me of my maternal grandmother. She always made sure she had some on the stove when I came to visit. She never said she loved me, but the dumplings were the proof that she did. She was an excellent country cook. Just yummy!!
Yeah, I know it’s early to talk about Valentine’s Day but I got notified on Saturday night, Nov. 13 that my short story entitled The House on the Bay will be in a Valentine’s Day anthology to be released by Whortleberry Press. It’s a ghost story.
The tentative release day is January 1, 2011. I’ll update as I know more.
Haunted Grimm House of Old Town
Ghosts are definitely real. I’ve had enough of my own spiritual experiences to know that to be true, starting at age 16 and no, it was not a poltergeist. It was my grandmother’s spirit coming to comfort me like she always did when she was alive. It was not scary at all.
Other experiences have not been as comforting as that first one but I’m still not afraid. I believe there are lots of wonders in this world we can not see. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not out there.
My ancestors arrived on these shores in 1690. My Great Grandfather, 5 generations back, fought for this country’s independence. He almost died in the cold of Valley Forge. Was on sick leave and didn’t get paid for a couple of months. I am so proud to be American and I’m grateful that Thomas Gresham, my relative, picked the right side. That he was a rebel. I sincerely hope that if I had to make a choice to fight and perhaps die for what I think is right, I would follow in the footsteps of Thomas.
Thanks to all who have sacrified their lives in the name of fighting oppression, from whatever source. I admire that.
Happy Independence Day, USA 
DON”T TREAD ON ME!
Heading out in a few minutes to the Pensacola Lighthouse for a ghost tour with the Ghost Seekers of Texas. This is my second time to do this. First time, son’s leg got really cold and I took a picture and got a great shot of a white blur across his pant leg. AND upstairs, he and I both heard a moan/groan at the same time. We were the last ones in the hall and it was a clear sound. There was no wind so it wasn’t that.
Tonight I’m going with paranormal writer and friend Cynthia Eden. Should be a blast. If I catch any good shots, I’ll edit this post with them.
EDITED TO ADD: Had a great time except for one chick that was so susceptible to the ‘power of suggestion’ that she heard and saw everything that was possible. We smelled tobacco a couple of times and got some EMF readings but not much else – Didn’t get any real good shots this time. But here is the lighthouse and us girls.
Love the sky here
Been a sad week. One of my dear friends from high school buried her mother yesterday. My heart hurt for her all week. It was so sad to see her and her siblings yesterday.
My brother in law has been in the hospital all week and last night, we got the word that he will never leave the hospital. He has fought a valiant fight with cancer for four years. He has hung on so long. He was always a wonderful brother to all his siblings and welcomed me as his own sister when I married into the family. He has an amazing wife, 3 children and 7 grandchildren, He will be missed.
What a week this has been.
Don’t really have anything to say but I noticed this was post #100 and I wanted to memorialize the occasion by saying hi and reminding you all of the inspiration for most of the heroes in my fiction work.
Another just because picture
Alan- Just because
Alan as I picture him as Liam in "Redemption for the Devil"
Alan as I picture him as Angus in novella "Gray's Inn"
Alan as Alec in novella "Weekend at Upper Eaves"
I am going to a surprise party today for a friend that is turning 70. I accepted the invite way back in April. That would be in the spring. Here in Fla, spring lasts about 12 minutes. I didn’t read the whole invite, just knew I needed to go and the calendar was clear, so I said “Sure.”
Imagine my shock and dismay as I read over the invite today to see “Come at noon, to be here for her arrival at 12:30- Bring lawn chair” –
OH. MY. GOSH. OUTSIDE? REALLY???? It is 100 degrees at noon with a heat index of 110- what the HELL was my friend, Evangeline, thinking? Her aunt and all the guests are going to die in the heat. Has she got the coroner on speed dial? Just askin’
EDITED TO ADD: Stayed home w/ a bottle of Imodium. Will send her a nice card.
My great grandmother was a Phillips by birth. Her brother had a son named Sam Phillips. Sam grew up to found Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. He discovered Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. I am proud to call him a distant cousin. There was a day in December, 1956, that all four of his best selling artists were in the studio and had an impromptu session. Here is a iconic picture of that day.
This day has now been memorialized in a Broadway show that I had the privilege to see a week ago today. It was great. Lots of wonderful music and the actors played and sang it all themselves. The Elvis character had the mannerisms down cold. He was good. Johnny Cash was spot on as well. The guy that played Carl Perkins was the best guitarist of the group. BUT I have to say, the guy that played Jerry Lee Lewis stole the whole show. He was fantastic. His piano playing was amazing even upside down! He won a Tony Award for best new comer and it was very deserved. His name is Levi Kries. I see great things in his future.
The only female in the cast had a fabulous singing voice. As for the guy that played my cousin, Sam, he was good, too and better looking than the real Sam.
I have never been disappointed with any show I have seen on Broadway (except one that I won’t name) and this was another treat. Highly recommended. AND get the soundtrack, you’ll love it.
Check it out: http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/index.html
As promised, here is my review of The Addams Family on Broadway. We had front row center seats for the Sunday, June 13, performance. I have never been on the front row before. The closest I’ve been in the past was 7th row when I saw Talk Radio. I saw Equus from the box and that was a good high view of the stage. This front row thing was a real treat. When Nathan Lane walked onstage, I was so excited I could barely stand it. He is just such a virtuoso in the comedic arts, he is irresistible. The magnetism he has comes across the stage lights and grabs hold and doesn’t turn loose even when the show ends. He was on form and I thoroughly enjoyed his performance.
Bebe Neuwirth also has a great presence. She was wonderful in her role as Morticia. Her voice and dance abilities are awesome. I especially enjoyed her dance scene with the ancestors.
The woman who played the mother of Wednesday’s boyfriend, Carolee Carmello, was hilarious. I saw her when she played Donna in Mamma Mia, so I knew she could sing but she played a comedic role here and she was spot on. When she drank the potion Pugsley poured and her “dark side” came out, she was so funny, I laughed til I cried.
Terrance Mann is one of my favorite actors and he was perfect as the father of the boyfriend of Wednesday.
Wednesday was a cute girl and sang quite well. Uncle Fester stole almost every scene he was in (except for the ones with Nathan, of course, as who could take their eyes off Nathan? ) Kevin Chamberlin played Fester and he was nominated for a Tony. He didn’t win but he was really good in the role.
Lurch, Pugsley and Grandma were true to the television series. All in all, I was very pleased with the show. Near the end, Nathan Lane tossed a rose into the audience and #2 son caught it. He gave it to me. It was a cool end to the show and I’m glad we got to go.
Two thumbs up for this one.
Ramblings of a Writer 