PREPARATION

Recently, while at Lowe's, I thought I'd pick up a hummingbird feeder and let the children see the beauty in these small birds, if we could attract some. I remember, as a child, having seen hummingbirds quite often, but haven't seen any in years. They are so tiny that it's possible I thought they were large bees. Now I know nothing about hummingbirds, but made a mixture of sugar and water, having some long ago memory of this for the nectar. Today I finally looked up a website on hummingbirds and now know that I need a one to three part mixture of sugar and water. I also learned how to clean the feeder and how often. Then I went on to look up the flowers that would attract them. Next on the list is a small flower garden.
Like everything else, it's preparation. It takes so many years to go through school, to write a book, to gather information, but mostly to learn, learn, learn. And we are fortunate to have the resources available. Let's hope we will always have free libraries, the internet and all available sources.
For some great pictures of hummingbirds, look for Terry's Place.
That's all for now.

I've been working on something about the area where I grew up to go onto Terry's Place blog sometime this month. Please visit http://terryodell.blogspot.com

TPR

Time runs along quickly and the weather has changed to beautifully warm. The flowers are out here in Virginia and people are out doors, walking, jogging, and driving. I see a big increase in traffic lately. More and more people are moving here to this delightful state and to our lovely town. Soon we'll be finding lots of places to swim outside and the children will be on summer vacation. Busch Gardens has changed hands, but probably not much has changed about the place otherwise. Water Country is another popular place in the summer. There are many new restaurants and some new entertainment.
The one complaint I have is that life goes too fast. There is not enough time to do all the things a person would like to do and stress shows up on everyone who is overextended. We're overextended in time and in money. We need to take a break and just enjoy nature and enjoy life and family.
Tomorrow is Easter. How did this happen so quickly? I don't know, but I'm taking some time to relax this year and smell the flowers. I hope everyone else does the same. This summer take a day to enjoy the pool or the beach, read a book, go to dinner with friends and family. These are the things that help to unwind us and bring us together. What are we all rushing around for anyway?
Bye for now. Happy Easter. Enjoy!

January 2010

December was a very busy month, with 15 people for Christmas dinner. It's fun having lots of people around and of course the children are the center of the festivities. It's always a beautiful time of the year with many fond memories.

Here it is in January already and we have to get used to writing a new year. 2010. Doesn't seem possible so much time has gone by.

Tragic earthquake in Haiti the other day has killed thousands of people. Of course our country and other countries sent in people and supplies to help, but it will take a very long time to clear up things. Looking at the pictures on t.v. you ask yourself how can it be? Doesn't seem real. It's just unbelieveable. Thoughts of 9-11 return to haunt me. Those poor people have had so much tragedy in their lives already. Contributions flooded in from all over to many organizations that are helping. It is difficult getting supplies to many areas due to the damage and the many streets broken up and clogged with debris.

On a more cheerful light, yesterday we had another meeting of the Nightingales. We did not have a speaker, but talking among ourselves and getting acquainted was nice. We had thirty people, which was a very good turnout. I think this very young organization will begin to want to do more to help others. It's the nature of nurses to want to help, especially in an emergency situation such as the earthquake in Haiti.

Edits are done on the story I sold and information for the artist, blurbs, etc. were done. Can hardly wait to see how it will turn out.
While I'm waiting I'm trying to catch up on a few things and think about another story. I'm going over one I wrote and am planning on writing a couple new ones. One, a sequel and the other something entirely different.
Until the next time. Ann

It's hard to believe it's December 5th already. Many things have happened since I've written last time. For one thing, I've signed a contract for my story, Light From the Glen, with Red Rose Publishing and it's in edits now. I'm not sure when it will be published, but if the time line is average than maybe about April or May. I've been wanting to tell this story for a while since it takes place in the area where I grew up-in Saratoga Springs, New York. It's a contemporary romance with a bit of suspense. Since the location is unique, I have written something about that beautiful area and a bit about the history of Saratoga Springs.
My hero is a handsome, sexy cardiologist and the heroine is a nurse. They're smarting from disappointing relationships and have their own agendas, but of course their lives will touch each other and unexpected things will occur. Stay tuned for more news about Light From the Glen.

Yesterday, my daughter and I went Christmas shopping. Yes, we're still doing that, even though we realize it's very commercial. But, with three children in the house, I couldn't resist the urge to get presents. You could say, we shopped 'til we dropped. Or almost. We stopped at Red Lobster for a delicious lunch and went to three more stores after that. Today my feet are tired and so am I, but since it's been raining all day, I've had a chance to rest and catch up with some computer stuff.

While we were in Macy's we met a very nice lady who was shopping for a family who needed help. I thought, now there's a lady who knows the true spirit of Christmas. The family she's buying things for has ten children. That's a big stocking to fill and I have a feeling she'll do it.

Don't forget to help out the food banks and other organizations however you can. My favorites this year are St. Jude's and the Humane Society, as well as all the veterans organizations. I can't put a lot in each envelope, but I guess every little bit will help.

And above all have a very Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, and whatever you are celebrating, but keep the spirit of giving and loving in your hearts.
Ann

It's November. Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans and thank you for your service.
Yesterday we had a meeting of the Nightingales and quite a few had been in the military. They spoke about their time served.
We've had several days of rain and wind and now the wind has stopped, but we still have rain. The bad weather is north of us now. There were many areas of flooding, but we were fortunate in this town as there was little damage.
I've been working on a story and will tell more in my next blog. It's an exciting time.
I wish all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for.

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

It's been a while since I added anything to the blog. Other things have been taking my attention such as the state of the country and the world. These are confusing times and critical times and yet what can a person do about it? Well, for one thing they can say what they think, whether right or wrong. We have freedom of speech and should use it. We must preserve our freedoms. We've seen our freedom of speech put into action, especially with the healthcare issue, which stirred up thousands of people.
Sometimes I think the world has gone completely crazy and there's nothing we can do about it. But, I'd rather try to be positive in my thinking and believe, have faith that everything will turn out right.
In the meantime daily life goes on. We had a meeting of the romance writers with a very informative speaker from our group and yesterday was a meeting of the Nightingales. It's that time of the year already, when we're going to start thinking about making cookies for the student nurses at the hospital, hoping they're not all on diets.
In the meantime I do some writing with my nurses and doctors as characters. They're fun stories, love stories, with a wee bit of suspense. Each writer in our group has their own style. Some people write historicals, some chick-lit, some more serious stories, some inspirational, some mysteries. I try to read as many as I can and they're all very good. Although a handful will be published, there are many stories to tell. We are fortunate to be able to write, speak, and print what's on our mind. We are so fortunate to have freedom of the press!