Look what I found in my archives...interview with Citizen Voice & Times, Estill County Kentucky circa '09

Day four – losing count…vacation does that to you

Well last night I joined a couple for dinner and was serenaded by their 18 year old son playing Johnny Cash so well, Johnny himself would have been proud. If that was not enough he picked up his banjo and picked some dueling banjos. He then added in some of his own repertoire and the evening was complete.

There was one down side. I woke at 10:00 am again. Must have been that chilled apple butter cider. Is nothing sacred in these here parts?
*****

That tidbit leads up to today’s interesting look into small town politics.

Okay, so the county that I am staying in boasts among other things, the largest still ever confiscated within the state of Kentucky. So impressive, it was reassembled and sits today in a place of honor in the Kentucky State museum. With that said, this is a dry county. No booze allowed…at all. Hmmmm..

Recently the folks of the town decided they were tired of driving over the county line to pick up a beer or two and started a petition to revoke the ‘dry county’ standing. It was the first time in the history of this county that the bootleggers and the preachers united for a single cause. The preachers wanted no booze, the bootleggers wanted to keep their livelihood, albeit illegal, but still a livelihood. The petition failed, and the bootleggers found a new audience…women. What was once a concoction so foul a mere sniff of it would burn the sensitive hairs from inside your nose now comes in a variety of flavors; watermelon, strawberry, lemonade, and apple butter cider. I think I will stick to bottled water for the remainder of my trip.
*****

I did always find it strange that the stores in this area carry a large stock of quart mason jars…year round.
*****

Oh another addition to my ever growing Kentucky dictionary, just in case you haven’t heard this one..

Saying: Doesn’t that beat all the cats eatin’ the gravy?
Definition: Wow.

Happy readin’:)

P.S. Off to dirt track racing, the beginning of Nascar so I’m told…sacred around these parts, I cannot poke fun at that for fear of retaliation.

Humor is everywhere

Okay, so I couldn't "buckle down" to serious writing when I was bubbling with country type New Year's resolution humor. So here it is, my little New Year's contribution to the funny side of country life.


http://www.charitymaness.com/wttc.html

If you're from the country you'll get it..if you're from the city, it may leave you scratching your head.

I hope you enjoy.
As always....happy reading.

Charity

The Holidays are over...time to buckle down

Like most of us I use the holidays as an excuse to over indulge. But seeing as how I was recovering from a hysterectomy my over indulgence turned to ebay and my weakness for yarn. Word of warning don't shop on ebay while taking pain medication, one easily forgets how much junk one ordered!
On a high note, the holidays also got my mind reeling with more ideas for character background on Hopefully. The second edition will have chapters on Helen and Gertie's earlier lives, pre Hope and even pre 'Two Old Ladies with a lot of Yarn' yarn shop. There is also additional info about Philip and a little more heat between Hope and her accidental love.
This is turning out to be a fun re-creation.
Wishing you all a wonderful New Year full of love and laughter.
Charity Maness

Happy Reading!

I'm baaaccckkk!

Its so hard to say things with the Governators accent when writing, but I'm sure you get the picture.
I am finally back from my oh so short vacation to Cabo and itchin' to write. Though I know some of you are looking forward to more enlightening information regarding my research on the decomposition rate of the human body, unfortunately for y'all, I actually came back from my vacation with romance on the brain. So I will be temporarily putting aside my murder and mayhem work for a bit to concentrate on love, or at least writing about it:) Awww.
I will keep you posted.

Finishing touches on Faithfully

It's 4:30 am in California and I am finally putting the finishing touches on Faithfully. It should be available by October 2o, 2009 on Amazon. Here's a little snippet:
Hope, managing to sleep in, has just woken and shuffles into the bathroom she now shares with her love Ryan;
Turning on the faucet I follow my normal morning routine and gently squeeze a small dab of toothpaste on my toothbrush. I look up in the mirror, toothbrush poised to brush teeth, and scream bloody murder. My toothbrush goes flying and manages to plop right into the open toilet bowl, the one with the seat up. Oh gross! Men!
Ryan looks at me, takes a step over to the toilet and takes a look into the bowl. Being the diplomat he gently picks up his toothbrush out of the holder, hands it to me and says, "I love you babe."

To find out what caused Hope to scream and if Ryan's generous offereing of his own used toothbrush gets him out of hot water you'll simply have to read Faithfully my sequal to Hopefully.

October 6, 2009
I was born and raised in Walnut Creek California. That is where I first discovered my love for the written word. Though it was maudlin and quite lovesick poetry at the time, it was still creative. Writing came naturally though I never thought of it as a talent, just a means to an end. My homework in college was well written and extremely creative…especially if I didn’t know the answer. I would simply continue to write and hope I hit on some small bit of important data.
After meeting the man of my dreams at work (work being code for ‘bar’) where I diligently and quite well I might add, sold fine beverages as a means to pay for my college tuition and the occasional meal, I found myself married and within five years the lucky owner of three beautiful children. Through those years the only writing tool held in my hand was a jam covered crayon, unless you count eyeliner, I have had to use that medium many times in lieu of the all illusive pencil.
Now living on the coast of California just south of San Francisco, we added one more little Maness to our brood and I cut my hair. No point in having long hair when there is absolutely no time to style it. The pretty nails went by the wayside too, along with the lingerie that kept getting me in trouble, bring on the flannel nighties.
Writing seemed to be a thing of the past, though my mind was still spinning tales, for each night I would make up bedtime stories for my children with them as the lead bunny, or head honcho hippo, etc. There was always a moral and lots of action. For my birthday and Mother’s Day I would ask my children to write a story. Any story. I got some real doozies, I tell you. My oldest, if I had paid any attention at all I would have known he was born a Marine, would always write stories of mercenaries and battles. My youngest always wrote of hero puppies. Second life? Or vet? I haven’t figured that one out yet.
Move to the country with the passel of kids, add 2 nephews, 1 niece, horses, pigs, cows, goats, bunnies, chickens, and whadaya know? I begin to write again. I can’t recall sleeping, but hey, sleep is over rated.
After writing down some funny stories for my children to read to their children some day, my husband asked what I was up to. He read a few pages and couldn’t stop laughing. “You did this? How did you remember all that? You really should publish this!” This from a man that barely says that much in a whole day, I talk enough for both of us and then some. I knew I was on to something. A few more years pass and a few kids move on and move out and I now have time to pursue this dream. Not only does it allow my creative juices to flow but when I create a character I put a smidge of each and every child I have had into the characters, so I have my children with me always. If one is in a foreign land fighting the battle on terrorism, or one is out fighting fires, one is headed off to college, and one is itching to move on, I can open my work in progress and see them come alive right there, in the room with me.
With motherhood being the best job I ever could have applied for (and conveniently not been denied because of lack of experience), writing takes a comfy second place. Without the incredible differences in my children’s personalities and their own perspectives on life I don’t believe I would be able to grasp so many different characters and their personalities. But I also need to mention my friend Maggie here, not to be confused with Mattie, but one can draw that parallel line. Unbeknownst to her she has been great fodder for further character formation.
I hope this lends you some insight into the fun and exciting journey to my odd and humorous outlook on life