Great news!
I have two upcoming book signings celebrating the release of my new romance 'Prince Charming'.
December 10 at Umpqua Bank in Copperopolis, CA 4 pm to 6 pm (209-785-7007)
and
December 11 at Highland Books in Arnold, CA 12 to 2 pm (209-795-9423)
Stop on by and visit if you are in the area!
Happy reading:)
Friday, November 26, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
My son Chris is married!
Nicholas, Me, Chris, Avonlea, John, Amanda & Marshall.
Missing is Nick's wife, my amazing daughter-in-law, Kendra and my grandbaby Kadence.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Prince Charming now available!
A childhood where imagination replaced reality to hide from the violence, followed by a failed marraige, left Charlie wondering if any such thing as a 'Prince Charming' really existed.
When one day Prince Charming himself, all 80 pounds of furry, slobbering, barking joy, slammed into her dragging with him a two legged creature that set Charlie's nerves on fire and turned her world upside down.
A refreshingly realistic look at love after 45! As one loyal reader stated, "I was so happy to read about a woman my age finding love."
Available at amazon.com.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Writing at the speed of light!
I wish!
So here I find myself writing for work ( I work for an awesome newspaper thepinetree.net covering local events, news, and human interest stories), writing for school (yes back in college at 47 sigh, taking American Literature and Art History), and writing for the shear love of it!!
Thank goodness writing is a passion or I would most definately face burn out.
The only problem is the ideas in my head far exceed the amount of time I have to actually put my fingers to the keyboard. Though I don't necessarily wish for more time for I would fill it for sure, I would love to be more organized with the time I have.
Case in point:
I was sick this weekend, laying about on the couch like a bum. But do ya think I used that time to get all these characters and plots out of my head? Noooo, I watched tv! Ugh!
Oh well, I did learn how to make a better chili, at least I think so, I didn't write the recipe down and being as how my brain was a little fuzzy from the meds I'm thinking that my recollection of two tablespoons of cinnamon that the recipe called for may not be correct.
Check out amazon.com for my books...they make GREAT Christmas gifts..hint, hint:)
As always,
Happy reading!
So here I find myself writing for work ( I work for an awesome newspaper thepinetree.net covering local events, news, and human interest stories), writing for school (yes back in college at 47 sigh, taking American Literature and Art History), and writing for the shear love of it!!
Thank goodness writing is a passion or I would most definately face burn out.
The only problem is the ideas in my head far exceed the amount of time I have to actually put my fingers to the keyboard. Though I don't necessarily wish for more time for I would fill it for sure, I would love to be more organized with the time I have.
Case in point:
I was sick this weekend, laying about on the couch like a bum. But do ya think I used that time to get all these characters and plots out of my head? Noooo, I watched tv! Ugh!
Oh well, I did learn how to make a better chili, at least I think so, I didn't write the recipe down and being as how my brain was a little fuzzy from the meds I'm thinking that my recollection of two tablespoons of cinnamon that the recipe called for may not be correct.
Check out amazon.com for my books...they make GREAT Christmas gifts..hint, hint:)
As always,
Happy reading!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Welcome to the Country
Welcome to the Country
So you’ve decided to move to the country where creativity is the name of the game.
The word ‘creative’ encompasses so many different aspects of our daily country lives that it’s hard to put it all in a nutshell. So to start with the basics:
There is creative writing. Most of us have managed to endure some form of creative writing in our lives, be it a high school portfolio autobiography or the general education requirement of creative writing. While this broadens our mind it doesn’t necessarily apply to today’s line of thinking.
Then there is creative as in knitting, sewing, welding, painting, artsy type creativity. Luckily for us in the foothills artists abound!
Add creative financing, like that of purchasing a car, a third with a credit card, a third with cash, and a third with beef cattle. Oh, and the ever creative apple pie for an auto tow. (Yes that did happen…thanks Mike.)
We can’t forget, though we would like to, around April 15th we all have a creative flair when it comes to finances, creating an elaborate web of profit and loss statements adding in home office expenses like DVR and surround sound, and we can’t forget to add all the vets visits and dog food for your security Chihuahua.
But again, that is not the creative street I’m heading down today.
Today I am going to touch on creative parking…country style.
Back when we were a pretty small county, just about 10 years ago, our government offices were not necessarily prepared for the speedy population growth. When I say government I really mean post offices. I’ve seen it in Copper, Arnold, and other areas, where it takes some seriously creative parking for us all to get our dualies properly wedged between the painted white lines evidently designed for a motorcycle. But we are resourceful here. Don’t ever underestimate the talent of those that drive quad cabs and 4x4’s when it comes to parking. Add in a cattle trailer, a boat, and the requisite tow hitch (aka the knee knocker) on almost every vehicle and the parking lot becomes an odd recreation of musical chairs for cars. Only, the one left when the music stops is blocked in for who knows how long.
But we adapt and conquer, and come back the next day to do it all over again.
Until next time…welcome to the country.
www.charitymaness.com
P.S. This particular Welcome to the Country was hatched from a story told to me by ‘Joe.’ If you have a similar story you think would be funny and interesting to tell, drop me a line and I may just, with a little “creative” literary freedom be able to turn it into a ‘Welcome to the Country.’
charity@thepinetree.net Please put ‘wttc idea’ in the subject line.
So you’ve decided to move to the country where creativity is the name of the game.
The word ‘creative’ encompasses so many different aspects of our daily country lives that it’s hard to put it all in a nutshell. So to start with the basics:
There is creative writing. Most of us have managed to endure some form of creative writing in our lives, be it a high school portfolio autobiography or the general education requirement of creative writing. While this broadens our mind it doesn’t necessarily apply to today’s line of thinking.
Then there is creative as in knitting, sewing, welding, painting, artsy type creativity. Luckily for us in the foothills artists abound!
Add creative financing, like that of purchasing a car, a third with a credit card, a third with cash, and a third with beef cattle. Oh, and the ever creative apple pie for an auto tow. (Yes that did happen…thanks Mike.)
We can’t forget, though we would like to, around April 15th we all have a creative flair when it comes to finances, creating an elaborate web of profit and loss statements adding in home office expenses like DVR and surround sound, and we can’t forget to add all the vets visits and dog food for your security Chihuahua.
But again, that is not the creative street I’m heading down today.
Today I am going to touch on creative parking…country style.
Back when we were a pretty small county, just about 10 years ago, our government offices were not necessarily prepared for the speedy population growth. When I say government I really mean post offices. I’ve seen it in Copper, Arnold, and other areas, where it takes some seriously creative parking for us all to get our dualies properly wedged between the painted white lines evidently designed for a motorcycle. But we are resourceful here. Don’t ever underestimate the talent of those that drive quad cabs and 4x4’s when it comes to parking. Add in a cattle trailer, a boat, and the requisite tow hitch (aka the knee knocker) on almost every vehicle and the parking lot becomes an odd recreation of musical chairs for cars. Only, the one left when the music stops is blocked in for who knows how long.
But we adapt and conquer, and come back the next day to do it all over again.
Until next time…welcome to the country.
www.charitymaness.com
P.S. This particular Welcome to the Country was hatched from a story told to me by ‘Joe.’ If you have a similar story you think would be funny and interesting to tell, drop me a line and I may just, with a little “creative” literary freedom be able to turn it into a ‘Welcome to the Country.’
charity@thepinetree.net Please put ‘wttc idea’ in the subject line.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Home
Back in California where I am fluent in the local dialect.
Back to the grindstone of my everyday life...which is anything but ordinary.
Thank you for following my blog.
Check in from time to time as I may feel the urge to update with odd musings or anecdotes to life's most puzzling questions:)
Happy reading:)
Back to the grindstone of my everyday life...which is anything but ordinary.
Thank you for following my blog.
Check in from time to time as I may feel the urge to update with odd musings or anecdotes to life's most puzzling questions:)
Happy reading:)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Day six – itchy
I am figuring that I am a pretty tasty Californian, well at least for the critters in these parts. I have bug bites on top of bug bites. Luckily the shade of pink that the calamine lotion tints my skin is very much my color. Please say you heard the sarcasm there. I look like a lumpy pink marshmallow.
*****
Did you know that if you catch a jar full of lightening bugs, you can actually have a small nightlight by your bed? Just gently catch a bug that has lit itself up in hopes of gaining a mate, carefully place it in one of the plentiful mason jars to be found in any home, and cover with foil. Don’t forget to put a couple of holes in the foil, not so big you have bugs flying about your room, and you will have a soft haze reminiscent of the sixties. Not that I remember…
*****
My last day in Kentucky leaves me short on humor.
I will surely miss the kind people and the raw beauty of the land. I hope to visit again soon.
Happy reading:)
P.S. My travel blog is not over until my flight lands if SFO. One never knows what interesting things might happen between now and then.
*****
Did you know that if you catch a jar full of lightening bugs, you can actually have a small nightlight by your bed? Just gently catch a bug that has lit itself up in hopes of gaining a mate, carefully place it in one of the plentiful mason jars to be found in any home, and cover with foil. Don’t forget to put a couple of holes in the foil, not so big you have bugs flying about your room, and you will have a soft haze reminiscent of the sixties. Not that I remember…
*****
My last day in Kentucky leaves me short on humor.
I will surely miss the kind people and the raw beauty of the land. I hope to visit again soon.
Happy reading:)
P.S. My travel blog is not over until my flight lands if SFO. One never knows what interesting things might happen between now and then.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Day 5 – hmmm
This days blog will include some musings about Kentucky. Just a few things I noticed while out and about.
****
Interestingly enough I spotted a drive thru funeral home. Logistically how this is done I haven’t got a clue, nor was I willing to investigate further.
*****
Happy cows come from California right? I might beg to differ. See this here state of Kentucky is the largest producer of fine bourbons…and their largest export is beef…just follow along I will get to the point in a minute. The main ingredients in bourbon are corn, rye, wheat and barley, but the most important is the iron free limestone water found in Kentucky. The ingredients, though essential, are also the residual by-product of the completed Bourbon. Now, guess what the distilleries do with the left over by-product? Why they feed it to their beef cattle. Now in my book, that would make for happy cows.
*****
Have a craving for a perfectly chilled glass of wine of a Sunday in Kentucky? Too bad. No alcohol sales allowed on Sundays. My friend’s motto: be prepared.
*****
Seeing as how the majority of the lakes abut cattle land, and the cattle know how to swim here, I have to admit, catfish has moved to the bottom of my list of items to eat when visiting.
*****
A copperhead’s head is not always necessarily copper colored. Any form of brown will do. So when I see a snake here, I scream and run, no questions asked.
*****
Based on the size of the squirrels ‘round these parts, I must say, it would take about two and a half to feed me. The conclusion I draw from this? I think these folks are pulling my leg, they don’t eat squirrel…maybe possum, but not squirrel. Either way, I don’t care if it tastes just like chicken, I’ll stick to salads thank you.
Happy reading:)
****
Interestingly enough I spotted a drive thru funeral home. Logistically how this is done I haven’t got a clue, nor was I willing to investigate further.
*****
Happy cows come from California right? I might beg to differ. See this here state of Kentucky is the largest producer of fine bourbons…and their largest export is beef…just follow along I will get to the point in a minute. The main ingredients in bourbon are corn, rye, wheat and barley, but the most important is the iron free limestone water found in Kentucky. The ingredients, though essential, are also the residual by-product of the completed Bourbon. Now, guess what the distilleries do with the left over by-product? Why they feed it to their beef cattle. Now in my book, that would make for happy cows.
*****
Have a craving for a perfectly chilled glass of wine of a Sunday in Kentucky? Too bad. No alcohol sales allowed on Sundays. My friend’s motto: be prepared.
*****
Seeing as how the majority of the lakes abut cattle land, and the cattle know how to swim here, I have to admit, catfish has moved to the bottom of my list of items to eat when visiting.
*****
A copperhead’s head is not always necessarily copper colored. Any form of brown will do. So when I see a snake here, I scream and run, no questions asked.
*****
Based on the size of the squirrels ‘round these parts, I must say, it would take about two and a half to feed me. The conclusion I draw from this? I think these folks are pulling my leg, they don’t eat squirrel…maybe possum, but not squirrel. Either way, I don’t care if it tastes just like chicken, I’ll stick to salads thank you.
Happy reading:)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Day four - the rest
The plan of running to the dirt track turned into running to the drag races. Ever been? Loud, exhilarating, loud, exciting, and did I mention loud? If you get the chance give it a shot, but one note from a seasoned drag strip attendee…don’t take a deep breath around the time of the green light. Not good, not good at all. I’m pretty sure I inhaled enough carcinogenic air to make my lungs look like a pack a day smokers lungs.
After massive inhalation of fumes and many ohs and ahs later, my cell phone…oops in Kentucky, I meant my cellular phone, went nuts. Texts, voicemails, etc. Evidently the back yard of my home in Copper was on fire, CalFire was on the way, aircraft were involved and I was helpless. I sat in my rental car fielding multiple messages while trying to get real time information when the car radio blared an emergency broadcast. You know the kind, the annoying beep, beep, beep, then the “this is a test of the emergency broadcast system.” Well at least that’s what we hear in California, here in Kentucky it’s the real thing followed by the ever helpful where to run and hide information.
Bring it on.
After clicking my heels together three times wishing for home didn’t work, I tried plan ‘B’, drive like the dickens in front of the storm and beat it home. It was worth a shot. An hour later, safe and sound, I am towel dried and wishing I had some of that special Kentucky lemonade.
Happy reading:)
P.S. Thanks to all of you for your calls and your support. And thank you Copperopolis Fire District and CalFire for your awesome response time and your expertise!
After massive inhalation of fumes and many ohs and ahs later, my cell phone…oops in Kentucky, I meant my cellular phone, went nuts. Texts, voicemails, etc. Evidently the back yard of my home in Copper was on fire, CalFire was on the way, aircraft were involved and I was helpless. I sat in my rental car fielding multiple messages while trying to get real time information when the car radio blared an emergency broadcast. You know the kind, the annoying beep, beep, beep, then the “this is a test of the emergency broadcast system.” Well at least that’s what we hear in California, here in Kentucky it’s the real thing followed by the ever helpful where to run and hide information.
Bring it on.
After clicking my heels together three times wishing for home didn’t work, I tried plan ‘B’, drive like the dickens in front of the storm and beat it home. It was worth a shot. An hour later, safe and sound, I am towel dried and wishing I had some of that special Kentucky lemonade.
Happy reading:)
P.S. Thanks to all of you for your calls and your support. And thank you Copperopolis Fire District and CalFire for your awesome response time and your expertise!
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.
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.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Day three - continued
After about a gallon of non-Starbucks coffee, I am vertical and mobile. My friend is taking me to lunch and on a tour of the countryside today. I can only hope no winding roads are involved.
*****
Off to get some shots of Unca Dan’s swimmin’ cows up on Trottin’ Ridge. Then headed o’er to Possum Run to see a hillside covered in cudd su. See…I AM bilingual. I actually knew what I was saying.
*****
Passing sign after sign advertising fried catfish, fried okra, fried chicken , and fried squirrel (just joking on the squirrel) I was pleasantly surprised when my friend pulled into the parking lot of a Japanese Hibachi restaurant. Whew…something I am somewhat familiar with. Ever heard a hibachi chef with a southern accent? Blame it on the residual moonshine pumping through my system, but I found it pretty darn cute.
*****
So here I sit…on the top of a knoll…stuffed…awaiting a tornado. It’s not happening. At 94 degrees with 84% humidity this California girl only lasted 25 minutes waiting for said mysterious tornado. Saw some cool cloud formations though and heard the rumbling of thunder, but thankfully no twister. I can now safely check tornado chasing off my bucket list.
*******
Oh did I mention the ac in the house I am staying is out? Yup. Not working. On the fritz. Kaput. Did I also mention its 94 flippin’ degrees out with 84% humidity? I know I did, I was simply repeating it for added impact. So this wonderful new avon moisturizer that I carefully repacked into a less than three ounce container so that I could carry it on the flight saving a luggage fee is now slowly sliding off of my face.
*****
Added a new word to my Kentucky dictionary today.
Buckeye:
Us- a tree
Kentucky- a worthless nut
Therefore it is an insult to be called a Buckeye. Whereas an Ohioan may disagree. ( They are, I believe, known as the buckeye state.)
Happy reading:)
*****
Off to get some shots of Unca Dan’s swimmin’ cows up on Trottin’ Ridge. Then headed o’er to Possum Run to see a hillside covered in cudd su. See…I AM bilingual. I actually knew what I was saying.
*****
Passing sign after sign advertising fried catfish, fried okra, fried chicken , and fried squirrel (just joking on the squirrel) I was pleasantly surprised when my friend pulled into the parking lot of a Japanese Hibachi restaurant. Whew…something I am somewhat familiar with. Ever heard a hibachi chef with a southern accent? Blame it on the residual moonshine pumping through my system, but I found it pretty darn cute.
*****
So here I sit…on the top of a knoll…stuffed…awaiting a tornado. It’s not happening. At 94 degrees with 84% humidity this California girl only lasted 25 minutes waiting for said mysterious tornado. Saw some cool cloud formations though and heard the rumbling of thunder, but thankfully no twister. I can now safely check tornado chasing off my bucket list.
*******
Oh did I mention the ac in the house I am staying is out? Yup. Not working. On the fritz. Kaput. Did I also mention its 94 flippin’ degrees out with 84% humidity? I know I did, I was simply repeating it for added impact. So this wonderful new avon moisturizer that I carefully repacked into a less than three ounce container so that I could carry it on the flight saving a luggage fee is now slowly sliding off of my face.
*****
Added a new word to my Kentucky dictionary today.
Buckeye:
Us- a tree
Kentucky- a worthless nut
Therefore it is an insult to be called a Buckeye. Whereas an Ohioan may disagree. ( They are, I believe, known as the buckeye state.)
Happy reading:)
Day three - slow start
Unwittingly served lemonade last night at a gathering.
I woke up at ten am!
It was lemonade flavored moonshine!
I knew it tasted a bit off:)
Posts might be slow in the coming today, LOL
Off to see the other side of town through a holler up on a rise to "tornado watch."
Not sure if that is supposed to be fun or simply stupid.
(Thinking stupid in my sluggish state.)
Happy reading:)
I woke up at ten am!
It was lemonade flavored moonshine!
I knew it tasted a bit off:)
Posts might be slow in the coming today, LOL
Off to see the other side of town through a holler up on a rise to "tornado watch."
Not sure if that is supposed to be fun or simply stupid.
(Thinking stupid in my sluggish state.)
Happy reading:)
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