One of the cool things about blogs is to ask a question at the end to entice comments. Well, I want to ask one at the beginning.

What are you reading right now?

Okay, don't be literal and say, “Dude, I'm reading your blog.”

I mean your reading list of books.

Are you like me and have several going at once?

Currently, I am reading:

- A book I'm recording for a friend. I read a chapter or two when I get the chance. I use Audacity to make the…

This week, I don't pick up my featured author, he gives me directions. I start out by transporting to Paris. Then I have to act as if I know how to effect a French accent to tell the cabbie an address (although I could be telling him I'd like to date his sister for all I know) - “sank roo doe noo”.

Fortunately, he doesn't drag me out of the vehicle and pummel me. Instead, in a few minutes I find…

“They should not allow topless sunbathing on the beach. It was very distracting for my husband who just to relax.”

I'll just bet it was.

***

I used to work nights and had, for the most part, since 1999. So many times my 'days off' were nights. Many times, though my body realized it was 11pm and I was not at work so it told me to go to bed.

I enjoyed my time off but…

Spinner Meme (1)Near the middle of August, the weather turns hot. So, I'm particularly thankful to this week's featured author that he wants to have our interview while walking on some Colorado mountain trails. Cool air, scenery and green and rocks and maybe we'll catch site of some wildlife...as long as it's not a cougar. Or a bear. Or a wolf. Or a rattle snake. In fact, let's not encounter any wildlife and just talk about his latest book. And don't forget about the excerpt following the…

“The beach was too sandy. We had to clean everything when we returned to our room.”

What did you expect the beach to be? Covered in tile?

***

Some of these complaints are more inane than others. I think my snarky comment, while made in jest, brings up a valid point. What did these folks expect when they went to the beach? A beach, one for tourists, is mostly sand. There are rocky…

So, this morning I was sitting around trying to think of what to post for this week's blog. How do you follow three wonderful weeks of author interviews?

Then someone knocks on my door and when I answer, there stands a man weaing a hat that shadows his face. He hands me a large…

“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.” - Buddha

In…

“We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it be included in the price.”

I don't know about you, but even if the park DID provide swimsuits, I don't think I'd wear one. Even if it has been washed fifty times over, how many other bodies have worn it?

***

So what do you think about when you see the price for…

Many moons ago I attended a taekwondo tournament in the Minneapolis area. I was either a Second or a Third Degree Black Belt at the time and my competition consisted of some excellent martial artists. In the sparring competition, I faced a gentleman who, within a minute, executed a spin hook kick to my head. My hands were not up as far as they should have been and I was not fast enough to block in…

Many moons ago I attended a taekwondo tournament in the Minneapolis area. I was either a Second or a Third Degree Black Belt at the time and my competition consisted of some excellent martial artists. In the sparring competition, I faced a gentleman who, within a minute, executed a spin hook kick to my head. My hands were not up as far as they should have been and I was not fast enough to block in…

“I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.”

I don't frequent bars. I'm not a beer drinker. Now, this isn't to say I haven't imbibed and if you ask the right friends, they'll tell you tales of times when I've, uh, well...let's just say I overindulged a bit. However, this brings up an…

“On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food.”

Well, then bring along some Fritos.

***

Last time I talked about my basic day-to-day schedule, but my eating schedule has also changed since the move. I've been trying (somewhat successfully) to be more aware of what I eat. Trying to cut back on the carbs and…

I entitled this post 'New Year's Resolutions' for a simple reason: I don't make any. I used to but made progress on them for only about a week or so, then fell back into old habits. You know, the old standards: more exercise, watch the diet, quit smoking. Whoops, well, I can't claim I ever made a resolution to quit smoking since I never started.

I've been thinking about the end of…

I chose this accompanying picture specifically because I don't like pushups. Never have. I don't have the strength to do many pushups because of my right arm.

For those who aren't familiar with my story, let me share. When I was a baby I fell out of bed. I was ill and the infection settled in my ankle and elbow. The ER nurse told my parents that I was crying just to get attention. (Dad, to this…

“I think the freezer deserves a light as well.”

Why not? Illumination certainly would make finding that long forgotten frozen bagged hunk of round steak you placed in there eight months ago an easier task. This is one of those questions that nobody has taken the time to answer.

How does this truth relate to writing? Again, you'll have to…

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

6075 Mills Civic Parkway

West Des Moines, IA 50266

Phone: 515-333-5665 Fax: 515-309-3359

6800 Fleur Dr.

Des Moines, IA 50321

Phone: 515-287-0847 Fax: 515-287-0850

….........................................

Today we find Lori Campisi back home after a Friday night out after a…

“It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often need to buy things during 'siesta' time-this should be banned.”

I'm sure if the person had spoken to the mayor, he would have made a new law right then and there. Sheesh!

***

This brings up the topic of schedules. Since the move back in October, '13 to a bigger city (well, a suburb of a…

This is along the lines of perseverance but I think where perseverance tends to lean toward trying and not giving up, determination comes before.

If you persevere for something, you are going to try and try, overcome whatever obstacle in your path. Tagging along with this can be a determination-al mindset that you are determined-dedicated-to reach your goal.

However, I view…

There are times that I don't enjoy being an adult. Sometimes I want to be a child again.

I get this feeling whenever I read a book with a child in it playing with a toy.

See, that's the key word. Toy. Sometimes, I don't like the word. It brings back an aching nostalgia. Two years away from being fifty, I miss my childhood toys. My bunny, play pistols, Tonka toys, trucks and cars, rocket ships,…

I posted the idea for this blog on Facebook wanting some comments and asking if other authors had experienced rejection. My thanks to David Schlosser and Bob Dunbar who responded with an example each. I can't make up this stuff so I'll let them tell their short stories in their own words:…