My First Total Solar Eclipse

     So yesterday I saw my first total solar eclipse.

     When I first heard about it I thought it would be kind of nice to see, especially since we were so close to the totality area. But trying to make a trip to see this phenomenon at sort of the last minute seemed daunting.

     All the local hotels were booked solid so we started looking to just travel a little way from home for the viewing. Fortunately, we live only about an hour from totality so it should be easy, right?

     Well, two days before the event we started hearing about all the traffic coming into the eclipse area and we were worried that instead of seeing an eclipse, we'd see a parking lot, so  we seriously thought about staying home if we had no other choice. After all, 98 percent totality ought to be pretty good, right?

     But we decided to go for it. Who knows how much longer we'll live anyway, might as well try to see it.

     We got up early, packed a lunch and headed out expecting massive delays. But one thing we thought to do was take the back roads to our destination  and avoid the highway. Turns out that was the right move. We passed over the highway a couple of times and saw nearly bumper to bumper traffic while we were moving right along.

     We got to the park in Cornelia Georgia at 11:20 to see no crowds at all as we settled down to eat. Now, I gotta tell you that was a sweet experience!

     We hung around for a few hours, saw the spectacular eclipse then went home without a hitch.

     Everything worked out perfect and we couldn't have been happier.

     Now we can't wait to see the next one in 2024. Coincidentally, it's on my birthday April 8th. What a gift!

     Oh, and I gotta tell you, when it comes to eclipses never settle for less then 100 percent.

My Favorite Sweater

     They say that the first step to curing an addiction is to admit that you have a problem. Well, I have a problem with sweaters.

     Maybe it's because I'm always cold. Maybe it's because of my love affair with yarn. Whatever the case, I have an insane amount of sweaters.

     I have sweaters in yellow, red and purple. All colors of the rainbow. In fact, I even have a rainbow colored sweater. Thin sweaters, thick sweaters. Sweaters made with fine yarn and sweaters made with chunky yarn.

     I even make my own sweaters. Kind of sad, huh?

     I think one reason I love Fall so much is that I can finally wear my sweaters.

     It's kind of funny, though. My favorite sweater is really nothing special. It's second or maybe third hand. My mom gave it to me and I'm sure someone gave it to her.

     It's plain black with black buttons and the slub yarn it's made from makes it look like it's pilling badly. But it has pockets, and I'm crazy for pockets. It's exactly the right length, width and thickness. 

     When I'm sitting around the house getting cold, and that's a lot, it's the one I go for every time. 

     I'm not sure what I'll do when my sweater finally falls apart.  I've got plenty of back-up but they won't be the same.

     So here's to the old, worn, raggedy sweaters everywhere. Long may they live.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - A Review

     So, I just got around to watching the movie, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.  I know, but I've been busy.

    I read the book  by Ransom Riggs long before they thought about making a movie out of it. You know, quite often when you read the book first and then you see the movie it's such a disappointment. They put some things in the movie that didn't happen or happened to another character or my favorite, they leave out crucial information. When they do that, you spend an extra 10 minutes of valuable movie time trying to explain to everyone why such and such happened.

      I can say that for this particular interpretation, some of that happened but not so much that it  interrupted the enjoyment of the movie. Using special effects to show how they live everyday over again really helps to pull you into the fantasy. I found it at once fascinating and frightening.

     Actress Eva Green plays a convincing Miss Peregrine, totally devoted to the care of the children in her charge. A nice thing to see in a world that can make children feel insecure.

     When Miss Peregrine, the caretaker herself, needs help the children are empowered to step in showing that you're never to young to help in some way. That's a nice lesson taught.

     Now, this is a children's movie and it will get them emotionally involved and it might frighten some but all in all a fine experience for the whole family.

     The movie didn't seem to leave itself open to a sequel, but Ransom Riggs wrote many books in the series that are well worth checking out.


      

Terry Prachett, My Favorite Author

     So, people ask me, T. L., who's your favorite author? OK, so nobody's really asked me yet, but if they do I'm ready.
     I used to say that my favorite author was Stephen King because back in the 70's I read Salem's Lot and after that I believed in vampires. In fact, for almost a year I wouldn't look out my bedroom window after dark for fear I'd see Kurt Barlow staring back at me.
     For the next few years I read everything I could get from Mr. King and while he's very good at putting the fear of imaginary monsters in me, he really doesn't have a sense of humor (although, his writings were the first place I'd ever heard the saying Jesus H. Christ in a sidecar, irreverent, but funny). 
     Now I've got to say, that Terry Prachett is probably my favorite writer.  For one, he's got a great name and the right initials. TP, get it?
     I was hooked right from the start by "The Colour of Magic" I can completely identify with Rincewind, the failed magician who seems to be his own worst enemy.
     Mr. Prachett makes me suspend disbelief and as a result, I  can believe in the discworld.  His acerbic sense of humor is understated which makes it all the more hilarious.
     I'm pretty sure at this time, I've read all of Mr. Prachett's books and if I haven't it's not for lack of trying. I've purchaed his books at book stores, half.com, amazon and checked them out at the library.
     There's nothing better on a rainy day then curling up with Terry Prachett, so to speak.
     My favorite Terry Prachett character? The uberwitch, Granny Weatherwax. Now there's a character study!
     No doubt, Mr. Prachett is greatly missed by all of his many fans and it makes me sad to know that the world has lost such a fine soul just when we really need a good laugh.
     Now tell me why you love Terry Prachett and who your favorite character is.

Find my book here! 

I am published!

 

OK, boys and girls! My book has been on Amazon for a little over a month now.

I've already sold three e books and six paperbacks, so of course I'm planning my retirement.

Now I've got to tell you, writing can be difficult. Sometimes I think I'd rather be digging a ditch because it would be easier. But what's even worse is marketing.

How to let the world know that it's spawned another Hemingway? OK, just kidding, really. I read articles on marketing and my mind just goes blank. Although, admittedly, it does the same thing when I read my grocery list.

So if anybody out there can give me some marketing tips for writers, I'd be grateful.

Find my book here!