FIRST RESPONDERS

This morning I had the privelage of watching a cavalcade of hundreds. First Responders and Motorcyclers headed for the PEACE ARCH Border Crossing to attend a Ceremony in honor of their comrades.
Tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat and a smile of pride in my heart. I took pictures to share with others. I know they can't convey the feelings that I had while I took them. But here they are anyways.

What you're seeing in the distance is the Canadian Customs Building and just before it is an arch created by two firetrucks with their ladders extended and a flag hanging from each.  The responder vehicles with lights flashing proceeded through the arch...  then the Canadians drove down the hill to park at the acutal PEACE ARCH where they met up with their American conterparts for a Ceremony to Honor All.

.
.
Inspiration.

An afternoon surrounded by writers, all of us listening to Bob Mayer.
Must turn off the internet now and write.

thanks Bob.
.
.

HELLO WORLD

well, what to say?

I'm finally finished all the craziness of school... what an experience. Eight months of immersion into a different world.

I loved the new perspectives I was exposed to and I look forward to watching the young people begin their new adventures.

It was hard for me to watch some doing things and making decisions that I was pretty sure were going to backfire on them.

But, at their ages I would not have thanked some nosy old lady for

her unsolicited advice... so I kept my opinions and advice to myself and tried to cheer on their enthusiasm and blind faith.

       For a few, well, I'm afraid they will have some serious bumps in their road and I hope there are only bruises, no breaks.

 For most, they have shiny futures with wonderful adventures to come.

              For me, I hope they will stay in touch...
                   maybe even let me be a surrogate old auntie...
                        you know, the one they can talk to...
                             laugh with... 
                                              and trust with their secrets.
`
`

2010 Grand Finale`

~
~
Wow, how lucky can a girl get!
Thank you so much to the "South West Florida Romance Writers" and your judges.
Winning the Romantic Suspense Category of Hold me! Thrill me! was a fabulous Christmas Present and yet another exclamation mark to add to a year that was one heck of a ride.

Welcome 2011... I'm ready to rock...

Happy New Year everyone!
~
~

writer wisdom & life wisdom

This morning, while browsing the blogs I follow, I came across some words of wisdom that I'd like to share with my friends.   So venturing forth, into the world of "links" ... check these out..
my first sale by Keri Ford, reminds me not to get lost in the rules and forget to have fun writing  and Deb Elise - From the happiest place on earth reminds me (in the words of Kermit) that

"Life's like a movie
Write your own ending
Keep believing, keep pretending"

On that note, with a smile on my face and a cat on my shoulder, I close this post and get back to my characters - to remind them that they are indeed.... having fun.
.
.

............

Merry Christmas Morning !

a day to REMEMBER

`
I wonder why now?
Why this year?
I've been conscious of the purpose of REMEMBRANCE DAY for about forty-five years.
I've made a conscious effort to think of the reasons behind those two-minutes of silence nearly every one of those years.
Yet this morning, as I watched the ceremonies from Ottawa, saw the faces of those who have served our country, I was moved.
Really moved.
And I wonder,
why now?

So from me,
 late, yet in time, 
to those who serve,
   have served,
     and will,
I say from my heart,
 for the first time,
                    THANK YOU.
.
.