I broke the 50K NaNoWriMo barrier today .....

Today I am very happy because I broke the 50K NaNoWriMo barrier.  My word count is now 51,293.

Of course I will continue writing but now I can relax, take more time, and maybe even have some time to read what I have so far written; maybe even start a little bit of editing.

I am enjoying the writing of Moose Road.  I hope readers will enjoy the story.  It is about a tragic accident that takes place five days before Christmas on Moose Road between a school bus and a snow plow.  The story is going to be, in many respects, a character study of each of the members of the seven families whose farms line Moose Road. The story will bring alive how each individual is impacted by this tragedy.

And who is to blame?  At the Hearing everyone will have an opinion as to who is at fault but perhaps it will be the story of Moose Road itself  that will come closest to the pure truth of the matter.

And now back to  the writing.  :-)

cover design by Susan Ruby K. of Yuneekpix.com

 

By the way, more good news to share.  I now have only two copies left of my most recent novel titled Ellen and The Hummingtree. 

If you wish to  have one of these copies please email me.

 

Come visit me on Facebook.  You will find me at http://www.facebook.com/audreyaustinca

Only three copies left ....

Susan and I want to say thank you to all who have purchased a copy of Ellen and The Hummingtree.   "Ellen" is my third novel and it is Susan's first time to not only do the cover design but also beautiful illustrations throughout the book.  You can check out her website at Yuneekpix.com    She says she enjoyed doing the illustrations for "Ellen" and now she looks forward to doing the same for other authors.  Check out her work.  You will be impressed as I am at the quality and beauty of her art.

I now have only three copies left of "Ellen".  If you would like one of these copies to be yours please email me.

Moose Road -- is my National Novel Writing Month adventure ...

 

Thanks to Susan Ruby K. of

Yuneekpix.com  for the cover design.

 

 

At this time my word count for NaNoWriMo  is 43,510.

 

I hope to reach the 50,000 word goal by November 25th.

 

Once I have submitted my manuscript to NaNo

I will get busy on completing the story

and then will start my first rewrite.

 

If all goes well, Moose Road  will be ready for its

 

Elliot Lake launch

 

fall of 2013.

National Novel Writing Month ...

My current word count in NaNoWriMo is 43,510.

I'm feeling more confident that I will reach the 50,000 mark before month end so long as life behaves itself and doesn't get too much in my way.

Moose Road is really intriguing me now.  Once November is past I look forward to continuing with the writing and I just may have another novel  on my hands.  It will be fun to celebrate another launch.

Good luck to all the Nano participants.

Some feedback from readers of Ellen and The Hummingtree ....

From a reader of Ellen:

 

Dear Audrey...

I attended your book launch of Ellen. I'm writing to let you know I have finished reading the book and wanted to say that it was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I have cried over many movies but never cried after reading a book, which I did after getting to the end of Ellen. The book stirred a lot of emotion and gave me a new perspective on a lot of issues. My intuition tells me that your heart and experiences are blended in this book.

Thank you for putting the words to paper that allow us to see in our minds, a vivid picture of a journey through life.

A new fan,

Brenda

P.S. I am truly looking forward to Moose Road.

 

   Thank you, Brenda.

 

 

 

And from another reader:

Audrey –I am almost finished with Ellen, but I realize that if people like you and I lived in New York and put out books like this, we would be on a best sellers’ list. I say you and I because when I am reading your material, I feel myself embedded in the content. I think we must have similar roots, or learned our trade from similar mentors. We tell it like it is, no flowery prose, just plain good writing and it shows when I grab one of your books. It becomes addictive. Ellen has accompanied me to many places in the past few days--to our gig Saturday night, to my friend’s chicken coop yesterday, to baking a raspberry square last night, to supper out, to the front seat of my car propped open so I can grab a sentence here and there, while driving, to bed and to other places you and I both know most people use as reading rooms…

Ellen is every woman my age who is facing old age and being forgotten, regretting some choices, who sometimes feels abandoned, and who is carried through life by the strong forces of faith. Thank you Audrey for writing this book. I suspect there is a bit of ‘based on a true story’ within the covers. The illustrations are gorgeous. I must tap into my artist kid and see what transpires in my next book (after the collapse one) which is ‘Thought You’d like to Know: Letters from Mother’

And thank you again for keeping me in good stuff to read.

Gloria

     Thank you, Gloria.


And from another reader:

Audrey,
I couldn't put your book down, it was very moving, I was in tears during the final chapter. If I didn't know better I would say that the author really experienced those final years. You sure painted a picture.

Hugs

Goldie.

     Thank you, Goldie.


And from another:

What a book WOW> you really did a superb job and I hope with all my heart that you sell many copies.

I want to thank you for dedicating this book to me.

I particularly enjoyed Chapter 6 “Bear with Me” and Chapter 7 “Carpenter”. All the other chapters were excellent as well but when I got to Ch 11 “Lost and Found”, after travelling all the way to Toronto for her big prize only to find that she left her purse on the bus and went back to retrieve it and could not be found. I felt sorry for her but I had to laugh because of how they had to walk all the way back to the bus terminal to hopefully find it. It brought back memories of when Anne and I were in Scotland I left my Camera at the Bank. I walked and ran all the way back and poor Anne could hardly keep up to me and I was fortunate enough to be able to retrieve it , we laughed and laughed. I wish Ellen would have been able to retrieve her purse but apparently that windfall was just not meant for her eh!

Then in Ch. 13 “Just a Sliver” as Ellen and her cousin Marielle were trying to get a bottle of whiskey to put in the meat pies, all the antics they had to go through to retrieve that bottle was so funny I laughed until I cried believe me. At least that one came out good as they did win the prize lol.

When I read Ch. 16 “I Need You to Remember Me”, it was so sad and you did an excellent job of showing how in the end Alzheimer’s effects people and I thought to myself as I was
reading it “I sure hope I don’t end up like that” but we never know do we? The scary part is that it can affect anyone no matter how bright and alert they may be as Ellen was sure very bright and alert.

The ending was excellent in that because of her strong faith in God she got her prayers answered in that she wanted to go home so badly so went to her Heavenly Home. Yes Audrey, it was a great read and I congratulate you on a job well done.

Eleanor.

             Thank you, Eleanor.


And from another reader:

Hi Audrey I finished reading your book this afternoon and TOTALLY enjoyed it. Had me in tears when she passed away, I didn't want her to leave. :(
Sue Grieves.

   Thank you, Sue. :-)

And from another reader:

Hi Audrey

Thank you for Ellen she did indeed become a good friend as you knew she would, You my friend, put your soul out there, I feel I know you better then ever after reading, your beautiful book. You captured the dementia right on, and when Ellen passed, it was as if you had been in the room with Mother, myself and my brother. You put a soul into this book, it not only was a spirit it was alive. Keep up your writing I feel you write more than words you make your characters real.
Love and Hugs, Marleen Reid.

* Thank you, Marleen ♥
 

 

Ellen and The Hummingtree has sold out. Thank you to everyone for your wonderful feedback, reviews, support and encouragement.  Much appreciated.  :-)

 

And from another reader:

 

Hi Audrey
Just finished reading your newest book. I find that it is your best one yet. What insight you have. This is a book that should be read by everyone. It helps appreciate that what goes on in a person's heart is not always what is perceived to go on by others. It also shows you how your faith can keep you afloat. I could go on and on but mostly want to thank you for the enjoyment your book has given me.

Lise



 

NaNoWriMo ...

Because of my time spent preparing for and celebrating the Elliot Lake launch of Ellen and The Hummingtree I've had no opportunity since Friday to work on Moose Road for NaNoWriMo.

But I will be back to work on the manuscript tomorrow.  My current word count is 31,352.  I am confident I will reach the required 50,000 words before month's end.

Of course there will be a couple of small delays or detours.  One of these is the Canada Writes competition which I will be entering this week.  Another is the usual monthly writing competition, WynLit 24, on the weekend of November 24th, offered by Wynterblue Publishing Canada.

Since Ellen's launch I am left with only seven copies of the book in paperback format.  If you would like a copy please do get in touch soon by email.  Thanks.

As for my other books I believe I have maybe three copies left of The Silent Star plus a Dozen; maybe a dozen copies of  Reawakening  and I have I think seven or eight copies of Sara, a Canadian Saga.   Contact me if you would like to have one or more of these books.

Books make excellent Christmas gifts.

For those of you who prefer E-books The Silent Star plus a Dozen; Reawakening and Sara, a Canadian Saga are published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada and are available on Amazon.com

Once the few copies I have left of Ellen and The Hummingtree are sold, it will soon afterward be made available as an Ebook also on Amazon.com

Those of you who know me, know that writing is my joy.

Check out my author page on Facebook  You will also find me on Linked in; Pinterest and Twitter.

For those of you who are also participating in NaNoWriMo -- let the ink flow!

Some photos taken at the Elliot Lake launch of Ellen and The Hummingtree ..

 

Thanks to all who attended Ellen's launch.

 

Taken during the reading -- Susan and I

read excerpt from Chapter 13, "Just a Sliver"

 

Thanks to Mayor Rick Hamilton for

conducting the draw &

congrats to Todd Sterling for winning the book

and congrats to the 4 poster winners

Before everyone arrived Brian

was preparing to make a DVD

which I hope to post on Youtube

if I can figure out how to do that.

 

 

 

My beautiful friend, Wendy and me

 

Susan and me at book signing

 

To all who bought a book thank you

and we hope you enjoy the

story and also the illustrations by Susan.

We all love Lucy :-) 

Lots of book signing -- thank you for

all the sales.

Only a very few copies of

Ellen and The Hummingtree  are left.

Email me if you wish to buy your copy.

The Elliot Lake launch of Ellen and The Hummingtree was a great success ...

The Elliot Lake Launch of Ellen and The Hummingtree which took place this afternoon in the Gallery at The Centre was a great success.

Susan and I extend a big thank you to all who attended and purchased books.   I hope you will enjoy Ellen's story.

There was a great turnout today. Susan and I enjoyed reading an excerpt from Chapter 13 of the book titled "Just a Sliver."

Thank you to Mayor Rick Hamilton for honouring us with his presence and for conducting the draw. Congratulations to Todd Sterling who won a copy of Ellen and congrats to the four who won an Ellen poster in the draw.

A special thank you to Paul Gandhi, ARIEL representative, for all his hard work and the wonderful job he did of setting up the table and the chairs for all who attended.  

And thank you to my friend Jane Rowan for her kind introduction.

I have  just a very few copies left of Ellen and The Hummingtree.  If you are interested in buying your copy I am just an email away.

Brian had the camera rolling throughout a half hour of our gathering........ if I can figure out how to do it, I will get the DVD on  Youtube so that we can share the experience with you.   If I cannot figure out how to do it I will call on a good friend (and she knows who she is) to come on over and show this technically challenged person where I am going wrong. 

It was a wonderful afternoon in the beautiful Art Gallery at the Centre.  Thanks again to all who attended to welcome the arrival of Ellen and The Hummingtree.

Cover design and illustrations throughout

by Susan Ruby K. of Yuneekpix.com

Ellen and The Hummingtree -- book launch

The book launch of Ellen and The Hummingtree is now just a day away.

You are all invited to the celebration taking place tomorrow, Saturday, November 10th at 1 pm in the Gallery at The Centre, Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre, Hwy. 108, Elliot Lake.

Susan, the illustrator, will be there along with me.  We will be reading an excerpt from a chapter of Ellen and afterward there will be book signing.

There is a draw tomorrow too and someone is going home with a free book.

We hope to see you there.

Four's a Crowd .. a teen novel by Maria Bradley

Hi Audrey,

My first book arrived today and will be available to buy soon on Amazon. I have

attached excerpts from the book, the cover graphic and a photo of myself in

the hope that I can still post it on your blog.

I wasn't really sure of the right excerpts to give you so please put on what you see fit.

I decided on when the three first met and an excerpt from an entity the teenagers

encountered in the story.

Thanks so much for even considering my book to be part of your blog.

Kind regards

Maria Bradley.

FOUR’S A CROWD by Maria Bradley

Excerpt from Chapter One 

The strangest thing was happening to Jack, an unfamiliar bubble rose from his stomach to his mouth and he started to laugh. The man’s accent was upper class, like he'd just arrived from an English tea party and his tone implied that Jack was responsible for the condition he found himself in now. This, coupled with the old donkey jacket he was wearing, his hair on end and the newspaper stuck to his sweating skin was hilarious to Jack.  

 ‘You're like, the poshest person that I've ever met in the gutter!’ 

 ’I young man, am a...?’ the stranger couldn’t continue with his retort as he had just caught sight of himself in the water and as he tried to stand, he too felt the rise of laughter bubble in his throat and join with Jack's. As it subsided, he held out his hand,

 ‘My name is Chairman and I'm delighted to meet you sir.’ 

 ’Oh eh I’m Jack’ 

 Jack didn’t return the handshake; there was usually a price to pay when someone was being nice to him. Chairman squinted at Jack, a question in his eyes,

 ‘Have we met?’

Excerpt from Chapter two 

One day, as they were scouring the canal bank for papers, rags or anything at all they might find useful they heard an altercation. 

 ‘Get your bloody hands off me you perv', I'll get my da on you so I will and he'll break your legs, I'm telling ya!!’ 

Chairman and Jack ran towards the voice and into the wooded area to find a young girl fighting off a full grown man as he attempted to drag her further away from the road. Jack was frozen, not so, Chairman as he pulled his coat off and took the stance of a Ninja Warrior. The man, nonplussed by their sudden appearance was open mouthed as he received a swift kick to the back of his knees from his captive and a karate chop to the neck from Chairman. As he fell back, Jack found his courage and picked up a branch, ran to him and proceeded to beat him about the head with it. The man crawled away in defeat shouting oaths to all three of them. After catching her breath the young girl turned to her rescuers,

‘Sweet Jaysus that was brilliant, you're like Jackie Chan and that other fella!  I thought my number was up, t’ank you, t’ank you so much!!’ 

‘I'm Sky Finnegan I t’ink, I mean I'm Sky sumat’, I'm not really sure who my da is but I'm damn sure it wasn’t him!’ She pointed in the direction of her attackers escape. She was flushed red with relief and receiving no reply from her new Knights without armour, she continued talking until finally it was Jack that found his voice first.  

‘Who was that man?’  

‘So you can speak, I was beginning to t’ink you were foreign or just dumb! I told you, I dunno who he is, he was hanging round our camp and followed me when I came here to collect me 'erbs and stuff for the market. Who are you two then?’ 

Jack had exhausted his own social skills with the one sentence and he turned to Chairman to take over. Chairman, uncharacteristically silent, was still staring into space desperately trying to catch the vague memory hovering in his mind. 

‘I know Karate’ he announced, almost to himself; ‘how do I know Karate?’ 

‘Sweet Jaysus fella, you talk like the ruddy queen!’ answered Sky and exploded into laughter. Chairman snapped out of his memory, focused on Sky and in his most charming manner said, 

‘I’m absolutely positive that I am related to that fine lady, as I am positive that you yourself must be a princess!’ 

He bowed, picked up her right hand and dropped a light kiss on the back of it as if she was indeed royalty. ‘Cut the crap Mr,’ Sky giggled ‘I’m more likely related to those ducks than I am to royalty!’

Excerpt from chapter Nine 

Jack, by now, was sliding along the laminate floor like a snake, obviously in pursuit of something she still couldn’t see.  There was nothing she could do but stay quiet and wait.

Jack had a very different view.  From the second he reached the bottom of the stairs he saw a mass of silvery black smoke moving slowly around the room like a living shadow.  It had no determinable shape as it slithered and slid round every object in the room. 

There was a strange smell he could only compare to singed clothes or burnt wood.  It was part of the shadow and tainted everywhere it touched. There was emptiness, loss and evil weighing down Jack's heart as he felt the aura radiating from the shadow. It was all he could do, not to turn tail and run. But no, there was Sky to worry about so he continued to crawl underneath it as it glided over his head towards the computer.

Whatever it was seemed only aware of the objects it was examining and Jack was able to slide under the computer table unnoticed. 

The computer suddenly switched on and Jack heard Sky gasp behind him. What to do?  He couldn’t hit a shadow over the head with a baseball bat now could he? It had no head!

He could hear the keyboard being pressed and knew he had to do something before it accessed Jeannie's private documents. She may have sent all the information they had given Barbara Edmundson to her own computer.  

He banged underneath the table as hard as as he could hoping the shock would make the thing shoot off through the wall or something. The typing stopped but that was all. He remained still for a second, uncertain what to do next.  Dare he get up and see if it was gone?  No, it was still there, he could feel it.  He wrinkled his nose, the whole room smelt like the stale, charred aroma of the day after bonfire night. He slowly edged his way upwards until he could see over the computer table.  It was there, spread over the keys like an oil slick but it wasn’t moving.

 Author:  Maria Bradley

 

 

Ellen and The Hummingtree book launch ...

Here is the second review I have received from a reader of my most recent novel titled Ellen and The Hummingtree .

  From Goldie Luckey  6th November 20:08

 Audrey,
I couldn't put your book down, it was very moving, I was in tears during the final chapter. If I didn't know better I would say that the author really experienced those final years. You sure painted a picture. Hugs

Thank you so much, Goldie.  I am glad you enjoyed Ellen and The Hummingtree.

The book launch is not far off now and I'm sorry you can't be here for it, Goldie.

It is happening 1 pm on Saturday, November 10th in the Gallery at The Centre, Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre, Hwy. 108, Elliot Lake.

Everyone is invited.   Susan and I are very excited about this launch and look forward to seeing our friends Saturday afternoon.

There will be a draw for a free book after our reading and before the book signing.

 

Hope to see you there!  :-)

 

An excerpt from Christina D. Jauss ..

The following is an excerpt submitted to me by a fellow author; one who is sharing the NaNoWriMo experience.  Thank you for sharing, Christina, and I wish you the best of luck.  :-) 

We watched what would be one of the last sunrises, my grandmother would ever get to enjoy in my presence. I was both hurt and and angry at her, and I felt guilty about it. Guilt, if that was in fact what I was feeling, was such a small word compared to what I was going through that very moment.

I sat there for a bit longer sorting out my emotions, I looked deep within myself, tried to find and sort that certain emotion that was too big to even name. But at the same time how could she do this to us?

I kept quiet on the outside, but on the inside I was screaming at her, screaming at her for what she was doing. Who in their right mind, does not accept treatments when you're about to die and you have people depending on you. How could you just want to give up so easily?

I started to get up when I felt my grandmother put her hand on my knee, I looked down at her wrinkled hands, hands that were tired and ready to give up. I placed my warm hand on top of hers.

“Danica, promise me that no matter how hard life gets, and how much trouble comes knocking at your door, that you will never give up.” She asked of me, as tears spilled over and her voice became barely a whisper.

I saw the desperation in her eyes, a sharp pain tore through my chest going straight for the heart.

“Grandma, please, please stop talking like this.” I told her, “Everything is going to be okay.”

I had to at least try and stay positive if even for my own sanity. Being optimistic was all I had going for me in this situation.

Grandmother shook her head, “No honey it's not!” She cried, “I'm going to die and there is nothing I can do about it.”

“Treatment grandma, do more treatments for Sam, the baby and I, we need you.”

“No, no more treatments, they are not working, Dr. Allan says my body won't handle the chemo!”

I stared down at the ground, listening as my grandmother continued to talk. Well half listening once again my mind was somewhere else, some place I liked to go when life was just too much to handle.

My room, staring at my momma's photo, her smile always put me at peace.

She let out a breath, “You have a good head on your shoulders, Danica, you will do right by this baby, I just know you will.”

I hesitated, my voice small and unsure of making any more promises, “I will, I promise.”

A tired smile curled her lips as she squeezed my hand with hers, then she stood up leaving me there alone sitting on the porch swing.

Tears trickled down my throat, burning to get out, “ I love you grandma.” I whispered.

My Little Luna...

Written By Christina D. Jauss

(Excerpt)

26,768 is my current word count for NaNoWriMo.  It's a bigger challenge than I ever thought it would be.

The biggest problem is keeping focused.  Something called life keeps doing its best to interrupt the ink flow.

But I will be back at it tomorrow.  Hopefully I will have a few hours free to devote to creative writing.    My novel is called Moose Road.  It will, I think, contain eighteen chapters.  At least that is the plan. 

Many characters tell their story on Moose Road but perhaps the one who comes closest to telling the truth about what happened is the road itself.  :-)

Anyway I am starting on Chapter eleven tomorrow so I feel I am just a little bit more than half-way home.   I do hope to have completed at least 50000 words by month's end.

The exciting news is that now the book launch of Ellen and The Hummingtree  is only four days away.

You are invited to join us at 1 pm, Saturday, November 10th, in the Gallery at The Centre; Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre, Hwy 108, Elliot Lake.  Perhaps you will be the lucky one to win a free copy of my third  novel which is my first collaboration with Susan Ruby K. of Yuneekpix.com who has not only designed the book's cover but also has created beautiful illustrations throughout the book

Susan and I will both be there.  We will be reading the dialogue from one of the chapters of Ellen.  After the reading there will be a book signing.

Hope to see you there.

NaNoWriMo ... and more ......

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!   We have stocked up on treats for the ghosts and goblins who will hopefully have reasonable weather to enjoy Hallowe'en night's trick or treating.

Tomorrow is November 1st and for the first time I am registered for NaNoWriMo -- which is an acronym for the National Novel Writing Month.

It is my hope that during the next 30 days I will find my way to writing 50,000 words that will have some semblance of connection and make some iota of sense; good or otherwise.

To my knowledge I am the only writer in my small town of Elliot Lake to be registered.

If you are also participating, get in touch.  Perhaps we can encourage each other in this madness.

This morning I wrote two poems; one for the purpose of Creative Connections 3 in which I am collaborating with artist, Susan Ruby K., to make presentation

The second poem is prepared for presentation at the annual Elliot Lake Christmas Concert which I know will be a lot of fun again this year.

And, of course, the most exciting news of all at this time for me is the upcoming Elliot Lake launch of my third novel titled Ellen and The Hummingtree.   This launch is taking place the afternoon of Saturday, November 10th at 1 pm in the Gallery at the Centre, Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre.

You are invited and I hope you can attend.  Susan and I will be reading an excerpt from Ellen and The Hummingtree after which we will have a book signing.

There will be a draw and some lucky person will win a free copy of the book

 My first review of "Ellen and The Hummingtree"

 

 

"I received your most welcome enjoyable, well written, book about Ellen and the

Hummingtree on Wednesday. I finished the last chapter early this morning. What a book

 WOW! You really did a superb job and I hope with all my heart that you sell many copies.

I particularly enjoyed Chapter 6 “Bear with Me” and Chapter 7 “Carpenter”. All the other

 chapters were excellent as well but when I got to Ch 11 “Lost and Found”, after travelling

all the way to Toronto for her big prize only to find that she left her purse on the bus and

 went back to retrieve it and could not be found. I felt sorry for her but I had to laugh because

 of how they had to walk all the way back to the bus terminal to hopefully find it.  I wish Ellen

 would have been able to retrieve her purse but apparently that windfall was just not meant

for her eh!

Then in Ch. 13 “Just a Sliver” as Ellen and her cousin Marielle were trying to get a bottle of

 whiskey to put in the meat pies, all the antics they had to go through to retrieve that bottle

 was so funny I laughed until I cried believe me. At least that one came out good as they

 did win the prize lol.

When I read Ch. 16 “I Need You to Remember Me”, it was so sad and you did an excellent

job of showing how in the end Alzheimer’s effects people and I thought to myself as I was

  reading it “I sure hope I don’t end up like that” but we never know do we? The scary part is

 that it can affect anyone no matter how bright and alert they may be as Ellen was sure very

 bright and alert.

The ending was excellent in that because of her strong faith in God she got her prayers

  answered in that she wanted to go home so badly so went to her Heavenly Home. Yes

 Audrey, it was a great read and I congratulate you on a job well done"

 

 

Thank you for your review, Eleanor, and I am so pleased that you enjoyed

 "Ellen and The Hummingtree."

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you .

Thank you to new friends who are now following Calling All Writers.

It is a pleasure to meet you and to share with you.

Creative Connections 3

This afternoon I will attend the first planning meeting for Creative Connections 3.

I am happy to be collaborating with my daughter, Susan Ruby K., who is an amazing artist.  Together we will prepare an offering for the upcoming Exhibition.

Writers and visual artists come together to collaborate and create.

This will be the third year I have participated.  The first year I partnered with my daughter, Christine, who is also a visual artist.  The second year I partnered with the daughter of a friend.  This partner was a young, talented university student and I learned much as we worked together and prepared our offering.

This year again I am keeping it in the family -- I look forward to this new adventure.

What a great meeting with a good turnout.   Susan and I have decided on "A Cold Call" --  I think for this I will write a poem. 

While You Were Sleeping ....

Today my short story titled While You Were Sleeping is featured on-line at http://CommuterLit.com  

Hope you enjoy the story.  I had fun writing it.  :-)

The "counter" on my blog ....

I am a little ticked because the counter which was on this page indicated that more than 18,200 hits had taken place.

Somehow, and I have no idea how, the counter today showed that 1 (one) person had viewed this site.

I could not find a way to get the earlier numbers back so I then deleted the counter altogether.

After much thought I have decided this evening that I will reinstate a counter with the number zero and I will consider this the start of something new.

Together we will watch the numbers climb again.

I don't mind admitting that now I feel more than a little foolish.  When I once again installed the "counter" I was surprised to see that my count of now over 18,400 has been returned ...... technology is not my forte ... I am just happy to be feeling foolish if it means I have the count back. :-)