Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Crazy Week. What Else?

Tonight I covered a cruise night for a special motoring section for the Joliet Bugle. Tomorrow it's a "Back to School" fair for homeless children for the Herald News.

I've also hijacked WriteOn Joliet tomorrow night to share examples from all three BryonySeries books (meaning a sneek peak into Staked!) on common writerly snags: scene-building, character development, wordiness, etc.

And that's in and among the other stories with phone interviews. Totally swamped this week and working all day again Saturday with a printer's broken still and no budget for repair.

Still, I'm hoping to get some fiction accomplished, as I have some outlines for some spin-off BryonySeries books. Ah, now I've got your attention, haven't I?

Signing off, vampire fans. Tomorrow morning comes all too quickly.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

I'm Baaaaaaaaack! (Wanna Know What I've Been Doin'?)

For one, internet 'round Unland Manor been spotty (bad router but under warranty), which has greatly slowed down meeting my "real" work deadlines, must less the funsie stuff (blogs, fiction, etc).

For two, my printer died, necessitating multiple walks to the local library to print out notes, emails, etc.

For three, we resolved the ISBN issues for the official edition of Visage (I can hear the "Hurrahs!" and gasps of "Finally!" all the way over here). Sarah Stegall, Bryony's online administrator emeritus, fixed any lingering formatting issues, most of them dealing interior art.

Now all that's required is for Rebekah Baran, Sarah's assisant, to complete the setup for Amazon.Then Visage will go "live," and I'll order copies. Right now, Rebekah is struggling under the weight of college rhetoric (and some annoyance toward me for "suggesting" she take the class over the summer), so it might be Friday before she accomplishes it.

After five drafts, Christopher Gleason, the artist for both the cover and interior art for Staked!, feels he finally has nailed the ideal cover concept. Christopher, if you recall, designed the cover for the holiday edition of Visage. Christopher plans to complete the art for Staked! by mid-September, so hopefully, we can post "sneak peeks" on the Bryony Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

Finally, Timothy Baran came home on Thursday bearing ribbons and trophies, so we spent some time listening to his recap of Las Vegas adventures.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/21612083-418/joliet-junior-college-chefs-win-championships-again.html

And now, back to my regularly scheduled and not yet completed, work....

 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Apple Ice. It Doesn't Get Simpler Than This.

   Clutching her skirts, Melissa stalked away. Several older ladies from church were discussing the latest corsets, so Melissa decided to join them. Henry Matthews, plate in hand, followed like an obedient puppy. He placed her food before her, sat beside her, and offered a glass. “I brought you an ice.”
   With a frustrated sigh, Melissa accepted it, took a taste, then pointed her spoon at his nose.
   “Can’t you take a hint?”

Bryony, Chapter 21: Fetes and Feasts


Below is the recipe for that wonderful ice Henry brought Melissa, first published 1850 in Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy and now featured in Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."
 
All proceeds from this companion cookbook to Bryony are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (www.bbbswillgrundy.org).
 
 
 
 
 
Apple Ice

Finely flavored apples, grated

Sugar, to make them very sweet

 Freeze and serve.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Do You Know When Gatorade and Zinc Oxide Are Not Enough?

When the heat index is 107!!!

Yes, deranged power walker that I am, I wound up with heat exhaustion Friday, and it's my own stupid fault.

With the soaring temperatures and humidty, I've really tried getting my walk out of the way first thing in the morning, but we all know how THAT can go.

Some days, the early mornings are just so busy that walks gets delayed until mid to late morning. Since I'm allergic to the sun and dehydrate very easily (as I sweat very little), I'm generally very cautious about pushing it in the sun.

Until this year.

The wonderful white goopy mixture of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide I plaster all over my skin before leaving the house has meant absolutely NO hiving, burning, welting, blistering etc., for the first time in several decades. Plus, I've found that crossing back to the house for Gatorade (Fierce Grape, what else?) I've not been plagued with tortuous foot cramps this year, either.

In fact, I've done so well, I've forgotten to be cautious. And therein lies my foolishess.

On Friday, I missed the morning walk due to end of the week deadlines and needing to accompany a cardiologist appointment with one of my sons. By mid-afternooon, with the most presssing deadlines out of the way, I decided to reward myself with a walk. It was already three o'clock; weren't the hours between ten a.m. and two p.m. considered the most dangerous?

Armed with the delusion that it was now safe for race-walking, I made sure I had a large bottle of Gatorade chilling in the refrigerator, gooped myself up, drank down a couple of glasses of water, grabbed head phones and bounded out the door.

By the time I'd rounded the first block, I was feeling the intense heat and briefly--and only briefly--wondered if I ought to turn back (I hear the choruses of "YES!!!" all the way here).

Instead, I rounded back to the house after twenty minutes, sprayed myself with water, guzzled some of the Gatorade and a big glass of water, and dashed back out the door.

I repeated this twice more (as the water quickly evaporated) and at the end of the hour (I usually walk ninety minutes), my surroundings suddenly became surreal. At first I decided I simply needed more fluids, but when home seemed very far away and hard to find, I decided to call it quits. As I stepped into the air conditioned house, my cell phone rang.

It was a friend who had been tried really hard to remove an ink stain from one of Timothy's chef coats. He, along with the rest of the Joliet Junior College's culinary competition team, are competing for the national title this week in Las Vegas. If the stain could have been removed, Timothy could have taken three chef coats with him. Unfortunately, that was not to be.

As my friend talked, and as I tried to babble out something sounding halfway coherent in response, I doused myself with water from the kitchen sprayer, polished off the rest of the Gatorade, and then began madly gulping water. I was dizzy, shaky, tingly, and just could not cool down. I said some hurried goodbyes (I think) and started drenching cloths and laying them over me. Rebekah suggested a cool shower, but I was afraid I might actually pass out in there.

It took two hours for the redness to leave my skin. I was somewhat rational by the time Fr. Joseph arrived for a Typica service (as Timothy was flying out Sunday morning, this Communion service acceptably replaced Sunday's Divine Liturgy).

By bedtime (no Friday Fiction for me, as I had two stories to cover the next day), the shakiness and tingling had diminished. I mostly felt spaced out, dizzy, and tired, and those feelings were still present the next morning.

By the time I left to cover the first event--a powwow--I had drunk over a gallon of water and was starting to improve. En route, I drank a quart of Gatorade. At the event, I drank two water bottles.

Then, because the newspaper wanted the story by five o'clock, I cancelled my attendance at the second event and arranged to obtain the information electronically and via phone.

Sunday morning, I was almost back to normal. It was cooler, so I took my customary walk. That fatigued me enough for a nap. After the nap, the ol' Denise had returned. I spent the rest of the day working.

This morning, I was out the door at eight o'clock, later than I wanted but still acceptable for my purposes. Hopefully, I have learned my lesson.

Hopefully.

 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

It took a Few Years, But....

Rebekah and I finally made it through the entire series of the Twilight movies. Painful as it was, we watched the second Breaking Dawn tonight.

Ironically, I was the first one to become intrigued with the books. After, "teen girl falls in love with a vampire" sounded like a good idea right? I remember reading a blurb about it one humid Friday afternoon in the distribution center while Rebekah and I were stuffing Sun Times Sunday inserts.

At the time, I had just grown serious about writing Bryony. Deflated, I plopped onto a work station thinking, "What a good idea. I should have written it." And then I stopped writing mine.

A couple months later, Rebekah came home with Twilight from the library. She wanted to read it in preparation for the release of the first movie. I latched onto the book and immediately knew two things: I didn't like it, and it wasn't my story. I returned to Bryony with enthusiastic fervor.

The trailer for Twilight looked okay, so I had higher hopes for the movie. I took Rebekah and one of her friends to see it; Timothy and Daniel, being good sports and laboring under the delusion Twilight was a real vampire movie, accompanied us.

The girls sat close to the screen. Timothy and I sat farther back, and Daniel had taken refuge in some remote part of the theater. As Edward was about to reveal the true reason why vampires could not tolerate sun, Timothy and I held our breaths and leaned forward. Now, we both thought, comes the gore.

Instead, we saw sparkles and heard Daniel's voice ring out, "Oh! My! God!"

Brothers have a way of keeping it real. And so do mothers writing "real" vampire stories.

For Rebekah and her best friend loved all the books and read (and re-read) them. So, I tried introducing her to vampire stories I loved.

No dice.

I enumerated all the ways the Twilight vampires didn't count as real vampire.

No dice again.

I asked her opinion on an early draft of Bryony. She loved it and couldn't wait until I could deliver a draft of Visage. Still, Rebekah persisted in her love for all things Twilight.

New Moon didn't far much better. Again, Timothy and Daniel accompanied us (Glutton for punishment?). Halfway through Eclipse, Rebekah grew bored and began playing games on her phone.

"Ah, no," I told her. "It's your turn to suffer." And I took away the phone.

And suffer she did, for I made her sit through both Breaking Dawn movies, as payback for having to sleep several years under the torture of Twilight posters hung all around the attic bedroom we sort of share.

 Granted we didn't waste any money on these last two movies at the theater (thank goodness) because we watched them on her laptop at whatever site she found that carried them.

We endured number one last fall; the showing of number two tonight concludes the series. The Twilight posters have long since come down, and Rebekah has developed a taste (so to speak) for real literature (although she still loves her manga).

She is no longer a fan of the series, as she is longer a teen girl. Rebekah will turn twenty in January. Even though we ended the adventure sharing the same opinion, the victory doesn't seem quite so victorious.

 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

The "Bryony" Cookbook Recipe the Kids Made at Last Night's Signing

The only exception, is that Timothy Baran taught them how to whip their own cream.

Remember, all profits of Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony" are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (www.bbbswillgrundy.org).

Also, 30 percent of copies of Bryony and Visage (still the holiday edition until the ISBN quandry is solved) purchased directly from during the month of July will also be donated to BBBS. Message me at bryonyseries@gmail.org for details.


Darlene’s Trifle
By Virginia Schonbachler

 
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) vanilla instant pudding mix

2 cups milk

1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 large Sara Lee pound cake, thawed

4 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) mixed berries

Strawberries for topping

Whipped cream (aerosol) for topping

 
In bowl, beat first 2 ingredients about 2 minutes; fold in whipped topping. Cut cake into small cubes. In trifle bowl, layer ½ half of cake cubes, ½ half of pudding mixture, and ½ half of berries. Repeat. Top with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Cool in refrigerator at least one hour. Yield: 12 servings.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

A Peek into a Freelance Writer's Day

Many times when I interview people, I'll ask them what they like about their job. Often, I'll hear, "It's different everyday."

My days, for all of their "sameness" are impossible to replicate, for no two, indeed, are never the same. I'm not sure what other freelancers do, but here was my day today:

I woke up extra early this morning (3:30 a.m.) and so after taking my Allegra, I decided to lie back down for an hour. Rebekah forgot to set her alarm, and my oldest fed the cats (hungry cats are a puuurfect backup alarm), so I began today by oversleeping (never a good sign).

I scrambled to start the coffee, chill the water, and peel a banana (which nearly immediately pulls me from my hypoglycemic state) and then back up the ladder for prayer and music while I checked and answered e and voice mail while Rebekah, and then Daniel, showered.

Shower, breakfast, and out the door to them to Joliet Junior College. Waking up late in this humidity meant no power walk today, good thing, too, because I had an assignment to complete and photo cutlines to write. I edited another story, began another, and took several phone calls.

Then it was back to JJC and home again. While eating lunch, I finalized plans with Big Brothers Big Sisters about tomorrow night's fundraiser and prayed midday prayers. I again checked email and then spent the afternoon helping a prospective medical student write essays and fill out forms for his MCATs.

I again checked email, made two phone calls, and responded to a request to from my pr contact at one of the hospitals: would I have time to interview a doctor this afternoon for the next column (I ghost write medical columns). I did and then completed some miscellaneous work (organizing the rest of the week's stories, printing out hard copies of notes, etc) while eating dinner and getting ready for my WriteOn Joliet meeting, made all the sweeter with some excellent chocolate chip cookies one of our writers baked in honor of my birthday (yesterday).

Once home, I rewarded myself with a few laps around the baseball field across the street from my house (as it was dark because remember, I had missed my walk today, absolutely necessary to my sanity). I then rechecked email for a final time, and yes, it is 10:30 p.m., and I am writing this blog. Prayers, bed, and a book.

And it begins again tomorrow, somewhat the same and completely different.

 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Free Parking

Oohhhh, I am ssooooooo behind again.

And sooooo....

It's my birthday, and I can pass on writing my blog if I want to, pass on my blog if I want to, pass on my blog if I want to.

You would pass too, if it happened to you.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Nothing on the ISBN Yet, Grrr....

Calling Bowker to sort it out was on my "gotta get this done" list for Friday.

Friday got busy, so I moved it to Monday.

Unfortuntately, this weekend was busier than originally anticipated. So now some of that work is moved to Monday, and Monday and Tuesday are especially crammed because of the cookbook signing at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties on Wednesday.

SIGH!

I don't need a clone. I need a Psalty "Take Your Time" machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtjJRHiSBmM

 

Friday, July 12, 2013

On My Wish List: The Out of Print "Werewolf of Paris" (and Story Round Up)

Werewolf of Paris by Guy Endore (1933) is a gruesome and provocative story set against the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War. Have you read it? If so, I'd love to hear your reaction.

BTW: My birthday is Monday. Just sayin.'


Below are the stories in this week's Herald News plus one more published in the Joliet Bugle.


This prom bridges the generation gap

Even "seniors" get their Senior Prom at the Timbers of Shorewood retirement community with an about face twist: local high school teens serve as chaperones.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21089122-423/this-prom-bridges-the-generation-gap.html


Shorewood man was anything but all talk.

Meet one man who turned his love for gab into community service.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/21151957-418/an-extraordinary-life-shorewood-man-was-anything-but-all-talk.html


The big day: vows and bowwows mix at Joliet church

Dogs customarily are in wedding parties at Catholic churches. However, this pastor was more than happy to grant an exception to one particular dog, especially after hearing her master's story.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21160492-423/the-big-day-vows-and-bowwows-mix-at-joliet-church.html


Business event lets people become artwork

Even better, kids can join in. The picture alone is worth clicking onto the link.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21218367-423/business-event-lets-people-become-artwork.html


Book donation goal: family literacy

The Joliet chapter of the National Hook-Up of Black Women donated thousands of books to several Head Start locations, and children along with their families are reaping the benefits.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21089293-423/book-donation-goal-family-literacy.html


Joliet Christian community steers needy toward self-sufficiency

The Joliet Hope Center is not another food pantry but a warehouse type buying club for low-income individuals. Read on.

http://www.buglenewspapers.com/joliet/article_ace72dba-e90b-11e2-8851-0019bb30f31a.html

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Monday, July 8, 2013

Slight Hold-Up on the Official Edition of "Visage"

Rermember two years ago the delay on Bryony because someone else was using my ISBNs? Neither Bowker nor Createspace would budge, so I hired an attorney to sort out the mess.

Well, this time, the publication of the official edition of Visage is delayed, again for ISBN confusion, except this time it's our fault (moan and groan).

However, Createspace customer service representative number number two (number one only said it was a mistake) was most helpful.

He alerted us to the issue on our Bowker account (wrong information in the wrong place), so we re-edited the account on Saturday, and we're now waiting for clearance to proceed.

Hoping, praying, crossing fingers, and sascrificing a goat that we will have official copies of Visage for the July 17th signing at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

The event made today's Herald News, thank you Jeanne Millsap! :)
Check out the story: http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21078996-423/vampire-tale-has-extra-bite-sales-of-companion-cookbook-benefit-charity.html

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Will Ed Calkins Attend the July 17 Book Signing? Only if He's not in Egypt....

O Steward,

Please see the attached flyer for the BryonySeries fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

It's from 6 to 7:30 p.m., July 17 at 417 Taylor Street in Joliet, Illinois. Chef in training Timothy Baran will be serving "Darlene's Trifle" from the cookbook, "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," with all proceeds from all cookbook sales being donated to BBBS (www.bbbswillgrundy.org).

Plus, 30 percent of sales from all other BryonySeries product will also be donated. I'm sure many readers believe you're only a ficitonal character. I'm convinced that if you appear and sign a few books (and destroy any unbelievers through verse), you'll dispel any previous and thoroughly false notions.

Respectfully,

MOMI
 
 
 
Dear MOMI

The situation in Egypt may keep me from being able to attend, but I'll be there in person or spirit.
 
Once again, the country is playing an elaborate prank to try and draw me into taking over the country. I would threaten to insult them, but there lies another problem with an Ed Calkins run Egypt.
 
The Egyptians I know are always so nice, the only insult I could level at them is their dogs have bad breath. I can't count on the IVA (Irish Vampires Association).
 
As you know, the Irish have always be beholden to the country for inventing beer and then embracing a faith that forbids it's consumption (thus insuring a stable supply for the IVA). Resolving this problem is taxing my ability to sleep or spell words incorrectly.
 
BTW, I haven't forgotten the ice cream plan or your daughter's ancestory (I DID IT), I'm just preoccupied.
 
Ruthlessly yours,
 
Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

"The Cenci" by Percy Bysshe Shelley and Story Round Up

The Cenci by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1819)

This is sooooo on my wish list for this weekend. It's based on a true sixteenth century story about the execution of a young woman for the premediated murder of her tyrannical father. Because its themes included incest along with parricide, the play was not publicly performed until 1922.

http://www.bartleby.com/18/4/


Here are the stories that appeared in this week's Herald News:


Lockport man was a giver in life and death

A high school teacher with a special class on Vietnam freely gave of himself in both life and death.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21032387-423/lockport-man-was-a-giver-in-life-and-death.html


Royalty goes to the dogs; fundraiser benefits Cavalier rescue

You haven't lived until you've attended a tea party with dogs in Edwardian garb.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/20895408-423/royalty-goes-to-the-dogs-fundraiser-benefits-cavalier-rescue.html


New Lenox church plans patriotic performance

This Sunday afternoon, all age, free.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21088891-423/new-lenox-church-plans-patriotic-performance.html


Joliet museum marks Will County's Civil War involvement

Even if you can't attend the events, the history of the 100th
Infantry flag and one man's atttempts to raise funds to restore it, is worth the read.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21030790-423/joliet-museum-marks-will-countys-civil-war-involvement.html


Joliet couples' party becomes fundraiser for Daybreak Center

Last year Liz Kelly-Ancel hosted a "white" themed party to celebrate summer. She repeated the event this year and then asked guests to provide donations for the homelesss, too.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21117096-423/joliet-couples-party-becomes-fundraiser-for-daybreak-center.html







 

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Cutest Bat in the World

Fourth of July Traditions Through the Years

Community fireworks displays, cookouts, and backyard sparklers: such are inherent parts of celebrating United States independence in the twenty-first century.

Curious as to the traditions of former times? Check out "National Geographic's article on the topic.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/07/100704-4th-of-july-facts-nation-july-4-fourth/

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Three Vampire Quotes by Three Vampire Creators

"I've seen little pieces of Interview with a Vampire when it was on TV, but I kind of always go yuck! I don't watch R-rated movies, so that really cuts down on a lot of the horror." Stephenie Meyer

"The vampire was a complete change from the usual romantic characters I was playing, but it was a success." Bela Lugosi

"The whole theme of Interview with the Vampire was Louis's quest for meaning in a godless world. He searched to find the oldest existing immortal simply to ask, What is the meaning of what we are?" Anne Rice
 

Monday, July 1, 2013

I...Am...Almost...Caught...Up....

Which means I shall, very soon, write a long overdue proper blog post.

Septic problem FINALLY fixed (a broken pipe), and no more water in the yard or backed up sinks.

Worked until 3 a.m. Friday night (on fiction) and Saturday night (on "real" work). Worked Sunday afternoon and all day today. Brain is feeling flat.

You know it's bad when I tell Rebekah to refill the cats' water BOTTLES, and I lose my appointment book (under the stapler).

Week is full. Even working July 4th (helping a med student fill out his MCATs) and the next three Saturdays (assignments on top of the fiction).

Tomorrow morning is reserved for the last of the odds and ends, two interviews in the afternoon, WriteOn Joliet in the evening, and....I'll be CAUGHT UP!!!!

YAWN!

And signing off....