BryonySeries: February 2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Community News: Feb. 28, 2019

Try a meatless chili that treats tempeh like ground meat

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/26/try-a-meatless-chili-that-treats-tempeh-like-ground-meat/aubvvhz/

A pasta dish that'll have your family asking for seconds

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/26/a-pasta-dish-thatll-have-your-family-asking-for-seconds/an8w11w/

A silky-smooth soup with a big dose of healthy greens

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/26/a-silky-smooth-soup-with-a-big-dose-of-healthy-greens/aqgs25o/

How to roast broccoli florets and get them crispy browned

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/26/how-to-roast-broccoli-florets-and-get-them-crispy-browned/ahfiinx/

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: "How to Attend a Wedding When You're a Bachelor Vampire," by Thomas Meisinger

Thursday, June 28, 2012

"How to Attend a Wedding When You're a Bachelor Vampire," by Thomas Meisinger

Thomas Meisinger was born, raised, and educated in Chicago's southwest suburbs. He began performing standup comedy in 2009 while in college. Meisinger said that if he had spent as much time filling out job applications as he did writing jokes during his last semester, he would probably have a better paying job.

Currently residing utterly alone in Joplin, Missouri, Meisinger has since shifted his focus to writing. He currently has three blogs (Dear Grandma Margie, Bacon, Eggs, and Whiskey, and Penguins are Pretentious), and also steps in as a guest blogger on multiple other sites.

Meisinger is the author of The World Is Shallow; That’s Why I Never Learned How to Swim, the winner of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Second Grade Penmanship Award, and an avid collector of fake phone numbers handed to him by women in bars.

"How to Attend a Wedding When You’re a Bachelor Vampire"

By Thomas Meisinger

It’s summertime so you know what that means! Teenage girls are skipping the part-time job at Dairy Queen and instead fueling time machines with O-Positive blood. If you don’t have a Lincoln-Way student conspiring to keep you from going out for tea with the boys, then you will most likely be invited to a wedding and attending alone. To avoid retreating into a coffin just follow a few simple steps.

1. Stray away from day weddings. I don’t think this needs an explanation considering sunlight will burn your skin. If you absolutely must make an appearance, make sure you’re completed covered from head to toe. When someone inquires why you are fully-clothed in twenty-five degree Celsius weather, create an elaborate tale of how you were injured in the Crimean War. For example, say you were cared for by Florence Nightingale and even managed to outwit her in a game of charades. This will truly impress any Brit.

2. Don’t be an Irishman and skimp on the proper gift. It would make sense to barter for a baby crib but don’t contribute to social problems. Be unique and pay the extra wages for a chandelier. If you are experiencing financial woes, suck the blood of a rich person and steal the gold coins underneath their loom. How do I know it’s there? Why, I’ve been stealing from it for decades.

3. Keep the conversation neutral at the reception. The last thing you need to do is create quarrels at such a joyous event. To prevent duels, just lie if you are asked about your political opinion. If the wedding was held at a Roman Catholic cathedral, talk about how your father was a Tory. Do not, (and I emphasize) do not, mention or even hint at the fact you are a vampire. Remember that Tories agreed with those British ex-pat Americans and they burned anyone who even seemed a little bit special at the stake. If the ceremony is at an Anglican church, lie and say you are a Whig. It’s okay to mention you are a vampire there because it’s a little known fact that Robert Walpole enjoyed sucking blood. (Samuel Johnson was close. The first Whig wasn’t the devil, he was a vampire.)

4. Be social with the ladies. Weddings are an excellent opportunity to find a lovely dame and coincidentally your next victim. Make her swoon by quoting Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations or boasting of killing Nile Crocodiles in the Suez Canal. Sure, crocodiles don’t live in the Suez but if she doesn’t know that, she’ll also believe it’s perfectly normal you were born with abnormally large canines. If the bride can manage to sneak along friends from the twenty-first century, ask her maid of honor if she thinks Snooki and The Situation are “more than friends”.

5. Last but not least, show off your centuries of dancing experience on the ballroom floor. If they are unimpressed and don’t greet your final bow with applause, wait for the lights to dim, hold the prettiest gal in the room close, and vanish from sight.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Community News: Feb. 27, 2019

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Dale Hansen

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Community News: Feb. 26, 2019

Check out these health success stories and good information.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Quiet Moments and Mini Vacations

Although much is written recently about"down time" and treating weekend like "mini vacations," many people feel they work more and longer hours than people in the past did.

I'm not certain people actually do.

My father, for example, even before he owned his own business, had many nights where he came home for dinner, showered, and went right back out to a meeting.

On weekends, after perhaps a Saturday morning (or longer) at the office, especially after he did own the firm, he did yard work or other projects around the house. In fact, he had enough yard work to spend both Saturday and Sunday afternoon with it.

On many Sundays, he also served as a reader (St. Bernard's, Joliet).

If one goes back further than that, even the literature for children from the nineteenth and early twentieth century doesn't show adults with lots of down time.

In fact, my mother said my dad once told her (and she wasn't happy about it), that even when his mother was sitting, she was always doing something (i.e. darning socks, etc). Think of the days when the family sat in the parlor in the evenings, polishing boots or engaged in needlework while someone read.

So the fact many of us find work extending into evenings and weekends is nothing new.

What's new, or fairly new-ish, is that we've forgotten to pause.

And notice.

And maybe even admire.

An example: In the late 1850s, the French painter Jean-François Millet created an oil painting of two weary peasants in a potato field, heads bowed in prayer.

In many Catholic countries, the ringing of the church bells reminded people to stop their activities and pray the Angelus. When I attended St. Bernard's as a young child, we actually took a break during the school day to pray this prayer, with one of the Sisters reciting the first part and the students saying the response.

The water cooler cliche may have been less about quenching thirst and catching up on gossip.

Our jobs may no longer fit neatly into the post-World War II model of forty hours a week with weekends off for fun and leisure.

But (hopefully) all of us have the power to stop and breathe.

Heck, even the medical literature says we should get up and move around every hour or so to cut the risk of diabetes and heart disease (for those of us at desk jobs).

It's not always possible, I know. And, for me, I also like the relaxing feeling of finally stopping after running mental (or writing) marathons.

We don't need to duck under a tree and sleep. Slow and steady may indeed run the race.

But we can still take time for a drink of water and to bask.

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at www.artworkbytopher.com.

Monday, February 25, 2019

Community News: Feb. 23 and Feb. 25, 2019

The best way to enjoy these videos is to watch them all, in order, because together they tell a story.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

EVENTS

Local arts and entertainment: Feb. 25 through March 4

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/local-arts-and-entertainment-feb-25-through-march-4/awz1k4i/

Local faith events: Feb. 25 through March 4

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/local-faith-events-feb-25-through-march-4/a4qnnn2/

Local food events: Feb. 25 through March 4

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/local-food-events-feb-25-through-march-4/ahnfy16/

Local health events: Feb. 25 through March 4

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/local-health-events-feb-25-through-march-4/a20ljsm/

Gotta Do It: Feb. 25 through March 4

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/gotta-do-it-feb-25-through-march-4/ajkzsin/

Local pet events: Feb. 25 through March 4

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/local-pet-events-feb-25-through-march-4/a66cfwt/

VIDEO: A quick tip for watercolor artists

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/c10eb1f7-0b47-4619-b893-8db78d289b75.html

VIDEO: The use of india ink

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/5805b255-a120-4c36-ae42-0cb9d96bdf28.html

VIDEO: Joliet students get to make a mural

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/8104ba97-9d18-4b82-9500-b0d5a6681bca.html

VIDEO: How to create a mural

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/2c62372b-4189-46b1-ad67-731e4f365640.html

VIDEO: Joliet students receive guidance for their mural

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/056fcb14-0f19-4177-a848-b94162b36435.html

VIDEO: Students create their section of a mural

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/ce131e63-954f-40a2-93e0-d202845d2c8a.html

VIDEO: The concept behind the student-created mural

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/e869f41e-eda8-46eb-b945-929d54ec44af.html

VIDEO: An up close look at a piece of the mural

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/6cb8c419-d575-472b-9624-ee0a8e41c448.html

VIDEO: Creating art with her students

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/82c8eacb-cf5d-487d-ae4b-89aaae8e37d8.html

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at www.artworkbytopher.com.

On This Monday Morning

So I worked a lot this weekend (good, satisfying work) and almost, but not quite, finished Cornell Dyer and the Eerie Lake.

In fact, I'm one chapter and an epilogue away from the end.

But they're outlined with instructions for the details. But I'm hoping to use a little time in the early morning today and tomorrow to finish it.

A new Bertrand the Mouse book is also outlined. But that is a project for next weekend.

The formatting for the third book of Before the Blood is done. I'm in the process of giving it a final read.

In non-writing news, Rebekah and I tore the bedroom apart yesterday and did some intense spring cleaning.

It's amazing how serene a clean and organized room can feel.

Especially on Monday morning.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Sunday, February 24, 2019

When Three People See The Same Thing

Over the last few months, Timothy has been redesigning the BryonySeries website to encompass the feel of all the books.

We do "converse" (bicker) back and forth sometimes regarding concepts.

One of those conversations revolved around an illustration he placed on landing page. He wanted a page before the home page, and I had no problem with it.

But this illustration from Bryony by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt didn't work as an all-encompassing piece of art for the landing page.

So we talked concepts until we agreed.

Then he asked his girlfriend's sister, whom I only know right now as "Jenny" to create it.

Jasmine (Timothy's girlfriend) has read Bryony and Visage. The scene Jenny was to draw is featured early in Bryony.

From time to time, Jenny sent a draft or texted a question. But mostly she turned to Jasmine for guidance, as apparently Jasmine had some definite ideas, too.

It took Jenny a few months. But the final piece came home shortly after midnight. Timothy placed it to the website this morning and then showed it to me.

Jasmine was pretty excited for me to see it. Jenny's piece, to her, looked pretty close to the way Jasmine envisioned it.

I was astonished. Because Jenny had captured, pretty much, the way I see it, too.

It's an amazing thing to take a story out of one's head and fabricate it into a story.

It's quite another to have someone else do the same with pen and ink.

Wanna check it out: Visit www.bryonyseries.com.

But please look the page from your desktop. The mobile view is not yet tweaked, and you won't be able to scroll up and down to see the complete image.

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Recap of the first Calkins Day Limerick Match

Our Calkins Day limerick match (or slam, as some people called it), was, by far, the most successful BryonySeries event in the short history of the series.

I know it's trendy for authors to hype their events and inflate the magnitude of the actual day/afternoon/night. In fact, unless I'm reading an author's blog post about how to host a successful author event (with the writer drawing on persona experiences of past failed events), I have never read an author saying his or her event flopped.

Well, I have held some flopped events. And others that attracted a fair amount of people.

For instance, last year's Calkins Day event went extremely well mostly do to the large amount of WriteOn Joliet members who supported it.

But the Calkins Day limerick match on Calkins Day (Feb. 13) at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet, was the first event where people posted on social media about the fun they had.

I talked to people who's mood was still very up the next day and one woman who's trying to coordinate another event in a different location.

Why did it work?

Not sure.

But I think it was the pure creative fun.

There was no cause to support. No funds to raise. No selling of books (Really. I didn't bring not even one book to the event).

Now granted, the event was based on a a limerick match featured in Staked!. We would not have a Calkins Day event without an Ed Calkins who made up a "national" holiday based on his Feb. 13 birthday.

But the night was mostly to celebrate silly, creative fun. Costumes were encouraged, and one couple arrived dressed in Irish green.

As in Staked!, we had two teams.

We had a Steward team with four members.

And we had a Poet team with four members

People composed their own limericks or they could choose from the table of provided limericks.

Both team captains scored each limerick reader and composer, regardless of team affiliation.

Limerickers were received points based on originality, performance, and presentation.

Simply writing and delivering a limerick about Ed gained the limericker points, too.

Patrons contestants, and Ed enjoyed Tammy's homemade Irish soda bread, the first time she's ever baked it (Stop in and tell her to bake some for St. Patrick's Day)

I wanted to offer token prizes. But the cafe's owner, Tammy Hudson-Duckworth, said she would take care of the prizes. Yes, I was on a winning team (Poet).

Afterwards, limerickers, reluctant to let the fun go, stayed to talk to Ed. I talked to other patrons who had a great time watching the fun.

I called the next day to thank Tammy for her generosity in allowing us to host our celebration in the cafe and for providing the prizes. I also booked next year's Calkins Day event, and Tammy has some definite ideas on what she'd like us to do.

It won't be a limerick match (although we might host another one in a different location this year). But I can tell you this.

It will be different than the last two events. And it appears Tammy and I might be co-hosting it.

Like a treasure beneath a stormy dark sea

Are encrypted revelations in Byrony

but the truth at its core,

with his limericks and lore

Is how ruthless Ed Calkins can be.

By Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

Friday, February 22, 2019

Community News: Feb. 22, 2019

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at www.artworkbytopher.com.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 17 through Feb. 22

Good sleepy (YAWN) Friday morning, readers.

Before I share this week's feature stories, here's a quick view over the top of my coffee:

I'll be selling and signing books, as well as chatting to guests on March 23 at The Book Market in Crest Hill as WriteOn Joliet's Author of the Month.

Since the Author of the Month was my concept, I wasn't going to take a month unless we needed a month to fill. March's author had to drop out, so I saw this as an opportunity to help someone, too.

For on that same date, I'll also be selling homemade soy candles in five BryonySeries scents an various sizes and prices: bryony (an herbal-ish scent), purple rose, Sue's Diner (vanilla pudding), Simons Woods (pine) and Lake Munson (ocean breeze).

Our candlemaker is battling lung cancer, and I'd like to find good homes for all of the candles she made for us. If you cannot attend the March 23 event and would like one or more candles, please message me at bryonyseries @gmail.com.

This weekend: I plan to complete the formatting of book three of Before the Blood and read through it over the next week. Also on my list is the second half of the third book in the Adventures of Cornell Dyer series and shooting a new book of Bertrand the Mouse...with (hopefully) the book available on March 23.

However, I do have one interview and two in-depth work projects for Saturday as well. So we shall see...

Now, here's where to find information and after that, the stories.

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down. Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events:

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Rescuing a sick and hurting pelican in Wilmington

Barb Krupa, volunteer with Wildlife Repair Shop, said: "It was really scared and had been in pain a long time. A few days later, the lake froze. He would have starved to death alone."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/15/ac1550023aeb4cd987164bad0c67bf24/index.xml?page=1

Baran-Unland: Liturgical calendar points the way to prayer

During dinner, Zacchaeus' heart was changed. He promised not only to change his behavior, he would repay anyone he cheated over and above the required amount.

I feel the gospel has a great message before we prepare for Lent.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/19/baran-unland-liturgical-calendar-points-the-way-to-prayer/af26ifg/

'I only saw a person who needed help'
Beloved Joliet doctor to retire on Feb. 22

Dr. Kishor Ajmere's wife Kumud said: "His patients are always his priority. No matter what. No matter what time the ER calls. If someone goes into the ER and the ER calls, he gets up from the bed and he tells them exactly what medicine they're taking. He knows the dosage, the quantity. I feel he was born to serve his patients."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/12/i-only-saw-a-person-who-needed-help/aga5byp/

'New' clothes for the community
Teens to host their first free thrift store on Feb. 23 in Minooka

"When we go thrift shopping, I feel really good wearing the items to school," Moreno said. "Even though they are not new, they are new to us. It's a good feeling and we wanted to make other people feel good."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/19/2af767d37e48404ea6777817c214b9fa/index.xml

Humble grilled cheese goes upscale
Channahon restaurant offering these sandwiches with wine pairings

John Mathias, co-owner with his wife Maura Mathias, said the restaurant's chefs are creating "adult" versions of the familiar grilled cheese sandwiches, dinner sandwiches and dessert sandwiches, and pairing it with a flight of wine.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/19/f81fa007c2aa48faad4e120351561f47/index.xml

Joliet artist encourages creativity
Gleason said: 'You can draw whatever you want, paint whatever you want'

BryonySeries artist Topher Gleason leads a mural project at his daughter's school.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/19/b7f2c973302d4953926196e020f11ed1/index.xml

Artworks: Joliet Drama Guild performing 'Born Yesterday' this weekend

"I like the old shows," Sue Kaspar, director, said. "So when nobody else wants to do the old shows, because nobody knows anything about them, I say, 'All right, I'll do them."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/13/88e8ac78e4164d6d812d6c60d2f57fca/index.xml

LocalLit author spotlight: Julie Panasik of Elburn

Panasik said: "My featured memoir is about an experience I had while babysitting when an intruder who had escaped from a mental health center forced his way into the house."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/07/locallit-author-spotlight-julie-panasik-of-elburn/aukwca3/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Community News: Feb. 21, 2019

It's all about the food today!

Check out our listing of food resources, food news, and recipes.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

Food resources in Will, Grundy counties

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/food-resources-in-will-grundy-counties/a48u8gb/

Joliet Junior College chef appointed to national advisory board

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/jjc-chef-appointed-to-national-advisory-board/awnzeap/

Troy Hofer Elementary School's new Lunchroom Literacy program a success

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/20/troy-hofer-elementary-schools-new-lunchroom-literacy-program-a-success/a48akbp/

RECIPES

Make some plain biscuits and then feel free to dress them up

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/19/make-some-plain-biscuits-and-then-feel-free-to-dress-them-up/a4bl6n4/

Turning chicken soup into a comforting, nutrient-dense meal

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/19/turning-chicken-soup-into-a-comforting-nutrient-dense-meal/as0mqxm/

Try a dish with bold North African-influenced spices

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/19/try-a-dish-with-bold-north-african-influenced-spices/agh4jr1/

You won't miss the meat in this vegetable-packed lasagna

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/19/you-wont-miss-the-meat-in-this-vegetable-packed-lasagna/a85jb1o/

A Thai-style red curry that highlights lentils and tofu

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/19/a-thai-style-red-curry-that-highlights-lentils-and-tofu/ai1x3hj/

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at www.artworkbytopher.com.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: February Thunderstorms in the Midwest? Welcome to Winter 2014!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

February Thunderstorms in the Midwest? Welcome to Winter 2014!

My walking rule for this winter goes like this: one (or two, if I'm lucky) days on and one (usually two) weeks off due to polar vortexes and other fun events.

This week, I walked on Monday in a white-out, fell badly on the hidden ice, and came stumbling home. Tuesday, I went out in a much throttled back version. Yesterday, the same, for, although the weather was awesome, patches of ice ground me to a halt every few paces.

Today, despite the forecast of freezing rain, I felt hopeful I'd get a clear patch before work and beat the odds. Hope rose at three-thirty this morning when raging thunder awakened me. Surely, the deluge would be long done by six-thirty, the official start of power walk time.

But at five, the storms (and thunder) were still going strong. The thunder had died away at six, but the rain still pattered loudly and steadily an hour later. Not to be defeated again (although getting some extra work done was extra tempting), I flew back upstairs for some music and calisthenics.

Now I feel behind and have to hurry. Par, right?

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Diana Estell

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Community News: Feb. 16 and Feb. 16, 2019

Instead...

...of the usual routine, I let some habits go this weekend to get whittle down a to-do list that was overtaking my time faster than Bryony grew on the Simons estate.

And while I do have some catching up to do on social media, I feel I made good of this past long weekend.

Some of it was work, but I feel, if not ahead, then at least not too far behind this morning.

Friday night I moderated a monthly fiction workshop a week early to help out the coordinator, who could not make next week.

I met with Colleen Robbins, my editor for the BryonySeries prequel Before the Blood for a couple of hours on Saturday morning and reviewed her notes and edits for the third installment.

Later that day, I incorporated many of her suggestions and did some rewriting to eliminate an overabundance (on some pages) of "was," were" and "had." This was not as easy as it sounded. The wording had to remain young and childish, as well as not change the meaning of the sentences (there is a grammatical reason for past participle as opposed to past tense).

I also began some of the formatting. This will take at least another weekend to finish since this book, and the two that will follow it, are significantly longer then the first two.

I also met with another member of WriteOn Joliet for my first calligraphy lesson.

I did some housework.

I caught up on personal phone calls.

I did some filing.

I did a little marketing.

I whittled down my AOL account "new mail" by nearly half. Three hundred more to go!

I saw a movie (Brave) that a friend had wanted me to watch with her for about six months.

The trade-off is I let some social media (limerick slam recap has been moved to this Saturday) and about half of my workout routine slide.

But I'm resuming all of that today with a renewed sense of accomplishment.

Here's to a successful week - for you and for me! (raising coffee mug).

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Friday, February 15, 2019

Community News: Feb. 15, 2019

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at www.artworkbytopher.com.