Silly Riddles

I've been working on a subseries of eight books (Girls of the BryonySeries) for ages eight to twelve-year-old.

One girl, Julie Drake, has a father who loves to tell riddles - except the reader can tell Julie's heard those riddles more than once.

For your entertainment this Tuesday morning, here are some of those riddles. Maybe you recognize one or two (or more) from your own childhood.

And since this is a silly post, enjoy the selfie of Faith, my calico - and me.

I have branches, but no fruit, trunk, or leaves. What am I?

            A bank.

Where do you find a cow without legs?

             Right where you left it!

 

What did one leaf say to the other?

            Please leaf me alone.

         

Did you hear about the hot dog that asked the ketchup for a date?

He mustard up the courage.

What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?

Same middle name.

How does a squid go to battle?

“Well-armed!

What’s a cow’s favorite day at school?

When it goes on a field trip!

What do ghosts eat for breakfast?

Ghost Toasties – and evaporated milk

What do you call a dog on the beach in summer?

               A hot dog.

What has lots of tiny needles but can’t sew?

             A Christmas tree.

When You're Reading a Book and Encounter...

...a person with the same name as one of the main characters.

In the early days of this blog, I'd have occasional posts called "Bryony Moment of the Day."

These would be those unusual coincidences that line up with the BryonySeries.

For instance, when interviewing one woman named Melissa, she told me her younger brother was Brian.

Another time, I wound up interviewing a woman by the name of Julie Drake. Of course, I had to tell her about the fictional Jule Drake. Even more wild, her husband's name is David.

We had a lunch a few times (we are overdue, thanks COVID) and still talk on social media.

So yesterday, someone who is reading Visage said he just learned a John Simotes works out at the same gym he does and then added:

Haha I mean what are the chances of that? Literally reading the book he's in and then this pops up this morning...coincidences happen of course, but the empathic/mystic sides of my brain are wondering what this could signify? 

Well that can only signify one thing.

My reply: The story is bigger than both of us.

May today bring you happy surprises and reasons to make you pause in very good ways.

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Will the Real Julie Drake Please Stand Up?

Monday, March 7, 2011

Will the Real Julie Drake Please Stand Up?

Last year, while writing An Extraordinary Life story about a local woman, my source, the woman's daughter, asked me to call her sister for additional information.

I agreed and asked for the sister’s name and number. I almost dropped the telephone when the voice on the other end said, “Julie Drake,” and proceeded to give me the number.

Of course, I had to tell Julie Drake about Bryony, because one of Melissa’s Munsonville friends is also named Julie Drake. Even more coincidental, the “real” Julie Drake has a husband named David. In later books, Julie’s boyfriend (and, eventually, her husband) is also named David.

“I can’t wait to read this book,” Julie said. “When I thought it was going to come out last December, I had told my two nieces about it because they love to read. When I first met Denise and spoke to her about, I knew we were supposed to meet. It was so comfortable talking with her.”

Recently, Julie agreed to let me interview her for the BryonySeries blog and see how she compares to the fictional Julie Drake, especially since both Julies grew up in the 1970s.

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: One Weekend, Three Book Signings

Monday, December 19, 2011

One Weekend, Three Book Signings

On Friday, I dropped Rebekah and Daniel off at the warehouse to clean and await the arrival of inserts, while I had lunch with the "real" Julie Drake.

Julie is one Melissa's (Bryony's main character) Munsonville friends, but is also the name of a very nice local woman whom I met by phone quite by accident while working on a story. This is what happened.

One of the features I write for the Herald News is called An Extraordinary Life. These are memorial pieces on recently deceased, local people who lived interesting an/or inspiring lives. While interviewing one woman about her mother, the woman asked if I would also call her sister. I did and requested the phone number and name, which was "Julie Drake." Of course, I told her about Bryony. 

We've kept in touch via email and phone over the last two years it took to bring Bryony to print, so it was wonderful to finally meet this very nice lady in person, who treated me to lunch, brought me a box of Fannie May pixies, and entertained me with verbal snapshots of her family while I signed books. We're hoping to release Visage late next year, so Julie's already suggesting we have a standard, traditional, pre-Christmas date. She's on!

On Saturday, I heard interesting speakers at the HS Healing and Wellness Center's second paranormal cafe and sold a few books. One man who bought a copy of Bryony is part of a large vampire role-laying community and, through his independent film studio, created a three-minute film based on his character for next month's international convention of this vampire community. He sent me the unreleased trailer last night. His work shows promise! I will definitely share that trailer once he officially uploads it onto YouTube.

Sunday at Aunt Nina's Sweets N Treats in Crest Hill was much slower, but I made some nice connections, so it really was a good day. One woman from the local writer's guild was soooo happy to finally have Bryony, she kept hugging it. The venue itself was particulary interesting. It's a 7500 square foot candy store with every type of candy you can buy, along with a full bakery, party room, and some of the best coffee you can buy.

Both places will have copies of Bryony for purchase. You may check them out atwww.hshealingandwellnesscenter.com and www.auntninas.net/Home.

And, of course, Bryony is available on the website: www.bryonyseries.com.

One Weekend, Three Book Signings

On Friday, I dropped Rebekah and Daniel off at the warehouse to clean and await the arrival of inserts, while I had lunch with the "real" Julie Drake.

Julie is one Melissa's (Bryony's main character) Munsonville friends, but is also the name of a very nice local woman whom I met by phone quite by accident while working on a story. This is what happened.

One of the features I write for the Herald News is called An Extraordinary Life. These are memorial pieces on recently deceased, local people who lived interesting an/or inspiring lives. While interviewing one woman about her mother, the woman asked if I would also call her sister. I did and requested the phone number and name, which was "Julie Drake." Of course, I told her about Bryony.

We've kept in touch via email and phone over the last two years it took to bring Bryony to print, so it was wonderful to finally meet this very nice lady in person, who treated me to lunch, brought me a box of Fannie May pixies, and entertained me with verbal snapshots of her family while I signed books. We're hoping to release Visage late next year, so Julie's already suggesting we have a standard, traditional, pre-Christmas date. She's on!

On Saturday, I heard interesting speakers at the HS Healing and Wellness Center's second paranormal cafe and sold a few books. One man who bought a copy of Bryony is part of a large vampire role-laying community and, through his independent film studio, created a three-minute film based on his character for next month's international convention of this vampire community. He sent me the unreleased trailer last night. His work shows promise! I will definitely share that trailer once he officially uploads it onto YouTube.

Sunday at Aunt Nina's Sweets N Treats in Crest Hill was much slower, but I made some nice connections, so it really was a good day. One woman from the local writer's guild was soooo happy to finally have Bryony, she kept hugging it. The venue itself was particulary interesting. It's a 7500 square foot candy store with every type of candy you can buy, along with a full bakery, party room, and some of the best coffee you can buy.

Both places will have copies of Bryony for purchase. You may check them out at www.hshealingandwellnesscenter.com and www.auntninas.net/Home.

And, of course, Bryony is available on the website: www.bryonyseries.com.

Julie Drake vs. Julie Drake, Part 3

15) When did you marry David? “Real” Julie Drake: “April 18th 1998.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “After we completed graduate school and set up our practices.” 16) Do you have children? “Real” Julie Drake: “I have two boys.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “Are you nuts? I’m far too busy, and besides, after watching my friends’ parenting experiences. I’d rather skip the whole business, thank you very much. Life is too short to for all that drama.” 17) Where do you live? “Real” Julie Drake: “In a middle-class neighborhood in Illinois. I’m not poor, but I don’t live in a mansion.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “In an upscale neighborhood in Washington State.” 18) Do you like traveling? “Real” Julie Drake: “We just bought a 34-foot travel trailer to go on camping trips. I’m not a millionaire, but it’s important to me to that my kids plays sports and have vacations. I want my kids to have wonderful memories growing up. We have gone to Alabama to the beach, Disney, camping trips, Macinac Island, Gaylord Mi., Door County (once). Bryony’s Julie Drake: “I absolutely love it. The world is so big, and there is so much to see. Why confine yourself to just one corner of it?” 19) What is your current job? “Real” Julie Drake: “I’m a purchasing agent for a second generation, family owned company. I’ve worked there for more than twenty-five years and everyone is within a few years of my age, more or less.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “David and I are psychologists, in private practice.” 20) Are you open to paranormal experiences? “Real” Julie Drake: “Absolutely. I do believe there are people out there who are given psychic gifts. I’ve experienced it. I’ve witnessed it, and I’ve seen it. I’m not one to remember my dreams unless they have a message for me.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “Very open. You never know what’s out there. Not everything can be experienced with just our five, basic senses.”

Jule Drake vs. Julie Drake, Part 2

8) When you were growing up, did you have long or short hair? How did you wear it? “Real” Julie Drake: “Long, pony tail or braids.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “Medium-long, braids.” 9) Do you hold grudges? “Real” Julie Drake: “Well I would say yes, if it is someone that has hurt my family or someone I love very much. If they hurt me I tend to be more forgiving.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “Generally, no, but it really depends what the offense is.” 10) What did you family do for fun? “Real” Julie Drake: “We really just played in the back yard alot. We didn't have alot of money after my father died. When my mom remarried then we would travel. We would go stay at my Aunt Julie's in California. We had gone to Florida a few times. My mother loved scrabble, and we would play that.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “Played board games and watch TV, when you could get reception.” 11) What was your first job? “Real” Julie Drake: “I cleaned stalls and fed and groomed horses for a local guy who had Arabians. He had a lot of money and paid me to take care of them.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “Waitressing at Sue’s Diner. It’s interesting that the “real” Julie Drake cared for horses. Back in the nineteenth century, a famous composer and musician, John Simons, once lived here and he kept Arabian horses.” 12) What were your career goals? “Real” Julie Drake: “I really wanted to work with racehorses. I did until I was 19.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “I loved analyzing people, especially when it came to figuring out why anyone would want to stay in Munsonville. I always wanted to be a psychologist in private practice, so that’s what I did.” 13) How did you meet David? “Real” Julie Drake: “First time I met Dave was at the Indy time trials.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: At Jenson College of Liberal Arts. We were both psychology majors. His last name wasn’t important, because David took my last name once we were married.” 14) What did you like about him? “Real” Julie Drake: “He just seemed very genuine to me, and I love blue eyes.” Bryony’s Julie Drake: “The fact that he was ambitious and yet easy-going. He was a little shy, too, but I knew he had a crush on me, so I didn’t mind asking him out. Besides, I loved his blue eyes, even behind the gold wire rims.”

Julie Drake vs. Julie Drake, Part 1

1) How old are you in 2011? Real Julie Drake: “44.”
Bryony’s Julie Drake: “49.”
2) Tell me about your father:
“Real” Julie Drake: “My dad died in 1974, so that part of my life is a blur. There were five of us, and we were so poor, but you would never know it. I just remember we lived off our garden and how my older sister fixed my hair and got me ready for the school bus. We also spent a lot of time with my aunt because my mom was so busy with my dad.”
Bryony’s Julie Drake: “I am an only child and my father is very much well and alive. However, my friend Melissa’s dad died in 1975 after a long battle with diabetes. Her mother was struggling to make ends meet, so when an opportunity opened up in Munsonville, she took it.”
3) Did you like school?
“Real” Julie Drake: “I got good enough grades, average. I could have done better if I tried, but I was not big on school. I would rather work with horses.”
Bryony’s Julie Drake: “I loved school and learning about new things. Besides, I needed good grades to get into a great school. I saw education as the only way to leave Munsonville and never come back.”
4) Did you have any pets?
“Real” Julie Drake: “I was very passionate about horses. My aunt had a bunch of horses. When I got off the bus, I would do my chores right away and go riding until dark.”
Bryony’s Julie Drake: “I used to like cats—I had several growing up—until the weekend Melissa’s family went to Detroit, and I kept her little brother’s cat for the weekend. That cat freaked me out so much, I never wanted another one.”
5) Describe your personality when you were fourteen:
“Real” Julie Drake: “I was very outgoing and confident, but I didn’t need to be the center of attention.”
Bryony’s Julie Drake: “Ditto.”
6) How did you dress as a teen?
“Real” Julie Drake: “Jeans and T-shirt or sweatshirt. I hate shopping. I don’t go to ten stores to get the best price. I find what I need and leave.”
Bryony’s Julie Drake: “I was that way, too, and still am.”
7) Did you play an instrument?
"Real" Julie Drake: "I did take piano lessons when I was younger, as did all of my siblings. The teacher told my mom out of all of her five children, I was the one that had the most talent for the piano. But no, I don't play it now."
Bryony's Julie Drake: Yes, piano, because my parents made me. It was okay, but I don't play anymore.

Will the Real Julie Drake Please Stand Up?

Last year, while writing An Extraordinary Life story about a local woman, my source, the woman's daughter, asked me to call her sister for additional information.

I agreed and asked for the sister’s name and number. I almost dropped the telephone when the voice on the other end said, “Julie Drake,” and proceeded to give me the number.

Of course, I had to tell Julie Drake about Bryony, because one of Melissa’s Munsonville friends is also named Julie Drake. Even more coincidental, the “real” Julie Drake has a husband named David. In later books, Julie’s boyfriend (and, eventually, her husband) is also named David.

“I can’t wait to read this book,” Julie said. “When I thought it was going to come out last December, I had told my two nieces about it because they love to read. When I first met Denise and spoke to her about, I knew we were supposed to meet. It was so comfortable talking with her.”

Recently, Julie agreed to let me interview her for the BryonySeries blog and see how she compares to the fictional Julie Drake, especially since both Julies grew up in the 1970s.

The three-part interview will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The first part is posted here. Parts three and four will be posted Tuesday and Wednesday.