I have taken a flight over the Atlantic to visit with Esther Chilton. Esther is a talented Author, Tutor, Editor, and Blogger. Her regular features on her blog give a writer an opportunity to respond to prompts and to have a laugh as well. I am so glad to be with her today. Here is a link to her post
A little more about Esther.
Esther Chilton is a tutor with The Writers Bureau distance learning college. She has been a columnist in many writing magazines. Her work has appeared in a diverse range of magazines and newspapers, including The Guardian, Best of British, Your Cat, Prima, This England, Yours and The People’s Friend, to name a few.
In addition to tutoring, Esther works as a freelance copyeditor offering an editing, guidance and advice service for authors and writers.
To find out more about Esther, go to estherchilton.co.uk
Her books (Click for Amazon)
I have turned off comments. Please visit Esther and leave them there.
Craig and I have known each other since 2013, when we were the same book club members. I have admired Craig’s work and am grateful he volunteered to host a stop on the Detour on the Eternal Road Tour. Here is the link to his post.
A little about Craig.
“I was born in Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.
I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.
I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.”
Today’s next stop on the Detour on the Eternal Road is with Darlene Foster. As many of you know, Darlene is the Author of the Amanda Travels series. She is very knowledgeable about the places she writes about because she visits them to get the setting precisely right. I am so happy to have Darlene host a stop on the tour. Thank you, Darlene.
Growing up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, traveling the world, and meeting interesting people. She also believed in making her dreams come true. It’s no surprise she’s now the award-winning author of Amanda Travels, a children’s adventure series featuring a spunky twelve-year-old who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. When not traveling herself, Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with her husband and entertaining rescue dogs, Dot and Lia. http://www.darlenefoster.ca
In her words
“A bit about me. I am a writer of children’s stories, a retired employment counsellor and ESL tutor, a wife, mother and grandmother. I love travelling, reading, shoes, cooking, sewing, music, chocolate, walking on the beach and making new friends. My grandson once called me “super-mega-woman-supreme”. I was brought up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, where I dreamt of travelling the world and meeting interesting people. I currently divide my time between the west coast of British Columbia, Canada and Orihuela Costa in Spain where my husband and I enjoy spending time with our adorable rescue dogs, Dot and Lia.
I enjoy sharing my books and writing experience with young readers and am available for guest visits to schools, libraries, coffee shops and special events, in person and digitally.
I can be contacted at darlene.foster@telus.net
I have ten published books in the Amanda Travels series, featuring a spunky young girl who loves to travel. My latest is Amanda in Scotland (Cover below)”
I am at Gwen Plano’s place today. Her blog is titled Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano. She volunteered to host the second stop on the Detour on the Eternal Road tour. Of course, I jumped on the offer. Here is a linkto her post.
Gwen and I have known each other since the beginning of our blogging days. We were a team on a Blog Talk Radio show and co-authored the thriller The Contract.
Here is more about Gwen in her words
Gwen M. Plano
“As for my professional background, I am a retired educator. I taught and served as an administrator in colleges in Japan, New York, Connecticut, and California. My academic background is a bit unusual, but it has served me well. I graduated with honors in nutrition from San Diego State University. I was awarded a master’s degree in theology from the University of the State of New York’s Maryknoll Seminary and then received a master’s in counseling from Iona College. Finally, I earned a doctorate in higher education from Columbia University.
Click covers for Amazon.
Between travels with my husband and visits with family and friends, I now write. My first book, LETTING GO INTO PERFECT LOVE, Discovering the Extraordinary After Abuse, was published in June 2014 by She Writes Press and has just been re-published by the Fresh Ink Group. My second book, THE CONTRACT between heaven and earth, is co-authored by John W. Howell and was published by Keewayden Books on June 1, 2018. My third book, THE CHOICE the unexpected heroes, was published June 4, 2019 by Fresh Ink Group. THE CULMINATION a new beginning was also published by the Fresh Ink Group on November 23, 2020. REDEMPTION, was published by the Fresh Ink Group on February 21, 2023. Followed by my latest, The Gift and The Soul Whisper’s Decision.
Though writing is an accomplishment of no small measure for me, my greatest treasure and most profound source of joy has been and is my four adult children. It is they who have guided me through life’s mysteries.”
I hope you will visit Gwen’s post, as I have turned off comments here. Thank you.
Today, we are heading to the new Lakeway Story Walk ribbon cutting. According to the Lakeway Parks and Recreation site, here is some background.
“This year, we are thrilled to unveil our new Story Walk Display along the City Hall Trail! These Storywalk boards will feature seasonal displays year-round, offering a mix of holiday celebrations, cultural and historical education, and family-friendly stories. We hope this new addition will enhance your trail experience while providing an engaging and educational opportunity for all.
February Display: Black History Month
From January 31st through February 28th, explore our Black History Month celebration. This display highlights 28 influential Black figures who have profoundly shaped society.”
We are catered by Moonshine of Austin, and our entertainment is Aerosmith.
The Parks and Recreation table is ready with scissors and ribbon.
The Mayor, Tom Kilgore (R), and the City Manager, Joseph Molis, give some brief remarks.
With City Council members in attendance, the ribbon is cut to officially open the Lakeway Story Walk.
An explanation of Black History Month.
The first to take the walk.
The displays are a permanent fixture, and the content will change monthly.
The first stop is Thurgood Marshall.
Dr. Martin Luther King
Jesse Owens
Jane Bolin and self-portrait.
Henrietta Lacks.
The trail continues for more but we are out of time and need to enjoy the music and food. I hope you have a great week. We will come back to the Story Walk.
Today begins the Detour on the Eternal Road Blog Tour. I am very grateful to Dan Antion for allowing me to visit his bar. I always enjoy the bar’s activities and interesting people who make appearances. His good friend David and the new bartender Curley always keep things moving. Dan likes to interact with Linda Hill’s Stream of Consciousness prompt on Saturdays. This week’s prompt is “Spoons,” so I’ll bet you’ll find that prompt there, too.
Thursday Doors Badges
Badge by Teagan R. Geneviene
Ritva at Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Dan also coordinates the popular Thursday Doors and Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. He is one of the busiest guys on the internet, so I’m so happy he volunteered to have me visit him. Here is a link to the bar.
Dan’s Bio
Retired – Husband, father, and author of the Dreamer’s Alliance Series. When I’m not writing, I might be in my woodshop, working around the house, or walking around with a camera. I might be having a beer with friends. You can find me on my blog at NoFacilities.com and on Amazon.
More about Dan in his words
“I have always enjoyed writing, and I am thrilled that technology has made it easy for me to share what I write. No Facilities is primarily about blog posts and photographs, but my writing has expanded to include books, which I’ve now begun to publish.
As I mentioned in my profile, I enjoy woodworking, cycling, and photography. Previous hobbies have included a 30-year love affair with a Triumph Spitfire and routine maintenance of a couple of Dodge pickup trucks. Automotive work is a hobby I set aside as the Triumph aged and cars became more sophisticated. I still enjoy building and maintaining mechanical contraptions.
I have a small but loving family, some of whom I have introduced. They are important to me, but they share information about themselves or choose not to share, and I respect those choices. The topic I started this blog with, influence, is centered on this family. They are the people who consistently influence the course of my life.”
Dan’s books (click to visit)
I have turned off comments here but would appreciate visiting Dan’s place.
A PET bottle made from recycled plastic (The Ministry of Science and ICT) 출처 : Businesskorea(https://www.businesskorea.co.kr)
Today’s Good News story comes from the Business Korea periodical and was brought to my attention by Noelle Granger.
Groundbreaking Bio-catalyst Developed for Efficient PET Plastic Decomposition
by Michael Herh – January 2025
The Ministry of Science and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) has announced a groundbreaking development in the field of plastic recycling. A joint research team, led by Prof. Kim Kyung-jin of the Department of Biotechnology at Kyungpook National University and CJ CheilJedang, has developed a bio-catalyst with the world’s highest performance for decomposing PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic under industrial conditions. The research results, announced on Jan. 3, were published in the prestigious international journal “Science” on the same day.
PET plastic is a ubiquitous material found in everyday items such as PET bottles, clothing, seat belts, disposable cups, and car mats. Traditionally, PET plastic is recycled through mechanical processes that involve label removal, crushing, washing, and reprocessing. However, this method often results in a decline in the quality of the recycled material, leading to its eventual incineration or disposal in landfills. Chemical catalysts, which induce chemical reactions to break down plastics, have been considered an alternative, but they come with their own set of limitations, including raw material contamination and waste generation.
To address these issues, the research team developed a high-performance bio-catalyst named “KUBU-M12.” Unlike chemical catalysts, bio-catalysts decompose plastics through biological reactions akin to the natural decay of wood. This process results in less waste and raw material contamination, thereby maintaining the quality of the recycled material. KUBU-M12 has demonstrated remarkable efficiency, capable of decomposing 1 kilogram (kg) of PET by 45% in just 1 hour, over 90% in 8 hours, and almost completely in 12 hours with only 0.58 grams (g) of the catalyst. The research team emphasized that this is the highest performance recorded among bio-catalysts for plastic decomposition globally.
Prof. Kim highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “This is a groundbreaking technology that enables permanent recycling of even contaminated plastics that cannot be recycled.” He further added, “Innovations applying bio-catalysts will occur in various chemical industries.”
The development of KUBU-M12 is expected to revolutionize the recycling of difficult-to-recycle waste plastic, contributing to various chemical industry innovations and addressing critical environmental issues such as carbon neutrality and climate change. The eco-friendly nature of this technology aligns with global efforts to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling efficiency, ultimately mitigating the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
The achievement of world-class performance in eco-friendliness and the ability to decompose waste plastic in just 12 hours using a small amount of bio-catalyst marks a significant milestone in the field of biotechnology and materials science. The publication of these findings in “Science” underscores the importance and credibility of the research, highlighting the potential for widespread application and impact.
The good news in this story is the issue of plastic pollution is being addressed in many countries. Today’s JohnKu talks about technology. I hope you have a super weekend.
Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 45. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger was “Steps,” which became the prompt.
“Lists help with organization by detailing steps in a process.”
“Organization? Whatever do you mean?”
“I mean, we run through life without a purpose.”
“Without a purpose? What about living each day?”
“You know if this dialogue lasts too much longer, you will have come up with twenty questions.”
“Very funny. I’m just trying to understand why we need lists.”
“Let me explain it with an example. Tell me about the day so far.”
“Okay, I’ll play along. I got up. I had breakfast, and now I’m talking to you.”
“What did you accomplish?”
“Huh?”
“If you had a list of your steps to the day, you would have had plenty of time to cross something off that you completed. As it is, you are sitting there looking pretty useless.”
“I beg your pardon. You better watch it, Bud.”
“I’m just saying. By knowingly keeping track of the day’s steps, you will feel more fulfilled knowing how you made a mark.”
“Okay, let’s start with you. What was on your list today?”
“Fine. Here it is. Rise, check. Wait for breakfast, check. Eat breakfast, check. Introduce the concept of listing steps and check. That brings us to now. Four things accomplished already.”
“Who went out to get the breakfast?”
“Well, you.”
“Who served it?”
“You.”
“Who lays around like a fat dumbass?”
“Now, hold on. I am the king of beasts. That’s what we do.”
“Yeah, and you go to listen to that stupid chimpanzee blabber about organization and steps to the day. Then you come back here with some goofy idea about lists.”
“I’m just trying to improve.”
“If you want to improve, go out and get a zebra or something. Better yet, why not take on a rhino. You’re the king of beasts, after all.”
“Gee, I was just thinking —”
“Dangerous pastime for you.”
“Okay, let’s forget it.”
“No, I think you are on to something. I’m going to join the ladies at the waterhole. Here’s a list of things that need doing around the den. Try to feel accomplished today by taking steps to get them done.”
This post was published on January 4, 2016. Since we all go to bookstores, it may be helpful.
* * *
This list is inspired by observing some pretty unusual things on bookstore visits. I hope you enjoy it.
Top Ten Things Not to Do In a Bookstore
10 In a bookstore, do not set up a Coleman lantern next to the most comfortable chair. If you do, at best, you will tip off the store personnel that you intend to overnight. At worst, once set up there is no way you can leave the chair without someone else jumping into your spot. (That double shot low foam latte is now calling on you for relief)
9 In a bookstore, do not decide to skim through a couple of rare books while eating a brownie. If you do, at best, you’ll be able to avoid the discovery of the brown frosting spot on page 121. At worst, you are now looking at buying a book whose price tag makes your monthly food expense look cheap. (Hard to eat a book, right?)
8 In a bookstore, do not wear your jammies or bunny feet onesie, and carry your Dachshund. If you do, at best, you’ll be forced to stay in the juvenile section to quell the laughter. At worst, the store manager will place a call to the local mental health provider requesting an intervention. (Before that, the store seemed just like home, didn’t it?)
7 In a bookstore, do not decide to review a book using your out loud voice. If you do, at best, the rest of the patrons will ask the manager to throw you out. At worst, your review may not sit well with one individual who happens to be the brother of the best-selling author of the title, “Fear No One: Bare Handed Self Defense.” (He really does have big hands, doesn’t he?)
6 In a bookstore, do not spend hours looking at the magazines. If you do, at best, you may be taken for a homeless person in need of an offer of a free cup of coffee. At worst, you may be mistaken for a secret agent who has been waiting for the contact person now being interrogated by Homeland Security. (What do you mean by a phone call?)
5 In a bookstore, do not think you can do all your reading for free. If you do, at best, you will be eventually recognized and asked to leave. At worst, the security camera has recorded all the times you made a margin note or bent a page, and your bill is now overdue. (You should have worn a mask. Right Sparky?)
4 In a bookstore, do not try to sneak into the erotic section. If you do, at best, store personnel will think you’re going to steal something. At worst, the security department will hold its breath, hoping you will make a fool of yourself on camera. (You know Erotica is a genre, right? No need to sneak.)
3 In a bookstore, do not ask the manager to stock your book as if you’re a reader and not the author. If you do, at best, the manager will ignore your request. At worst, the manager will ask for your name and telephone number so he can call you when the book comes in. (Wow, that was embarrassing)
2 In a bookstore, do not ask the clerk if the price of the discounted book is the best they can do. If you do, at best, the person will confirm the price as firm. At worst, the clerk will call the manager, who will make a note of your request and politely inform you that the price is firm while memorizing your face for the next encounter. (After all, this place is not a flea market)
1 In a bookstore, do not come back for a while if you are greeted by name as if you are walking into Cheers bar. If you do, at best, you are recognized as a good customer, and it’s okay. At worst, the store personnel have your number; you might want to take the hint. (After three days, fish and guests start to smell alike)
Dan’s Bio
