Maryann Miller has given Circumstances of Childhood a terrific review at her place. Here is the link to the review and her blog which is titled Maryann Writes.
Maryann Miller is one of those talented authors who makes time to help other authors. She has a regular feature on her blog where she provides a review of a book on Sunday and then invites the author to be her guest for a post on Wednesday.
Here is Maryann describing the process.
“Feel free to scout around the site and read my BLOG and find information about all my BOOKS, as well as my EDITORIAL SERVICES.
I like to support my fellow authors on my blog with reviews and guest posts. Those reviews cover fiction and nonfiction, and authors can find details by clicking the “services” tab.
If you would like to contact me for a review or editing, or just to say “hello” you can do so at maryann@maryannwrites.com. I do like to chat with readers and other authors about all aspects of books and writing.”
Visit Maryann and read the excellent review. You may want to have her do the same for you.
Thank you so much, Maryann, for taking the time to read and review Circumstances of Childhood. I look forward to visiting you on Wednesday.
Since this is the second anniversary of Hurricane Harvey which devastated Port Aransas, I thought I would repeat a post that ran after the hurricane showing the community spirit there. I think it is that spirit which helped many people through difficult times. We no longer live in Port Aransas but the experience of the hurricane is still with us. The post follows this photo of the Texas flag flying over the marina taken days after the Hurricane.
Here is the post.
Continuing with my thoughts on maintaining a positive focus regarding Hurricane Harvey, I am featuring three separate groups who have set up relief points in town. All the goods in these relief locations are donations from kind folks outside of Port Aransas. These contributions have made a difference in helping folks through a very tough time.
Our first stop is the Recovery Supply Depot at Robert’s Point Park.
Here residents can find almost anything in cleaning supplies, hardware, and food. Bear in mind the local grocery store just opened this week with a very limited supply.
This shot will give you an idea of the magnitude of the donations. There are even wheelchairs available.
I loved this shot since it shows bikes, shovels, and rakes.
When I took this picture, a guy off camera asked, “Do you have any tarps?” The answer was, “Sure do. What size?”
The next relief point is Cowboy Camp David. A place run by volunteers offering free food, water, and hugs. The words across the Texas image on the right of the sign read “Texas Strong.”
Water is very important and is available here.
The volunteers are setting up for lunch.
The local churches were hard hit, so Camp David is the point to gather for worship.
Cooking under a pop-up.
Two things every Texan loves. Bar-b-que and the Texas flag.
This relief point is the Harvey Help Center and is located in the ruins of the Laughing Horse Motel. There are bins of cleaning supplies, food, and clothes. (The Fritos looked especially good)
Here is a shot of the women who run this relief spot. I was impressed by their enthusiasm and desire to help those in need.
With the advent of Saturday, we can guess that this is Stream of Consciousness Saturday on this blog. This weeks prompt is the preposition. Linda Hill says we can get bonus points for beginning and ending our post with a preposition. So you see why the beginning of my post looks unusual (nailed it). If you would like to wander in the excitement of a weekly prompt, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to do just that there. Here is the link.
“Let’s play tag, Lucy.” “Okay, I’ll give you to the count of three.” “Can I get five?”
It is Friday again. This week has been more of the old heatwave. It has been 103 degrees for the last nine days. That kind of heat wears one out. We are expecting at least another two weeks of above 100 degrees. We can complain as much as we want, but it won’t help.
I spent another week on my WIP. Again I averaged above 1000 words a day and am currently at over 54,000.
Today’s JohnKu talks about the weather which is everyone’s favorite subject.
“What are you doing, Lucy?” “Just checking. I think I see Friday headed this way.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we had a round of doubt with Christine. Andrew was all in favor of heading back to Boston, but Larry talked him into going for justice for Alexis’ murder. Andrew wasn’t anxious to stay and drink with Christine. In fact, he thinks Christine’s days are numbered. Larry and Andrew head over to the Judge’s house. We need to get there and see how this scene is going to play out.
“Go ahead, Andrew ring the bell.”
“It’s after eight. Don’t you think it is a bit late to be calling on the judge?”
“I’m sure he’s expecting us. Ring the bell.”
“There, done. Man, does that thing intend to play the whole Westminster chime?”
“Someone is at the door. Let me do the talking, Andrew.”
“Can I help you, gentlemen?”
“Hello, we are from the Boston police department, and we believe the judge is expecting us.”
“Oh, yes, he is. Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
“If you gentlemen will follow me I’ll put you in the judge’s office and let him know you are here. Here we are. Make yourselves comfortable. The Judge will be right in.”
“Thank you, uh.”
“Oh, pardon my manners. My name is Thelma. I’m Judge Trimble’s wife.”
“Nice to meet you, Thelma. My name’s Larry, and this is Andrew, my associate. We are sorry to disturb your evening.”
“Oh, not at all. This is commonplace in a judge’s life. He’ll be right in.”
“Judges’ wife Thelma huh?”
“Hush, Andrew. Remember where we are.”
“Gentlemen. It is always nice to meet those whose duty it is to bring criminals to justice.”
“Yes, sir, your honor. This is Andrew Cummings, and My name is Larry Dunfee.”
“Very nice meeting you. Now how can I help you this fine evening?”
“We need to take a look at the guest records of the Hyatt hotel.”
“And for what purpose?”
“We are trying to establish the whereabouts of one Janice Rafferty on the night her husband was murdered. She tells us she was in Boston, but there is some hearsay that she was actually staying at the Hyatt.”
“Hearsay? Any eyewitness?”
“No, that is why we need the warrant.”
“If you do determine she was at the Hyatt then what?”
“Then we believe she is guilty of obstructing justice for lying to us, and we will arrest her.”
“So that is the only charge, obstructing justice?”
“Well, we also believe she knows more than she is letting on about the death of her husband. The obstruction charge will allow us to further investigate her alibi for the evening based on the new facts. She may be in line for a murder charge or at least a conspiracy to commit murder.”
“Why isn’t local law enforcement involved?”
“We have reason to believe the locals don’t want to pursue the case because the man murdered was an employee of the Cortez cartel. His death has already been ruled an accident, but we believe otherwise.”
“Alright, I’ve heard enough. I will issue the warrant for the hotel records of the named person. You say the name is Janice Rafferty?”
“I think we will need to look at Alexis Rafferty as well. I don’t think she would sign in under her name.”
“Larry what about Ned Dixon?”
“Good point. Your honor if we could also see if Ned Dixon was in the hotel, it would be helpful.”
“Who is Ned Dixon?”
“Her paramour.”
“I’m sorry Mr.Dunfee but now you are running far afield of my comfort zone here.”
“Yes, sir. Just the Rafferty’s then sir.”
“I will need you to sign this affidavit as to the nature of the crime and the fact that you believe Janice Rafferty did it. Also, I need to see your official ID.”
“Yes, sir. Here it is. Do I sign here?”
“Yes, right on that line. Okay, here you are. The warrant is good for twenty-four hours. Good luck.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“And gentlemen.”
“Yes, sir?”
“You are running around, stepping on some pretty big toes. I would be careful if I were you.”
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
This week marks the anniversary of the opening of the movie The Wizard of Oz in New York City in 1938. Since we all want to attend that gala event, we need to take our Top Ten Things Not to Do list so that we can enjoy the evening and not create an incident or tear in the time continuum. All set? Let’s go.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Opening of the Wizard of Oz in 1938.
10 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not think anyone will appreciate your cosplay attempt with the lion costume. If you do, at best no one will take your photo. At worst, since cosplay is a thing of recent history, the zoo will be called, and you’ll be netted. (This is a fine kettle of fish you’ve gotten yourself into Iapetus. At least there’s plenty of red meat served. I would keep an eye on that big fella over there. I think he likes you.)
9 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not let Tiny the WWF champ see you cut in line. If you do, at best you can make friends with the person you cut in front of quickly. At worst, Tiny, who was just warned about the evils of line cutting by his boss, has decided to make an example of you. (Stop screaming, Idris. Tiny will eventually stop twirling and slam you to the pavement. Then it will be time to scream.)
8 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not make any comment about the Munchkins. If you do, at best they’ll be too busy to hear you. At worst, your comment regarding size challenge will not go unrevenged. (How does it feel being carried aloft by one hundred hands, Ignat. I hope you enjoy the ride cause the next stop is the Hudson River.)
7 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not sing along with Dorthy on the song Over the Rainbow. If you do, at best the music will be loud enough to drown you out. At worst, the theater management will finally find you. (They thought you had brought your cat to the performance, Iliya. Looks like you better say a quick goodbye to your seatmates.)
6 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not think it amusing to arrive on a pink horse. If you do, at best traffic will be so bad you’ll never get to the front door. At worst, you’ll come face to face with the militant leader of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (The leader makes the Wicked Witch of the West appear to be a girl scout, Imad. That umbrella feels like a billy club, doesn’t it? Best to ride out of town.)
5 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not ask the concession person for a copy of the DVD. If you do, at best you’ll get a box of raisinets instead. At worst, the concession person thinking you mean to hold up the stand will whistle for the police. (Now you have the pleasure of explaining what a DVD is, Imanol. Maybe it’s better to say you meant raisinets after all.)
4 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not ask to try on the ruby slippers. If you do, at best Judy Garland will say no. At worst, you’ll get them on. (Now what are you going to do, Indra? You have size fives on your nines and no way to get them off. You’re lucky there is not a real witch Glenda. She would send you back to Kansas.)
3 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not ask the Winged Monkey King for an autograph. If you do, at best he won’t have a pen. At worst he might decide to take you back to the tower to share a lunch. (Don’t look now, Iolo but the term, “share,” has a different meaning to the Flying Monkeys)
2 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not ask auntie Em for a cookie. If you do, at best she won’t hear you. At worst, you will be the one-millionth person to make that request. (So auntie decided to give you something for your effort huh, Ionakana? Here take this steak and put it on that eye. The swelling will go down in no time.)
1 At the opening of the Wizard of Oz, do not shout out, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” If you do, at best no one will know what you are talking about. At worse, when that part comes in the movie, and the audience realizes you shouted a spoiler. (Time to leave your seat, Iowereth. There are about 300 movie goers who want a piece of you. Guess what? There aren’t that many pieces to go around.)
I know it seems a little odd to feature driveways on Views of the Neighborhood. I just found that some of them are so steep up or down that I couldn’t help myself in taking pictures of them. They may interest you as well.
Here is one that drops about thirty feet and then you have to go through a gate as well.
I thought this was interesting in that there is a handrail which you would need to pull yourself up the drive. The sign that looks like a tree to the right designates this house as someone who needs help getting their trash to the curb. The collectors go down and get the cans.
Here is another sign that means this house also needs help with the trash containers. The reason it is not a tree is that the collection company has changed over time.
A drive so long that a drain is needed at the bottom to collect the sunami water rushing down from the rain.
Here is another handrail to help you drag yourself up the drive. Also a drain and tile insets for decoration.
A long driveway made of asphalt
Another handrail and steps to make it easier for you to drag yourself up the driveway.
Shade and winding drive
Bit of a drop-off. Gotta hope the brakes are good.
Another sign indicating the need for help with trash. This is the third type and is the current trash pick-up provider.
You can’t see the house from here, but you could roll right into the living room. Just follow the drive.
I think you aim for the front door but keep a heavy foot on the brake.
Well, that’s about it. I hope you enjoyed the tour which gives you an idea of how hilly our topography is around here.
“It’s Friday, Little One. Go play.” “But Dad. I don’t have anything to play with.”
Looks like we made it to Friday. I hope your week was a good one. I can’t say much has been going on around here. We have had a full week of above 100 degrees F. Have to say it gets old after a while. Wednesday night we got a nice downpour. It was totally out of the blue. Not forecasted. It seems the big high-pressure area that sat over us all week moved slightly to the west. Nature abhors a vacuum so in rushed a little cold front and there we had it, rain.
I managed to keep the 1000 wood a day pace on my WIP this week. I’m currently at over 47,000. That means I did a little better than 1000 a day. I usually target about 90,000 so I’m a smidgeon over half way to a completed first draft.
Today’s JohnKu talks about unforcasted events. I hope you all have a super weekend.
