The Classics - Opening Lines: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story.
(published 1911)


I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration. Writing styles were different then, but were they really?

Celebrate the Small Things: My First Coffee

Okay, so I didn't just have my first coffee, but I am very appreciative

of this brew that I started enjoying somewhere in my twenties. 

Memories are vague, but I do remember early encounters when I was quite young. Mom and her sister Evelyn spent long hours in the kitchen, or so it seemed, sipping one cup of coffee after another and catching up on the latest news. As I played with my cousin, Mom and Aunt Evelyn talked about everything it seemed, anywhere from what to fix for dinner to personal regrets.... Mom's all time favorite was the missed land opportunity that could have made the family a fortune. 

The earthy aroma of coffee was everywhere, rising in the steam from the pot as it brewed, in the air as it was poured, and on their breath as they talked. Mixed with Mom's flowery perfume in the scarf she liked to wear and Evelyn's floury hands (oh, could she ever bake a loaf of bread), it was a wonderful Norwegian potpourri. I say Norwegian because I only remember this scent in the homes of the Norwegians in my family. The one German home on my other side often had a cloved beef tongue simmering in the pot and fabulous okra chili. Brewed coffee, yes, but more dominated by the chili spices and cloves wafting from the pot. 

Fast forward to marriage in my early twenties. No coffee pot, but instant coffee thank you, because I was too busy to learn how to brew coffee properly. Disgusting stuff as I look back. Drip coffee

today, and I try to limit it to two cups. No sugar (ever) and a bit of cream. 

How about you? Do you have any first coffee memories?

Happy Weekend! 

  

Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful for that week. It can be about writing or family or school or general life. This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)  Two wonderful co-hosts of Celebrate the Small Things are: L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge
Katie @ TheCyborgMom

The Classics - Opening Lines: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Somewhere in La Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember, a gentleman lived not long ago, one of those who has a lance and ancient shield on a shelf and keeps a skinny nag and a greyhound for racing. (published 1605)

I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration.
Writing styles were different then, but were they really? 

Celebrate the Small the Things: Family and Progess

As some of you know, Vince and I are in a race to see who can finish first. I'm trying to get my book published. He's trying to paint

his plane. It would appear he is a good lap ahead. April was a set back for me with the a-z, and now with family (Mom) still visiting, I'm focused on spending time with her. (I've spent one whole day on my book in the last two weeks). But you know.....I have no regrets. I wrote somewhere that family trumps all, and this is one of those times. After spending time learning about my uncle in the Battle of the Bulge, Mom and I have been gardening and hitting the putting course.

Check out my new Shasta Daisy and Petunias!

Ha-ha :) Put-put golf for grownups on Desert Aire's putting course.

 

Vince applying his first large piece of vinyl wrap underneath the wing. The white vinyl on top is lying loose. It's next. Vinyl wrap is the latest way to paint vehicles and although the learning curve is high, it beats setting up a paint booth and learning how to operate a spray gun. Pretty clever if you ask me.



So celebrating my husband's progress and the priority of family, because when it comes down to what is most important, I'm thankful for family most.

Happy Weekend!

Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful for that week. It can be about writing or family or school or general life. This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)  Two wonderful co-hosts of Celebrate the Small Things are: L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge
Katie @ TheCyborgMom

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

The First Airplanes by Megan Cooley Peterson: Book Review

 
"Famous Firsts"The First Airplanes
Author: Megan Cooley Peterson
Publisher: Capstone Press, 2015  
Ages: 4 to 8, Picture Book
Pages: 24


For young children interested in airplane history, The First Airplanes is a great introduction. Given the vastness of the airplane’s development, Peterson does a good job selecting a few representative planes. Beginning with The Wright brothers’ first flight in 1903, Peterson takes readers on a photo journey that covers the monoplane, flying boat, four-engine plane, metal plane, jet airplane, jet fighter, and jumbo jet. There is just enough information to tweak one's interest, with short lines of text on the left and full-size black and white photos on the right. A simple timeline with captions runs along the bottom of every page of text.

Language is basic and age appropriate, as in the introductory sentence, "Zoom! Airplanes soar through the clouds." There are new words to learn, and repetition of words and phrases helps in the learning process, as does the glossary at the end. The First Airplanes complies with the National Social Studies Standards related to science, technology, and society. Included are Table of Contents, "Read More" section, List of Internet Sites, "Critical Thinking Using the Common Core" section, and Index.

Personally, I loved this little book, which now sits in my china cabinet for when the grandkids visit. I have a Wright Flyer displayed on one shelf already, and it fits nicely behind all. 



Copyright 2015 © Sharon M. Himsl

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

The Classics - Opening Lines: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink. That is, my feet are in it; the rest of me is on the draining-board, which I have padded with our dog's blanket and the tea-cosy." (Published 1949)



I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration.
Writing styles were different then, but were they really? 

Celebrate the Small Things: Mother's Words

 
Hi. Still enjoying my mother's visit, and it's hard to believe a week has flown by already. Last week Dixie @dcrelief suggested I interview her on some 'long life advice', since she recently celebrated her 90th birthday. 

Here are some words Mom wanted to share . . . 



"Eternal Youth"

There is one thing that is certain,
You are not going to stay young forever!
"Yes," that's a hard one to believe or want to believe.
Always make the best of each year, as it is the greatest!
Even if hardships happen . . .
surprising how one can sneak up on you. "Yes."
Always stay young in spirit, having great faith in God. 
Let age come gracefully. 


by Lillian Henderson (age 89)

Giving Mom a tour in our new golf cart

 "Lillian's Poem"

Where oh where are those years gone by?
Some behind and kept like new.
Memories great shall not die.
So much more one must claim.
Now they tell me I am 90, "Oh my."
The best there is we shall see.
Honest stories ahead: no lie.
Continue on and finish.
Then gracefully say to all, "Goodbye."

by  Lillian Henderson (age 90)

Mom reading a 'very' good book.

 Happy Weekend!

Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful for that week. It can be about writing or family or school or general life. This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit) 


Two kind and wonderful co-hosts are helping: L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge Katie @ TheCyborgMom

IWSG: Writer Fatigue

The Insecure Writers Support Group meets online every first Wednesday of the month. Founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh, IWSG was created to support and encourage all writers in every phase of their work, from writing to marketing. Click here to join, and for information, writing tips and more.

Co-hosts for the May 6 posting are Eva Solar, Melanie Schulz, Lisa-Buie Collard, and Stephen Tremp!

April was a good month for writing and meeting deadlines. The A-Z was motivating and instructive, and it was fun learning about my theme and meeting new bloggers. The flip side is I did not meet the goals for submitting my novel. I'm fighting writer fatigue at the moment, but since my mother is visiting for two weeks anyway, I'm taking it easy and helping her with her memoirs. We spent the afternoon talking about my uncle's experience in a German prison camp during WWII. She's 90 years old but has vivid recall of all he told her. Here's hoping the memory genes were passed on to me! 

During the A-Z, a friend shared some information I thought I would pass on to YA writers. Did you see this?
----
Top 20 YA Agents: 142 Sales in the Last 12 Months
// Darcy Pattinson Fiction Notes
 
What agents are selling young adult (YA) novels? 

  Be sure to click the link for more information.

The Classics - Opening Lines: "The Marry Month of May" by O. Henry

"Prithee, smite the poet in the eye when he would sing to you praises of the month of May. It is a month presided over by the spirits of mischief and madness. Pixies and flibbertigibbets haunt the budding woods; Puck and his train of midgets are busy in town and country."    (Published 1905)



I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration. Writing styles were different then, but were they really?
 

A-Z Challenge Theme Reveal - Something Inventive

Well, I almost backed out of the now famous A-Z April Challenge, but it's kind of like a fever. The more you think about it, the more affected you feel, only in a good way. It's just plain fun to participate, and yes....it was a burnout last year, and yes....I had to take time off to recover. But in the end I had this pretty cool collection that I was proud of and people seemed to enjoy. 

So, what to do, what to do? What could I possibly write again that would keep bloggers interested? I did what I always do when I write a post (and for the last two A-Zs). I chose a topic I was personally interested in and wanted to explore.

So, TA-DA.....Inventions by Women A-Z. 

 
Now, before some of you guys do an about face and run (or you non-history buffs :) thinking . . . ~B-O-R-I-N-G~, "I'm out of here," think again. 

You might be surprised at some of the inventions women made that have had a huge impact on your life, and you couldn't live without if you tried. 

How about Engine Mufflers and Windshield Wipers? And ladies, how about Barbie Dolls, Rolling Pins and Disposable Diapers? I try to keep it light, short, informative, and fun, and selected only one invention per post for the A-Z. There were many to choose from!

Here's the lineup:


A - Alphabet Blocks
B - Barbie Doll
C - Chocolate Chip Cookies
D - Disposable Diapers
E - Engine Muffler
F - Fire Escape
G - Globes
H - Home Security System
I - Invisible Glass
J - Jerky
K - Kevlar
L - Life Raft
M - Monopoly
N - Nystatin
O - Optical Analysis System
P - Paper Bags
Q - Q-tips
R - Rolling Pin
S - Spread Spectrum Technology
T - Telephone Switching System
U - Unknown Inventors
V - Vacuum Canning
W - Windshield Wipers
X -X-rays on Wheels
Y - Yellow Mustard Powder
Z - Zucchini Bread


  Click here for more A-Z Theme Reveals

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

Celebrate the Small Things: Taking a Breather

Celebrating the end of the A-Z and enjoying a breather. 

I'm getting ready for my mother's 90th birthday out of town this weekend. The family is planning a surprise potluck for her at my brother's home, one of her favorite ways to gather. Then I'm bringing her back with me for a couple of weeks. I have no idea what we will do, but I have a hunch we will end up in the garden pulling weeds, or down by the river collecting rocks, or sipping coffee on my patio. 

Maybe we will go bird watching. I have been told there are pelican down by the river. I haven't seen one yet, but I did see a bald eagle one day perched high in a tree. I'm still learning about all the bird life here. I have seen plenty of killdeer, geese, robins and quail already. Maybe I'll take Mom to Bingo at the senior center or Bible study at the church on Monday. 

And I'm dying to take her out in our new golf cart. She doesn't play golf (I barely do myself) but I know she would love a tour of our lush green course. Whatever we do, I know it will be relaxing and filled with plenty of conversation. I have learned much from this still 'young at heart' woman of 90 years!

Check out our new toy, and it's all electric. I know how to drive it, just wish I 

knew how to golf (one lesson wasn't enough). One nice thing is 

we can drive off the course anywhere in the community.

Have a nice weekend everyone!!

  

Celebrate the Small Things. To be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful for that week. It can be about writing or family or school or general life. This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)

Co-hosts of Celebrate the Small Things are:
L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge
Katie @ TheCyborgMom