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?