tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55233692923755611102024-02-06T21:02:50.615-06:00Life as a Great RomanceRomance is for everyone. It is born in the mind which is open to experiencing beauty and love. A romantic person is one who recognizes and appreciates subtleties; encourages and admires creation; and chooses to be vulnerable without forfeiting strength or personhood.Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-10128816422514329262012-03-07T15:54:00.001-06:002012-03-07T15:54:28.180-06:00Barbara Bettis: Writers' Wednesday Features Shellie Foltz<a href="http://barbarabettis.blogspot.com/2012/03/writers-wednesday-welcomes-shellie.html?spref=bl">Barbara Bettis: Writers' Wednesday Features Shellie Foltz</a>: I’m happy to welcome Shellie Foltz. I met Shellie a few months ago when she spoke to our local writers group, Ozarks Romance Authors, and s...Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-73351947920888798642012-02-25T00:05:00.000-06:002012-02-25T00:05:44.209-06:00ParisTonight I needed a break from being too much in my head. I am making a presentation tomorrow morning at Southwest Regional Association of School Librarians and I'm nervous! I also am having a book signing at Barness & Noble from 2-4 tomorrow afternoon. It's great! All of it is just great! But, I am not an out in front sort of person by nature and these things are just a bit taxing for me. So, I retreated to Paris tonight.<br />
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On the way home from school (after being stopped by the longest train of all time not once, but twice in trying to get to my destination and then being kept from turning where I needed to by traffic backed up at that same train a third time!) I bought some new placemats with a bistro and bicycle motif, a couple new coffee mugs that say "l'amour" and a few groceries for my vegan French dinner for two.<br />
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I literally spent hours in the kitchen tonight to prepare French Onion Soup Tartines, Cucumber Gratin, and for dessert, Profiteroles (however you pronounce that). It was all lovely good. We ate late (for us) by the fireplace and listened to Jazz Radio's Paris Bistro station. We capped off the evening with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in <em>Sabrina</em>. <br />
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Romance is not dead. No matter what they say.<br />
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And now, back to work!Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-74505152605802813952011-12-04T17:05:00.000-06:002011-12-04T17:05:41.060-06:00Old Traditions Die HardThis year my traditionally traditional approach to the holidays is succumbing to a mid-life shift in style. I'm paring down. Back when it was time to decorate for fall, I had a nearly panicked feeling about cluttering up my house, ruining the simple lines and clean, flat surfaces; I didn't want to feel surrounded by stuff. I quite liked what I ended up with, but I have to admit, it was a far cry from my usual and it pained me a bit to put pieces I have always had out in the past back into their storage bins for that season. Funny how it didn't occur to me then that I might face the same dilemma come Christmas.<br />
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Sure as shooting, though, when Thanksgiving came and went and we hauled up the holly from the basement, I found myself setting aside trinket after bauble after do-dad and settling on the simple again. I'm very pleased with how it all looks, but in the back of my mind, that bit of guilt nibbled away at me: Someone made this for me. I've had this out at Christmas for fourteen years. I remember the day we got that. You know the routine.<br />
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More than special foods, more than miscellany, more than what was so important yesterday, I want to celebrate the moments I've been given to live my faith, to love my Lord, to sing, to choose, to lighten someone else's load, to cry when it is right to, and to focus on the joy of the season with family and friend - to celebrate. <br />
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Merry Christmas.Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-17989275610305133532011-10-25T10:24:00.000-05:002011-10-25T10:24:10.162-05:00Clorox Power A Bright Future Program - Update its 48-year-old library facility VOTING PHASE<a href="http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/gallery/detail/?nid=285">Clorox Power A Bright Future Program - Update its 48-year-old library facility VOTING PHASE</a>Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-47165526136432835662011-09-05T09:38:00.002-05:002011-09-05T09:38:57.164-05:00The Interview is Up and the Giveaway is Open!Thanks, Readinista, for the fun interview and for hosting a giveaway of <b><i>Love Under a Dark Sky</i></b>! Be sure to check out her awesome blog for tons of reviews and lots of other great stuff!Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-80810892738729643232011-09-03T10:05:00.000-05:002011-09-03T10:05:53.374-05:00September RelishesSo much is made of the approach of fall. Rightly so, I think. It's a refreshing time, a time when new routines are formed and we draw more toward home. It's a time for the return of familiar flavors and scents and sights, even sounds. We all have special moments we look forward to in autumn: spotting that first brilliant orange leaf on a tree in your own front yard; biting into the perfect apple from a local orchard; that wonderful dusky purple that edges the sunset; lighting candles of an evening; pulling on a sweater and snuggling in. <br />
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September is difficult, though, because as much as we want it to be fall, it just isn't yet. All the back-to-school promotions and decorations in classrooms would lead you to believe it should be, but the temperature is still quite warm and there's nothing yet of the tell-tale crispness in the air. So, before you let September get by you for wishing it was something it's not, I suggest you make a list of things to relish about it and make a point of celebrating each one. Before long, you'll realize the dream of autumn's arrival; just don't miss the transitional time between. It holds its own sorts of delights. <br />
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My September relishes include: the first home football game that requires me to wear a jacket and allows me to comfortably drink a hot chocolate from concessions; buying a new nail polish or lipstick in something brown or burgundy or russet; and baking zucchini bread.<br />
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What do you relish about September?Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-70835040890118016772011-08-31T16:31:00.002-05:002011-08-31T16:47:07.826-05:00Life In The Fast AisleToday I did the marketing. That sounds so much more sophisticated, almost European, than buying groceries. In the interest of full disclosure, this isn't my first time do this. After all I was a single dad for ten years and did all the marketing. Now that I'm retired I wanted to do something to ease Shellie's work load. So the house is very neat and the yard almost enviable. And now, after a long hiatus, I'm back in the food store, Wal-Mart none the less. With list in hand I set out this morning to do battle with the hungry hoards. I traveled up and down the rows all the way from the pet department, health and hygiene, paper goods, canned goods, dairy, produce, and finally frozen food. I was pleased to find that there are less sideways, aisle-blocking carts at that time of the morning and few screaming children. For once I couldn't complain about the slow bewildered looking elderly because I was clearly numbered among them. The only drawback was the long line that awaited at the check-out. Apparently we all finished our shopping at exactly the same moment. But after numerous announcements of "code 7 to the front" several lines opened and the crowd thinned considerably. In my attempt to further my "slowness" philosophy, I chose to remain in the same line. Then on to the car with bags safely tucked into the trunk. I felt very successful, even accomplished. I was able to procure almost everything on my list. How those ice cream bars found their way into my cart is still a mystery.Agate Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00381198917827168047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-81737252466400704922011-08-30T21:40:00.000-05:002011-08-30T21:40:26.836-05:00The Market Basket PreviewBruce is making his debut as our family's meal planner / marketer tomorrow. I'm going to insist he write about it tomorrow! Be watching.Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-72372733516228568802011-08-10T14:51:00.002-05:002011-08-10T14:51:47.806-05:00Thank You!Thank you to the 991 people who entered my Goodreads Giveaway for a chance at one copy of <b><i>Love Under a Dark Sky</i></b>! The winner has been chosen and will receive her copy soon. <br />
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Keep reading!Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-5741341349120334242011-08-01T17:09:00.000-05:002011-08-01T17:09:52.013-05:00He Worries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shelliefoltz.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/cropped-s6301871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="http://shelliefoltz.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/cropped-s6301871.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
He worries about me. Isn't it sweet? I'm 43 years old; we have been married for 13 years; I have driven all over the country as part of my first job out of college; since I started teaching, I've driven to innumerable conferences and workshops and training sessions. I haven't had a wreck since that weird run of three Valentines Days in a row when I was 18, 19, and 20 - that's ancient history - and only one parking ticket in the interim! Yet, he worries about me. <br />
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This weekend I will be attending a committee meeting in Columbia, MO. It's a mere three hours from home. All good roads, daytime driving, and I'm renting a car since ours has gotten, well, old and well-used. Of course, anything can happen, but that's true anytime with everyone. Today is Monday and he has mentioned my trip, let's see, around. . . five times today.<br />
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He worries about me. Isn't it sweet?Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-27620744906682205972011-07-28T07:54:00.000-05:002011-07-28T07:54:10.597-05:00A Question<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQfde7G8Ql0MfG5VH4EMvlD2ktwDxwfwGWSI6wbvnuKASNppNnW" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQfde7G8Ql0MfG5VH4EMvlD2ktwDxwfwGWSI6wbvnuKASNppNnW" width="320" /></a></div>I just want to know why <i>George of the Jungle </i>with Brendan Fraser is not listed in the top 100 romantic movies of all times?Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-5613609634697885082011-07-27T14:57:00.000-05:002011-07-27T14:57:24.079-05:00A Review of Flash Burnout by L. K. Madigan<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6321533-flash-burnout" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Flash Burnout" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256106407m/6321533.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6321533-flash-burnout">Flash Burnout</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2870363.L_K_Madigan">L.K. Madigan</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/183606498">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
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L. K. Madigan has created a character in Blake who is a tribute to adolescence. He is genuine. With all the intense emotions, the strong desires, the confusion, self-doubt, need to be an individual and yet to be accepted by the crowd, Blake is a wise-cracking encyclopedia of pop-culture (he had me at Doctor Who) with a lotta heart. <br />
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Without missing a beat, Madigan constructs a story in which the reader can immediately settle in and feel like a part of the family. The author plays hostess as beautifully as Blake's chaplain mother. Whether it's a simple description of a homework assignment, an important father-son talk about birth-control, a lesson on the effects of meth, or an exploration of the fragile boundaries of friendships and romances, Madigan treats each character, each scene with special attention. And, let's face it, everything deserves that kind of tender consideration in its own season.<br />
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Filled with common teenage vernacular and speech-patterns, Blake's voice is authentic and he is likable. The "'rents", the "olds", the brother, peers, friends, teachers, and acquaintances are all extraordinarily real. So, while Flash Burnout may not be the happiest of books, it is certainly satisfying.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4492236-shellie-foltz">View all my reviews</a><br />
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</div>Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-48930446880752124122011-07-23T07:00:00.001-05:002011-07-23T07:00:00.855-05:00Hello Ozark Romance Authors Conference!So, you scanned the QR code and ended up here. Isn't it just like Alice through the looking glass? You've just gotta love technology! Now that you're here, though, you're wondering about how to win a prize today. Here's the scoop: I will be giving away four prizes immediately after adjournment. You must enter by the end of the second break-out session this afternoon. Complete directions follow. (And, so you know, all's fair in the battle for prizes. You used your Smart phone to get here, use it to "research" the answers if you need to.)<br />
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Have fun and good luck!<br />
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<i>NOTE: This contest is for conference attendees only. Apologies to my regular blog readers. However, if you click on the link at the top, you can enter to win a copy of <b>Love Under a Dark Sky </b>through my Goodreads giveaway! See? Nobody goes away empty-handed.</i><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Directions<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For each prize you hope to win, fill out an index card with your first and last name on one side and the answer to the appropriate trivia question on the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drop your entry in the appropriate bag at Shellie’s table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first correct entry drawn will win the prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All entries must be submitted by the end of the second Break-out Session this afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Check the table immediately after adjournment to see if you’re a winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prizes not collected by 6:15 p.m. will be forfeited.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prize 1<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">An autographed copy of <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">No Penalty for Love </span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">by Shellie Foltz<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 16.0pt;">To win Prize 1, you must list the names and cities of </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 16.0pt;">five NHL franchises.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prize 2<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">An ARC of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love under a Dark Sky</i> </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">by Shellie Foltz<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 16.0pt;">To win Prize 2, you must write the name of the vehicle in which Dr. Who travels through time and space.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prizes 3 and 4<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Writers Bl**k Care Package<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 14.0pt;">with goodies to nourish and inspire<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Zurich Ex BT"; font-size: 16.0pt;">To win Prize 3 or 4, you must give the name of the person who said:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-10973151352949996262011-07-08T21:29:00.001-05:002011-07-08T21:39:43.513-05:00Wherever You Go. . . There You Are<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplL91RecoD8CaN34eqado8_vvnHgYqNiawwgHezxivNyhbKAVVpeBkzm7mB2WAPgO678DTEf_4xFuPdlPLneJapTHshlIr8yJBzbqk58BgbmW-vnCTRdXFcGT_SanVri-DgTZ5zK5XxIS/s1600/Breakwater+at+Grand+Marais.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplL91RecoD8CaN34eqado8_vvnHgYqNiawwgHezxivNyhbKAVVpeBkzm7mB2WAPgO678DTEf_4xFuPdlPLneJapTHshlIr8yJBzbqk58BgbmW-vnCTRdXFcGT_SanVri-DgTZ5zK5XxIS/s320/Breakwater+at+Grand+Marais.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're on vacation. An extended one. The first and perhaps only really long vacation we'll take, because, well, we just don't do that. This one was planned especially as a celebration of Bruce's retirement. I had a lot of fun searching out houses and apartments we could rent and take Natalie along both in Minnesota and in the St. Louis area. And, boy, did I find us a couple of dandies. Both with views of the water - Lake Superior and the Mighty Mississippi. <br />
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Because we're not staying in hotels, we have had all the comforts of home including full kitchens. We've eaten out plenty of times, but there are only so many meals you can sit down to in restaurants before they start becoming, well, less-than-special. So, we've shopped for groceries and cooked which has made mealtime in those cases seem pretty normal, except for the view. <br />
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We've roamed quite a lot, too, exploring some little towns we'd not been to before. In Minnesota, we experienced Lutsen, Grand Marais, White Bear Lake, and Rochester. In Missouri, we've discovered Clarksville, Louisianna, Elsberry and Hannibal (as well as some old favorites like St. Charles and St. Louis). We've walked rocky stretches of beach, two different breakwaters on Superior, a paved path through the north woods, a more rustic trail through another part of them, little town sidewalks and gravel alleys, grassy paths, and the river's ever-changing shoreline. In all, very reminiscent of what we do at home.<br />
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Today, rather than roam, we read. I finished one novel and started another. I've had times where I just wanted to sit down and write, too. <br />
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We laugh together about how some people would think our version of vacation is terribly boring. We laugh at ourselves at how similar to our "real lives" our vacation seems to be. And then we congratulate ourselves upon the reaffirmation that we are happy people who are happy in their lives together, because it seems that no matter where we go, there we are. And, we're okay with that.<br />
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ShellieShellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-51531497948554348292011-07-06T07:48:00.000-05:002011-07-06T07:48:01.430-05:00Avalon Authors: An Interview with Shellie Foltz<a href="http://avalonauthors.blogspot.com/2011/07/interview-with-shellie-foltz.html#comment-form">Avalon Authors: An Interview with Shellie Foltz</a><br /><br />Hi, friends! We're on vacation and the day just started off very bright with the publication of an interview Sandra Carey Cody wrote and published. Please visit the site and read the interview. While you're there, scroll back through some of the older posts and meet other Avalon authors and hear what they have to say about writing, ready, and life!<br /><br />A big thank you to Sandy! I love it!Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-62975565664283799212011-06-29T18:26:00.003-05:002011-06-29T18:52:35.984-05:00Movie Love QuotesMovie actors are lucky. They are never at a loss for a great romantic line because they have the advantage of a team of writers. Still some of the quotes are very memorable. Two very different scenes come to my mind.<br />The first might be somewhat unexpected. It's from Jack Nicholson, who's rather creepy even when he's not trying to be. The movie is "As Good As It Gets." His character is trying to compliment the female lead and after fumbling around through a long story, he comes up with, "You make me want to be a better man." It's hard to imagine any lady not finding that romantic.<br />The other quote is a classic. Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey charms his sweetheart Mary with<br />" What is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey, that's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary." Of course Mary, or any loved one, says "I'll take it."<br />Two great lines for those of us who have trouble finding the right thing to say at the right time.Agate Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00381198917827168047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-56510375073759927762011-06-17T14:45:00.001-05:002011-06-17T14:46:22.876-05:00Lilacs and Lake SuperiorWe're packin' and laundryin' and all sorts of things in eager anticipation of our Minnesota trip. I can't wait to smell the lilacs; see the lake whether steely gray or brilliant blue; breathe and breathe and breathe that cool and clean air. <br />
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In the meantime, my copies of <b><i>Love Under a Dark Sky </i></b>have arrived and fellow author and shelf-sister this cycle with Avalon, Sandra Carey Cody, has graciously published an excerpt form my novel on her website. Appropriately, the scene takes place on the shore of Lake Superior. It seems Minnesota is my muse.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.sandracareycody.com/">Sandra Carey Cody</a> is an author whose newest Avalon novel, Left at Oz, is available now. Check out her site and while you're there, don't forget to look at the <a href="http://www.sandracareycody.com/guestexcerpt.html">Guest Excerpt</a>.</i>Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-26873063982704107612011-06-14T20:17:00.000-05:002011-06-14T20:17:35.010-05:00Never Lose the Wonder!Today Bruce and I took a trip to Eureka Springs just to try out a restaurant a colleague had recommended because it had a nice-sized vegetarian menu. Local Flavor. Talk about yum! We got a little later start on our drive down than we usually do and arrived pretty hungry, so we made Local Flavor our first stop. With a meal like that, we were set up for a wonderful day.<br />
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In case you hadn't noticed by reading this blog, I really love spending time with Bruce. And, we really enjoy walking together. Eureka Springs is the perfect place for this. It's also the perfect place to remind us that our individual tendencies (his to look down as he walks and mine to look up) make us a great match and provide a sometimes necessary safety measure. If you've been to Eureka Springs, you know the sidewalks are a bit. . . uneven. I was spared a few tumbles by Bruce's watchful eye. He got to see a single red berry on an evergreen shrub, a pair of sparrows, and a coal black flying bug of some sort (I still need to look him up online) that was absolutely gorgeous (all black and shaped like a dragonfly only thinner) thanks to me. We didn't buy a thing except lunch, but had a marvelous day wandering around.<br />
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We didn't have dessert, but I did get a sweet surprise when we got home - I discovered the review of my new novel, Love Under a Dark Sky, had been published on <a href="http://www.romrevtoday.com/love-under-a-dark-sky---shellie-foltz.html">Romance Reviews Today</a>. I've placed the link above for your convenience.<br />
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Summer's here and the livin' is easy. Sweet days; slow, meandering ways; eat and be merry; and read books! Oh, and never lose the wonder!Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-76666717533065719982011-05-30T16:23:00.000-05:002011-05-30T16:23:56.477-05:00Gold Stars and Gold CrownsI just received word that Romance Reviews Today will be publishing a review of Love Under a Dark Sky in early June. I am so excited! I feel like someone gave me a gold star! I will provide the link for everyone when it's actually available to read; in the meantime, I am dreaming wildly. <br />
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I'll tell you a secret. It has been my wildest, craziest, "in your dreams" sort of dream that Hallmark would discover my sweet little romances and see how perfect they are for their Hall of Fame movies! Maybe I'll just wish upon that gold star now.<br />
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ShellieShellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-60254032227876562812011-05-10T20:53:00.000-05:002011-05-10T20:53:51.552-05:00Her.meneutics: Confessions of a Breadwinner Wife<a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/2011/05/confessions_of_a_breadwinner_w.html?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4dc9ec23b2c86365%2C0#more">Her.meneutics: Confessions of a Breadwinner Wife</a>Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-4419801359602434552011-05-09T17:22:00.000-05:002011-05-09T17:22:14.642-05:00Dream a Little DreamIt's so important to dream dreams together. When Bruce and I were first married, we had some trouble visioning together (as I'm sure is true with any newly married couple). I, being the proactive type, tried to force it. I'd get pencil and paper and suggest we make lists together. Lists such as: the top five places in the world you want to see, the top ten places in the United States you'd like to go, states you've already been in, states you've never been in, an event you would like to catch someday. <br />
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As I was newly employed as a teacher and fairly buried in student loan debt and as Bruce and Luke had been a single-income family for years, we had very little money to play around with. Still, my philosophy is that if you don't plan now then you shouldn't expect to accomplish something later on. Even if it's ten dollars a month stuck away in the sock drawer in an envelope labeled "Paris", it's something toward that dream and you're ten dollars closer every month to seeing it realized.<br />
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In our case, "Paris" was Minnesota. It was do-able. If we saved back so much each month, we could actually realize a summer vacation the next year. It was a sacrifice (and still is sometimes even though student loans are all paid off), but putting money back from every paycheck keeps it always in front of us (as do the photos on the screen savers). We talk about Minnesota all year long. It's inspiring. We wonder what Lake Superior looks like in the dead of winter. We keep our eyes on the webcams in Duluth. We talk about how good a peanut butter sandwich tastes when eaten at a rest stop in Iowa on the way toward the Minnesota state line or on the way back home. We mentally stroll the streets, visit the sights, relive and renew the dream together. The word Minnesota has not only become a common term in our house, it has become a family member. It's our good friend, our counselor, our financial consultant. We weigh our desire to take that trip together against any other opportunities that come up and, so far, Minnesota always wins.<br />
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If we had taken the same money we've invested in these trips the last five years, we probably would have been able to schedule one dandy tour of Europe by now. But, I wouldn't trade June in Minnesota for that. There are too many memories, too many plans, too many pleasures, and too many dreams still to be dreamed together there. <br />
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What are you dreaming up with the one you love?Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-20723301199370544032011-05-02T15:22:00.000-05:002011-05-02T15:22:25.710-05:00Welcome to Joe's - Again!God sure likes to pull a cherry out of the bag now and then! Talk about your unexpected delights! I had word today that Stained Glass Theatre wants to open their 2011-2012 theatre season with a reprise of my first play, Welcome to Joe's. <br />
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It's been something like seven years since it was first produced and I can still feel the thrill of it. I was so humbled by all the wonderful words people had to say about it and for years after I would hear things randomly from strangers at the next table in a restaurant or through someone who knew someone or from someone who had been loaned a copy of the dvd afterward. I was awestruck then that God could do such a thing and humbled that he'd chosen to allow me to be a part of it. Again, I have to say I'm completely humbled at the opportunity to do it again!<br />
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Just when you think something's over or you're worried that you'll never taste what you deem success again, God steps in and says, "Hey, chin up! I'm not finished with you yet." <br />
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For those of you who did not see <em>Joe's</em> in its first run, it's a romance (of course) with an evangelical message. The original cast was phenomenal and all of the direction and staging were stellar. I'm sure that the director this time, Tom Young who directed my second play, <em>Related Spaces</em>, a few years ago, will be terrific. <br />
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Thanks, SGT, for giving me this great pleasure again! I'm quite happy!Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-12983934206702259132011-04-26T18:28:00.003-05:002011-04-26T18:49:31.384-05:00Life As I Know It - The SequelToday was the prologue for the next chapter in my life. I'm retiring from the classroom and today Shellie and I drove to the retirement office in Jefferson City to sign the official paperwork. Yes, I could have just sent them in, but we decided to make a day of it. After a very satisfactory and encouraging meeting with a young lady named Susan, papers all signed, we headed downtown for lunch. Shellie treated me to a delicious Thai meal at Chim's and then we decided to walk the area. We found shops, bookstores, and toured by the river, capitol, and governor's mansion. We saw bus load after bus load of children in the area. But as we weren't responsible for any of them, we could just smile and watch them having such a good time. It was a windy, cool, and thoroughly enjoyable day. On the road home, we stopped at a small town eatery for coffee and pie (peach cobbler, actually, with vanilla ice cream).<div> The apostle Paul writes that some have the gift of singleness. I guess I'm not one of them. I can't imagine entering into this next phase of my life without Shellie by my side. How often I see or hear something and just can't wait to share it with my wife. The joy shared isn't divided, it's multiplied. Just as we strolled the streets of the state capitol, so I plan to embark on the second half of my life, hand-in-hand with my partner, my love, and my friend.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bruce</div>Agate Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00381198917827168047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-33980859086932787442011-04-25T20:36:00.000-05:002011-04-25T20:36:39.375-05:00RestYesterday was Easter Sunday and I planned it beautifully: a simple brunch for my family and mid-morning worship. I hadn't thought much beyond that which is most uncharacteristic of me. I'm a planner from way back. It was that lack of planning that lead to one of the most restful days in years of memories.<br />
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Because it's been so rainy (if you hadn't seen a weather map to know it) and because we had groceries enough for the week and because the house was clean (ah, something I forgot to pay tribute to Bruce for - when I got home from my conference a week ago the house was spic-n-span) and because we had books to read, but mostly just because we must have needed the break, we truly rested. Bruce napped on the couch and Natalie napped next to him while I read. Then, getting sleepy watching them, I decided I should nap, too. I went up to the bed to stretch out and Natalie followed to sleep by me. When we all three finally woke, it was mid-afternoon and we spent the rest of the day and evening just lazing around listening to music and reading and chatting and being us. We even went to bed early and slept through the night.<br />
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Don't you love the comforts of home? The ease of a day with no demands? A day of rest every week might be a good thing. Now, why didn't someone think of that before?Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523369292375561110.post-23238286296720743442011-04-21T19:44:00.000-05:002011-04-21T19:44:49.385-05:00PerfectionYesterday was my 43rd birthday. I had bunches and bunches of happy wishes from family and friends and former students. I received some very sweet, unusual, thoughtful gifts. It was a good day. A very good day.<br />
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But, last night was wonderful. We started the evening with dinner at Farmers Gastropub, a local restaurant featuring locally available foods and, a rarity in Springfield, I'm afraid, one that offers actual vegetarian meals (by that I mean they are vegetarian on their own - not just something with the chicken left off of it). I had the Vegetarian Cassoulet with crusty, crunchy baguette and a salad with homemade honey dijon dressing. As a special treat, Askinosie's Chocolate Gatte for dessert. It was luxury on a plate. Decadent. Divine.<br />
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The Jane Monheit concert was fabulous. Ask Bruce and he can tell you without batting an eye that my favorite music is jazz and my favorite combination is a trio of piano, bass and drums. He also knows I'm a sucker for words - lyrics, poems, monologues - whatever. Words, words, words. Ms. Monheit's vocals were sultry, spunky and sumptuous. She performed many of the standards with her own personal style and plenty of scat. There was nothing I didn't love about the concert. The sweet swelling music and the sweeter still sentiments brought tears to my eyes there in the darkened theatre and I felt very much alive and so grateful for life and love and the thrill of romance. <br />
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I'm a fairly well disciplined person. I watch my diet, I exercise, I am faithful to my Creator and faithful to my spouse, loyal to my family and friends. I am careful to be temperate in all things. But, once in a while, indulgence in the sensuousness of rich food, sweet song, and soft kisses stolen in a lingering note sung on stage is. . . perfection.Shellie Foltzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06606574977535054049noreply@blogger.com0