Puccini's La Boheme: Act I - love between Rodolfo and Mimi (really Lucia, we don't know why she's called Mimi) happens, as Mr. Bean would say, in the flashiest of flashes. Why would you want to be in love in a movie when it can happen so much faster in an opera? Maybe it's because operas rarely (do they ever?) have happy endings. Movies can end tragically, but the romantic comedies we're so fond of are engineered to make us feel euphoric, at least momentarily.
I heard a funny thing on the radio the other day. Women respond more, romantically speaking, to action movies than to what we call romances. Apparently the adrenalin works its magic through a good gun battle or car chase. As I see it this "fact" works well for both men and women. And, I'm not a bit surprised, really, when I think about how much I enjoy ice hockey and how the game inspired my first romance novel. Considering further, my second romance novel was actually propelled by gorging myself on Doctor Who battling evil aliens and not on Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan sharing anonymous emails at all.
Maybe we should consider a new hybrid? A fusion, if you will - adventuopera. Or, romaction? Hmmm.
Showing posts with label hockey-themed romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hockey-themed romance. Show all posts
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sunday, October 17, 2010
What is it About Sunday Mornings?
I often mention Michael Franks as one of the most romantic singers. His lyrics evoke so many emotions. They are a celebration of married life as far as I'm concerned. A common theme seems to be Sunday morning. Sleeping in, breakfast in bed, sunlight streaming through gauzy curtains, favorite music. Stuff like that.
Recently Bruce and I watched the Diane Lane and John Cusak movie Must Love Dogs. With the exception of one particularly weird and out of place scene that's just too sexual for the rest of the film, it's a charming story. Diane Lane plays a jilted wife. One of the things she misses most about married life is Sunday mornings. Pajamas, the newspaper, being lazy together.
What is it about Sunday mornings?
Today we didn't have our fairly regular Sunday morning family breakfast out. It was just me and Bruce at home with plenty of time before we needed to get ready for second service. The autumn beckoned. We poured steaming mugs of coffee, pulled on hats over our messy hair and went for a walk. We zig-zagged all the streets in our neighborhood. Saw the bright and thrilling contrast of the top branches illuminated by the sunrise with the lower branches still in shadow below. Picked out the prettiest trees to point out to one another. Stopped to notice a green caterpillar making his way toward the curb.
When we got home, I realized that was the most conversation Bruce and I had enjoyed in what seems like several weeks. We've gotten busy. Distracted. Tired. But this morning we were us again and it was good.
What is it about Sunday mornings? I don't know. They just feel different. The whole world seems to move more slowly. There is a general sense of no need to hurry. People smile more. Of course, for us, Sunday means significantly more than that as we set aside time specifically to worship with our church family; that aside, I guess Sunday is just a day for lingering. Lingering over conversations, mugs of coffee, neighborhood walks, books, music. Lingering long enough to notice the one you love.
And suddenly, "a month of Sundays" sounds quite appealing.
Recently Bruce and I watched the Diane Lane and John Cusak movie Must Love Dogs. With the exception of one particularly weird and out of place scene that's just too sexual for the rest of the film, it's a charming story. Diane Lane plays a jilted wife. One of the things she misses most about married life is Sunday mornings. Pajamas, the newspaper, being lazy together.
What is it about Sunday mornings?
Today we didn't have our fairly regular Sunday morning family breakfast out. It was just me and Bruce at home with plenty of time before we needed to get ready for second service. The autumn beckoned. We poured steaming mugs of coffee, pulled on hats over our messy hair and went for a walk. We zig-zagged all the streets in our neighborhood. Saw the bright and thrilling contrast of the top branches illuminated by the sunrise with the lower branches still in shadow below. Picked out the prettiest trees to point out to one another. Stopped to notice a green caterpillar making his way toward the curb.
When we got home, I realized that was the most conversation Bruce and I had enjoyed in what seems like several weeks. We've gotten busy. Distracted. Tired. But this morning we were us again and it was good.
What is it about Sunday mornings? I don't know. They just feel different. The whole world seems to move more slowly. There is a general sense of no need to hurry. People smile more. Of course, for us, Sunday means significantly more than that as we set aside time specifically to worship with our church family; that aside, I guess Sunday is just a day for lingering. Lingering over conversations, mugs of coffee, neighborhood walks, books, music. Lingering long enough to notice the one you love.
And suddenly, "a month of Sundays" sounds quite appealing.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Now Playing
Theme dinner anyone?
For me, cooking is a less than desirable chore at the end of the work day. Thus, weekday dinners tend to fall into one of three categories: cheap eat-outs, frozen, or quick mix. In the fall and winter I'm more likely to whip up a soup or try my hand at something with a few more ingredients and steps during the week, but I burn out quickly. Weekends, then? Restaurants. Failing that, cereal. Cold cereal. Sometimes an antipasto platter or bread with pesto and cheeses if I'm feeling really daring.
Last school year, though, I got my gumption up and tried to plan for more home cooked (thank you, Sandra-Lee Semi-Homemade) weeknight dinners and even some at-home date night suppers for the weekend. I can be creative when I want to be and one of my favorites was the Verona Night - a theme dinner. I spent snatches of time online all week looking up the traditional foods of Verona and planned a not-too-complicated menu including a traditional dessert of Juliet's Kisses (again, semi-homemade). We supped by candlelight and then went out to see Letters to Juliet. It was fun. I wanted to try it again.
A couple of months passed and Bruce's birthday was on the horizon. A local business supporter and semi-green person, he likes the challenge of shopping for all of our gifts locally. We have fun doing Christmas at flea markets and used bookstores. He had mentioned wanting to reread some of M.C. Beaton's Hammish Macbeth books. I found a few at the used bookstores and supplemented with a couple of new copies, wrapped them in green and blue plaid fabric and tied them with a green satin ribbon. I purchased a c.d. of bagpipe music (yes, I really did) and planned a Highland breakfast. Scotch Eggs (using vegetarian sausage), oat scones, carandash (I think that's how it was spelled - layers of real whipped cream with brandy - or in my case brandy extract - raspberries and toasted oats), and Scottish breakfast tea. It was so yummy and so very fun. I want to try it again.
As the school year gets started, I'm looking forward to the entertainments of the season: high school football games, school dances, ice hockey, band concerts, theatre, and the return of all the best autumn has to offer by way of cuddling opportunities with one's Honey. I'm also thinking that another Theme dinner might be on the menu soon. So, I'll be perusing the offerings at our local independent movie theater, the stage plays coming up, and all the free things our nearby university has to offer (thank you, Missouri State!), and even dvds we haven't watched in so long I've forgotten we have them. With a little invention, a little investigation, and a little investment of time and effort, our table will be set with a thematic flair once again.
For me, cooking is a less than desirable chore at the end of the work day. Thus, weekday dinners tend to fall into one of three categories: cheap eat-outs, frozen, or quick mix. In the fall and winter I'm more likely to whip up a soup or try my hand at something with a few more ingredients and steps during the week, but I burn out quickly. Weekends, then? Restaurants. Failing that, cereal. Cold cereal. Sometimes an antipasto platter or bread with pesto and cheeses if I'm feeling really daring.
Last school year, though, I got my gumption up and tried to plan for more home cooked (thank you, Sandra-Lee Semi-Homemade) weeknight dinners and even some at-home date night suppers for the weekend. I can be creative when I want to be and one of my favorites was the Verona Night - a theme dinner. I spent snatches of time online all week looking up the traditional foods of Verona and planned a not-too-complicated menu including a traditional dessert of Juliet's Kisses (again, semi-homemade). We supped by candlelight and then went out to see Letters to Juliet. It was fun. I wanted to try it again.
A couple of months passed and Bruce's birthday was on the horizon. A local business supporter and semi-green person, he likes the challenge of shopping for all of our gifts locally. We have fun doing Christmas at flea markets and used bookstores. He had mentioned wanting to reread some of M.C. Beaton's Hammish Macbeth books. I found a few at the used bookstores and supplemented with a couple of new copies, wrapped them in green and blue plaid fabric and tied them with a green satin ribbon. I purchased a c.d. of bagpipe music (yes, I really did) and planned a Highland breakfast. Scotch Eggs (using vegetarian sausage), oat scones, carandash (I think that's how it was spelled - layers of real whipped cream with brandy - or in my case brandy extract - raspberries and toasted oats), and Scottish breakfast tea. It was so yummy and so very fun. I want to try it again.
As the school year gets started, I'm looking forward to the entertainments of the season: high school football games, school dances, ice hockey, band concerts, theatre, and the return of all the best autumn has to offer by way of cuddling opportunities with one's Honey. I'm also thinking that another Theme dinner might be on the menu soon. So, I'll be perusing the offerings at our local independent movie theater, the stage plays coming up, and all the free things our nearby university has to offer (thank you, Missouri State!), and even dvds we haven't watched in so long I've forgotten we have them. With a little invention, a little investigation, and a little investment of time and effort, our table will be set with a thematic flair once again.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Having a Good Clear Out
The Cast of As Time Goes By
As Time Goes By became a fast favorite for me when I discovered it on PBS one Saturday night years ago. Back in the days of VCRs. I got hooked from the moment I caught Jean and Lionel, Judy, Alistair, and Sandy; not to mention Rocky and Madge and the indomitable Mrs. Bale. The last time I loved a British sitcom was in college - a vulgar show in the '80s called The Young Ones. I should be ashamed to admit it, but I do own the boxed set and do get it out every now and then to watch. Only when Bruce isn't home, though. He hates it. BUT, he does enjoy As Time Goes By and even encouraged me to replace our worn out video tapes of it a few years ago with the complete dvd set. A bargain at any price as many times as we've watched the series all the way through. In fact, recently Bruce suggested we watch it from beginning to end again this summer. I think it's a wonderful plan!
In one of the episodes, Jean is having a clear out. If I hadn't been watching I wouldn't have realized it just meant cleaning out the closet (or cupboard, or whatever). Lionel took this to mean that something was wrong - in his experience women had clear outs when something was bothering them. I do find a good clear out to be therapeutic, but I also find it to be fun - in the right frame of mind. My clear outs tend to come at the end of Christmas vacation from school after the tree is down and before the new year. Last winter my kitchen got cleared out and, amazingly, the cupboards still look nice and "rationalized".
Usually, I plan for my clear outs. You know, build up to them. Last week, however, I had one sort of sneak up on me. After staying at Breakwater House in Two Harbors for a week, I decided our house could have some of the features about that one that I really enjoyed. Namely, a more open and airy feel to it. So, I transformed my library into a breakfast room and the dining room became a little sitting area which my mother says is called a "morning room". I had fun choosing the cushions and deciding which pictures would hang in which rooms once the change was made and did it all for relatively little money. But, when it came time to sort through all those books in the library and decide which ones to leave out and which to store, when it came time to figure out how we were going to keep compact discs that had been stacked inside little peach crate tables that were going for other uses now organized and accessible, when it came time to deal with the years and years of magazines I'd accumulated . . . well, let's just say a lesser man would have said, "This was your idea, not mine" (or something profane) and walked away. Instead, Bruce helped me.
I like that he takes an interest in our home. I like that he's pleased with how it looks and feels. I like that he doesn't complain when I want to change something. He's not an eager project-taker-oner and there are certain things he'd just as soon not do, like painting. But, I've never known him to be a brute about anything I wanted to do. He may drag his feet a little sometimes, but when it comes down to it, even if I can't, for whatever reason, do the things it takes to make an idea work, he helps me get it done. In the past twelve years, he has endeavored to hang checked wallpaper for me, paint a whole lot of kitchen cupboards a rich orange maple, carry cinder blocks to the second floor to build a desk tall enough that I could see out the dormer window while sitting at it (then move them from the second floor to the basement some years later when I grew tired of the desk), maneuver innumerable heavy pieces of furniture up or down a narrow staircase that curves at the top, and transform the room that was Lucas' dark dungeon bedroom into a beach room complete with new ceiling fan blades and pulls while I was away at a conference. He has hauled at least a hundred bulging bags of clothes and shoes from my closet to the car trunk to the Salvation Army donation box, drilled holes in the top of an old table on our porch to anchor down a pretty little Christmas tree that kept blowing over in the wind, and hosted dozens of open houses without a complaint.
I see men who are ugly about their wives' little projects; who sometimes are flat mean about having to be involved in some kind of home project. If Bruce gets bored (and I'm sure he does) with my myriad and only sometimes ludicrous suggestions of how to improve our home, he never shows it. He's learned the art of letting me talk it through. Probably he's hoping I'll talk myself out of it, but if I don't, he's right there to help and encourage. And always to praise the efforts when we're through.
As time goes by, I find out more and more things to love about the man I love. As time goes by my heart becomes more and more satisfied with our life together. As time goes by, I learn how beautiful love can be and how precious it is to trust your husband with your thoughts, your hopes, your fears - even if they are silly ones like, "But what if we move the table down the hall and I hate it?" His answer is, "Live with it a year and if you still don't like it, we'll move it back." But, I know he'd do it that same night to just please me.
So, all this to say: having a clear out is a great way to spend time together. You find things long forgotten, you problem-solve together giving each other a chance to shine and be the hero, you get to stand back when you're done and experience that satisfaction of working together for a common goal, and you get to crash in each others arms that night too exhausted to do anything but watch a favorite something together. Who knew clear outs could be so romantic?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Take Me Out to the Ballgame - If You Must
Lord Stanley's Cup has been won. Summer has officially begun. Now, take me out to the ballgame.
Though sports were never high up my list - in fact, I used to become quite irritated with people who were sports fans - I have come to appreciate them since I got married. I knew Bruce enjoyed sports and so one of the first things I did when I thought we might be getting serious was to check out a book on the basics of football so I could have at least an understanding of what was going on when we watched. Translating what was in print to what was on the field, though, was just not happening for me. It was several years later when I decided it would be nice if I would watch the Superbowl with him that I sat down for parts of some of the Sunday games and asked him to explain some of the plays. Unlike Bruce's attempt at humor at the first football game we attended together when he told me the players in the odd-numbered jerseys were running backs and they had to run backward in the game (how dumb did he think I was?), he explained as I asked and over the course of the season I learned enough to be able to watch the Superbowl that year and "get it".
One of the first presents I got Bruce after we were married was tickets to a St. Louis Blues game and a Blues jersey. Extravagant for a first-year teacher with student loans to pay, but I really wanted to please him. Though it pains me to admit it now, I was not struck with the game. Our seats were high up and I really couldn't understand what just looked like a bunch of scrambling on the ice. (If you want to know my real first impressions of the game, read Patricia's impressions in No Penalty for Love - yeah, that's me, sitting there wondering what is going on and why everyone is so enthralled.) Because I was so unimpressed, I went a little begrudgingly to my first Missouri State University Ice Bears game. The rest is history on that one - I love hockey now!
But, since the Blackhawks beat the Flyers last night, we've settled into baseball season which is my least favorite sport. Try as I might, I just can't relax for fear that I'm going to get hit with a foul ball! But, I realize the odds are against that happening and Bruce enjoys the leisurely pace of summer's greatest pastime (or so it's called - my own greatest summer pastime is reading a Grisham novel on the deck with a glass of iced tea), so I go. Tonight we're going to watch the Springfield Cardinals play the Tulsa Drillers. In July we're off to St. Louis to see the Big Birds play. The new stadium has been open for something like five years now and Bruce has wanted to see it since it opened. I bought the tickets for his birthday, but couldn't wait that long to give them to him. If you go on the Cardinals' website and look at a view from the seats, you can see what we'll be seeing: a gorgeous skyline with the Arch just past the scoreboard. Pray for no rain!
My point is that romance can be found anywhere. Even at a sporting event. Sometimes learning something new because you know it would please your loved one is a nice thing to do. Sometimes you even discover a new interest yourself (or, in my case a new interest and inspiration to write). What is your loved one interested in that makes you roll your eyes and wish you were dead? Learn something about it just to please him. Comfort in a relationship is great - being at ease with one another is much to be desired! But, a little stretch now and then can put a spring in your step and a song in your heart: Take me out to the ballgame!
Though sports were never high up my list - in fact, I used to become quite irritated with people who were sports fans - I have come to appreciate them since I got married. I knew Bruce enjoyed sports and so one of the first things I did when I thought we might be getting serious was to check out a book on the basics of football so I could have at least an understanding of what was going on when we watched. Translating what was in print to what was on the field, though, was just not happening for me. It was several years later when I decided it would be nice if I would watch the Superbowl with him that I sat down for parts of some of the Sunday games and asked him to explain some of the plays. Unlike Bruce's attempt at humor at the first football game we attended together when he told me the players in the odd-numbered jerseys were running backs and they had to run backward in the game (how dumb did he think I was?), he explained as I asked and over the course of the season I learned enough to be able to watch the Superbowl that year and "get it".
One of the first presents I got Bruce after we were married was tickets to a St. Louis Blues game and a Blues jersey. Extravagant for a first-year teacher with student loans to pay, but I really wanted to please him. Though it pains me to admit it now, I was not struck with the game. Our seats were high up and I really couldn't understand what just looked like a bunch of scrambling on the ice. (If you want to know my real first impressions of the game, read Patricia's impressions in No Penalty for Love - yeah, that's me, sitting there wondering what is going on and why everyone is so enthralled.) Because I was so unimpressed, I went a little begrudgingly to my first Missouri State University Ice Bears game. The rest is history on that one - I love hockey now!
But, since the Blackhawks beat the Flyers last night, we've settled into baseball season which is my least favorite sport. Try as I might, I just can't relax for fear that I'm going to get hit with a foul ball! But, I realize the odds are against that happening and Bruce enjoys the leisurely pace of summer's greatest pastime (or so it's called - my own greatest summer pastime is reading a Grisham novel on the deck with a glass of iced tea), so I go. Tonight we're going to watch the Springfield Cardinals play the Tulsa Drillers. In July we're off to St. Louis to see the Big Birds play. The new stadium has been open for something like five years now and Bruce has wanted to see it since it opened. I bought the tickets for his birthday, but couldn't wait that long to give them to him. If you go on the Cardinals' website and look at a view from the seats, you can see what we'll be seeing: a gorgeous skyline with the Arch just past the scoreboard. Pray for no rain!
My point is that romance can be found anywhere. Even at a sporting event. Sometimes learning something new because you know it would please your loved one is a nice thing to do. Sometimes you even discover a new interest yourself (or, in my case a new interest and inspiration to write). What is your loved one interested in that makes you roll your eyes and wish you were dead? Learn something about it just to please him. Comfort in a relationship is great - being at ease with one another is much to be desired! But, a little stretch now and then can put a spring in your step and a song in your heart: Take me out to the ballgame!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Waiting for Rejuvination
There's an old song with the line, "They say it's spring that's made me daft as a daisy". I'm feeling pretty daft these days. Daft and so tired! I don't know if I'm so inflexible that the time change is still throwing me or if it's that over Spring Break I slept in until 8:30 and now am getting up at 6:00 again. At any rate, I'm pretty much a zombie. I'm waiting for rejuvination.
Tomorrow is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter. The season reminds us of the wonderful reality of resurrection, of new life. I'm grateful for that reality.
It's funny how my mind has been so busy lately and yet I am having such a hard time writing. I want to so much I can taste it, but I sit down and. . . nothing. Or at least too little to really work with. I feel like McGee on NCIS when he wouldn't own up to his (dare I say it?) writer's block. I remember I had this problem before. It was after I knew Stained Glass Theatre was going to do my play Welcome to Joe's. There was this huge gap of two years between the time they accepted the script and the time they produced it. I was so anxious about seeing Joe's happen that I wasn't very productive on anything else. Then, as soon as Joe's closed I dashed of Related Spaces in nothing flat! After Related Spaces played, I wrote No Penalty. After No Penalty was published I finished the one that's setting at Avalon now. In those times of waiting, I find that's all I seem to be able to do. I guess it's that wish for life to be in tidy packages. One project completed before another is begun. It doesn't work that way. I've got to pull my head out of the fog and get busy!
Spring is supposed to be the most romantic season. I'm looking forward to some of my favorite springy things to rejuvinate the romantic in me. Maybe you could try these, too!
1. Eat breakfast outside. Bruce and I eat on the porch when it's light enough and warm enough because we can watch walkers and dog walkers go by. We always laugh that people are saying, "Look! They're eating on the porch! Weird."
2. Fill the birdbath and watch for visitors of the feathered variety.
3. Do what my editor Chelsea did: wear yellow to celebrate spring!
4. Sip a glass of iced tea with lemon and mint.
5. Read some Nikki Giovanni poetry. It's fun.
6. If you live near a college campus, walk on over and stroll around. Take in the sights and sounds: frisbee on the lawn, touch football in the stadium, bicycles on the brick bike paths, music drifting out of open dorm windows, bulletin boards announcing auditions for summer theatre productions, the fountains.
7. Paint your toenails - but not if you're a man, please!
8. Pick out one bird's song and listen for it every day near the same time. We have one around here that I call "Our Little Singer". I can never find him, but his song is quite distinct. I think I figured out what kind he was last year, but have forgotten since. He sings, "Oh, sweet Canada, Canada, Canada."
9. Get your bird books off the shelf and figure out what kinds of birds are visiting and singing all around you.
10. Breathe deeply (if your allergies allow it) - take in the scents of lilac and fresh green growing things!
Cheers to you and cheers to spring!
Shellie
Tomorrow is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter. The season reminds us of the wonderful reality of resurrection, of new life. I'm grateful for that reality.
It's funny how my mind has been so busy lately and yet I am having such a hard time writing. I want to so much I can taste it, but I sit down and. . . nothing. Or at least too little to really work with. I feel like McGee on NCIS when he wouldn't own up to his (dare I say it?) writer's block. I remember I had this problem before. It was after I knew Stained Glass Theatre was going to do my play Welcome to Joe's. There was this huge gap of two years between the time they accepted the script and the time they produced it. I was so anxious about seeing Joe's happen that I wasn't very productive on anything else. Then, as soon as Joe's closed I dashed of Related Spaces in nothing flat! After Related Spaces played, I wrote No Penalty. After No Penalty was published I finished the one that's setting at Avalon now. In those times of waiting, I find that's all I seem to be able to do. I guess it's that wish for life to be in tidy packages. One project completed before another is begun. It doesn't work that way. I've got to pull my head out of the fog and get busy!
Spring is supposed to be the most romantic season. I'm looking forward to some of my favorite springy things to rejuvinate the romantic in me. Maybe you could try these, too!
1. Eat breakfast outside. Bruce and I eat on the porch when it's light enough and warm enough because we can watch walkers and dog walkers go by. We always laugh that people are saying, "Look! They're eating on the porch! Weird."
2. Fill the birdbath and watch for visitors of the feathered variety.
3. Do what my editor Chelsea did: wear yellow to celebrate spring!
4. Sip a glass of iced tea with lemon and mint.
5. Read some Nikki Giovanni poetry. It's fun.
6. If you live near a college campus, walk on over and stroll around. Take in the sights and sounds: frisbee on the lawn, touch football in the stadium, bicycles on the brick bike paths, music drifting out of open dorm windows, bulletin boards announcing auditions for summer theatre productions, the fountains.
7. Paint your toenails - but not if you're a man, please!
8. Pick out one bird's song and listen for it every day near the same time. We have one around here that I call "Our Little Singer". I can never find him, but his song is quite distinct. I think I figured out what kind he was last year, but have forgotten since. He sings, "Oh, sweet Canada, Canada, Canada."
9. Get your bird books off the shelf and figure out what kinds of birds are visiting and singing all around you.
10. Breathe deeply (if your allergies allow it) - take in the scents of lilac and fresh green growing things!
Cheers to you and cheers to spring!
Shellie
Friday, January 29, 2010
What to Do?
Oh, it's agony! Starting something, setting it aside. Starting something else, thinking better of the first, setting it aside and going back. Deciding it's not so great after all and bogging down to do nothing. What's to do? Watch Dr. Who, I guess. In the name of inspiration, of course.
The other day I had a brilliant idea for a new book, so I set aside the one I'd written a chapter on and never gotten back to. The new idea produced a whopping one paragraph. It's a week later now. Ugh! I think my muse has been captured by an evil alien empire and is being held captive in an icy world somewhere. Doctor! Help!
Seriously, though, it's part of the process. Not a pretty part, but a part nonetheless. I try not to get too upset by it because it always works out fine in the end. I think that, just like with life, the hard parts, the parts when you feel like you're in a holding pattern, those are the parts that produce character. In this case, I just hope that character is a best-selling romantic heroine - or something like that. Sometimes I wish I was smart enough to write sci-fi or at least a good mystery. My brain just doesn't work that way, though, even though I enjoy reading them.
I heard from one of the new editors at Avalon today and my newest (complete) manuscript is "still very much on the radar" with them; however, with the turnover in personnel and high volume of submissions they are running behind. So, fingers crossed - still. In the meantime, I do have another book signing scheduled. This one is at Barnes & Noble on February 6th from 11-1. I'm looking forward to it. It's to feature other local authors; I thought it was so nice to be invited! This time the bookstore is providing the books for sale, so it won't be a consignment sort of thing like it was at Borders. Makes me feel professional.
January slipped by without any suggestions from me for romantic things to do. Anyone out there have any winter romance ideas? February, of course, boasts Valentine's Day - a natural for romance. But what do you do that helps you find beauty and lead the romantic life this cold, cold season? Let me hear from you!
Stay warm!
Shellie
The other day I had a brilliant idea for a new book, so I set aside the one I'd written a chapter on and never gotten back to. The new idea produced a whopping one paragraph. It's a week later now. Ugh! I think my muse has been captured by an evil alien empire and is being held captive in an icy world somewhere. Doctor! Help!
Seriously, though, it's part of the process. Not a pretty part, but a part nonetheless. I try not to get too upset by it because it always works out fine in the end. I think that, just like with life, the hard parts, the parts when you feel like you're in a holding pattern, those are the parts that produce character. In this case, I just hope that character is a best-selling romantic heroine - or something like that. Sometimes I wish I was smart enough to write sci-fi or at least a good mystery. My brain just doesn't work that way, though, even though I enjoy reading them.
I heard from one of the new editors at Avalon today and my newest (complete) manuscript is "still very much on the radar" with them; however, with the turnover in personnel and high volume of submissions they are running behind. So, fingers crossed - still. In the meantime, I do have another book signing scheduled. This one is at Barnes & Noble on February 6th from 11-1. I'm looking forward to it. It's to feature other local authors; I thought it was so nice to be invited! This time the bookstore is providing the books for sale, so it won't be a consignment sort of thing like it was at Borders. Makes me feel professional.
January slipped by without any suggestions from me for romantic things to do. Anyone out there have any winter romance ideas? February, of course, boasts Valentine's Day - a natural for romance. But what do you do that helps you find beauty and lead the romantic life this cold, cold season? Let me hear from you!
Stay warm!
Shellie
Sunday, December 20, 2009
It's a Wonderful Life
This week was a mix of fun and frustration. The kids are so ready to be out of school that teaching was like tangling with a tiger. Especially with the younger students. I was ever so glad to see Friday come! With just two more work days before Christmas Break I think I can make it. That was the frustration.
The fun took several forms. . .
On Thursday I was the guest speaker at Parkview High School's Viking Readers Club. I think that was probably the most fun I'd had with the book since I heard it was going to be published. I was pretty nervous about it, but had a great time once I got there. They were so polite and laughed and asked tons of questions. It was great. I was so honored to be asked and so pleased with how it went. Thanks to Gail Eubanks and the Viking Readers!
I also got to have some fun Christmas shopping for Natalie! What a blast to pick out toys and little Christmas-shaped treats for her stocking. I told her that she has two presents under the tree, but I won't tell her which ones because I'm sure she'd peek while we're at work.
Tonight Bruce and I had our annual weekend before Christmas fireside supper. I made Polenta Lasagna (individual portions in some of my milk glass Fire King dishes) and we had pretty Italian cut green beans and some very yummy 3-cheese Artisan bread (they sell something called a "petite loaf" at Dillons and it was just right for a special occasion). I hadn't decided what kind of dessert to make and that was fine because my mother turned up with some oh, so good peanut butter cake for us and we saved it for tonight. Had some Peppermint Patty coffee and watched It's a Wonderful Life. The only thing different this year was having Natalie there, but I just put a little sprinkling of cheese on her food for a festive touch and put a matching placemat down by us so she could have her Christmas supper, too.
Speaking of Natalie, she's the reason I'm blogging at 3:30 in the morning. One of those rare, but insistent need-to-go-out-in-the-middle-of-the-night nights. That was an hour and a half ago, but I just couldn't get back to sleep. Emailed a couple of friends, payed a couple of bills and am heading back in to sit by the fire and read a Dave Barry book.
If this week proves to be anything like last, you might not hear from me again until the new year, so have a blessed Christmas. Remember Jesus!
Shellie
The fun took several forms. . .
On Thursday I was the guest speaker at Parkview High School's Viking Readers Club. I think that was probably the most fun I'd had with the book since I heard it was going to be published. I was pretty nervous about it, but had a great time once I got there. They were so polite and laughed and asked tons of questions. It was great. I was so honored to be asked and so pleased with how it went. Thanks to Gail Eubanks and the Viking Readers!
I also got to have some fun Christmas shopping for Natalie! What a blast to pick out toys and little Christmas-shaped treats for her stocking. I told her that she has two presents under the tree, but I won't tell her which ones because I'm sure she'd peek while we're at work.
Tonight Bruce and I had our annual weekend before Christmas fireside supper. I made Polenta Lasagna (individual portions in some of my milk glass Fire King dishes) and we had pretty Italian cut green beans and some very yummy 3-cheese Artisan bread (they sell something called a "petite loaf" at Dillons and it was just right for a special occasion). I hadn't decided what kind of dessert to make and that was fine because my mother turned up with some oh, so good peanut butter cake for us and we saved it for tonight. Had some Peppermint Patty coffee and watched It's a Wonderful Life. The only thing different this year was having Natalie there, but I just put a little sprinkling of cheese on her food for a festive touch and put a matching placemat down by us so she could have her Christmas supper, too.
Speaking of Natalie, she's the reason I'm blogging at 3:30 in the morning. One of those rare, but insistent need-to-go-out-in-the-middle-of-the-night nights. That was an hour and a half ago, but I just couldn't get back to sleep. Emailed a couple of friends, payed a couple of bills and am heading back in to sit by the fire and read a Dave Barry book.
If this week proves to be anything like last, you might not hear from me again until the new year, so have a blessed Christmas. Remember Jesus!
Shellie
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Festivities
I had my second book signing yesterday. This time at Mediacom Ice Park during a MSU Ice Bears v. KU Jayhawks game. We won - oh, yeah! What a gratifying experience, though, to be able to talk about No Penalty for Love with team members and staff and fans. I hope everyone who bought a copy enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was a challenge for me to get the technical aspects of the game on the page and let the thrill of it come through in the writing. I never would have been able to pull off some of the scenes if not for the Ice Bears. So, thanks again, Guys!
I'm feeling partied out this weekend - festivities abound. Though, I did manage a Saturday morning at home yesterday to make some Christmas candies and cookies. I found a recipe (another good one) in Grandma's recipe box - 4 Chips Good Fudge, it was called. Rich! Oh, my! Made that and also some Maple Nut Brittle which didn't "brittle" so became a new and oh, so wonderful Christmas delight - Maple Nut Clusters. Also some plain, but simply wonderful sugar cookies - not the frosted kind - icky - but just a touch of colored sugars to give them a little sparkle. I wore my Snoopy Christmas apron and played Christmas music on the radio in the kitchen, sang to Natalie (she's the only one I sing to besides God because neither of them are critical of my tunes), and had a jolly good time.
Speaking of festivities, here are some romantic suggestions for December in case you need a little Christmas right this very minute:
1. Find a movie house showing one of the classics and go - It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, or Miracle on 34th Street (which Bruce took me to see at the Gillioz last night). Barring that, dvr one and make a point of watching it.
2. Gotta watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. Other specials to revive your childlike enthusiasm for the season are Rudolph the Red Nosed Reineer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and, if you can find it (which I haven't) Mr. Kreuger's Christmas - apparently I remember a 1/2 hour long made-for-TV special from the '70's with amazing clarity. It stared James Stewart.
3. Burn a pine scented candle, light the fire and watch the tree blink lazily.
4. Make a fireside supper - that's what I plan to do next Saturday night before the actual holiday week is upon us. One of the great things about vegetarian cooking at Christmas is that there is an abundance of red and green food to choose from. Makes for festive and lively plating!
5. Sing - even if it's just to your dog.
6. Get quiet and remember Jesus - if that doesn't make you happy and grateful, you're a lost cause.
7. DON'T make any resolutions or bemoan the year past - just make sure you remind yourself that every moment of every day is a new beginning and nothing stays the same - good or bad - and plan to make the changes you want to see sooner rather than later.
8. Make a Christmas treat for the birds - airpopped popcorn tossed out by the handfuls, or something more adventurous like backyard tree decorations made with peanut butter and bedecked with seeds.
9. Read a great Christmas book: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson; A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; anything Christmassy by Debbie Macomber.
10. Count your blessings - as Bing sings - it's better than counting sheep by far.
Blessings to you and yours this holiday season -
Shellie
I'm feeling partied out this weekend - festivities abound. Though, I did manage a Saturday morning at home yesterday to make some Christmas candies and cookies. I found a recipe (another good one) in Grandma's recipe box - 4 Chips Good Fudge, it was called. Rich! Oh, my! Made that and also some Maple Nut Brittle which didn't "brittle" so became a new and oh, so wonderful Christmas delight - Maple Nut Clusters. Also some plain, but simply wonderful sugar cookies - not the frosted kind - icky - but just a touch of colored sugars to give them a little sparkle. I wore my Snoopy Christmas apron and played Christmas music on the radio in the kitchen, sang to Natalie (she's the only one I sing to besides God because neither of them are critical of my tunes), and had a jolly good time.
Speaking of festivities, here are some romantic suggestions for December in case you need a little Christmas right this very minute:
1. Find a movie house showing one of the classics and go - It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, or Miracle on 34th Street (which Bruce took me to see at the Gillioz last night). Barring that, dvr one and make a point of watching it.
2. Gotta watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. Other specials to revive your childlike enthusiasm for the season are Rudolph the Red Nosed Reineer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and, if you can find it (which I haven't) Mr. Kreuger's Christmas - apparently I remember a 1/2 hour long made-for-TV special from the '70's with amazing clarity. It stared James Stewart.
3. Burn a pine scented candle, light the fire and watch the tree blink lazily.
4. Make a fireside supper - that's what I plan to do next Saturday night before the actual holiday week is upon us. One of the great things about vegetarian cooking at Christmas is that there is an abundance of red and green food to choose from. Makes for festive and lively plating!
5. Sing - even if it's just to your dog.
6. Get quiet and remember Jesus - if that doesn't make you happy and grateful, you're a lost cause.
7. DON'T make any resolutions or bemoan the year past - just make sure you remind yourself that every moment of every day is a new beginning and nothing stays the same - good or bad - and plan to make the changes you want to see sooner rather than later.
8. Make a Christmas treat for the birds - airpopped popcorn tossed out by the handfuls, or something more adventurous like backyard tree decorations made with peanut butter and bedecked with seeds.
9. Read a great Christmas book: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson; A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; anything Christmassy by Debbie Macomber.
10. Count your blessings - as Bing sings - it's better than counting sheep by far.
Blessings to you and yours this holiday season -
Shellie
Sunday, November 8, 2009
What a Launch!
Last night's launch party was perfect. It was everything I'd planned and more. Of course, when you start planning an event a year in advance, you have a better chance of it working out nicely.
We had the Club Room at Mediacom Ice Park. A gorgeous (and very delicious) cake that looked just like the cover of No Penalty for Love baked and decorated by Julie's Chewies. Flower arrangements to match the colors from the cover including a hockey stick decorated with flowers for the head table (thank you, Mom!). Most importantly, though, we had around 80 guests - friends from church, work, old friends, new friends, and lots of family.
The Missouri State Ice Bears won their game against Northern Illinois and about 50 of the 59 people who requested tickets for our event got to see their very first ice hockey game. I think we made a few new fans! The front row, mainly people from our church, began pounding on the glass by the second period! Others took ice skating vouchers and spent some time in the west rink under the disco ball.
There was only one surprise for me the whole evening and, though I'm a shy person and normally would have hated something like this, it turned out very well. The General Manager of the Ice Bears is Stan Melton. His wife, Cindy, was a substitute teacher in my high school classroom a few years ago and she noticed my Ice Bears memorabilia on the wall. She also did some long-term subbing across the hall from me, so we had lots of opportunities to talk hockey. Since then we've spoken at games. Last night she had me paged during the second period to come to the tunnel at center ice. I watched the second period from next to the penalty box and between the second and third periods went out to center ice (in slick shoes and praying not to fall) and was interviewed about No Penalty for Love. The announcer also mentioned my book and where it can be purchased three or four different times throughout the game. So, unexpected publicity!
At any rate, when you write your book I highly recommend doing a thematic launch party if you can. It was an experience I will always treasure. Thanks to Kelly for grabbing up my camera and taking so many great pictures for me (pictures to come soon); to my mother for the decorations; to Bruce for keeping me grounded and for being so protective of me so that there was nothing put a damper on the excitement; to Shawn for sneaking off to give them the initial announcement about my book and to Cindy for making me go out on the ice; to the Ice Bears for a well-played game and showing our guests how fun hockey is; to Trey and Megan and the others on staff at Mediacom Ice Park for the accommodations and all the attention; to the ladies at Julie's Chewies for working so hard to get the colors just right and for baking such a sinfully good cake, and to each of my guests for helping me celebrate!
Go Bears!
Shellie
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Launch
Tonight is my launch party. I'm excited and, truth be told, a bit nervous. Almost everyone we invited is coming. Because No Penalty for Love is a hockey-themed romance, the party is at the local ice park during a college hockey game. I believe for most of my guests it will be their first game.
What fun it has been planning all this! I think I started brainstorming ideas for the party the same week I heard from Chelsea that Avalon wanted my book. It's been just over a year in the making, so it ought to be good.
My book signing at Borders is still on for next weekend, though there were some snags in getting copies of the book. Snags I do not understand at all. But, I guess things are bound to happen that way sometimes. I'm thinking of asking Victoria's Secret let me do a signing there near Valentine's Day. (For those of you who've read the book, that will probably make sense to you.)
It's November now which is my second-favorite month. It always puts me in mind of Robert Frost's poem, My November Guest - My sorrow, when she's here with me thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be. . . However, I think it's supposed to be 72° today and I'm going shopping for a new outfit for upcoming Christmas parties. Funny to think about Christmas on a 72° day.
This past year has been really a great one for me. I didn't know how different life would be when I turned 40 and if I had guessed it I wouldn't have dreamed of all that has happened. Besides the book, I lost 38 pounds. Since turning 41 I've lost 14 more for a grand total of 52 and am at a normal weight and BMI for my height for probably the first time in my entire life - seriously. I wonder what new and wonderful things the next year will bring? I should write a memoir.
I keep hoping to hear soon about my second submission to Avalon. I've got another started, but keep stalling out. This was parent-teacher conference week which required late nights at school. With the holidays coming it gets more and more difficult. But, I'm determined.
Meanwhile, since it's still early November, I have the opportunity to relish the season. Romance is all around this time of year!
How about:
1. Pumpkin Butter on toast for breakfast
2. Watching Planes, Trains and Automobiles
3. Don't forget A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
4. Light your pumpkin spice scented candle every evening once you're home to stay
5. Crunch through the leaves before you mulch them
6. Read Robert Frost (how often has he shown up on my Romantic Things To Do lists so far?)
7. Buy a new pair of soft gloves (no leather, suede or fur, please!)
8. Go to an art gallery or, if your town has one, attend a Friday night art walk
9. Try dinner at a quiet restaurant if you can find one
10. Go see something live on stage - The Importance of Being Earnest is my favorite one to watch for. If you live in a college town someone's bound to be doing it.
And, because November and December bleed together as far as holidays go - grab your tickets now to some wonderful, not-to-be-missed Christmas event. Around here that would be the Missouri State University Elizabethan Dinners!
Blessings!
Shellie
What fun it has been planning all this! I think I started brainstorming ideas for the party the same week I heard from Chelsea that Avalon wanted my book. It's been just over a year in the making, so it ought to be good.
My book signing at Borders is still on for next weekend, though there were some snags in getting copies of the book. Snags I do not understand at all. But, I guess things are bound to happen that way sometimes. I'm thinking of asking Victoria's Secret let me do a signing there near Valentine's Day. (For those of you who've read the book, that will probably make sense to you.)
It's November now which is my second-favorite month. It always puts me in mind of Robert Frost's poem, My November Guest - My sorrow, when she's here with me thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be. . . However, I think it's supposed to be 72° today and I'm going shopping for a new outfit for upcoming Christmas parties. Funny to think about Christmas on a 72° day.
This past year has been really a great one for me. I didn't know how different life would be when I turned 40 and if I had guessed it I wouldn't have dreamed of all that has happened. Besides the book, I lost 38 pounds. Since turning 41 I've lost 14 more for a grand total of 52 and am at a normal weight and BMI for my height for probably the first time in my entire life - seriously. I wonder what new and wonderful things the next year will bring? I should write a memoir.
I keep hoping to hear soon about my second submission to Avalon. I've got another started, but keep stalling out. This was parent-teacher conference week which required late nights at school. With the holidays coming it gets more and more difficult. But, I'm determined.
Meanwhile, since it's still early November, I have the opportunity to relish the season. Romance is all around this time of year!
How about:
1. Pumpkin Butter on toast for breakfast
2. Watching Planes, Trains and Automobiles
3. Don't forget A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
4. Light your pumpkin spice scented candle every evening once you're home to stay
5. Crunch through the leaves before you mulch them
6. Read Robert Frost (how often has he shown up on my Romantic Things To Do lists so far?)
7. Buy a new pair of soft gloves (no leather, suede or fur, please!)
8. Go to an art gallery or, if your town has one, attend a Friday night art walk
9. Try dinner at a quiet restaurant if you can find one
10. Go see something live on stage - The Importance of Being Earnest is my favorite one to watch for. If you live in a college town someone's bound to be doing it.
And, because November and December bleed together as far as holidays go - grab your tickets now to some wonderful, not-to-be-missed Christmas event. Around here that would be the Missouri State University Elizabethan Dinners!
Blessings!
Shellie
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