tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29874981517218718492024-03-12T20:56:20.938-07:00Musings and NewsCarole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-3916854399954800542014-11-07T12:49:00.000-08:002014-11-07T12:49:25.890-08:00How Much Do Teachers Influence Popularity?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, san-serif, Roboto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, san-serif, Roboto;">How Much Do Teachers
Influence Popularity?</span></div>
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I had a jarring experience today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my grandson’s sixth birthday, and my
husband and I went to have lunch with him at his school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, we went out to the playground for
recess, and to spend a little more time with Luke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, since he’s a rambunctious
just-turned six-year-old, we only caught glimpses of him in his blue-plaid
shirt as he raced around with his friends who’d just sung “Happy Birthday” to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Suddenly I noticed a little girl by herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a cutie with missing teeth, blond
hair and big blue eyes behind a pair of glasses, quite similar to ones I wore
when I was about her age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled and
approached me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to meet you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I introduced myself and shook her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me her name was Isabella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she said, “Is the birthday boy your
grandson?” </div>
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When I told her that indeed, he was my grandson, she
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Could you introduce me to
him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to meet him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I marveled at her maturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a kindergartner, she was quite
articulate, and very polite.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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“Of course,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll go get him.”</div>
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But as I headed over to where Luke was playing, a teacher
called out to the little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Isabella, leave those people alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re here to spend time with their grandson, not talk to you!”</div>
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I was horrified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Couldn’t quite believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s
okay,” I said to the teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She just
wants to meet my grandson.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The teacher muttered something about how Isabella would talk
my head off, but I ignored her and went to find Luke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bringing him over to where Isabella still
stood, I introduced them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke smiled
and said, “Hello.” </div>
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Isabella’s face brightened like a Christmas tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would you like to play with me?” she asked.</div>
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But before Luke could get a chance to answer, the teacher
snapped, “Isabella, he’s playing with his own friends!” </div>
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I felt my heart drop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I simply could not believe what she’d said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Isabella, expecting to see her
crushed expression, but you know what I saw?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I saw Luke smiling at her, and Isabella smiling back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next thing I knew, they were off racing
around the playground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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But the whole thing made me wonder…do teachers have a hand
in determining who is popular and who will be a wallflower?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I know is…I saw something in that little girl,
Isabella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw myself…bespectacled, a
little shy, a bit of an outcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
carried that with me for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
not sure how it started, how I came to think of myself as not quite good
enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope it wasn’t a teacher who,
with an offhand, inconsiderate remark, made me feel like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one thing is for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one will ever make me feel like that
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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As for Isabella, I have a feeling that she is going to be
just fine. Luke and she were still playing when we left the playground.</div>
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My local newspaper, The Carolina Forest Chronicle, did an
article on me and INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS for Veterans Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a link to it:</div>
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<a href="http://m.myhorrynews.com/news/local/article_93a3da30-6469-11e4-8aad-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm">http://m.myhorrynews.com/news/local/article_93a3da30-6469-11e4-8aad-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm</a></div>
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For this week only, you can get INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS on
Kindle for only 99 cents.</div>
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http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera-ebook/dp/B00K1MSANG/ref=sr_1_3_twi_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415392656&sr=1-3</div>
</span>Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-69470870704952714672014-06-13T07:14:00.001-07:002014-06-13T07:14:11.114-07:00“Danny’s Sacrifice”<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I don’t think I’ve ever
been so terrified and intimidated in my life as I was while I was researching
this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For two years, I read every
book I could find about women in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region>—and about the Vietnam War itself
(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Vietnam War for Dummies </b>was one
of my favorites.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched a
documentary about the combat nurses who served so bravely there—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Vietnam Nurses with Dana Delany</b>, and I
watched every movie I could find about the Vietnam War, including the entire series
of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tour of Duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The more I read and watched, the more
terrified and inadequate I felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
could I…a former medical technician in the Air Force, who served <u>during</u>
the Vietnam War…but who didn’t know the slightest thing about serving during
combat…how could <u>I</u> write this book?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What gave me the <u>right</u> to write this book?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could I do justice to it, and be able to
honor all the women who served there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I just knew I had to try.
I felt directed to write this novel…God, the Universal Spirit, Mother Goddess…whatever,
I knew I had to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The inspiration first came
from a photograph—the one of the marine on the lower left corner of the
cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This boy had been my pen-pal in
high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came across this torn photo
of him one day while I was reorganizing my photo albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, I didn’t remember much about him. I
knew his name was Danny and he was from <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Indiana</st1:place></st1:state>.
My best friend, Susie, had given me his address and told me he was going to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region> and
would I write him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I seem to recall he
was a cousin or related to her family somehow.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was a flighty sixteen-year-old, and madly in love with a senior named
Gary Baldauf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And perhaps the only
reason I even agreed to write Danny was because he bore a remarkable
resemblance to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gary</st1:place></st1:city>.
Of course, I knew there was a war going on somewhere in southeast Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’m not even sure, though, I knew <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:country-region></st1:place>
was <u>in</u> southeast Asia.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
war hadn’t affected me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, in the back
of my mind, I guess I worried that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Gary</st1:place></st1:city>
might be drafted and get sent there, but the chance was small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, he was heading off to college at
Purdue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So that’s how I began
writing chatty, scatter-brained letters to this “older man” who looked like my
high school crush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure my letters
were filled with all kinds of gems like how much I loved Mark Lindsay of Paul
Revere and the Raiders, and how cute my new white go-go boots were, and how
groovy I looked after drawing Twiggy eyelashes around my eyes and dotting
freckles on my cheeks with eyeliner—following the how-to instructions in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Teen Magazine</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Danny replied to my
letters, and even sent me the photo of himself taken in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:country-region></st1:place>, but I can’t tell you what
he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have absolutely no memory of
anything he wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I think back on
it, I believe I received only one or two letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they stopped coming, I didn’t think
about it; I doubt if I even noticed or wondered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, I was 16…going to basketball
games, and dances, and pep rallies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
didn’t even occur to me to worry about Danny and what may have happened to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only after I found his photo
a few years ago that it hit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What <u>had</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>happened to him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how could I find out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even remember his last name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I turned the photo over
and saw that half of it had been torn away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew he’d sent it to me like that because there hadn’t been another
person in the picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only half of the
inscription on the back was visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">ny Bruce<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nam</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> ‘69</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Danny Bruce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That had to be his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I got online and did a web search. When a
page popped up on my screen, my stomach dipped, and I could feel the blood
draining from my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a website
about the Vietnam Memorial Wall, and his name was on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">While participating in combat on March 1, 1969, Danny was killed in saving
the lives of three fellow Marines, and was awarded the Medal of Honor
post-humously</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">He had been in
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for a little over a month before he was killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was busy partying,
having sleepovers, eating burgers at the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dog
‘N Suds, </b>and just going about my happy teenage life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know…I was just doing what any teenager
would be doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Danny had been a
teenager, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was 18 when he died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">This is why I was driven
to write this book—to honor Danny, and the courageous nurses who saved
thousands of “Dannys.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I’ve done
them the honor they so deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS is available in print and e-book. http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera/dp/149735563X</span></span></div>
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Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-82754246257832802042014-05-05T07:37:00.002-07:002014-05-05T07:37:56.311-07:00LIVING THE LIFE IN MYRTLE BEACH
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on"></st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
Wow!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whirlwind</i> of a
month!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure I know where to
start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I know is it went by in a
flash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(As most months do when you turn
61.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, had a birthday last
month.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Actually, my exciting
month started with news at the end of March that I got a part in a local
theatre production called LOVE ON BROADWAY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t an acting part, since it was an all-music show, but I was
pretty excited to get it since it was only the second audition I’ve ever been
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Beginner’s luck?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the title hints, the Broadway songs we
sang were all about love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had four
solos—“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar, “Will You
Love Me Tomorrow” from Carole King, the Musical, “Another Suitcase, Another
Hall” from Evita and “Crazy” from Always, Patsy Cline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, I performed in three group
songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had five shows the week before
Easter, and then five shows the week after Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so much fun working with my cast mates
and the crew, Garrett McCann (also the director), Callie Barfield, Juliann
Clark, Charity Hillegass and Chandler McCune, Nick Roussey, Amber McCann and
Vickie Carter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great bunch of
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Garrett said to the audience
each night before the show started, we do it because we love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I loved every minute of it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And speaking of my cast mates, two of them,
Charity, 11, and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>,
13, are budding young stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember
their names!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you’ll see them on
American Idol or The X-Factor some day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They performed “Phantom of the Opera” and blew the crowd away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a video of the performance they did at
the Carolina Opry before LOVE ON BROADWAY opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEg_pNHWw-k"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEg_pNHWw-k</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Next exciting thing—I got
to spend over a week with my grandsons, Luke and <st1:place w:st="on">Zealand</st1:place>.
We met them in <st1:state w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:state> at my
sister-in-law’s house for Easter and had a wonderful time, and then they followed
us home to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city>
for another four days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They got to come
to my Saturday afternoon matinee performance, and that was such a treat for me
to look out into the audience and see my little sweeties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right before the final full-cast number, we
all walked out on stage, and I heard my little Luke say, “That’s my
grandma!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the audience burst out
laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So sweet!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Finally, the most exciting
news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My new novel, INCENSE &
PEPPERMINTS, is now available for purchase!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been four years
since I began working on this book, and I have to say I’m very proud of the
final result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thrilled to get a
beautiful blurb from best-selling author, Diane Chamberlain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 10pt;">"With
intelligent and absorbing writing, Carole Bellacera places a courageous and
inspiring young woman at the intense and dangerous center of the Vietnam War.
Bellacera's account of the seventies is heartfelt and real, yet her moving
story of love, loss and healing is timeless." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv3751307841msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 10pt;">--Diane
Chamberlain, best-selling author of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Necessary
Lies</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS
is available in print, on Kindle and at Smashwords.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the links:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Print<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera/dp/149735563X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399298799&sr=1-1&keywords=bellacera"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera/dp/149735563X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399298799&sr=1-1&keywords=bellacera</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Kindle<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera-ebook/dp/B00K1MSANG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1399298799"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera-ebook/dp/B00K1MSANG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1399298799</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Other
E-book Readers<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/412444"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/412444</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; display: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-hide: all;">Available NOW at Amazon. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera/dp/149735563X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399298799&sr=1-1&keywords=bellacera" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/Incense-Peppermints-Carole-Bellacera/dp/149735563X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399298799&sr=1-1&keywords=bellacera</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I hope all of you have a
wonderful May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Isn’t it great to have
sunshine and warm weather back?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carole
Bellacera<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-1540428200744799512014-02-26T11:34:00.000-08:002014-02-26T11:34:15.625-08:00Is it Spring Yet???<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Okay, so we
moved to <st1:city w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:city> in November, hoping to
escape the snow, ice and frigid temperatures of <st1:place w:st="on">Northern
Virginia</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a yard sale
in August, and with a tear in my eye, I put out all my soft, cozy winter
pajamas, my luxurious lamb-soft white robe, my prized Sherpa coat that I’d
drooled over for months before finally buying it at Kohl’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the beloved winter stuff that I just knew
I wouldn’t need in sunny, sub-tropical <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle
Beach</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Flash-forward
to the end of November, two weeks after we moved into our beautiful new
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d kept <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">two</i> pairs of ultra-soft, cozy-warm pajamas—my Paul Frank monkeys
and my black zebra-prints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which I found
myself wearing every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
inevitable happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both ended up
in the wash at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, out I
go to Wal-Mart, where I bought some Betty Boop winter jammies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Just the fact that Wal-Mart was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stocking</i> winter pajamas in sunny <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city> should’ve
been a clue.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a week later, a pair
of purple softies with metallic silver snowflakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, some panda pjs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, so I’m a PJ addict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now I have about six pairs of winter
pajamas…which I’m still wearing almost every night, and here it is the end of
February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bottom
line?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s freaking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cold </i>down here in the tropics!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay, I can see all of you up in the northeast and <st1:place w:st="on">Midwest</st1:place>,
looking out your windows at mountain of snow hovering over your sidewalk…and
right now, you’d like to have my soon-to-be 61-year-old neck between your
clawed hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve got me wrong!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not complaining!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, I’ve been lucky enough to play tennis
down here about twice a month since we moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>prepared for the
two ice storms we got the end of January, and then again, two weeks later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought if such a thing would happen down
south, it was a pure freak of nature that happened maybe once in a decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But twice in a two-week period?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>what
I was expecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">But we made
it through, and the palm trees, which I thought for sure had been murdered by
the ice, look like they’re going to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, if we can get through three more weeks, I’ll start believing spring
is really going to arrive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And guess
who has a birthday coming up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me! On
March 11<sup>th</sup>, I’ll turn 61.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Man, the years are going by fast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I’m thankful I’m still super active and have a real zest for
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve really dived into life down
here; I’ve made a bunch of great new friends, and I’m singing at assisted
living homes, and I’m making jewelry and…what else?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, yeah, writing a novel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS should be out this
summer, and I’m starting to work on a new novel titled HOWLING AT THE MOON set
in the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Charleston</st1:place></st1:city>
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh, and one
more thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m offering creativity
workshops from my home starting next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’re in the <st1:city w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:city> area…or
even if you’re not, and just want to come to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city>, check out the information on my
website.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">And have a
fantastic March!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spring is just around
the corner!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hugs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carole <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-26179964653719464972014-01-26T06:15:00.002-08:002014-01-26T06:19:10.968-08:00185 Seconds<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of South Carolina's proposed legislation allowing concealed weapons in bars WHERE PEOPLE ARE DRINKING ALCOHOL, I'd like to share with you a story I wrote years ago, "185 Seconds." It won grand prize in a literary magazine competition back in the 90's, and subsequently published there. It may be an old story, but its theme still rings true...unfortunately.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">185 Seconds</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">by Carole Bellacera</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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<h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2987498151721871849" name="6pm"></a><i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">May 18, 1992, 6:00
P.M.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chad</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h5>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Chad</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> couldn't decide <b>what </b>to order. There were so many foods he
liked. At first he'd thought about going with fried chicken, but then, it
wouldn't be his mother's, would it? Instead, he'd opted for a peperoni pizza, a
thin one, <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state>
style, with lots of drippy cheese and tangy sauce.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He was thirty-three years old. How many
peperoni pizzas had he put away in all that time? Hard to believe this one
would be his last.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So, that was what it was going to be. A
peperoni pizza and a giant-sized Big Gulp from Seven-Eleven. And for dessert? A
bag of chocolate-covered peanuts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Not some off-the-wall brand, but Brach's.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">After all, the state was paying for it. A
vision of Christ and the Last Supper flashed through his mind. He looked at the
clock on the gray wall of the holding cell.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Five hours to live.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leslie
and Russell</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"They're gonna kill that Chad Donovan
tonight," Russell said through a mouthful of mashed potatoes. "Eleven
o'clock. Gonna zap him in the electric chair."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">With a trembling arthritic hand, Leslie
lifted a cup of coffee to her lips and took a slurping sip. "Now, which
ones did he kill? The people in the fast food restaurant?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Naw, this is the one who burst into
that office building and took out three or four people. Electric chair is too
good for him, I say. They should put him in a room with the families of the
victims and let them have at it."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Russ, don't get yourself in a tizzy.
You know what it does to your blood pressure."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The gray-haired man rolled up the
newspaper and tossed it to the floor. "You're right. He ain't worth it.
Pass the salt, Mama."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Dear, you know salt isn't good for
you."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But she passed it anyway.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heather</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The microwave bell dinged just as Heather
finished setting the table.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Steve! Can you get Brad in his
highchair? Dinner's ready!"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">She was like a ballet dancer as she
whirled through the kitchen, pouring the fruit juice, arranging the salad on
the table, grabbing the Lean Cuisine dinners from the microwave.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The under-the-counter TV was the
accompaniment to her Dance of the Dinner Preparation. "Barring any
last-minute stays from the governor, convicted murderer Chad Donovan will be
executed tonight at eleven o'clock. Donovan has been on death row for the last
seven years....<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Steve entered the dining room with
two-year-old Brad on his hip. "I can't believe you're going to the health
club tonight. Three years ago, you would've been down at the prison with the
other protesters."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Heather grabbed the salad dressing bottles
from the refrigerator, closing the door with her foot. "Three years ago I
had a different life. I don't have time to get involved in causes these days.
Even if I do believe in them. I still think capital punishment is barbaric, but
a bunch of candle-holding hymn-singing activists isn't going to change
anything. So why waste my time?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">She snapped off the TV. The dance had
ended.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sammy</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Eat your broccoli, Sammy."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The four-year-old boy's lower lip
trembled. His stomach muscles tightened. He knew what was coming. But he just
couldn't eat that green stuff. It made him feel sick.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Did you hear me, boy? Eat.tm<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He looked up at his father. "I don't
like it, Daddy. It tastes funny."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">His mother pushed back from the table.
"How about if I heat up some peas for you? You like, peas, don't you,
hon?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Sit down, Rachel. The boy has to
learn to eat what's on his plate."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sammy felt his father's hard eyes eating
into him. For a horrible moment, he thought he was going to throw up. That
would be the worst thing to do. Daddy would think he'd done it on purpose.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"You <i>will </i>eat every bite of
that broccoli on your plate... if you know what's good for you, pal."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sammy stared down at his plate and willed
it to disappear. But he knew it wouldn't. Nothing ever disappeared. Not
even when the hitting started.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2987498151721871849" name="9pm"></a><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">May 18, 9:00 P.M.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chad</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">There was nothing to do now but wait. He'd
asked for and received a television to pass the last few hours until the
scheduled time of his execution. "Murphy Brown" came on and he got
caught up in it. Even laughed a couple of times. But at nine-thirty he felt a
coldness settle inside him. It was a two-parter. He wouldn't be around to see
the second episode next week. A news brief flashed on the screen. He saw his
face looking back at him. "Details at eleven," the pretty anchorwoman
said.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A flicker of fear ate through him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The day before he'd read a newspaper
article about his upcoming execution; 185 seconds, it said. That's how long it
would take to kill him. First 1,825 volts of electricity at 7.5 amps for 30
seconds, followed by 24 volts at 1.5 amps for 60 seconds. A five-second pause
would be followed by a repeat of the 90-second cycle ... just to make sure he
was dead.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1031" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <i>Leslee
</i>and <i>Russell</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">They were watching a movie on HBO, a
violent saga starring Mickey Rourke as a desperate man holding a family
hostage. Russell winced with every foul word that came out of the actors'
mouths. When a nude scene came on, Leslie stood up.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Want some ice cream, hon?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Yeah," Russell grunted.
"Some of that Tin Roof Sundae."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When Leslie returned with two bowls of ice
cream, the nude scene was over.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1032" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heather</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sweat beaded and rolled down Heather's
lithe body as she jogged along with the rhythm of a Paula Abdul <b>song. </b>She
smiled as her muscles came alive. This was her reward after a long day at the
office. Twice a week she treated herself to a couple of hours at the health
club. Not only did it keep her body in shape, it had one added benefit.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It made her horny.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Steve loved Monday and Wednesday nights.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sammy</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sammy lay on his stomach in his bunk bed
and tried to go to sleep. His buttocks and thighs stung where the belt had
struck him. He smiled grimly into his pillow. His father had lost the battle.
The broccoli had been tossed down the garbage disposal.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">His stomach growled. Not only had the
broccoli been thrown away, so had the fried chicken. He liked fried chicken,
but he hadn't been permitted to eat any until the broccoli was gone.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The door to the bedroom opened. It was<b> </b>his
mother. She walked across the room quietly. Sammy knew it was because she<b> </b>didn't
want his father to know.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"I brought you a piece of chocolate
cake and some milk," she whispered. "Eat it quickly."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He did.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2987498151721871849" name="11pm"></a><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">May 18, 11:00 </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">P.M.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1034" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leslie
and Russell</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The movie had gone off at ten o'clock.
They'd turned the channel to the Ten O'Clock News where they watched a clip
about Chad Donovan and his last hours on death row.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Leslie sighed. "Can you imagine? With
all the tasty foods in the world, he orders peperoni pizza and
chocolate.covered peanuts for his last meal. Probably never had a lick of home
cooking in <b>his life, poor </b>man."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Good riddance, I say," Russell
snorted. "The world's a better place without him." The news moved on
to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:state>
where a group lobbied for a handgun bill. "Look at those stupid
do-gooders," he went on. "Now they want to take away our right to
defend ourselves in our own homes!"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Leslie squeezed his arm affectionately.
"Oh, hon... you know the N.R.A. won't let them get away with that."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"'You're right, Mama. Thank the good
Lerd we've got somebody watching out for us ordinary citizens." He put an
arm around his wife. "Let's go to bed, Pretty Lady. Tomorrow's another
day."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1035" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heather</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Brad cried out once while Heather and
Steve were making love. They tensed and waited a moment. Silence. They
continued in what they were doing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 31.5pt;" valign="top" width="42"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1036" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:15pt;height:15pt;
mso-wrap-distance-left:8.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:8.25pt'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\CAROLE~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"
o:href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/images/SUMBUL1A.GIF"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img height="20" hspace="11" src="file:///C:/Users/CAROLE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="20" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><h5>
<i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sammy</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The door to his bedroom burst open.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"'What the hell are you whispering
about?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The light came on. Sammy cowered in the
corner of the bed, staring up at his father's furious face.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Oh, Jesus Christ! You've wet the bed
again, haven't you? What am I going to have to do to break you of this nasty
habit?"<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sammy shrank back as his father
approached. There was no escape. His cruel grip fastened upon the boy's skinny
arms. Trembling, Sammy stared up into his cold eyes. It would begin now. As
always, he prayed for his mother to rescue him, but he knew it wouldn't happen.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The only thing he could do was disappear
into himself, all the time wishing it was his father who would disappear...
forever.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100%px;">
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chad</span></i></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">They'd shaved his head and right calf. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chad</st1:place></st1:country-region> felt as if
he'd already been electrocuted as they strapped him into the chair and covered
his face with a restraining belt with holes cut out for his nose. Why? For
breathing? But they wanted him to <i>stop </i>breathing! An electrode was
placed onto his shaved calf. He was numb. On the other side of a window, the
press was seated in three rows of benches. They were waiting to witness the
execution. The clock on the wall, the one that would record the moment of his
death, read ten-fifty-eight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The metal helmet, lined with a
brine-soaked sponge, was placed onto his head and buckled beneath his chin. It
bit into his skin. He grimaced. For a moment, panic washed over him. He didn't
like pain. And in a matter of seconds, a massive jolt of electricity would kill
him. A sudden memory flashed in his mind. A hot summer day in 1971. He, a
sturdy twelve-year-old, washing the family car. His favorite song, "Maggie
May," had come on the radio he'd plugged into the outlet just inside the
garage. Bare-footed and standing in a puddle of water, he'd thoughtlessly
reached for the volume diai and received a jolting shock that vibrated through
his fingers and down to his toes for a good two seconds. For days afterwards
his arm had been numb.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">That had been a little shock. Now... in a
matter of moments ... he would experience the big one. He thought back to the day
that had brought him here. It was the receptionist's fault. If she'd only put
him through to her boss. Ross Jackson <b>was </b>an old friend. He would've
found a place for him at the firm. But the receptionist refused to put him on
the phone. How many times had he called only to be told Ross was out or on
another line or in a meeting. Always after he'd told her his name, of course.
It was obvious she'd been screening <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city>'s
calls... and his had been one that wasn't allowed through. It took him a while
to realize Ross had been refusing his calls. But they'd both paid for their
arrogance, hadn't they? The others had just got in the way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It was time. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chad</st1:place></st1:country-region> waited for the ring of the red
phone on the wall. That was the line where the call would come in----the one that
would stay the execution. It <i>would </i>happen, wouldn't it? It always
did in the movies. The clock's hand was straight up---eleven o'clock.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The executioner walked to the control
panel, his eyes studiously avoiding <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chad</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s. Panic overcame <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chad</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The stay
wasn't going to happen. They were going to kill him. He bucked at the
restraints, but of course he couldn't move. There was no escape, no reprieve.
He squeezed his eyes shut, willing this to be a horrible nightmare, all of it,
the beatings he'd taken from his father, the aimless wandering from job to job,
the failure of every relationship he'd attempted, the petty thefts, the drunken
brawls, the murders, the years on death row, and now... this. His entire life
had been one long nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Nothing was happening. His eyes opened as
a tiny peephole of hope entered his brain. Then he heard the low hum. His body
stiffened. He tried to look out at his audience, to tell them, "Hey, you
see what they're doing to me? Can't you stop it? They're killing me, They're
really doing it."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"This is it...', screamed his brain
in its final moments.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Leslie and Russell had another day.
Heather went to work at the office. Sammy nursed his wounds of the night
before. Twelve years later the four of them would meet in a shopping mall.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sammy would have a gun.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-18469599763841341122013-12-17T13:41:00.006-08:002013-12-17T13:41:58.571-08:00Home, Sweet Home<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><<Deep
Breath>><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can it finally be
over?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, almost over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still hearing the sound of some kind of
saw coming from my kitchen/dining room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hardwood floors are almost in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when that happens, I can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finally
</i>unpack the boxes that have been sitting in my great room and spare bedrooms
for over a month now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>happens, we’ll truly be moved into
our new home in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I’ll take a long, deep sigh of
relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far, we love it
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, what’s not to love?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played tennis on a morning in December
then took a walk on the beach (after devouring two Krispy Kreme donuts--another
perk in this area--well, until I step on the scales, anyway.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But until we get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">completely </i>unpacked and get the pictures hanging on the walls, it
won’t feel completely like home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That moment is close…I can
feel it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then I can finally get back
to my normal routine—working on student assignments and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">writing</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know I haven’t
written one line of fiction since I finished INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS in
July?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the old (not
literally-speaking) brain is starting to storm about my next novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote the prologue during one of the
writing exercises in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
and I’m starting to feel that familiar itch when I know it’s time to start
working on my next novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I can’t do that until
sometime next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re spending the
holidays in Destin with the grandsons, and then once the New Year checks in, I’ll
be heading to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:state></st1:place>
to spend some time with my sister and dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once I get back from <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:place></st1:state>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then </i>I can buckle down and start
writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brain should be done with
the storming by that time and straining at the bit to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve already got a title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOWLING AT THE MOON.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for INCENSE &
PEPPERMINTS, it’s with a publisher and if they make me an offer, I will
consider it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whether or not I accept
it remains to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may just go ahead
and self-publish, since we all know how much I like being in control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll let you know what happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I said, I really love
our new home in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city>,
but I have to tell you of an alarming incident I experienced last week—kind of
put me off a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a really fun
karaoke place that actually has it at a decent time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It starts at four pm on Fridays, and I can
usually stop in and sing a couple of songs before I meet Frank for our Friday pizza
movie night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week, a friendly
couple sat down to join me…at least, I thought they were friendly…until the
male began to spout off about African Americans, and using the N-word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">three times</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so astonished and horrified that I just
sat there, staring at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’m sure my
mouth was agape.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, after the
third time, I got up and walked out of the bar, mentally kicking myself for not
having the nerve to look him in the eye and say, “What is it about me that
makes you think I wouldn’t be offended by language like that? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t know me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it because I’m white that you feel like
you can get away with your racist remarks?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, I didn’t say
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it had been one of my
characters, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she</i> would’ve spoken
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s disheartening to know
that in this day and age—and during this holiday season, bigotry is still alive
and well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will pray for enlightenment
for people like this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to everyone else…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Bless and Merry
Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Happy Kwanzaa!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carole </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-5967138007383695302013-10-15T09:03:00.002-07:002013-10-15T09:03:34.584-07:00LILY OF THE SPRINGS WINS HONORABLE MENTION AWARD IN WRITER'S DIGEST 2013 SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARDS!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_45" style="font-size: medium;">Hi, everyone! I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted. It's been crazy here with Frank's retirement and our upcoming move to Myrtle Beach in November. I promise...as soon as we're settled, I'll write a nice, juicy post about all my news from this summer.</span><div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_38" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_45" style="font-size: medium;"><br id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_61" /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_48">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_45" style="font-size: medium;">But this couldn't wait. Yesterday I was notified that LILY OF THE SPRINGS was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2013 Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. So exciting! </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_48">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_45" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_48">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_45" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_59" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">One of my prizes was a $50 gift card at the Writer's Digest Shop, and I want to pass that gift along to one of my lucky fans, many of whom are writers. And in the process, I'm going to promote my print novels. To enter my contest to win the $50 gift card from Writer's Digest, buy one of my print novels, and send me your receipt. You'll be entered in the drawing on December 1st. This week's spotlighted novel: my first novel, RITA-award nominated BORDER CROSSINGS. (But you can buy ANY of my novels to enter the contest.)<br /><br />"A stirring first novel of terror, death, love, and hope, told with power and<br />conviction and set in the troubled part of Northern Ireland<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> where peace at long<br />last seems almost possible." Andrew M. Greeley, bestselling author of IRISH<br />GOLD, SUMMER AT THE LAKE, CONTRACT WITH AN ANGEL, etc...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Border-Crossings-Carole-Bellacera/dp/1468056387/ref=la_B001KHCBFE_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381851193&sr=1-2" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span>http://www.amazon.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span><span>Border-Crossings-Carole-Bellace</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span><span>ra/dp/1468056387/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span><span>ref=la_B001KHCBFE_1_2?s=books&i</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>e=UTF8&qid=1381851193&sr=1-2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.co.UK/Border-Crossings-Carole-Bellacera/dp/1468056387/ref=la_B001KHCBFE_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381851193&sr=1-2" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_65" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: blue !important; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.UK/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>Border-Crossings-Carole-Bellace<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>ra/dp/1468056387/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>ref=la_B001KHCBFE_1_2?s=books&i<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>e=UTF8&qid=1381851193&sr=1-2</a></span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_48">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_78" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_48">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_83" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_78" style="line-height: 17px;">Blessings,</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_48">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_83" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_78" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_48">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_83" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_10_3_6_1381852416017_78" style="line-height: 17px;">Carole </span></span></div>
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Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-59638560908882744982013-08-19T13:04:00.004-07:002013-08-19T13:04:45.787-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a New York Minute<!--?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /--><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You may have heard the song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don Henley’s “New York Minute” from his “The End of the Innocence”
album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about how life can change
suddenly, and in the case of this song, tragically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, I’m not writing about that
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything has changed for us in “a
New York minute,” but it’s all good.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It all started on July 3<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank and I were sitting out on the screened
porch, enjoying the hot summer night, and we started talking about his
retirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chatted about how it was
a good time to buy our retirement home in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle
Beach</st1:place></st1:city> because it was a buyer’s market down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He suggested that maybe I should go down
there and scout out houses, and if I found the right one, we’d go ahead and buy
it; then, when he was ready to retire, we’d already have a house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next day as we drove to a winery for a 4<sup>th</sup> of
July event, Frank brought up retirement again, and how much he’s disenchanted
with his job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, retire,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Pick a date.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>April 26<sup>th</sup>, 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A week or so later, we saw an article in the <strong>Washington Post </strong>about the hot real
estate market in the Washington DC area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was astounded to see that houses in our county sold within an average
of 12 days on the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we called
a realtor just to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was, I’m
guessing, somewhere around July 20<sup>th</sup>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fast-forward to today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve received three offers on our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After signing with a realtor and packing up
everything we absolutely could not live without, we had painters come in a
couple of weeks ago and paint the entire interior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we had the carpet replaced
upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Tuesday a photographer
came out to take pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The listing
became live on the MLS on Wednesday afternoon, and our first offer came on
Thursday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday, we had five
groups look at the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday, we
had an Open House and over 20 groups came through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we have three offers, and have countered
with one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waiting to hear now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I’m kind of in shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t believe my days of living here in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Manassas</st1:place></st1:city> are running out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited to move to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city>, and especially excited to look
at the 34 listings I’ve saved on Realtor.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I’m going to miss so much about this place—most of all, my church,
my Bunco group and my karaoke group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I know that new adventures lie ahead and I can hardly wait to get started on
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, if only Leah and her family
can get back to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city>,
it will be absolutely perfect!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Oh, did I tell you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS is finished and off with an agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cross your fingers for me that she’ll fall in
love with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until we’re settled in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:city></st1:place>, I’m suspending my monthly
contest, but hang in there—it will be back soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you all are having a great August!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carole<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-82266414496247330282013-06-19T09:15:00.002-07:002013-06-19T09:15:35.422-07:00Our Non-Human Loved Ones<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend and I went
to a spiritual medium last week, Elizabeth Herrington, (<a href="http://elizabethherrington.com/">http://elizabethherrington.com</a>) and
if you’re in the market, I highly recommend her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pam, a long-time friend, and I were both
hoping our mothers would come through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did, but that’s a story for another time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say we both received remarkable
validation that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Elizabeth</st1:place></st1:city>
was communicating with our mothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But one of the most
astounding moments during our hour-long reading occurred when <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Elizabeth</st1:place></st1:city> described a grey-striped cat with
my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I knew immediately who
she was talking about—my Asa who’d traveled to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rainbow</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>
back in the mid-80’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An outdoor cat,
Asa had the run of the woods to the back and side of our house on Andrews Air
Force Base—cat heaven!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except for the
four-lane highway, Route 5, bordering the woods nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if that’s where it happened or
not, but when Asa didn’t come home for two weeks, I knew in my heart something
terrible had happened to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One afternoon when I stepped out my front
door, I heard a cat’s meow coming from the gated area where the garbage cans
were kept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped inside, and there
he was, looking up at me with his beautiful amber eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, I was overjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Asa was home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then he tried to come toward me, and
that’s when I saw, to my horror, that he was dragging his hind quarters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My joy at seeing him alive drained away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>knew, even then, that this was something he wouldn’t recover from.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the way to the
vet, as Frank drove, I held him on my lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t make a sound, just gazed up at me with those haunting
eyes—eyes that held pain, and yes…I’m sure I wasn’t imagining it…resignation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost as if I could read his
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Make the pain go away, Mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I prayed during the
short drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Please, God, let him be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let this be something that can be fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it wasn’t to
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the vet examined him, he told
us that Asa had suffered a spinal injury; he was paralyzed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing could be done, and it was better to
put him out of his misery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frank and I returned
home alone. I couldn’t stop crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
spent the next three days on the sofa, sobbing off and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every cat food commercial broke my heart all
over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could it be so painful
to lose a pet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like a part of my
heart had been cut out and stomped on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Along with the pain, I felt guilt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If only I hadn’t allowed him to go outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I vowed then to never have another outside
cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The years passed and
other pets came into our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
inevitably, we suffered other losses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our beautiful white Golden Retriever, Kai, who came to live with us at
three months old in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Hawaii</st1:state></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lived to the age of 14, and the night
before we had him euthanized, we took him to the Manassas Battlefield—one of
his favorite places—for one last walk; he managed only a few feet before
collapsing to the grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We served him a
whole slice of pizza the morning before we left for the vet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, we returned home in tears, and I took
a solitary walk on the battlefield that afternoon to send up prayers and
blessings to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then last year, on
the night of Mother’s Day, I sat with my beautiful 13-year-old orange-tabby,
Ruby, in my lap, knowing it was our last night together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Broken-hearted, we returned home without her,
and even though we now have two beautiful kitties, Mario and Lily, whom I
adore, I still miss my Ruby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(She
appeared in several of my books.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">So it was with some
surprise that I learned that Asa was the cat with my mother, but <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Elizabeth</st1:place></st1:city> went on to say
that it was because he’d been in such pain, and wanted to thank me for taking
care of him up to the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Elizabeth</st1:place></st1:city> also said,
contrary to some beliefs, pets <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do </i>have
souls, and someday we’ll be reunited with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can just imagine how cool that will be—meeting all our loved ones
who’ve passed on, and also being surrounded by all the non-humans we’ve loved
throughout our lifetimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can just
imagine Kai and Asa and Ruby—and pets from my younger days, Gilbert and Marty
and Carol Ann Kitty and Happy all playing together and vying for my
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>will definitely be Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until then, I know they are all up there with my mom, and she’s taking
care of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or they’re taking care of
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congratulations to
Carrie Castro of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Los Altos</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>, my May website
contest winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She won a copy of UNDERSTUDY
and a piece of jewelry from Beautiful Evening Beads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<a href="http://www.beautifuleveningbead/etsy.com">www.beautifuleveningbead/etsy.com</a>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be next month’s winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just go to my website and enter my
contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/">www.carolebellacera.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for news—my new
novel, INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS, is finished, and is in the revision
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I finish it, I’ll be
sending it to an agent who has requested to read it, so wish me luck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d dearly love to sell this one to a <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> publisher, so
we’ll see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a book trailer for it,
and you can see it here:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://animoto.com/play/xODQQ3eB9c0rgskOiltEbQ">http://animoto.com/play/xODQQ3eB9c0rgskOiltEbQ</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, TANGO’S EDGE
will soon be available as an audio book at <a href="http://www.audible.com/">www.audible.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m very excited about that because I had to
listen to the complete book to approve it, and I got wrapped up in the story
and couldn’t wait to hear more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know,
I know…I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrote</i> it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it had been a while since I’d read it, so
it was like listening to a completely new story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the narrator, Amy Ulrich, does such a
wonderful job (especially with Mikhail’s Russian accent) so it really
captivated me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it will captivate
you, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, that’s it for
me this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be heading down to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Destin</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place>
in a few weeks to visit my darling grandsons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s been over three months since I’ve had any preschooler hugs and
kisses—and I’m suffering withdrawal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a fantastic
June!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carole</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-42831847518084485612013-05-10T07:01:00.003-07:002013-05-10T07:01:43.410-07:00A Smile is Just a Smile<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><b></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A Smile is
Just a Smile<o:p></o:p></span></b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Fifteen
eye contacts, four smiles and two hellos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s what I received from five days of walking from my hotel near <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Grafton Street</st1:address></st1:street> in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:city> to a friend’s
house for a writing workshop—a 25-minute walk there and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started counting to entertain myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">See,
I love smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love giving them, and I
love getting them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this was kind of
an experiment for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region> before, but this was the first time I’ve
spent the entire time in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, the Irish are friendly people, but <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:city> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is </i>a city, and like people everywhere,
they’re rushing around, trying to get to work, chatting on cell phones, and
pretty much lost in their own little worlds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, it’s not all that unusual to get only minimal eye contact in 370
minutes of walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I was quite
surprised—and delighted—that two people actually smiled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and </i>said hello during a couple of my morning treks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">I
wonder if they have any idea how good that made me feel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think people realize the power of
their smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That simple connection
between two strangers can change an ordinary day to an extraordinary one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I know what you’re thinking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s
not safe to make eye contact with strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You never know if someone could be a psychopath, and you can make
yourself a target just by acknowledging him/her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Well,
I suppose that’s possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> be unlucky enough to smile at the
wrong person—and suddenly you’ve become their next obsession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if I’m going to live life thinking like
that, I might as well crawl into a cave and become a hermit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don’t want to live like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe we’re all put here for a purpose,
and we meet people for a destined reason—in some little way, they change
you…make you a better person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">I
like to talk to strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in
Dublin, I struck up conversations with several people—a young Irishman on
Grafton Street who studied at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, a man
who ran a charity shop across from Trinity College, a female customer in the
same shop, an attractive young salesclerk in a trendy shop on Grafton Street,
two Norwegian men in an upscale shoe store, a garrulous taxi driver who totally
made my day—we talked politics, gun control, books, the high cost of drinking
in pubs, the Virginia Tech massacre. As you can imagine, not all of these
conversations were light and airy, but I left each person, feeling connected to
them in a universal way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m glad I
took the opportunity to converse with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I walked away, feeling like I’d learned from them in some small
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That we were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">connected</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m
not saying everybody should engage strangers in deep conversations every chance
they get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not in everyone’s
personality to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am</i> saying is don’t ever underestimate
the power of eye contact and a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Try it sometime—I guarantee that when you get a smile back from a
stranger, your day will feel just a little bit better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Okay,
so I chose a winner for my April website contest, but unfortunately, I haven’t
heard from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So…Karen Farmer, if you’re
reading this, contact me at <a href="mailto:carolebella2001@yahoo.com">carolebella2001@yahoo.com</a>
and give me your address so I can send out your prizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I need to know which book you want, and
if you want print or digital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">If
I don’t hear from Karen by next week, I’ll draw another name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Hope
all of you have a blessed May.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Vivaldi;">Carole<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</b></span>Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-24549979794272862912013-02-21T10:03:00.004-08:002013-02-21T12:27:08.503-08:00Winning the Genetic Lottery<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Victoria’s Secret</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> supermodel, Cameron Russell, has been in the news lately condemning the
hand that feeds her—the fashion industry, and their obsession with beautiful,
skinny white women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just won the
genetic lottery,” she says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Well, you know what? I
feel like I won the genetic lottery as well…but not for the reasons that our
comely Cameron has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I can only
wish!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking about health and
spirit and a zest for life, no matter your age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m turning 60 in about three weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My sixth decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that
</i>possible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look back on when I
first decided I wanted to be a writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were stationed at Andrews Air Force Base near <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Washington</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">DC</st1:state></st1:place>,
and I turned a broom closet into my first office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, I wrote my first novel, GIFT OF JADE,
on an old Smith Corona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year was 1984.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 31.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My first published novel, BORDER CROSSINGS, came out in 1999.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 45.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s almost impossible to believe that I’ve been a published author for
15 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I don’t feel like I should
be sixty years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And people tell me I
don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">look </i>like I’m sixty years old.
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love</i> hearing that!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, yes, I feel like I won the genetic
lottery, but not just because of those two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But because I won’t let age stop me from
having fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what I’m doing on
my birthday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going go-karting with
my grandsons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve already planned a
trip to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Destin</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place>, and that’s what I’ve told everyone
I want to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See, I don’t believe that
just because you’re growing older, you’ve got to stop having fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I went to the water park on our
visit to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:place></st1:city>
last summer and went down all the big slides with the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These days, Grandmas don’t sit in rockers
observing—they’re out there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">doing</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I have two people to thank
for choosing to be a “doing Grandma” and not a “sitting Grandma.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom, Lillian (the inspiration for LILY OF
THE SPRINGS) and my grandmother, Opal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My mom, before she got sick with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, always joined
in the fun with her children and grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll never forget the time she went to the water park with my sister and
me and her grandchildren, and had trouble getting out of the inner tube in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Lazy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister and I were laughing so hard, we
could barely stand up. It was this fun spirit that kept Mommy young for so many
years before she was struck down by cancer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Her mom, Opal, may not have
done water parks with us, but she was a gutsy little sprite all her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call her a “sprite” because she was barely
five-foot tall but had the courage of a lioness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loved to entertain her grandchildren with
stories of her youth in the <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:place></st1:state>
outback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to her, she was quite
the little troublemaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite story
was one I related in LILY OF THE SPRINGS about how she discovered a rattlesnake
in the outhouse, and matter-of-factly chopped its head off with a garden hoe
then went about her business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I may
have inherited her spunk, but I can tell you right now you wouldn’t catch me
going within spitting distance of a rattlesnake.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother (we called Opal “Mother”) was the most
energetic woman I’d ever met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in
her advancing years, she kept herself busy—cooking, cleaning, quilting, puttering
about her little house, always doing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never saw her just sitting around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lived to 93, and the week before her
heart gave out, she was still going grocery shopping on her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So, you see, this is why I
feel like I’ve won the genetic lottery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really believe you’re as young as you feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a good attitude is imperative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t lose your interest in trying new things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years ago after joining my church
choir, I remembered how much I loved to sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After years of longing to try it, I finally got the nerve to sing
karaoke on our first cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I loved
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I’ve started my own local
karaoke group, and we get together every couple of weeks at a local bar to
sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s led to me appearing in the
USO Show last March, playing Marilyn Monroe, Karen Carpenter and Nancy Sinatra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And recently, I sang at a French bistro in <st1:place w:st="on">Reston</st1:place> (not karaoke.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve even sang a couple of times with a live band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone had come to me even ten years ago
and said I’d be doing these things, I would’ve thought <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no freaking way</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now I
know to never say never.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s trying new
things that really keeps you young.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I have a friend—and she’ll
know who she is because she always reads my blogs—that’s a year younger than
me, but if you heard her talk, you’d think she’s at death’s door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This woman has the most beautiful skin I’ve
ever seen—not a wrinkle to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
got a trim figure and looks great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
she needs an attitude adjustment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And you know I’ve told you this to your
face, J.</i>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve begged her to come to
yoga class with me because she’s complained of body aches and sleep issues, and
I know yoga would help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she refuses
to try it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think she’s of the Old Dog
Can’t Learn New Tricks mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
believe that’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exactly </i>what keeps us
young—learning new tricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So, come on, ladies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sixty is the new forty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s get out there and have fun. We may not
be beautiful, skinny, white–or look gorgeous in a bikini, but we can adjust our
attitudes about age and beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for
me, I’m looking forward to my sixth decade and what it has in store for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">As I mentioned in my last
blog, BORDER CROSSINGS is now available at Audible.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Join Audible and get it for only $7.49.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_5?asin=B00BCR7K0S&qid=1360587261&sr=1-5">http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_5?asin=B00BCR7K0S&qid=1360587261&sr=1-5</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Also, I’m running a
special this week at Kindle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get EAST OF
THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON for only 99 cents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/EAST-SUN-WESTS-MOON-ebook/dp/B0052OULD0/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361468956&sr=1-9">http://www.amazon.com/EAST-SUN-WESTS-MOON-ebook/dp/B0052OULD0/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361468956&sr=1-9</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’m off to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:state>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you next time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carole <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</span>Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-82350538116870042952013-02-13T09:57:00.000-08:002013-02-13T09:57:00.706-08:00Calling All Angels<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Isn’t it odd that we
usually don’t realize the significant moments in our lives until long after
they are over?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was reminded of one on
Sunday during an interview with Luke Abaffy of the Author Feast website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was talking about how obsessed I used to be
with my career, and how miserable I was during those first years after BORDER
CROSSINGS came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, I
wasn’t enjoying the ride; I was always looking ahead to the next mountain
(goal) I wanted to climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And on Sunday as
I gave advice to new writers hoping to break into the business, and urging them
not to take it all too seriously, I remembered the moment that my life changed.
For the better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My career was in
shambles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My editor had left for another
publishing house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My publisher had
turned down my fifth novel—and had informed me that my fourth novel would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>be released in mass market (despite
the contract.) My agent, having received several rejections of my new proposal,
wasn’t returning my calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words, my “career” was crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt
destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even doubted my own
talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know where to go from
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go get a real job…give up on my dreams and
the destiny I’d always believed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I remember I was out and
about one day during the midst of this career crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had to get out of the house because I
couldn’t write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was the point,
anyway?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly, I didn’t know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first four novels had been flukes,
apparently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d gone into Barnes &
Noble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That certainly wasn’t a way to raise my
confidence—seeing all the published books from writers I’d met throughout my
four years of being in the “in scene.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>, and not me, I
wondered?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What had I done wrong that my
books weren’t selling, yet, everyone else seemed to make the New York Times
Best Seller List with little effort at all (it seemed.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still don’t know the answer to that
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I didn’t invest enough
in promotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I was lazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I just didn’t have any business sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe it was because I wanted to be a
writer, not a business person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking
back, I can see it was probably all of those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I knew at that moment, though, was that
I’d crashed and burned, and I didn’t know what to do with myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I left Barnes & Noble,
got into my car, and burst into tears. And I prayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“God, I don’t know what you want me to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the time I was a child, You had
me telling stories, writing stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know this is what I’m meant to do, but if that’s so, why is it I’m <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">failing</i> at it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to give up, but I can’t take
this constant rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
worthless, like I have nothing to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is it you want me to do?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Of course there was no
answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not immediately. But it came within
moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I’d finally cried myself
out, I turned on the ignition and the radio came on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song coming from the speakers was Train’s
“Calling All Angels.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’m not allowed to write
more than a line or two of lyrics because of copyright issues, but it starts
like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I need a sign to let me know you're here</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And then the chorus:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I won't
give up if you don't give up.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I couldn’t believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was like God was speaking to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wouldn’t give up on me if I wouldn’t give up on myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It was shortly after that that I got my writing mojo
back, and I finished TANGO’S EDGE, and then wrote LILY OF THE SPRINGS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried selling them to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state>, but it didn’t happen so I self-published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best decision I ever made!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took back my power, and I never looked
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never doubt my destiny
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a writer, and I’ll never let
anyone tell me I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I read
a quote on Facebook that I absolutely love: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do
Not Underplay the Artist and Writer for they Create What Once Did Not
Exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>What a beautiful thought—a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">powerful </i>thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do </i>create
what once did not exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to
print this out and tape it near my computer, so any time I’m feeling like I’m
not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good </i>enough or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">talented </i>enough…or lacking in any way, I
can read this and remember that I have created what once did not exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How cool is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">So…just remember…no matter what your challenges are, if
you ask God for help, He WILL answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just be prepared to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
never know when God will speak to you…or when the angels will come when you
call on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Congratulations to Marilyn Nowlin of Houston, my January
website contest winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure and stop
by my website and enter this month’s contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Good news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BORDER
CROSSINGS is now out in audio, and available at <a href="http://www.audible.com/">www.audible.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_2?asin=B00BCR7K0S&qid=1360712623&sr=1-2">http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_2?asin=B00BCR7K0S&qid=1360712623&sr=1-2</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And did I tell you about my daughter’s book?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, writing runs in the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter, Leah Speer’s, first book came
out in December titled MUST.HAVE.WINE. A TOAST TO MOTHERHOOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Must-Have-Wine-Toast-Motherhood/dp/0615716792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360712459&sr=1-1&keywords=Leah+Speer">http://www.amazon.com/Must-Have-Wine-Toast-Motherhood/dp/0615716792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360712459&sr=1-1&keywords=Leah+Speer</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re a mom, you need to read this book—a
collection of heartwarming, humorous and sometimes dead serious articles about
motherhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Happy Valentine’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hope you get lots of chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what I’m hoping for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Carole <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re
familiar with Train’s song, “Calling All Angels,” check it out at YouTube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an awesome song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaG9SDxwPBg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaG9SDxwPBg</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-14240225655909877962013-01-21T12:56:00.001-08:002013-01-21T12:56:21.807-08:00American Idol and the Publishing Business<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b> </div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
How many American Idol contestants can you name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been watching AI from the get-go, so
I’ll go first.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Kelly
Clarkson</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Carrie
Underwood</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Clay
Aiken</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">David
Cook</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Jennifer
Hudson</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Phillip
Phillips</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><st1:city w:st="on">Colton</st1:city> <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dixon</st1:place></st1:city></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Jordin
Sparks</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
Well…that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">American
Idol </b>has been on…what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twelve
seasons?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can remember only eight
contestants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I liked a lot more
than eight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I can’t think of their
names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the female country
singer in last season’s AI—I really liked her, but darn if I can remember her
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had it all—talent, charisma,
beauty, and a rockin’ country voice—but I can’t remember her name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I know I could look it up on the internet,
but that just proves my point—I shouldn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have
</i>to.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This must be so disheartening
for all those talented singers who make it to the AI top ten, and then after
the tour is over, they vanish back into obscurity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, sure, some of them go on to become
household names—Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson and…well,
that’s about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even some of the
most talented winners of AI—David Cook, for one, kind of disappear after their
initial, if moderate, success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, I
wonder?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
I have my suspicions, and this is
where <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">American Idol </b>and the
publishing business have something in common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The winner of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">American Idol </b>gets
a record contract and big-name producers like Jimmy Iovine get them in the
studios, and with their star-making know-how, try to turn them into the next
Britney Spears or Justin Bieber, even if it bleeds every bit of originality out
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they don’t care about
originality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They only care about the
big bucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want these young artists
to fit into a box, following a proven formula that will churn out mega-billion
dollar sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, it rarely
works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because these kids, talented as they may be,
when trying to emulate a Britney or a Justin, turn out to be nothing but a pale
imitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in a blink of an eyelash,
they’ve faded into obscurity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the
record sales dwindle, I suspect the initial interest from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city> disappears as if it had never been
there in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These poor
kids end up going back to producing their own records and doing gigs in
small-town bars close to home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this
is another similarity to the publishing business.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
As you know, I’m sure, I’ve been
out of the <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state>
publishing circles for many years now, so this may or may not still be
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m going to tell you how it
used to be, and how the publishing industry is exactly like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">American Idol</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just assume it hasn’t changed much
since my experience, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Publishers
are always looking for their “next big star.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That unknown author who is going to write a book that generates huge
buzz in the publishing house, which is a real indicator that the book is going
to be HUGE—selling millions of copies and landing on the NY </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
Times Best-Seller List.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why you hear about a first-time author’s
book going into a bidding war and ending up getting six and seven-figure
offers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens more frequently than
you would think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t happen to me,
alas, but I did get a pretty good advance for my first novel, BORDER CROSSINGS,
that came out in hardcover, retailing for $25.99.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking at the time: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who on earth is going to pay $25.99 for a
book by an author they’ve never heard of?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i>Turns out I had reason to be concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not many people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> pay $25.99 for the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And although I went on to sell my publisher another three books, the
death knell for my career was already sounding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sales were low, excitement was diminishing, my editor left for a job
with a different publisher—and eventually, no one at my publishing house had
ever heard of me.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
Something similar happened to a friend
of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was already published in
category romance, but when she wrote a big women’s fiction novel, her savvy
agent got several publishers interested, and although it didn’t sell at
auction, one publisher offered her a six-figure deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was headed for the big-time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The publisher promised they’d get behind her,
and promote the book with ads, book tours and a huge <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:city> launch party—the dream of every
author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Days before the book hit the
stores, the publisher flew her to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New
York</st1:state></st1:place>, wined and dined her, and had her doing
appearances even before the book was officially for sale. Sadly, her appearances
were poorly attended, and the night before her official launch party, she
received a phone call from her editor telling her the house was “disappointed”
that the pre-orders for the book were lower than they expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her book tour was canceled, and she flew back
home, feeling like a whipped puppy dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I saw her book in a Barnes & Noble one time shortly after its
release, and I don’t know if it ever came out in paperback or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This author—the rising star that the
publisher had proclaimed her to be—suffered a devastating case of writer’s
block and ended up leaving the business altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
Sound familiar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder how many AI contestants totally give
up on their dream after their brief brush with fame?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all comes down to two different animals—artists
and corporate business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Artists just
want to create their art, and corporate business wants to back artists who make
them money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if they don’t, it’s
goodbye and on to the next. (Because there is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always </i>a hungry “next.”) Sometimes, everything comes together and
an artist gets to make their art—the art they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to make, and the money flows in. Those are the lucky ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We turn to self-publishing and
self-recording, and sharing our art wherever and with whomever we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe in the long run, we’re the ones who are
happier. (Although I’m betting Nora Roberts is pretty darn happy.)</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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So…if you loved some of those
artists on AI who didn’t make it big, search them out and buy their self-produced
CDs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while you’re at it, support
your local indie authors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us, every little sale counts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-38607924727338371972013-01-15T09:43:00.003-08:002013-01-15T09:43:50.799-08:00WHEN SPIRIT TALKS, YOU LISTEN<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">The older I
get, the more spiritual I’ve become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spiritual, not religious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
never been a big fan of organized religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe it had something to do with my “fire and brimstone” upbringing in
the Baptist church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even as a child,
something didn’t sit right with me about a punishing God who glares down from
above, waiting for you to screw up so He can send you to Hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, that just didn’t jive with the Jesus
who loves me that we’d sing about in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Vacation</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Bible</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, after years of searching to fill my
spiritual void, and visiting various churches throughout the many places we’ve
lived, the moment I walked into Unity of Fairfax in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Vienna</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Virginia</st1:state></st1:place>,
I knew I’d arrived in my church home. That was many years ago, and I still feel
the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">So when I
walked in last Sunday, I had no idea that one five-minute conversation would
change the course of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Or at
least, the course of my year.) Now I know it was Spirit, and I’m so glad I was
open to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">I had a few
minutes before the choir met to rehearse, and sipping my coffee, I saw Lisa
across the atrium and decided to join her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Earlier in the week, I’d seen her post on Facebook about going to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region> in the
spring, so I asked her about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told
me all about a writer’s retreat she was attending in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sounded like so much fun, and I told her how envious I was that she
was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(When I’d first read her
Facebook post, I remember thinking how I wished I could shrink myself down to
the size of a ladybug and crawl into her luggage.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">“You should
go,” Lisa said, smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Oh,
no!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t,” I said quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can’t afford it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">But then I
heard the voice inside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spirit, I
know now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s a tax write-off</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lisa went
on to tell me the cost of the retreat, the flight, the hotel, and mentally, I’m
calculating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Too expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would practically clean out my checking
account.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">But Spirit
spoke again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You’ll get your income tax refund in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">It was time
to head into the sanctuary for choir rehearsal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gave Lisa a wistful smile and said, “I know you’ll love <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dublin</st1:city></st1:place>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wish I could go, but I just can’t swing it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">During
church, my mind kept returning to my conversation with Lisa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region></st1:place>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been eight years since I’d been there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Way too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And to be able to go there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to write</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How cool would that be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly I tuned into the minister’s message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about taking risks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">On the way
home, I broached the subject with Frank. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what my wonderful, supportive, The World’s
Best Husband said?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You should go!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>And then
later, the Most Fantabulous, Sweetest, Adorable, Man of My Dreams said, “What
can I do to make this happen for you???”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of course,
I turned down his generous offer of monetary help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, this is a business trip, and it’s
my responsibility to pay for it, but the fact that he offered melted my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">I mused it
over for a full afternoon and night, and on Monday morning, I woke up, knowing
this was meant to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spirit spoke and I
listened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m going
to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region></st1:place>
in April!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now, if
only I could win the lottery so I could take my daughter, Leah, and my sister,
Kathy, with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spirit moves in mysterious ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">NEWS<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">At
last!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LILY OF THE SPRINGS is out in
audio!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s available on Audible.com,
and if you join the Audible book club, you can get it for only $7.49.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B00B0WQMPO&qid=1358263220&sr=1-1">http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B00B0WQMPO&qid=1358263220&sr=1-1</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">My third
novel, EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON, will be reissued in print in a few
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t read this steamy
older woman/younger man novel (the most erotic of all my titles) you’ll want to
pick up a copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out the book
trailer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://animoto.com/play/cpkmNTk0cwO1zbowNeEZag">http://animoto.com/play/cpkmNTk0cwO1zbowNeEZag</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Happy New
Year to all of you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t
forget…listen to Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carole
Bellacera <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-33146776868354616162012-12-18T07:06:00.003-08:002012-12-18T07:06:41.158-08:00WHEN WORDS WON’T COME<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I planned to write a
holiday blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was my intention on
December 14<sup>th</sup>, when I arrived at Panera’s for my usual Friday
afternoon writing session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d been
running around all morning, delivering cookies to a friend recuperating from
surgery, going to my yoga class, to the post office to mail goody tins to
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An ordinary Friday in December.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But when I opened my lap
top, I immediately saw this was no ordinary Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The headlines on Yahoo glared out at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“26 Killed in Elementary School
Shooting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, I thought it was a
hoax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, how could this be
possible???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I knew in my gut that I
was hoping for a miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had </i>happened, and the world had become a
darker place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">That’s all I can say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no words to express my horror and
grief…so I won’t even try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">On Saturday morning, my
daughter, Leah Speer, had an op ed published in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New York Post</b>, and with her permission, I’m going to share it with
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">After the Massacre: What We Can Know<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After tragedies like
the <st1:place w:st="on">Sandy Hook</st1:place> massacre or the Clackamas
shooting, you try to make sense of the world you live in. You find yourself
trying to find answers. You are needing an answer to the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">why.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Through it, you come
abruptly face-to-face with what you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">do</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>have,
what you’re so thankful for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">But you fear that you can never be sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">You can’t be sure when you tuck them into bed tonight that
they’ll be running down the stairs to climb on your lap tomorrow, way earlier
than you had wished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">You can’t be sure when they roll their eyes at you in the school
drop-off line after you shout “I love you” embarrassingly loud that you’ll hug
their warm, soft bodies again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">These days, you can’t even be sure you’ll be returning to their
soft kisses after a quick run to the mall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">So what<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">can</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>you be sure of?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">You can be sure that tonight, when the entire house is quiet and
his little lips are allowing such sweetness of small breaths to exit his
dreaming body, that you are so very thankful for all of your blessings. With
his blue satin blanket laced between his little fingers, grab his face and kiss
it — don’t be afraid that kiss might wake him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">You can be sure to let
go of the three meltdowns from earlier and the spilled Crystal Light on your
newly steamed carpet. When you look down at her body snuggled comfortably in
her bed after she’s exerted all of the day’s energy,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">really</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>see the depth and the magic of her
being.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Exhausted from that 2:00 a.m. wake-up call? Be sure to snuggle
with your beautiful baby, hold her tighter than ever. Be sure to let go of the
stress that you feel being behind on holiday shopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Let go of the guilt you feel when you lay in bed with your child
until they fall asleep because some book told you not to. Be sure to grab your
children in a tight embrace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">In the madness of an ordinary day, it’s so hard to take the time
to visit those questions . . . to really take it in. The magnitude of what you
truly have. Every lesson taught; every kiss sealed onto their forehead. Every
“I love you” realized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">In every waking moment, be sure they know they are loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">While your heart is
aching for those affected by such horrible tragedy, pray for them. And in every
single moment you wish you could have just a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">little</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>space
to breathe, a little extra sleep, or have it be just a bit quieter — be so
grateful for all that you have. And breathe . . . you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">can</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>be sure of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Leah Speer, a Sandestin,
Fla.-based writer, is co-author of “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Must-Have-Wine-Toast-Motherhood/dp/0615716792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355527631&sr=1-1&keywords=must.+have.+wine." target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Must. Have. Wine.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span></a>A Toast to Motherhood.”</span></em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To all of you, I wish a
Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Peace and Love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carole Bellacera<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-6833918248022646382012-12-13T08:26:00.000-08:002012-12-13T08:26:09.724-08:00Thankful for the Kids I Raised<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today, hours before
Thanksgiving Day, I’m thankful for so many wonderful things in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To name a few—my wonderful husband, Frank, of
38 years, my beautiful daughter, Leah, fantastic son, Stephen, two gorgeous grandsons,
Luke and Zealand, my loving sisters, Kathy and Sharon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family, of course, is foremost, even though I
have many other things to be thankful for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But if you don’t have a family you can depend upon, especially in times
of need, not the greatest of career success, the best of all the material
riches in the world, can ever make up for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am so lucky to have the
kids I do—Leah and Stephen not only appreciate me, they would move mountains to
help me in my time of need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, I am
100% certain of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not every mother is
that lucky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">That point was driven home
this week when I took a friend in for her doctor’s appointment after she had
hip replacement surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year I’d
done the same thing for her after her first surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that time, I hadn’t realized she has a
daughter who lives in the area. But that fact came to my attention a few months
later, and I remember wondering then why the daughter wasn’t taking her in for
her appointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just seemed weird
to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So, when I received a
phone call from my friend last week, asking if I’d take her in for her
appointment this week—the week of Thanksgiving when I have a million things to
do, I couldn’t help but wonder again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why was the daughter MIA?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But
it wasn’t my place to ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But me being me, I
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend told me, rather of
matter-of-factly, that her daughter couldn’t take time off from work to take
her to the doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then she added
dryly that she seems to have no trouble taking off for things <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she </i>wants to do, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I was just appalled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it got worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, this daughter hadn’t even come to
the hospital when her mother was in surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just can’t fathom that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost
my mother when she was only 63.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
imagine ever living close to her and not being there for her when she needed
me! At the very least, it’s called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">obligation</i>,
on the other side of the scale, it’s called<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
generosity</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I wouldn’t give to have my mother with
me right now, even if I had to run her to the doctor twice a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’m sounding sanctimonious here, but I
think unless your mother was a monster—someone who abused you or, worse,
allowed someone else to abuse you, a daughter or son should be there for their
aging mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I feel so bad for my
friend—and so lucky to have children like Leah and Stephen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as I’m concerned, I won the lottery
when it comes to family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank, Leah,
Stephen, Luke, Zealand, Kathy and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sharon</st1:place></st1:city>,
God bless you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has already blessed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i> with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-47257663989462350872012-11-21T11:08:00.002-08:002012-11-21T11:08:28.446-08:00NEW SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take the Trip of a
Lifetime!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And you can win a free travel mug! Announcing the release of
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trip of a Lifetime: An Anthology</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is your idea of the trip of a lifetime? Is it relaxing
on a sandy <st1:place w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place> beach? Traveling through
parts of <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>? Or do you prefer to stay
closer to home and travel through your imagination? Sometimes the trip of a
lifetime can be the one you never expected to take. And sometimes a trip
becomes quite memorable for the wrong reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this collection of short stories, poetry, and
non-fiction, you will find our contributors' ideas of the "trip of a
lifetime." Perhaps you'll find your own ideas in these pages, or perhaps
we'll spark the desire for you to go out and make your own memories!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To celebrate the release of this anthology in both paperback
and ebook formats, Sleeping Cat Books will send a Trip of a Lifetime travel mug
to one reader chosen at random (see website for image). The rules for entering
this drawing are below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trip of a Lifetime: An
Anthology</i> is now available in paperback (</span><a href="http://sleepingcatbooks.com/trip-store.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://sleepingcatbooks.com/trip-store.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
and for Kindle (</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9ZJWYQ"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9ZJWYQ</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">),
NOOK (</span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-storm-is-coming-various/1109651115?ean=2940015727876"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-storm-is-coming-various/1109651115?ean=2940015727876</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">),
and Kobo (</span><a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Trip-of-a-Lifetime/book-R8iEe9djM0qE1mXzG57BoQ/page1.html?s=ep0CfocqHk-fAKdoh4lw6w&r=1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Trip-of-a-Lifetime/book-R8iEe9djM0qE1mXzG57BoQ/page1.html?s=ep0CfocqHk-fAKdoh4lw6w&r=1</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rules for Entry<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One entry per paperback copy ordered.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only orders placed through Sleeping Cat Books (</span><a href="http://sleepingcatbooks.com/trip-store.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://sleepingcatbooks.com/trip-store.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
are eligible for entry.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Orders placed and paid in full prior to 12:01 am
Saturday, 1 December 2012 are eligible.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contributors to this anthology and their family
members are eligible provided they place orders through the website at full
retail cost.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The winner will be chosen at random on 3
December 2012 from all of the eligible entries. The winner's first name will be
announced on the Sleeping Cat Books blog (</span><a href="http://www.sarah-holroyd.com/blog/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.sarah-holroyd.com/blog/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)
that day.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the event that we are unable to contact the
winner by 10 December, a second name will be chosen at random and announced on
that day.</span></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-70846811514294490612012-10-24T08:23:00.001-07:002012-10-24T08:24:03.917-07:00Never, EVER, Apologize for Your Age!<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Never, EVER, Apologize for Your Age!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">On my way to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:place></st1:state> last week to
visit my sister, Kathy, I pulled into the drive-through at McDonalds for a
Caramel Frappe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Did you know a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">small </i>has 450 calories?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, what did I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">medium</i>. *g*)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, the wait was long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I inched toward the ordering station, I
saw an elderly couple crossing the parking lot, each using walkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the car in front of me had pulled
up, I waited to let the couple pass in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the woman walked past my open window, I
smiled at her and said, “Good morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She smiled back and said…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m so sorry I’m so slow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I ignored her apology and
said something like what a beautiful autumn day it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that time, the husband had reached my
window. And what did he do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also
apologized for being slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No problem!” I said, giving him a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But inside, my heart was aching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a sweet elderly couple!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">killed</i>
me they felt they had to apologize because their age had made them slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrong</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hey, we’re all going to be
there someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Some of us quicker than
others.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll be damned if I’m going
to feel like I have to apologize to anybody because I’ve lived 70…80…90 years,
and I’m just not as quick on my feet as I used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, I know…my Velma is coming out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those of you who’ve read CHOCOLATE ON A STICK
know what I’m talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you
imagine Velma <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever </i>apologizing for
her age?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, when I wrote
CHOCOLATE ON A STICK, 73 (which is the age of Velma) seemed pretty old to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be turning 60 in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seventy-three doesn’t sound all that old
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I wish I’d made Velma
83.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So…let’s all take a
vow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ve
lived <<fill in the blank>> decades, and those years have made me
the person I am today—I refuse to apologize for the aging process that each and
every one of us will experience if we live long enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Age may slow us down, but it’s nothing to
apologize for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And remember…if you’re the
impatient person waiting in the drive-through, frustrated because an elderly
person is slow getting out of your path…you’ll be there one day yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, give them a break and say hello with a
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Okay, on with the
news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exciting </i>news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LILY OF THE
SPRINGS and BORDER CROSSINGS are coming out in audio!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have release dates yet, but both
books are in production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The narrator of
LILY, Angie Hickman, has a wonderful southern accent that reminds me of my
mother, and I’m just thrilled to be working with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the narrator of BORDER CROSSINGS, Maxine
Lennon, is from <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Northern
Ireland</st1:place></st1:country>, so I know she’s going to do a great
job!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll let you know as soon as I know
the release dates—and I’m hoping to get my other books produced as audio books
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine CHOCOLATE ON A
STICK as an audio book?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What fun for
whoever narrates that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speaking of CHOCOLATE, I’m
so thrilled that it’s been reissued after being out of print for a couple of
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The re-packaged book has photos
of some of the characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think when
you see the difference between the identical twins, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Geneva</st1:city></st1:place> and Genovadine, you’re going to crack
up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you haven’t seen the book
trailer, check it out:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://animoto.com/play/NJGx2bQwyXWDjNSYoxpCxA"><span style="color: blue;">http://animoto.com/play/NJGx2bQwyXWDjNSYoxpCxA</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bad news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two winners I contacted for my website
contest for September never responded, so prizes are still available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to <a href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.CaroleBellacera.com</span></a> and
enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">By the way, I met many new
fans at my book signings this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you so much for your support, and I hope you’ll all enjoy the
books you bought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Have a wonderful November…and
Happy Early Thanksgiving!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carole <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-19772150444070573622012-09-26T09:58:00.001-07:002012-09-26T09:58:09.053-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">R-E-S-P-E-C-T<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am an Indie author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some, if not most of you know what that
means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My books are published
independently…or to put it bluntly—I self-publish my books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Self-published</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a term that the old me would’ve turned
her nose up at—and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back when I was pre-published (such a quaint
word…makes it sound like everybody is waiting to be published) and even more so
when I was traditionally-published by a New York house, I was a snob, believing
that if I couldn’t sell my books to a New York publisher, I didn’t deserve to
be published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My subsequent experience
with the “sink or swim” mentality of traditional publishing (throw a new author
out into the world with a hardcover book that retails at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$25.99 with little promotion and hope she’ll
become the next Danielle Steel while knowing there’s only a snowball’s chance
in hell of it actually happening) taught me to never say never.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When my sales tanked and
my publisher reneged on the contract to put my fourth book, UNDERSTUDY, out in
mass-market, and then turned down my fifth novel, I saw the writing on the
wall—and it was pretty clear to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially when my agent couldn’t find me another publishing deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of you know my story—I finally decided
to take matters into my own hands, and continue to follow my dream of being a
novelist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I published TANGO’S EDGE
and LILY OF THE SPRINGS on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
decision I’ve never regretted for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I may not be going on book tours or being wined and dined by editors in fancy
<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state>
restaurants, but at least my books are available for those that want to read
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m grateful for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But since my foray into
self-publishing, I have made some disappointing discoveries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things like how difficult it is to get reviews
from places that reviewed my first four novels…websites like All About Romance
and magazines like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romantic Times </b>where
my second novel, SPOTLIGHT, earned a Top Pick 4 ½ stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I approached them about reviewing LILY
OF THE SPRINGS, they refused because it was self-published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, I was able to find some reviewers
who graciously agreed to review LILY (and I’m pleased to say that it has earned
4 and 5 stars from all of them.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harriet
Klausner, one of the most visible romance reviewers out there, was one of those
reviewers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She remembered my past books,
and in fact, told me they were “keepers” for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God for people like Harriet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Recently on a trip to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Carolina</st1:place></st1:state>, I
discovered, first-hand, just how little respect self-published authors
get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because LILY OF THE SPRINGS is set
in the South, and fits the genre of “southern fiction,” I’ve contacted some
independent book stores who are members of SIBA (Southern Independent
Booksellers Alliance) to see if they’d read LILY, and if they liked it, would
perhaps nominate it for next year’s SIBA Awards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Books can only be nominated for this award
by a book store.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several of the stores
asked me to send them a copy, and I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since we were going on vacation to <st1:city w:st="on">Myrtle Beach</st1:city>,
I decided to stop in at a couple of book stores in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pawleys</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
and drop off a book in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As luck
would have it, I found out one of my best friends from high school, Cindy,
would be in Myrtle Beach the same week, so we decided to go out for breakfast
and then she’d come with me to the book stores. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We arrived at the first
one, and the bookseller was friendly until she realized I wasn’t a customer,
but instead, an author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a distinct
coolness came over her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
explained why I was giving her a book, she glanced at it and muttered something
like, “Well, the last time I nominated a book, nothing happened with it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then she thanked me and said she’d see
what she could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left the store,
feeling like my book would probably end up in the Goodwill…if not the trash
can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Once outside, Cindy turned
to me and said, “Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How rude.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went on the next store just a few miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got ready to enter, Cindy said,
“Well…they can’t be any ruder than at the last place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We would laugh about that
later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We walked into Litchfield
Books in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pawleys</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>, and a woman at the cash register
greeted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I opened my mouth
to say I was an author, she cut in, “You need to speak to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">She was referring to an
elderly man standing nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He greeted
me coldly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I explained that I’d
like to give him a copy of my latest novel and mentioned the possibility he
could nominate it for a SIBA Award, he said, “Well, that’s quite a stretch,
isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I was dumbfounded,
literally speechless by his rudeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, his eyes full of disdain, he asked me where he could order the
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flustered, I stammered that he
could get it through Amazon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Well, that did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went off on me about the evils of Amazon,
and how it’s the enemy of all independent bookstores, and how dare I come in
there and mention that horrible word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
friend, Cindy, stood there watching, her mouth agape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Later, she would tell me that the two
saleswomen at the register looked at us with embarrassment and sympathy.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t notice; I was too busy being flayed
by this bookseller and his anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
was finally able to get a word in edgewise, I told him I didn’t necessarily
want him to stock my book (because it seemed to me that was what he thought I
was expecting) I just wanted him to nominate it for a SIBA Award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he said something like, “Why would I
read a book that I didn’t want to sell in my store? What would be the purpose
of that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">At this point, I realized
that any more discussion with this man would be futile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thanked him for his time, took my book and
left the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And by the way, as far
as I could tell, there were no customers in the store, so maybe he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">has</i> reason to hate Amazon so
maniacally.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Stupid me…I thought an
independent book store just might be a little supportive of an independent
author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cindy was horrified at my
treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you have to deal with
stuff like this a lot?” she asked, with pity in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I was happy to say that
this was the first time I’d been treated with such disrespect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now I know that as an indie author, this
is something that I just might have to deal with from time to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it makes me wonder…is it the same for
other indies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indie film producers,
indie songwriters and singers, indie artists?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> be stars, can
we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But isn’t it just possible that our
work rivals—and sometimes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">surpasses,</i>
work of “legitimate” big-label-blessed artists?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s the case with many indie films and musical artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And that’s the case with
me and my work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I stand by the
professionalism of my work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You, as my
fans, know that my books rival those of Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel and any
number of best-selling authors out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They may not be blessed by a ranking on the New York Times Best Sellers
list, and they may not be front and center in your local Barnes & Noble (or
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anywhere</i> in your local Barnes &
Noble) but if you read a Carole Bellacera book, you can be assured that you’ll
be reading a story that draws you in and envelopes you in the life of my characters
and leaves you sad to say goodbye when you’ve read the last page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And I’m content with
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a little respect wouldn’t
hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Best, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carole Bellacera <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-69365924315456601602012-08-28T09:20:00.000-07:002012-08-28T09:22:10.750-07:00The NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Next Big Thing:<br />
<br />
What is the working title of your book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
Where did the idea come from for the book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Looking through an old photo album, I
came across a photo of a boy I wrote to in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country> when I was a teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d lost touch, so I decided to try to find
out what happened to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned he
died in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country>
just three months after arriving there, and was awarded the Medal of
Honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I decided I wanted to
write a book about the men who sacrificed their lives there, and the women who
tried to save them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
What genre does your book fall under?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Women’s Fiction</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Rachel McAdams and Bradley Cooper.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A young, naïve nurse loses her
idealism during a year of combat nursing in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country>.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’ll try to sell it traditionally, but
if not, will self-publish.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m still working on it, and it’s been
going on three years now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Not any fictional books that I can
think of, but perhaps to some non-fiction books such as HOME BEFORE MORNING and
AMERICAN DAUGHTER GOES TO WAR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
Who or What inspired you to write this book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I think I answered this question with
# 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name was Danny Bruce, and he
was a marine.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">It’s my hope, and my goal, to always capture my reader’s
interest by writing a page-turner, and judging by the reviews for my previous
books, that’s exactly what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
Check out these author's blogs:</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Chynna Laird</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.chynna-laird-author.com/">http://www.chynna-laird-author.com/</a><br />
<br />
Kat Crouch<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.katherinedeacon.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.katherinedeacon.blogspot.com</a>.Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-18518635465070748152012-08-07T09:52:00.000-07:002012-08-07T10:01:29.674-07:00To Groupon or Not to Groupon…That is the Question<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Okay, so I’m 99.9% sure I’m
not going to “Groupon” again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or “Living
Social.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or any of the myriad of other special
internet offers out there these days that clutter up your in-boxes. Why, you
ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I haven’t had the best of
luck with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s not because I’m
not reading the fine print, thank you very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">You’ll recall my blog last
month where I described the excruciating three hours we spent on a “party boat”
on the <st1:place w:st="on">Potomac</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the time before that when we paid for a
special deal for two at a local winery that was supposed to include a tasting, two
souvenir wine glasses, a cheese and chocolate tray and a $12 gift certificate
we could use for a bottle of wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns
out the tasting we got was with a bunch of other “tasters,” and the cheese and
chocolate tray turned out to also be shared with all the other “tasters” who’d
dropped in that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly what I
envisioned for our $21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So, why did I think our
latest “Living Social” adventure would be different?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope springs eternal, I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The deal was a tubing trip out of Harpers
Ferry, and it sounded delightful—white water tubing in the morning followed by
lunch, two free T-shirts, and flat water tubing in the afternoon—and after all
that, two cold beers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a bad deal for
$25 each, huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So…what could possibly go
wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Well, here’s something
that never occurred to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can pick
the wrong inner tube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can pick one
that’s way too big for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can pick
one in which your hands and can barely reach over and propel yourself through
the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned this too late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">You see, we were
instructed to head over to the opposite side of the riverbank to catch the
current that would take us into the white water further downstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problem was, I couldn’t get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just floated in circles, making no progress
whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did it occur to me what the
problem was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I needed to go back to
the riverbank to try and find a smaller inner tube?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Okay, so I’m not all that bright; I admit
it.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, instead, I just floated around,
going nowhere—and my dear sweet husband stayed with me, even though I’m sure he
could’ve made his way to the current if he’d wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pretty soon Frank and I
were the only ones in that part of the river; all the other tubers were long
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had </i>drifted downstream a bit, far enough that we were out of sight
of the rafting company who’d dropped us off. Almost an hour had passed since we’d
first stepped into the river, and slowly, but surely, our embarkation point was
about to disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when Frank
and I looked at each other and said, almost at the same time, “Let’s go back.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It would be humiliating,
but that would be better than having to give up somewhere down the river where
no one would pick us up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, somehow, we
made our way back to the bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly,
I have no clue how I managed to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All I knew was that I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i> to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I reached the bank
downstream of our embarkation point, and decided to go for it instead of
working my way back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I planted my
feet down and…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gross</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My swim-shoes sunk up past my ankles in
oozing, slimy mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even worse, I felt
tentacle-like fingers of some river plant brushing against my legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy crap!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t get out of that river fast enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minutes later, Frank trudged up the riverbank
and we got on the bus which had just discharged a whole load of excited, happy tubers,
eager to get into the river. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d venture
to say that each and every one of them made it down the river, too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Thus ended our exciting day
on the <st1:place w:st="on">Potomac River</st1:place>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(After we got our lunch and our beers and our
T-shirts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone want a T-shirt that says
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Played in the <st1:place w:st="on">Potomac</st1:place>?)
</i>Wait a minute! Could it be that it’s the <st1:place w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Potomac River</i></st1:place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>that’s the problem?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So…now you understand why I’m
not all that eager to take advantage of another <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Groupon or Living Social deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then…I remember that gorgeous red laptop
tote I bought through Groupon a few weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love it! And I’ve had a couple of nice Mani Pedi deals which
introduced me to a new nail salon in town where the manicurists are (shocker!!!)
friendly and talkative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I doubt if I’ve
learned any lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But next time I
sign Frank up for one of our “adventures,” don’t be surprised if he divorces
me.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Congratulations to Tina
Harrison from <st1:state w:st="on">Alberta</st1:state>, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country>, my July
website winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure and stop by my
website, <a href="http://www.carolebellacera.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.CaroleBellacera.com</span></a> and
enter this month’s contest for a copy of SPOTLIGHT, BORDER CROSSINGS, TANGO’S
EDGE or LILY OF THE SPRINGS and a necklace set from Beautiful Evening
Beads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hope you’re enjoying this
wonderful summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going by way too
fast for me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Best, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD"; font-size: 16pt;">Carole<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-25268801168916916402012-07-06T13:08:00.001-07:002012-08-07T10:02:04.902-07:00Missing the Boat (Or…Wishing You Had.)<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Missing the Boat (Or…Wishing You Had.)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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It was supposed to have been a romantic moonlight cruise on
the <st1:place w:st="on">Potomac</st1:place>—at least that’s what I envisioned
when I read the details of the Living Social deal that popped up in my
e-mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An evening cruise on a yacht past
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Kennedy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>, the National Monument and the
Jefferson Memorial on a hot summer night sounded like just the ticket to break
up a hum-drum week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I bought the
deal, and Frank and I headed down to the Georgetown Waterfront on Tuesday
night. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Arriving
about an hour and a half before embarkation, we had dinner at a pizzeria on 31<sup>st</sup>
Street, spending the kind of money we’d normally spend for appetizers, entrees
and dessert at Olive Garden—but the pizza (real Italian pizza) and Peroni beer was
scrumptious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, we headed down
to the waterfront for our cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess I should’ve been warned by the predominately twenty-somethings in
glittery thigh-high dresses and stilettos…but I just remember thinking how the
instructions had said to wear “sensible shoes,” and how these young women
must’ve missed that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we
waited to board, lightning flickered in the west, and I was more concerned
about getting wet and having to spend two hours onboard in soaked clothing than
anything else—not to mention, getting stuck by lightning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as soon as I stepped onboard the yacht, I
got my first clue that I just might’ve picked the wrong boat for our “romantic
cruise.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You ready to PAAARRTTTYYYY?” </i>screamed a
DJ in a booth to my left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cheers and
whoops rang out from the glitter-stiletto crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And techno music began to pound, drilling
into my ears at the decibel of a 747 taking off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A crowd had already gathered at the small bar
where passengers turned in their free drink tickets; I quickly joined
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I didn’t get a margarita right <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>, I’d never survive this two-hour
cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By the time
I got said margarita and joined Frank at one of the white sofas that lined both
sides of the yacht, the dance floor was packed with gyrating, bouncing bodies whose
attached mouths issued competing noise with the music—none of which I
recognized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank and I looked at each
other, and although I’m not a mind-reader, I pretty much guessed what he was
thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s going to be a long two hours</i>.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I downed my
margarita.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outside, the storm had
broken; lightning flashed and thunder boomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rain slashed down, making it impossible to leave the tiny club floor
without getting soaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes…it had
finally dawned on me. We were on a floating nightclub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On and on
it went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music bled from one “song” to
another—the only thing remotely recognizable to me was Maroon 5’s “Moves like
Jagger.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe one Michael Jackson
song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bodies on the dance floor
continued to gyrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One girl in a
skin-tight red dress with strategically cut-out slashes (revealing a lot of
skin) caught my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed a bit
subdued for such a sexy dress. Well…that didn’t last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a half-hour, she’d lost her
inhibitions, and was really getting into the dancing…if you know what I mean. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was
still pouring rain outside, so Frank and I kept our seats on the sofa, sipping
our drinks and half-heartedly bopping our heads to the “music.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(We didn’t want to look like complete
morons!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly this dread-locked
young man came over to us and asked if we’d “pose with the birthday girl.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out the girl in the gold-sequined dress
was celebrating her 21<sup>st</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course, we agreed, and he took our picture on each side of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the time, I’m imagining her showing the
photo to everyone and talking about the “old geezers” on a party boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally—thank
the Lord God Almighy—the rain stopped and Frank and I were able to escape the
dance hall and get out on deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
crewmember thoughtfully dried off seats for us, and for the next hour and a
half, we sat out there and watched the planes fly over us (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">closely</i> over us) to land at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">National</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Airport</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night had turned out to be quite
nice—still hot and humid, but pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A full moon glimmered through the cloud remnants, and even with the
sound of the pounding music coming from the open doorways, it almost seemed
like the kind of cruise I’d thought I’d booked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were even lucky enough to see fireworks set off from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">National</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Harbor</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Frank
looked at his watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ten to 11:00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two-hour cruise was almost over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d survived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And boy, wouldn’t this be a story to tell?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Little did I know the story wasn’t
over.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a few
minutes, I looked around the dark river, and said, “Why aren’t we moving?
Shouldn’t we be docking soon?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Frank took
out his phone, checked the GPS and said, “Well, we’re about a mile and a half
from where our car is parked.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And still,
we weren’t moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A crewman
stepped outside, and Frank hailed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Isn’t this supposed to be a two-hour cruise?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The crewman
beamed us a big smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, yes, but
tonight we decided to make it a three-hour cruise just for you!” </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yay,” I
said weakly.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course,
he was kidding—not about the three-hour cruise, but about it being in our
honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never did give us an
explanation as to why our paperwork said two hours, but it was, in fact, a
three-hour cruise.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nevertheless,
it was what it was, and we had another fifty-five minutes to get through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, it wasn’t horrible–we just sat
outside—thank you, God, that the dry weather held out—and enjoyed the
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally, we
started heading back down the river toward the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Kennedy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>
(down, up…whatever) and a crewman asked everyone to step back inside until we
docked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, back we went, among the
bouncing bodies—music still going strong—and it was obvious there had been
considerably more liquor consumed since we’d left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was standing near the bar, watching the
dancers when this young woman approached me with a big smile.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you
okay?” she asked.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I looked at
her blankly, then said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You sure?” </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By this
time, I was starting to get just a bit irritated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, I’m fine,” I snapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t I look fine?”<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She gave me a sympathetic
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, it just looks like you and
your husband got on the wrong boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope you at least had a not too bad time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well,
you’re right,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It wasn’t
exactly what I was expecting.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I guessed
that,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, where y’all
from?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Here,” I
answered, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her meaning was clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Clueless
tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
She looked horrified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That makes it even worse!”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I just gave her a cool smile and
turned away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, maybe she was just
trying to be nice, but seriously, I know condescension when I hear it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may be old(er) but I’m not stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
After docking a few minutes later,
Frank and I stepped off the yacht, eager to get back to our suburban life where
the music we listen to actually makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Made it home by 1:30, and I fell
into bed and slept like a rock.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Maybe next time, I’ll read the fine
print of the Living Social deals a little bit more carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we sure missed the boat on this one.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Or wish we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-2146166516504593072012-06-27T09:43:00.001-07:002012-06-27T09:43:43.624-07:00Losses and GainsMay was a tough month for me. Last month I told you what happened when I went to visit my sister in Kentucky and how we had to abruptly move our father into a place closer to her. Let’s just say that it wasn’t a typical visit with my sister and best friend, Kathy. You know what I mean—the kind of visit where we played tennis and went shopping and gallivanting around Russell County. But things got even worse when I got home.
On the night before I left, I got a phone call from my husband, Frank. He’d taken our beloved 13-year-old cat, Ruby, to the vet because she wasn’t eating. The news was grim—she had cancer. The vet advised that we put her down because she was really suffering, so Frank scheduled the appointment for Monday, May 14th. Heartbroken, I arrived home on Sunday afternoon, but I was determined to make the most of my last evening with my Ruby—the sweetest orange tabby that ever lived.
Ruby had such a personality. She was the cat that greeted you with a soft mew whenever you entered the room. The cat that would drink only out of the water faucet in the bathroom. The cat that, back in the good old days of her youth, when “outside” was her exploration grounds, would come from the woods when I went to the backyard fence to call her. Have you ever heard of a cat who’d come when you called her name? I could hear her mewing as she grew closer.
Ruby was a petite little kitty. Even in old age, she looked like a kitten. I’ll never forget the day she came to live with us. My son, Stephen, 21 then, found her on a cold December night near a dumpster in a parking lot, and brought her home. We already had a cat and a dog, and I didn’t want more pets, but I took one look at her sweet little face and my heart melted. From that day on, she became my cat.
When I got home that afternoon, I found her under the bed in the spare bedroom. The poor thing was skin and bones, but she mewed when she saw me and came out to be picked up. I took her to my bedroom and lay down. She settled happily onto her favorite spot—my chest. I just lay there, stroking her soft fur, and crying. I couldn’t believe that in 24 hours, she’d no longer be part of my life. But I pushed that thought away, determined to enjoy the hours I had left with her.
That night, she slept on my lap for a solid two hours while I watched TV. She’d never done that before; it was like she knew this was our last night together. When I went to bed, as usual, she curled up on my chest as I read for a while. Normally, when I turned out the light, this was Ruby’s cue to jump off the bed and go under it to sleep. That last night was different—even after I turned out the light, Ruby refused to leave the bed, instead, curled up on the pillow next to my head. She was still there when I fell asleep.
With heavy hearts the next morning, Frank and I took her to the vet. It was all I could do to hold back sobs as we sat in the waiting room. Ruby sat in her carrier, quiet and peaceful. I swear, it was like she knew—and was ready to go. They put us into a small room and allowed us to have 15 minutes with her to say goodbye. We’d taken her out of the carrier, and she sat calmly on the examining table, just waiting. After a few minutes, I picked her up and cradled her in my arms like she was a baby, and she was so compliant, just staring up at me with her beautiful golden eyes. It’s almost as if I could read her mind. It’s okay, Mom. I had a good life with you. But now it’s time to go.
All too soon, the vet stepped in with a syringe of pink liquid in her hands. It seemed such an incongruous color for a lethal drug. With Ruby back on the examination table, they shaved one skinny little leg, and she sat through the procedure calmly. It wasn’t until the vet inserted the needle that she began to struggle just a bit. I stroked her fur, trying to calm her, and she did. But I think it was the drug, not me, that made her stop resisting. Through tears, I watched Ruby’s eyes glaze over, as if a light had gone out. And she was gone.
She’d been a part of our lives for so many years; it was hard to come home and see her dish, her bed and her toys around the house. Even the sight of a full bag of cat food made me lose it. I knew, though, it wouldn’t be long before all those things would be in use again. See, I know Ruby would’ve wanted us to rescue another cat and give it a good life like she’d had. I wish every stray cat out there could be as lucky as she was. So, that’s why Frank and I drove down to Cooper Vineyards on Memorial Day weekend and went to the annual Lucy’s Weekend, a pet adoption weekend in memory of the winery owner’s dog, Lucy and sponsored each year by the Richmond SPCA. That’s where we’d adopted our black lab/husky mix, Cooper, four years ago. I took the cat carrier with us because I just knew we’d come home with kittens. Yes, I’d decided to adopt two.
As soon as we arrived, I stepped into the SPCA RV. The first litter of kittens I saw was orange and white tabbies, similar to Ruby. All males. But the thought of taking two of these kitties, and leaving one behind just broke my heart. How could I do that? But no way could I take three kittens. Then Megan, the SPCA volunteer, showed me one single kitten in the next cage, a female black and orange calico named Lucretia. One look at her sweet little face, and I was in love. I knew she had to come home with me. But I still wanted another kitten. I asked Megan if it would be okay to choose one of the orange tabbies and put him in the cage with Lucretia to see if they’d get along okay. She agreed, and one by one, I picked each male up, and I finally chose Mario because he seemed to be most cuddly. We put him in with Lucretia and waited to see what would happen. They looked at each other for a minute or two, and then Lucretia made the first swipe at him, (an air swipe.) He swiped back. This went on for a few minutes—not actual fighting, but just kind of half-hearted playful swiping. Megan suggested Frank and I go out and do a wine tasting, and we’d leave them alone a while and then check back on them. We were gone for about a half hour, and when we came back into the RV, Mario and Lucretia were curled up together, sleeping. And I knew we’d found our new kittens.
I immediately changed Lucretia’s name to Lily (after my mother and my new novel, LILY OF THE SPRINGS.) They’ve been part of our family now for almost a month, and have been a constant source of joy. I swear, I feel like a kitty matchmaker. It’s so obvious they adore each other, giving each other baths—and their play gets pretty passionate, too. Thank God they’ve already been fixed, or might have a lot more kitties around this time next year. Even Cooper is enjoying them, and they allow him to lick their faces. Lily makes a game out of playing with Cooper’s tail.
Lily is the more affectionate of the two. She’ll let me hold her like a baby, and makes eye contact with me and touches her paws to my face. It’s the sweetest thing in the world. And during a moment like that, I can almost feel Ruby’s approving presence. She knows I’ll never forget her, and there is room enough in my heart for her memory and my new precious kittens.
/*'09
$%55555555555555555oihg (That was Lily; she just walked on my keyboard; guess she wanted to say hi.)
Hey, have you seen all the great reviews LILY OF THE SPRINGS is getting on GoodReads.com? Most of them are five-star reviews, and I’m just thrilled.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13735686-lily-of-the-springs
I’m also going to be featured in the July/August issue of Fairfax Woman Magazine, so if you live in Northern Virginia, pick up a free copy at Metro Stations and other places around town. If not, you can read a digital copy:
http://www.fairfaxwoman.com/
Don’t forget to stop by my website and enter my monthly contest to win a copy of one of my books and some jewelry from Beautiful Evening Beads. My second novel, SPOTLIGHT, has been reissued, and will be available in print in July.
www.carolebellacera.com
I’m leaving on July 5th for a two-week stay with my daughter’s family in Destin, Florida. Hope all those pesky tropical storms and hurricanes stay away. I can’t wait to spend some quality time with my sweet grandsons, Luke and Zealand. I promise to bring back lots of pictures!
I hope all of you have a great 4th of July!
Best,
Carole Bellacera
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tENK2O4bKpk/T-s3t0Ozr9I/AAAAAAAAAGc/o3FaQiq67CE/s1600/DSC_1455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tENK2O4bKpk/T-s3t0Ozr9I/AAAAAAAAAGc/o3FaQiq67CE/s320/DSC_1455.jpg" /></a></div>Carole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-86795249727202746722012-06-19T12:00:00.003-07:002012-06-19T12:02:39.673-07:00The Lucky 7 Blog ChallengeLucky 7 is a blog challenge passed along to me by fellow author RJ McDonnel.
The challenge is to blog 7 lines from unpublished works of fiction. Here are the instructions sent by Darcia:
1. Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript (fiction or non-fiction)
2. Go to line 7
3. Post on your blog the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are – no cheating
4. Tag 7 other authors to do the same
Here are 7 sentences starting with line 7 of Page 77 from my WIP, INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS, a novel about a combat nurse in Vietnam.
becomes a killer and dies so young.”
David shook his head, a muscle in his jaw tensing—and that’s when Cindy realized his tears were not of sadness, but of fury. “No, not because of that. Because I don’t give a shit that she died.”
***
“Here.” Captain Rosalie Martin handed a tightly-wrapped joint to Cindy. “Montagnard Gold. Charley snagged it for me on his last med-cap.”
Inside Rosalie’s quarters, the thick scent of sandalwood incense swirled aroundCarole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987498151721871849.post-406209045928020772012-05-25T11:09:00.001-07:002012-05-25T11:11:26.320-07:00MIRACLES OF THE UNIVERSE
It all started with a joke about a serious situation. I'd just arrived in Kentucky to visit my sister and 80-year-old daddy. We'd driven the six miles from Kathy's house to the farmhouse where he'd lived for the past 40 years to find him confused and frustrated, his various pills scattered about the kitchen table. Kathy, his caregiver for the past ten years since he started showing signs of dementia, was meticulous about his meds, placing them in AM and PM-labeled holders with strict instructions that he take them in the morning and in the evening only. When she asked him why his meds were all scattered about, he responded, "I don't know."
I was shocked at Daddy's deterioration since last summer. Not only was he much more confused than last year, he looked frail and ill. For the past few years, Kathy and I had been discussing the need for him to live closer to her. (They're in the same town, but on opposite ends, a ten-minute drive away from each other.) In fact, tentative plans had been made a year or so ago when Kathy bought a duplex within walking distance of her house, but when it came right down to it, Daddy refused to move--and Kathy wasn't ready to push the issue, so she rented out the duplex.
But just a few days before my visit, one of the tenants up and moved out, without giving notice. That was the first miracle. The second miracle--she left the place in "move-in" condition. Not spick and span, but clean enough. So, once Kathy straightened out the pill situation, and we were heading back to her house, I brought up the “what should we do about Daddy” subject.
“It’s the perfect time to move him into the duplex,” I said.
She sighed. “Yeah, I’m up for it if you can convince him. You know how stubborn he is.”
And that’s when I made the joke. “Maybe we can drug him so he’ll sleep a few days, and we can move him without his permission.”
Instead of laughing, Kathy was silent for a moment. Then she said, “That’s not a bad idea.”
And that’s when we came up with the idea about taking him to the VA Hospital in Lexington. If we could get them to admit him for tests for a couple of nights, we could move him into the duplex. It would be a hell of a lot of work, but something needed to be done.
Kathy made some phone calls and when a nurse at VA Hospital heard about the medication situation, she urged us to bring him into the ER the next day, and tell them the situation, and she was sure they could come up with an answer.
And that’s exactly what we did. No, they didn’t admit him, but the doctor who examined Daddy had a frank conversation with him, telling him how he had three daughters who cared about him, and wanted to take care of him, but the situation as it was, just wasn’t working. He gave him the choice—move into the duplex or go into a nursing home. Daddy seemed to understand, and he readily agreed to the duplex. (The third miracle.) The doctor was emphatic that Daddy wouldn’t be returning to the farmhouse—not even for one more night. He had to stay in Kathy’s house while she and I took care of the move. The drive home from Lexington was heartbreaking. Every so often Daddy would say something about going “home,” and we’d have to explain the situation over and over again. He’d appear to accept it, saying something like, “Well, I guess this is just one of those things you have to deal with,” but then moments later, when we’d say something about moving him into the duplex, he’d say, “You mean I’m not going home?”
This scenario went on all night and pretty much all the next day. I stayed with Daddy while Kathy organized a crew to go to the farmhouse and pick up the important things—his bed, chair, TV, dresser…things he’d need immediately. By late afternoon, all those things were moved in, and we took Daddy over to see the place. He walked around it and agreed that it was nice, but that “it’s way too much room for me.” We noticed, though, that his confusion wasn’t nearly as bad. It was almost as if deep inside, he was relieved about being closer to Kathy. (The fourth miracle.)
The next day, Daddy seemed to be more like his old self, so Kathy and I left him at her house with the TV, and we drove back to the farmhouse to pack up other essentials—dishes, pots and pans, clothing, food. By Thursday evening, the duplex looked like a home. Almost all the unpacking had been done (fifth miracle!) and we’d scheduled the satellite dish people to come out and hook up the TV the next afternoon (a must because Daddy likes his TV, although he complains nothing good is ever on.) We’d left an old, ratty sofa in the farmhouse, and on Friday morning Kathy and I went out looking for a nice used sofa. First stop: J&J ____ on Main Street, the same place I’d bought this gorgeous breakfast bar set last summer for an insanely good deal. (It’s one of those places you never know what they’ll have, and it’s all new stuff, too.) Well, lo and behold—the place had a bunch of sofas! But not only that—they were 20% off because of Mother’s Day. (Sixth miracle!) We got a really nice loveseat with two reclining seats for $200, moved it into Kathy’s house, then moved her beautiful black leather sofa into Daddy’s place. (Yes, just the two of us. We were that determined.) We also took advantage of the Mother’s Day sale and bought him a gorgeous recliner with massage, a light and heat—an early Father’s Day/birthday present. (He sat in for a few moments and pronounced it too hard.) Okay…so, no miracle there.
By Friday evening, Daddy had TV and a nicely-furnished new place. This had all happened in the space of 72 hours. Kathy and I were exhausted, but pleased with what we’d accomplished in three days. I can’t say that Daddy is 100% onboard with his new life—he has his argumentative moments, Kathy says—but one thing is for sure. He is in a safer situation now. We know there will probably come a time that he’ll have to go into a nursing home, but for right now, this is the best thing. Kathy still has a tough row to hoe, and I thank God every day that she’s there for Daddy. I’m so, so grateful that he has her there, and for all she does. I wish I could do more to help, but when I live 12 hours away, there’s only so much I can do. I think with moving him into the duplex, though, we’ve made life easier for Kathy—and safer, and hopefully, more satisfying for Daddy.
Needless to say, with all this going on, I haven’t had a lot of time to devote to my career. I’ve done a few radio interviews for LILY OF THE SPRINGS, and I did a guest blog at The Romance Writer’s Read website. You can check it out at this link:
http://theromancewritersreads.blogspot.com/?zx=c9f4008c3b99553d
Be sure and stop by my website and enter my contest for June. You can win a copy of LILY OF THE SPRINGS, BORDER CROSSINGS or TANGO’S EDGE—and some jewelry from my Beautiful Evening Beads collection.
So, until next time…Happy Memorial Day!
CaroleCarole Bellacerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11233116846891654970noreply@blogger.com0