Tidbits

Good afternoon everyone,

Right now I'm sitting in my favorite coffee shop getting ready to give you a couple tastes of WHAT'S DONE IS DONE. I have decided not to do a complete chapter but just some glimpses of a couple of chapters.

This is part of chapter one:

Beth stood on the front porch of her parents home. As she looked out across the the freshly plowed fields, tears trickled down her cheeks. Just then she heard a truck coming down the lengthly driveway. She recognized the low roar of Chad's truck before it was even visible. He and her brother Charles had been best friends since childhood. As he got out of his truck, Beth quickly wiped the tears from her face. "Hi Chad, what bring you out here today?"

Chad smiled at Beth, his blond hair blowing in the breeze.

"I'm going to help Charles with that '55 Chevy we're restoring. We should get a good price for it when it's finished."

Chad noticed that Beth's eyes were red as if she had been crying.

"Beth, is there anything wrong? You know if there is anything you want to talk about, I'm here for you kiddo?" Just hearing the word "kiddo" brought her back to reality. He always treated her like a kid sister. They had developed a bond of friendship over the years but she didn't think of him as a brother. She already had four brothers and a sister.

"I'm fine, Chad, there's nothing for you to worry about." Beth turned quickly, her long dark hair swinging from side to side as she rushed into the house with the screen door banging closed behind her.

Chad thought about her all afternoon as he and Charles worked on the old vehicle. He finally asked Charles if anything was wrong with Beth.

"Now that you mention it, she has been pretty moody lately. It's probably nothing to worry about. You know how females can get."

Chad was hoping to see Beth before he left. He looked around as he walked to his truck but he didn't see her. As Chad drove home, he continued to wonder what was going on with Beth.

The following is from chapter four:

On the way home from work Chad stopped at the grocery store for some milk. As he was approaching the front entrance, he saw Beth walking toward him.

"Oh, hi, Chad. I haven't seen you around much lately. You're probably getting ready for the big day."

"Yeah we are, but I still can't believe you got married before I did."

Why, Chad, because you're older?" she asked with irritation in her voice.

"No, it's just because I didn't know you were that serious about anyone."

"Well, that makes two of us," she said with bitterness in her voice. Then without saying another word, she turned and walked to her car. Quickly she got in, started it and drove away. When she reached a small park down the road, she pulled in and shut off the car. She sat there shaking. Tears were pooling in her eyes but Beth fought to keep them from falling. She wiped at them with the back of her hand. Beth remembered that when she was much younger she had a crush on Chad. Her father had pitched a fit about it because he was so much older. Over the last few years she thought she and Chad had become good friends until she saw him today. The feelings she felt when she looked at him weren't the feelings of friendship. They were much deeper than that.

There you go folks, it only gets better from here. More exciting and more people to meet.

Until next time,

God Bless you richly

THAT WAS PRETTY QUICK

Hi,

That last posting was awfully short. Something happened and I had to stop and put it in a draft quickly, and well... never mind, we'll just go on from here.

Last Tues. I went to a book signing for WHAT'S DONE IS DONE and met up with a lady I knew years ago. She has just published her third book. We went to dinner at the American Hotel during the two hour break and really enjoyed getting re-acquainted. If you enjoy historical novels you will love hers. I would like to share this information with you: THE IRISH DRESSER by Cynthia Neale is a Story of Hope during the The Great Hunger between (1845-1850), and HOPE IN NEW YORK CITY is The Continuing Story of The Irish Dresser. These are both young adult novels and I have just finished the first and am going to start HOPE IN NEW YORK CITY soon. Her newest, an adult novel just came out in April or early May. The last one is published by Lucky Press. The title is NORAH.

Cynthia can be contacted at: E-Mail: neale@metro2000.net Phone at (603) 329-4249 . She is available for educational events in schools, libraries, bookstores, and other venues.

www.CynthiaNeale.com

She can inspire and challenge adults and kids to learn about hunger relief, immigration and to create their own American Dream. Check her books out.

Before I close today I would like to thank everyone who prayed for the prayer requests of a few weeks ago. All prayers were answered.

I am going to write one chapter of WHAT'S DONE IS DONE to wet the appetite of those who haven't read it yet. Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble are still offering it and of course you can purchase copies from me.

Family news: Shawn, Lesley, and kids are moving to a new house very soon. I am so excited for them. The will be living very close to Wayne, Korana, and kids. Congrats. to all. Especially the kids who are similar in age and will be living near their cousins.

Until next time,

God Bless Y'all

P.S. Be watching for the sample chapter within a week or so.

Beautiful Rain

Good afternoon,

Have you ever noticed the fresh smell just after a rain shower? The clean feeling to the air? I know most of us are sick of the rain but just take a minute and look around. The grass is lush and green. The trees have budded and the flowers don't seem to mind too much about the daily soaking they have been getting. I'm sitting inside but with my window open I can see the sun is shining today and the birds have been singing all day.

Don't feel stupid

That's right, don't feel stupid about asking questions. If I need to know something, I should just ask, right? But......wait what happens when someone is nice enough to try to help you and you still can't get it right?

I must, and I really mean must keep trying because the only other option is to give up. A writer can't give up. I think it's the first rule of writing or at least it should be. So, I am going back to the book blog and figure out how to remove the spaces in the blog address.

Let's touch on a lighter subject for a minute. I am ready for warm and sunshine and we aren't there yet. That means I really am out of controlling the weather. I just want to feel good and this stuff usually helps. Wait, I did get a word of encouragement yesterday at our church's Easter Egg Treasure Hunt. A friend came to me and said she loaned her copy of my novel to a friend of hers and she had the same reaction as my friend Laurie. They had been so into it that they couldn't put it down. I've read books that captured me like this and I feel this is a wonderful complement for any author. So let it snow, I am encouraged and that puts a smile on my face and my husband likes this a lot.

I must go because tomorrow is an extra busy day with a funeral to attend (very sad) and I have to work for a few hours. Sorry this is cut short and I haven't added any family news or prayer requests yet.

Until next time dear family and friends,

God Bless Y'all

Prayer requests: continued prayer for Todd's shoulder surgery on the 27th, Seth and Rose are

very sick with some kind of virus, Kristen W. is also suffering with a cough that won't let go.

I thank our God for answered prayer.

book blog

Good afternoon, I have just joined bookblogs.ing.com and I am looking for help already. My mind in on overload, I have been told that I have spaces in the address. Now that doesn't sound too bad except just where do I go so they will let me edit this. The site is great but I feel lost in it. I'm kinda nervous I will do something that will go against the terms of their agreement. This wouldn't be on purpose. I love this blog already because it contain so much information.

Anyway, if anyone reading this has suggestions please write and let me know. I have one new friend who was able to spot the spaces and manually get in, but I need to fix this asap.

Until next time dear family and friends,

God Bless y'all

April Showers

Good evening everyone, it's good to be home. Our vacation was great but it always feels good to be home. We arrived home last Wednesday evening. I was brave enough to bring a sore throat and cough with me. I have only been out three times since then. Yesterday I thought I might have to see a doctor because of the cough and trying to catch my breath after a coughing spell but my good friend, Karen sent me some Silver Shield and I've taking a large spoonful every few hours. Between this and some serious prayers, I am much better today. Thank you Lord.

Our new car (1989) is running fine, this is also thanks to our Lord. First day home we suspected a little problem but after prayer it was gone. It still amazes me that God is interested in our everyday issues whether small or large. I take so much for granted at times. Thanksgiving should always be in the forefront of my mind.

I am studying a course on self defense for New Beginnings. Not taking it like I had planned but this is still helping me learn some very important issues about things women should be aware of when out alone.

Congratulations to RD and Rose on their upcoming move to a larger place, also to Aaron and Jenny on their closing and getting their new home ready for them. Their wedding is getting closer. And for those of you who haven't heard, our beautiful granddaughter, Heather and her intended are expecting. Two boys or two girls, or always the chance that it's one of each. Yes, Heather and TJ are expecting twins. Wow! Last, but not least of currant family news is, Shawn and Lesley are house hunting and have already found one they are interested in.

Prayer request: Todd is having surgery at the end of this month.

Well I'm sure y'all know that I am getting ready to say good bye for now dear friends and family.

Until next time,

God Bless Y'all

Tennessee

Good afternoon friends and family,

We are nearing the end of our vacation. I am amazed at how we plan things in our lives and then they have a way of diverting from our plans all by themselves. Basically, we have had a very nice vacation.

First I want to thank Mike and Cheryl for allowing us to visit with them in Florida and enjoy their house. I feel bad that we didn't have much time with Cher because she had to head back to N.Y. But Mike was a gracious host. He took us where we needed to go and never complained once.

We went up to Crystal River and had 3-4 days with

Rose, Robbie, and their girls, Xandra, Starr, and Anyaka. We had a wonderful visit. Thank you so much.

As you know we were also looking for a car because ours was terminally ill. Much of our time was spent on this venture. A lot of days in Palm Bay and Crystal River were spent looking at prospective vehicles. Nothing we agreed upon showed up. Give up I said. Please let's just get one back in N.Y. I heard that vacations were suppose to be fun.

So we gave up and gave it to God and next day as John was taking a ride before we had to return our rental that we had for one week, Yup you guessed it. He found the car that he really wanted and the condition was good, work had just been done, the price was okay and the fellow he bought it from was in the Navy, drive from

Cape Canaveral to meet with him, and took John to the tag place to get a 30 day tag to get it home and licensed in our state.

We are now in Tennessee visiting our daughter and family here. Sadly to say we have left the 77 to 85 degree days but it's still March and we did avoid a snow storm at home. Tuesday we will start heading home.