Newsletter of Marie A. Roy

2011-11-11T16:41:00.001-05:00

Grieving: The First Three Months takes us on a journey into the grieving process. A critical journey that all will take when they lose a loved one.

The journey is not easy but can be made in a way that at some point a light of hope paves the way.

Ms. Roy's book can help light that way as she shares her own first three months after suddenly losing a spouse after thirty-three years of marriage.

Author Marie Roy's husband's sudden unexpected death changed her life in an instant from "normal" to anything but "normal."

Ms. Roy shares emails sent to and from family and friends during the first three months after her husband's passing. These emails helped her by providing the support bereaved persons may seek and need especially during the initial crucial first stages of grief and loss.

Ms. Roy shares her journey during this extremely painful time providing suggestions on what to expect and how one might get through an excruciatingly painful period, especially if there is guilt as Ms Roy experienced along with the overwhelming fog of grief.

After reading Ms. Roy's book one may come to realize that hope still lies ahead and out from the darkness of despair a light will begin to shine ahead as the bereaved works toward surviving the grief and processing the pain.

Available at the following online publishers:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble Online

Lulu

Smashwords

Storm Alfred

2011-11-07T17:38:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday, October 29, 2011 I had my Halloween costume all ready to go. I was looking forward to the Halloween Dance for singles. So was my partner. That afternoon we were shopping at a local shopping center when I glanced out the window of the store and noticed that it had started to snow. It was coming down pretty fast. Since I live in the higher elevations I knew I had to get home. Up my way the roads could get slippery especially since it would be a while before towns could get material on them.

Here it was the weekend of Halloween. The previous Halloween I had no concerns about the weather. I had dressed up as a Vampire. So did my partner. We had a wonderful time. No one recognized us.

This year things would be different. Very different. Once we got home we decided not to go out. Also, the dance was postponed for the next night. We figure that was okay with us. We settled down to watch a scary movie.

Shortly after 5 pm the lights flickered. Then while dusk fell the lights went out. My worse fears realized. Snow falling steadily, temperatures dropping, and no lights, no heat, left in total darkness.

I do keep a supply of lanterns and flashlights. Yet, despite the fact we had some light, lying in bed that night beneath a sleeping bag made for sub zero weather, a sense of isolation also settled upon me.

And of course getting up the next morning in a cold house immediately instills a growing concern of just how long this power outage was going to last. In the back of my mind I knew it wasn't going to be a short duration.

For my area it lasted four days. Four days of ensuring that I had gas in the car's gas tank so I could get to and fro from my sister's place who although she had no power did have a gas fireplace that managed to heat up her condo to a comfortable enough temperature.

Yet, she did not have a gas stove and we found ourselves driving around areas that also had no power, searching for a place that could provide us hot water.

We did go to a local shelter where we were able to get hot water. Slowly, each day as the power was restored we were able to get some hot meals.

It wasn't easy those four to five days. Those in my small group adopted a survivalist mentality. Suddenly, we were focused on only the basics...food, water, and warmth.

We started to envy those who had power either via a generator, a wood burning stove, or one of thsoe pellet stoves. I had none of those things.

I remembered on the second day that I had purchased a kerosene heater a few years back solely for this purpose. Not even out of the box yet we quickly set that thing up.

Still it had its shortcomings, one of which was to run out of kerosene. Also, because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning I wasn't going to run that thing for too long a period of time inside my house. Instead we used it to take the chill out of one room, even used it to heat up some water, which took forever.

On the fourth day my power was restored. I called from my sister's and was ecstatic when my answering maching finally kicked in.

Yet I'm sitting here feeling still not quite so settled. In fact when we think about that week without power (six days for her and a friend) we feel as if we had traveled to a third world country. We at times had started to feel like refugees. We felt misplaced, and we felt a sense of a total vulnerability that taught us never to take anything for granted.

During that time we watched a 7" portable TV, we watched movies on a small DVD player, we ate our meals by battery operated lanterns, and we took no showers.

That first hot shower made all the difference in allowing us to feel that things were going to finally get back to normal.

Yet, somewhere inside me I no longer feel that same sense of security I had once felt before this storm hit. I will probably maintain a survivalist mentality. I'm looking into getting those things that will help me get through the next disaster, although I'm not sure if that even that would be enough.

Things are quiet for now. I'm hoping to get back to my writing projects. I think of my story Stormbound which is not available due to the fact the publisher it is with is no longer functioning. My story is in a sense being held hostage by this publisher. Yet, the premise in my story is also that of a survivalist mentality.

And winter hasn't even begun.

Last day of the Month

2011-09-30T11:41:00.001-04:00

Yes, another month gone by. The weather is beautiful. Clear. Bright. Low humidity. And no rain in sight. That will come tomorrow. If my parents had lived beyond their 80's they would be celebrating their 74th wedding anniversary. When you think of it anyone celebrating anything past seventy years is pretty darn good. I made it to thirty-three and actually figured on seeing fifty. God has his own plans for everyone. We just need to accept them and continue on.

I've been doing that working on several writing projects, both fiction and non-fiction. It has been slow, like me the older I become it seems the slower I get things done. I am like the tortoise, I eventually get to where I'm going.

I had a hearing test the other day. Not surprising I do have some hearing loss yet it is so small it doesn't give me too much concern. I can still hear the ticking of a wall clock in my kitchen so that tells me...what do I want to hear that is softer than the ticking of a clock anyway? Mice crawling through my walls? The weather is getting colder and this time of year the field mice find their way in. I had three living in my basement some years ago. I would trap them in these no kill traps. Then I would release them into the backyard. After a while it felt as if I were releasing them out there to get some air and then that night they'd come back inside where it was nice and warm. I made the mistake of naming them --- Minnie, Molly, and Mo.

My dog now takes care of them by barking at the walls. Little do they know how small she is...her bark far worse than her size.

Fall is here and unlike some who travel miles to see the foliage, I merely drive to the nearest Walgreens via the back roads. Color is starting to burst now and I am reminded that we need to enjoy the weather now before the first snowfall. That is when I should be more productive as I hunker down inside and continue to work on all of my projects.

Meantime, I'm getting the dog's leash to let her know we are out of here for her morning walk.

Is there life after death?

2011-09-19T18:48:00.000-04:00

Does anyone really know the answer? Yet perhaps when we asked those who have passed on they may be able in some way tell us as long as we are aware of the signs that can come our way.

My sister and I visited our parents' graves recently. I stood by the gravestone and aloud I posed the question basically asking my mom if she was doing okay on the other side.

Moments later as we walked around the various gravestones we noticed a dragonfly flying nearby. At first we didn't particularly pay much attention to it until it appeared that it was following us around the grounds. My friend Joe decided to take a picture of it with his camera/phone. He was able to take several pictures at close range. The dragonfly seemed to hover long enough for him to do this. In fact at times it would come closer to us. A second dragonfly was also spotted, with almost as much curiosity as the first. The would dart upward then come back and hover some more as if they were trying to let us know something.

It dawned on me. Could this be my parents' way of letting us know they are doing okay on that other side? I'd like to think so. I'd like to think that becoming aware of what happens around us we also become aware of those small seemingly insignificant signs that can take us into other dimensions.

The fact that mankind does not know all there is to know about this universe allows me to believe that yes a small dragonfly can and in fact did let us know that my parents are doing just fine on the other side.

Below are photos that help confirm yes, my mom and dad are doing okay.

Life After Death?

2011-09-19T18:16:00.000-04:00

Labor Day 2011

2011-09-05T17:58:00.001-04:00

I should have been writing today instead I spent an afternoon at a Verizon store. I bought myself a new phone and now I can text. I didn't get anything too expensive, in fact this one was on special and the cost wasn't that bad. I always figure I could get away without the texting. That was several years ago. Now I'm finding "everyone" text. And there are good pros to this being that you can send someone a message and not call them. This works especially well if they're in a meeting or can't pick up the phone. Yet they can check for messages and text back without having to call back and talk. Again, there's a plus to this.

I'm finding you really can't get away with ignoring technology at least not for too long because then you can find yourself becoming so out of touch with everything, you're no longer living in the "real" world. Unless you're living a cloistered life you can find yourself not only in the dark but having no clue to what is happening around you.

So now I can text. I do have a limit of how many still I don't see myself using up the 250 allowed to me on my plan in one month. Then again as I become more and more connected to this "real" world I may even go over that amount.

Today was a productive day in terms of the phone. Now I need to refocus back on my writing projects, one of which is well over 80K. The other is a short erotic romance dealing with online dating, something I no longer do. Yet, thinking back to those times when I was online there are good stories to be created inspired by my moment of insanity. Online is a whole other creature that can take someone to places they may normally not go.

And it certainly provides fodder for any creative mind simply because life in the online dating world can be far stranger than fiction.

Can't Wait Until This Weekend Is Over

2011-08-26T10:11:00.000-04:00

Because come Monday the sun will be shining. I only hope we'll all be standing. We're one of millions in the path of Hurricane Irene. In the past I would be somewhat concern because often times the thing would end up pushing out to sea. Doesn't look like this is the case this time.

So we wait and watch the weather reports. I'm hoping the terrain it travels over will slow it down and weaken it to a mere "storm." One can only hope.

This all serves to remind us Mother Nature is always in charge. It can paralyze whole cities, whole countries, even whole continents.

I'm leaving in a few minutes to do the things recommended to prepare for the storm; batteries (if any are left), water (I managed to get some yesterday), and non-perishable foods. I did get a can opener that doesn't need to be plugged in. I have lots of tuna fish and canned salmon. I even managed to get a loaf of bread and so can make PJ's for a few days.

Still, when you're younger you can weather these things out...but as we get older we're not a flexible. In fact I'm feeling more like the oak tree rather than the willow tree, both of which play a small part in my story STORMBOUND.

I'm going to keep that premise in mind throughout the weekend into Monday and hopefully will become the willow tree come Monday morning.

Already into August 2011

2011-08-05T11:56:00.000-04:00

Whoa! The summer's going by too darn fast. I haven't done anything that comes close to a vacation. Although I have to tell you those who know I'm a writer feel that I'm perpetually on a vacation. Not. This week I spent hours promoting my stuff, then few more hours creating a new cover for my latest WIP. It took that long because first I had to teach myself how to merge images within Photoshop Elements 2.0. I think only by luck I managed to figure it out using layers, palettes, and other tools provided by this software.

Today I'll take off the promo hat and the graphic artist hat and put back the writer bonnet and will work on that WIP which is happily at 80K words with the whole thing pretty much in place. I'm reading a great book on writing titled The artful Edit: On the practice of editing yourself, by Susan Bell. I'm finding this book helpful in that it helps me focus on looking deeper into my manuscript and gain perspective and well as seeing the big picture (macro-editing) and the smaller picture (micro-editing or the details).

I'm also waiting for my sofa bed to arrive from Bob's Discount Furniture and pray that they don't have too much trouble getting it into the front door, through the living into the small room. The room used to be a small bedroom. I moved everything out and have used it more for storage but moved that stuff out and will use it for a sitting/guest room.

The sun is coming out through a murky morning haze. Thankfully the temps will be around normal or maybe just below normal for this time of year. I'll still get my dog out there for her walk and soak up some of the Vitamin D from the sun. I heard it's great in revving up some energy for the the rest of the day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASPEN MOUNTAIN PRESS

2011-07-31T12:58:00.006-04:00

Thanks for stopping at my blog on AMP's 5th Anniversary –

Let me introduce myself. My name is Marie Roy. I also write under another name and some of you may know me as Collette Thomas. I'm quite used to living life as a double because in real life I'm an identical twin. She's not a writer, but let's say one day I will write stories of what's it like to be a twin, especially throughout our growing up years when we dressed alike, talked alike, and even thought alike. I write a little about this aspect of my life on this blog in an earlier post.

As Marie Roy I write contemporary romance which I feel uplifts the spirit and touches the heart.

Stormbound is one of the stories I wrote under my name and can be found at Aspen Mountain Press. This story is quite close to my heart inspired while vacationing in the Lake George, New York area with my late husband. While browsing through a gift shop in that area I spotted these Christmas carolers. From that point on the germ of an idea embedded itself into my heart as well as my mind. A few years later my story Stormbound was released at Aspen Mountain Press where it earns four star reviews. Basically it's a delightful story filled with quirky characters. It is a straight romance who anyone can read...mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and anyone looking for a nice relaxing read, although do expect a few quite unexpected twists and turns.

As Collette Thomas things really do heat up. My story Night Fantasies also at Aspen Mountain Press was inspired actually by a dream that I had one night. Yes, it was quite a sexy dream truth be told.

Again, an idea embedded itself somewhere inside my brain and before I knew it I had created a story I think that most readers will enjoy reading. Yes, Night Fantasies is quite sexy, and considered an erotic romance. Also, as I've told my readers, you will never look at a wedding cake quite in the same way again. Honest!

Then one summer while I moderated a Yahoo group known as the Erotic Romance Workshop I encouraged several of the writers to coordinate together with me on an anthology of stories about someone getting stuck inside an elevator with a very attractive man or woman and then living out a fantasy.

This resulted is a hot sexy anthology of stories titled Goin' Down. Again you'll find that anthology on AMP's website. I myself do not like elevators, especially the ones that go too slow because I think their going to get stuck, but I think after writing my story titled Elevator Man I'm not as hesitant to get on an elevator anymore. After reading these stories you'll understand why.

To find out more about me just read through this blog. And to find out more about me and what else I write as Collette Thomas just go to my NEWSLETTER.

CONTEST TIME

Please comment on this blog here and you will be entered to win BOTH copies of Stormbound and Night Fantasies.

Tour Rules:
1) Tour Starts: Monday, August 1, 2011 at Midnight (EST)
Tour Ends: August 7, 2011 at Midnight (EST)
Final Celebration is August 7th from 6pm-11pm (EST) at the AMP Community Loop.
Grand Prize: a Kindle (Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6″ Display with New E-Ink Pearl Technology) is the Grand Prize. Drawing will take place and be announced on August 7, 2011 on the AMP Community Loop at 11pm (EST). Only comments posted before 10pm (EST) on August 7, 2011 are eligible to win the Kindle. Winner will be notified by email on August 8, 2011 if they are not present on the Loop for the announcement.
***Individual winners from author contests will be drawn and posted August 8, 2011 on their individual sites.***
2) Participation at every blog on the tour is not required but the more blogs a person comments on, the more chances they have to win. If a person comments on one blog, they are entered into the Grand Prize Drawing once. If they comment on ten different blogs, they will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing ten times. Only one comment per blog per person will be entered to win the Grand Prize.
3) The winner of the Grand Prize must be a resident of the United States with a US mailing address. Non-US winners will be eligible for $50 US in Aspen Mountain Press books from the AMP Website.
4) Prizes at individual author blogs are completely at the discretion of the individual authors and are not in association with Aspen Mountain Press and its prize system. To enter the contest on any given blog, you must follow their contest rules and objectives.
5) By commenting on any blog in the tour, the participant is agreeing to these rules and policies.
6) All prize winners will be chosen randomly by using Random Line Picker.

Thank you for Touring my Blog your Next stop is the Aubrey Leatherwood whose books are coming soon to AMP and I can't wait to read them.

Happy Touring

For the next Stop on the tour

CLICK HERE

July's Almost Over - Where Did It Go?

2011-07-28T10:20:00.005-04:00

This summer is going by too fast. I haven't even been to a pond, let alone a lake, or the beach. In my youth that's where you would find me especially on weekends, near the Connecticut shore. I loved that place, specificially in Old Lyme, CT, more specifically in Sound View, and even more specifically on Hartford Avenue where all the action was and still is.

I need to get myself down there before summer's end. I will always remember spending two weeks during summer vacations there. My parents would rent a cottage (actually a two-story house) right on Hartford Avenue from my father's sister who not only owned that property but a smaller cottage right in back. Being that I'm Italian you can imagine the weekends down there when all the relatives would come down to visit from on my father's side and also on my mother's side.

I remember tomato sauce cooking on the stove and huge pots of spaghetti served to the droves of cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.

I remember a donut shop that produced freshly baked donuts that melted in your mouth--literally. Every morning my sister and I would make the short walk up the street from our cottage to buy a dozen of the cinnamon glazed ones. (My mouth is starting to water now.)

My sister and I became well known during those summers in a sense because we were known as the "twins" who looked alike, dressed alike, sounded alike and you almost couldn't tell us apart. To confuse people even more our names were the same but switched...I was known as Marie Angela, and she? You can take a guess. In a sense I think we felt like one person for many of those formative years. I still remember us both wearing these yellow sun dresses with spaghetti straps. We were into our teens then and we looked well..."hot" in those yellow sundresses with the spaghetti straps. We both wore our hair similarly, long and straight. We had great tans. What Italian doesn't? Yes, we turned heads. But we also had a very handsome, very rugged looking, very protective father who stood at five foot six yet his voice would make the tallest shake in their shoes. Not to mention a mother who quiet most of the time knew how to swing that spatula if need be.

On Hartford Avenue there was the Penny Arcade, the Carousel, the various eateries, and of course the sandy beach and the ocean. I haven't smelled that ocean scent in years now and realized the other day I miss it. There's something really organic when driving toward the shoreline where you get close enough to smell the watery brine of the ocean and you get this deep inner sense of connection to all that's around you. I need to get to the shoreline before summer's end, but not today.

Today is when I pay my property taxes due August 1. Lets hope the town does a better job of budgeting the monies they receive from the taxpayers than what is happening in Washington DC.

It's Damn Hot Today!

2011-07-22T11:46:00.000-04:00

I am not venturing out too much today. I put out the garbage can last night so I didn't have to do it this morning. The drapes and curtains are drawn and the AC is set at a comfortable temperature. The best thing I ever did in my life was to purchase Fijitsu units that go on the wall and never come down. I made that decision after one weekend when I did not yet have the window air conditioning units in and the temperatures inside my house rose to ninety-four degrees. That was the same weekend when a fluky thing happened to my furnace that ended up spewing oil over the cement floor around the unit.

It was on a Sunday that I'm calling my oil company's emergency line. Within an hour they were on the scene. The furnace was only six months old at the time. I still remember them burning off the fuel and thick black smoke spewing from my chimney into the quiet summer air. Horrendous. And during that same period a lightning storm fried my modem. Come Monday I had the repair guys from the oil company and the phone company inside this house, and both could not imagine how I could live here with 90 plus temps. My basement was the only place I could go to escape the heat at the time but because of the problems with the furnace, the smell of the oil, and the problem with the phone line upstairs I found myself having to stay upstairs and deal with the heat.

The repairman mentioned Fijitsu units that would essentially give me central air. My eyes opened wide, hope soared inside me that I could actually start to live a more comfortable life than what I was living. I thought back to the first winter as a widow and the first blizzard where the wind actually blew my drapes back and forth. At the time I did have an airconditioning unit still inside the window so that cold air coming through the sides of it was fast negating the warmth that a 40 plus year old furnace could muster. There I was at midnight duct taping sheets of plastic to a large picture window, side windows, over the entire airconditioning unit, plus a doorway and whatever else I detected frigid air coming through.

These Fijitsu's also pump out heat as well. I thought well with the new furnace and these Fijitsu's I may never suffer through another harsh winter or hot sultry summer again. Besides, I am getting old...older, and my body no longer is able to adapt to extreme temperatures.   I had them install not one, not two, but three of these units.

Today we will have triple digit temps outside. It's morning and my temp gauge reads 94 outside, 76 inside. Humidity is low inside, and barely breathable outside.

I'm sitting here in relative comfort thanks to my decision to buy these units, which are also so quiet I have to look at them to see if they're on by the red light.

Gone are the days of spending summer days down in my basement, or sleeping on a pull out sofa in my family room because it several degrees cooler in there.

Yep, it's damn hot out there.   I'm staying indoors today.

TO LOVE A SOLDIER

2011-07-01T12:36:00.000-04:00

This is a review from Amazing Authors Showcase for my book formerly A Soldier's Fortune and retitled To Love A Soldier. I thought this would be a perfect time to re-introduce this story for the upcoming July 4th weekend. This book hasn't received much exposure over the years, in fact very little. I now retain all rights so am able to upload it to the various publishers' websites such as Amazon and Smashwords.

You can click on Amazon to order your ebook today.

Or if you like you can click on Smashwords to get a copy of To Love A Soldier.

Below is one of several reviews where To Love A Soldier (formerly A Soldier's Fortune earned itself four stars!

"A wonderful romance that spans decades, Ms. Roy has broken the mold of the same old same old in romantic fiction to bring us a down-to-earth hero and heroine.

Thirty years ago Sean McIntyre broke Lia Stewart's heart when he didn't show up for their scheduled elopement. She'd left the meeting place hurt and dejected, believing Sean had let her down in love. She left Split Maple Ridge with no intentions of returning.

Sean had dropped out of Harvard Law and enlisted in the service and became a Medevac helicopter pilot during the Vietnam Conflict. Now he owns McIntyre Construction where he hires Vietnam Vets to work for him. A job lands him in Split Maple Ridge, Vermont to develop some land for a condo building project. Lia's father, Eliah Stewart, plans on stopping the development even if it means shooting at the workers from a tree. He believes Native American artifacts will be destroyed if the project continues.

Lia rushes to Vermont to mount a archeological rescue dig to pacify her cantankerous old father and keep him out of jail. She hadn't planned on staying long, but Eliah breaks a leg and Sean offers them a place to stay until he's recovered.

Lia and Sean are still drawn to each other. Thirty years couldn't erase those old feeling, but both carry secrets about the night of their foiled elopement that needs to be out in the open before they can start anew.

Can love survive over time and distance, secrets and lies? To Love A Soldier makes you believe love really can conquer all."

Today's Youth

2011-05-18T15:00:00.000-04:00

I know there are kids out there actually willing to learn. Yet, a little while ago a neighbor's son comes over and without asking starts to go through stuff that is on my shelves. I was in the other room. I didn't particularly liked his touching my stuff without asking my permission. And when he picks up a National Geographic DVD on the Universe and asked, "Did you really watch this?" I said yes. His reply, "Boring."

That tells me a lot about this misguided soul who feels that the world around us boring, that learning about it, and discovering new things about it is not worth his time.

There are so many inane boring reality shows on TV that this generation has no awareness of that what surrounds them in terms of enlightenment, and basically a solid understanding of our world can set them on a course that will feed their curiosity for years to come.

Sad indeed.

Of course when I mentioned that to truly understand the Universe you need a good understanding of math...well hello...that's when I really lost his focus.

The fact that I was working and trying to finish a writing project probably contributed to my impatience with his lack of insight as well as his inability to truly understand that learning about the Universe puts you into a place where one's perspectives about the world can be changed.

As if he could understand that or even attempt to comprehend.

Thankfully I had just finished watching a news clip about two young men who won a prestigious award that may indeed help find a fast and less aggressive treatment for killing cancer cells. That restored my faith that today's youth are on track and our answers about so many things for the future.

Anyway I was not in a particularly good mood when my neighbors left. I feel bad about it but by the same token I don't like when I'm criticized for the material I read, or watch, and enjoy.

How many times have people come into my house and criticized the fact that I have a lot of books. Some have looked at me as if I'm crazy. Yet...I do not go over to their house and look through their things. I know better. I respect others because of my empathy that they may not like the idea of me going through their things.

Which basically tells me that "respect for others" and "empathy for others" are greatly lacking in some of today's youth.

I think if there was more respect and empathy we wouldn't be a world of nations against nations...religions against religions. Instead there could be more hope for this world instead of a world that may end May 21, 2011.

I now need to get back to my writing project that is about ready to be released.

Transitions Are Difficult!

2011-05-10T09:47:00.000-04:00

"As you know, transitions are not easy. I'd love to get your advice on how you've handled transitions in your own life," she said in a video posted on YouTube."

This is a statement made by Maria Shriver. I read it today in a posting on Yahoo which basically announced Maria Shriver's separation from her husband Arnold. I was very sad to hear about the separation. Married 25 years you have to wonder how difficult it really is for two people to stay together especially in today's sometimes chaotic as well as confusing society.

Nonetheless transitions are not easy because they take time. And in the process we who go through them become very confused ourselves and even our lives may take on a chaos that we had not thought possible.

In a way seeing Ms. Shriver's statement about transitions and the fact that she does not know what she's doing at this time while going through the process made me feel slightly better about my own life. I've gone through so many transitions during the course of my lifetime...as a single adult, then married, and motherhood, then employed...unemployed (three times losing jobs through outward reasons) and then widowhood. I'm now transitioning into a phase of my life where I really need to think about what I enjoy doing most as opposed to what I need to do the most.

I'll reach another milestone next month. The fact that this is happening kind of preys on my mind at times reminding me that our time here on this earth is well limited rather than unlimited.

Yet inside I feel the same as I did when I was in my 20's, 30's, 40's...but that's in my mind. My body tells me different. And that's when I know I am transitioning again into a mindset that tells me whoa...you can't do everything you used to do, and if you want to do it in moderation.

I read somewhere that when we transition at times we might feel a bit crazy inside only because somewhere in our mind we are making the necessary readjustments that will allow us to eventually make that transition to whatever we need to be at this time in our lives.

To do this I guess my advice to Maria Shriver is to do what I've done...simply let go, relax, and for a time just "be!" Focus on our passions in life, do what we truly enjoy doing, and then slowly allow the mind to settle from the chaos that was produced by the unsettling.

I find that at times when I look into a mirror I don't recognize the person I see, or I don't really relate to that person I see. That tells me somewhere inside my brain things need to start clicking until it all comes together.

And frankly I think this takes a lifetime to do.

Spring has Sprung!

2011-04-08T13:45:00.003-04:00

Except I'm still wearing my winter clothing. There is something in the air as well. A tightness in my chest tells me this. I'm trying not to panic, at least not as much as I did several weeks ago to the extent I would land myself into the ER.

At my age you just need to rule everything out. That plus the fact I was also experiencing deja vu from remembering that my husband had also been experiencing similar symptoms as I was. We did not panic, he did not get himself to the ER, consequently I've been a widow going on nine years.

So I tell myself understandably I would become somewhat alarm and want to check things out.

Still, the other day the same symptoms came and this time I purposely waited it out, hoping that I was doing the right thing. The tightness comes and goes, and the inability to take a full breath as well. Of course when I dwell on it more, it worsens, when I get busy with other things it lessens. This tells me to take it minute by minute.

The fact that I also suffer a panic disorders since adolescent doesn't help the situation any. Like anyone with an affliction we learn to live with these shortcomings. Except for me I look totally okay on the outside, yet try to explain to anyone why I don't venture out sometimes is an exercise in futility. So goes the old saying "walk in my shoes," then perhaps an understanding will arise.

I think all this helps in my writing to the extent that I know characters as do people do or not do things because of underlining, sometimes well hidden causes.

None of us want to be known as "nutcases." Or unable to cope with what this world can throw at us. Although the world is getting crazier and things are well pretty stressful.

I came across the sentence in a newscast about the recent aftershock in Japan by a coincidentally 64 year old woman.

"Even the way the clouds move isn't right."

I thought to myself, that's how I have been regarding the weather here as well. I mean I look up into the sky and there is something more there and if we make ourselves become more aware of what is going on on this earth then perhaps we can get some insight as to what is really happening.

Yes there are the prophecies notably what is supposed to happen in the year 2012, specifically December 21, 2012 by what the Mayan calendar tells us.

Yet cultures before us who have thrived and passed on all prophesy the end of days and if any of them had occurred I would not now be writing this blog.

Fortunately, I don't dwell much on that stuff. You can't because it is beyond anyone's control to do anything about it.

I pretty much live in the present. At times the present presents me occurrences that can throw me into a tailspin. This past winter was difficult for me in terms of getting through it. Maybe because I'm older, feel less able to handle things as well as I used to and know my body no matter how well I take care of it is getting more fragile as time goes by.

Yet every day I make it a point to do something purposeful, especially with my writing. Under my pen name I work on my mini series. And continue on a project involving letters between my mom and dad during WWII. Talk about scary times. I may have been born after the war but the effects of that time affected my childhood in ways that only now I am beginning to put together.

I think I can only say for now my father survived the war, but my mom who waited for him here on the homefront did not in terms of a mental illness that caused her to suffer huge emotional, psychological, as well as neurological disorders throughout my and my sister's developmental years.

Holy cow! Enough of that.

I'm going to go out and see if I can spot some more Robins. There is a thin veil of clouds covering the sky allowing no sun to come through. No wonder I'm so contemplative, and delving into a past that still carries so many truths and revelations.

And even I can say here thousands of miles from that other 64-year-old woman, "Even the way the clouds move isn't right."

Winter Woes!

2011-02-09T12:21:00.000-05:00

What a winter! I'm sure everyone here in CT will agree with over thirty roof collapses, one occurring not less than five minutes from me.

And if that's not enough we're going to have to watch out for flooding when the warmer weather starts setting in. I have mounds of snow in my backyard and wonder where is it all going to go once it starts the melting process.

This has been a winter of distractions for me and for my writing. The flow has been interrupted with thoughts of roof cave ins, possible power outages, and a dog that needs grooming. I had scheduled to bring her in this Monday. I called to ensure their roof had been shoveled. Not yet. I canceled the appointment.

I do know spring is not far. Peering through my bay window this past Sunday I spotted a flock of geese flying in perfect formation toward one of my favorite places...a small lake in our town where geese go to nest. I can't wait when I can go take walks there. It is a place for reflection where I can get my mind back into a calmer state.

The words "life is short" echo more now than ever before. Goals for me have changed some although I'm still focused on writing my stories. I do know because of what has occurred during these past eight years I'm always alert to possibilities of things either falling by the wayside or actually going at a good pace.

During these types of winters one has to realize that weather can call the shots. So I go accordingly.

Ideas for stories are spinning around inside my brain just waiting for release.

I hope that the weather will give us all a bit of a reprieve this week. It looks like it's doing just that. I look forward to going dancing this weekend. And I hope I'll keep dancing my way right into spring!

Holidays Over!

2011-01-04T13:28:00.002-05:00

The last blog was made before Christmas and here we are into the new year of 2011.

This again puts a whole lot of stuff into perspective. Time does not wait, and as we or as I get older it definitely does not stand still.

I do know the more I approach another milestone which will come mid year for me I definitely will try to live my life in a way that appreciates more and more what I have in the present.

I'll do what needs to be done but by the same token focus more on living a better life, and hopefully helping others do as well.

I think enjoying the company of others -- friends and family, even strangers we may encounter at the supermarket, drugstore, or anywhere that brings people together.

I know when I was years younger I felt I had all the time in the world. Lately, I feel that less and less as I go through my ordinary days. It doesn't necessarily mean I want to travel a lot although that is in the mix, but I think more toward learning, understanding, and grasping even just a little of the mysteries that surround us all.

Just this week there were two reports of birds and fish dying for unknown reasons ... and we're talking into the thousands.

That's scary. Reasons were given yet it has me wondering why in this year, and why hasn't this happened before that it would make the news. Re the birds, fireworks? Hail? Some sort of sickness? Why now?

I don't mean to be a doomsayer but hello...are these signs?

Earthquakes, floods, mudslides, snow falling in Phoenix, Arizona....

Okay, so in the back of my mind 2012 does come into play. There are literally hundreds of books on this subject, one of which I do have and will closely read as the days pass by.

Meantime, I'm appreciating every day I have here and again hope to make the year 2011 a good one for not only myself but also for those I touch in terms of connections.

Okay, let me go get my tax folders and get ready for the tax man!

Christmas Past

2010-12-17T14:16:00.000-05:00

In a week it will be Christmas 2010.

Sometimes it helps to put things into perspective. Many of us have been hustling around trying to get everything completed before that day. I remember years ago shopping til I dropped (literally) at the various malls and toy stores to ensure that beneath the tree my family put up was filled with packages. The best time I think is when the kids are small and still believe in Santa Claus. The part I loved the best was to shop inside a toy store bringing out the child in me that I'm sure still exists to this day.

For the past several months I have been putting together a project that is comprised of letters written by my parents throughout the years of World War II. These are letters filled with both hope and despair, and a lot of frustration. War pretty much not only causes so much mental and physical pain in the lives of families, it can present an everlasting effect on those families. The more I read my parents' letters the more I now understand what they must have gone through and why their thinking was different from mine and especially from those who aren't torn from their families for weeks, months, years at a time.

Here I will share three letters written around Christmas 1943 that I think show pretty much the state of affair that our country was in in respect to those who were called to duty to serve our country. The first two are from my mom to my dad, and the third is from my dad to my mom. I now only wish they were still here so that I could sit down and talk to them more on what they went through during those most difficult years when our country's very existence was at stake.

Sure gifts under the tree are great but spending it with loved ones is probably the best gift that anyone can enjoy at this time of year.

Mrs. Louis Visone

453 Albany Avenue

Hartford, CT

Pvt. Louis Visone

Co A 13 Btn 4 Regt.

Fort Meade, MD 31342377

December 14, 1943

Dear Lou,

Is anything wrong? Are you all right. I’m half out of my mind with worry for I haven’t heard from you since you went back. I am so worried and am in such a nervous state that I asked Mamie to go to the Red Cross for me to find out what happened to you for I am so worried and I haven’t been able to sleep or eat. Lou, why don’t you write and why don’t you let me know where you are? I’ve been waiting for you to write but I could stand it anymore so I am writing to the last place you were and please let me know for I won’t be able to rest until you do. So Lou if you can write to me for I’ll be waiting to hear from you. Until I hear from you I remain your loving wife. Betty

---------------------------------------------------------------

453 Albany Avenue

Hartford, CT

December 23, 1943

Pvt. Louis Visone

Co A Casual Bn

A.C.E. R.D. #1

Fort Meade, Md

31342377

Dear Lou,

Did you receive the check I sent for you to sign? I want you to send it right away because it does not belong to me for I have borrowed all of it for the past few months and the party I borrowed it from needs it very badly now. I thought I could pay a little at a time from my Gov. check but found it impossible and I had to cash the bonds all I had in the world and now I am left with nothing to fall back on.

So Lou sign it as soon as possible so that I can give it to the party I borrowed it from. I certainly could use a little of it myself for the Gov. check does not last through the month.

I feel bad because I can’t send you anything for Christmas except all my love. And I don’t want you to feel bad either for in our position right now it is impossible.

After all I won’t want anything for I am spending a quiet day at home for as you know I can’t stand noise and excitement. I am hoping you are well, that is all I want. Things are the same. I’ve been kept in with a cold. How are you Lou? I miss your letters for that is all I look forward to and now that I only get one a week makes me more miserable and when I do get one it doesn’t say much and I have a feeling you are keeping something from me.

How is your ear Lou? Does it still bother you? It’s pretty awful when you are sick and can’t have anything done for it. I hope it doesn’t get any worse for I worry about it, for I know how you have always had trouble with it, when you were at home.

Well Lou, I haven’t much more to say except I’m wishing you a Merry Christmas and hope the New Year will be a better one for us. I’m hoping we won’t have to go through this much longer. Well Lou, bye for now. I can’t write much more for my eyes are kind of heavy tonight and I have one of my headaches. So until I hear from you I remain your loving wife, Betty.

PS I will remind you again about the check. I do hope you got it and it isn’t lost for if it is I don’t know how I’ll pay it back. Lou, I had a woman visitor yesterday and I believe is from the Selective Board. So I believe that things are going to change for me as she saw the condition I am in and how it is impossible for me to work and support myself.

I’ve also heard from Miller and am sorry to hear that he is ill with the flu. But he has done what he promised and now all we can do is wait and I hope before long we will hear some good news instead of all the bad news I’ve been getting and all the bad luck I’ve been having.

So Lou, behave yourself and have a nice Christmas. Did you receive the package Rose put it up for you for I have no money until I get my next month’s check. I hope you enjoy it and I’ll say bye for now.

--------------------------------------------------------

Pvt Louis

Co A Casual Bn

A C F Repl Depot #1

Fort George Meade, MD

Mrs. Betty

453 Albany Avenue

Hartford, CT Zone 5

December 25, 1943

Dear Honey,

I do hope that you had enjoyed your xmas very much. We all were given xmas presents by our company commander. In a way I tried to enjoy myself, but I always kept thinking of you, wondering if you were enjoying yourself or not.

Just think, the same time last year I was home and very happy about it too. But I hope that I don’t spend another one in the army or the guard house.

I sent you the money by Western Union so that you would have it before xmas. I had my mailman do it for me which I think it was swell of him to go to all the bother. I had thought that it would cost about $5 which I didn’t care either but it only cost $2.39 which wasn’t bad at all.

I sent it out Friday noon and you should have gotten it that same day, so let me know how long it did take and also if you got it in the first place because sometimes Western Union does make mistakes.

I have the receipt in case it doesn’t get to you. I still didn’t get the package, but it if does come I may not be here.

We just got mail call but I dill didn’t get any from you, why I don’t know.

Why it is that I only got one letter from you since I’ve been here I don’t know but it’s probably the mail is too slow.

So honey, I’ll sign off now and hope to hear from you soon,

Love Lou.

Who Am I?

2010-12-15T13:29:00.003-05:00

I ask this question because yesterday while driving through the next town over for an appointment I found myself on familiar streets. I hadn't been over in the area for some months. In fact I really haven't been driving too much anywhere because of the cold winter. I tend to hibernate.

Yesterday before getting to my appointment I had a little time and decided to stop in at a health food store - Supernatural -- for a quick snack. One of the streets I took was close to a house my late husband and I used to own, a rental property actually.

It amazes me how somewhere in our subconscious minds we react to things in such a way that it is beyond out control. That is what happened to me yesterday.

I felt myself pushed back in time, well over ten years ago when my late husband and I and a partner of ours were involved in rental properties. I actually became a little disoriented because the person I am now is different than who I was back then. Emotions flooded over me and that started a panic attack that I quickly brought under control by simply bringing myself back into the present. Yet it was enough to let me know that memories from our past affect us in ways that we might need to be careful, especially when they hit us like a huge snowball, which is how I felt had occurred as I pulled into the parking lot.

Quite a few people have disappeared from my life over the last eight years since entering widowhood and the fact that I live alone with a small dog only brings that fact more to light. At one point I was employed, had many friends, kept in touch with relatives, my parents and my in-laws still around then but all have passed since.

This time of year was always a busy and fun time for me as I prepared for the holiday season. There was never enough time to do it all but we managed, wrapping presents for the kids way past midnight so that beneath the tree the next morning they would find a slew of bright colored packages.

One of those fiber optic trees sits in my bay window. That's about the extent of my decorations. Better than last year as I didn't bother to even put that up.

Today I wrapped a dozen packages for family and friends. That's about the extent of it.

I do miss those hectic busy times; the parties, the gaiety, the wonderful anticipation of seeing the look on family and friends' faces when they opened presents.

Some of those memories also came to me yesterday while driving through the streets past the house we once owned. It was like stepping over a threshold from present into past and back again, which is probably what caused my disorientation. Then again at my age vertigo is more common than not.

I am grateful I have good memories of past Christmases, and hope to make more of them for the future so that eventually when I'm sitting alone without even a pet by my side I can step over another threshold and realize that at one point in time my life was all there in place for me to enjoy.

I think my more simpler life serves to remind me why I am celebrating this holiday. Each night I read a chapter of Leith Anderson's book Jesus, which chronicles His life in a way that helps me understand more of not only the man but His purpose here on earth. Each night when I slip into bed ensuring my dog is snuggly warm on her own blanket, I reach for this book and pull myself into another world, one that occurred so many years ago yet continues to affect the lives of many here on earth.

We celebrate His birth, and rejoice, and know that no matter what happens in our own lives we are never alone for He is always with us to help us through whatever difficult times we may have.

I look forward to the end of each day when I can transport myself back to those simpler times where life I believe made a bit more sense in terms of knowing who we are and where we are going.

Boots Are Out

2010-12-14T12:41:00.000-05:00

Yep, my I took my snowboots out this morning and put them on. I'm ready to venture out today after a light snow fell here last night.

I'm lucky though, I have a very dependable young man who plows my driveway and shovels my walks. Of course I pay him to do this, but knowing that he's out there to do this alleviates worry on my part.

Winter isn't easy especially for those of us who live in houses where we need to do our own thing. I almost moved into a condo last year but decided against it for several reasons. I think because I am comfortable where I am, know my neighbors, and frankly it's quiet here and offers the kind of retreat that is not found in most places.

One year I stayed at my sons who lives in a very nice area, but the Interstate is not far from them and at night I could hear the trucks driving through the Connecticut roads, even with windows closed.

Here I don't have those kind of noises and in fact at night there is very little traffic that goes by again offering a retreat from the hustle and bustle common in most communites where traffic noises are steady and constant.

My backyard also offers some nice scenary in all seasons. The first snow is always special and reminds me that indeed we do move from season to season and nothing ever stays the same.

In our youth we may be fooled to think that it's always going to be the way it is but as we grow older we soon discover that it all changes, and the changes are probably the one thing that we can count on.

Nothing stays the same. Each new season brings forth its own special "thing." This season is my eighth season without my late husband and so I am quite used to celebrating a Christmas without the traditions that we had established throughout the years I was married.

In fact I don't really do much anymore. I did my thing...decorating a "real" tree, putting out all the other decorations around the house, baking cookies, and getting ready for the various parties that take place during this time of year.

Of course I've cut back a lot now. It's easier for me. I think it actually helps me to accept more and more that as life changes, traditions are changed as well.

The one thing that doesn't change is getting out those snow boots, putting them on, and feeling quite empowered to get out there and make my way over an icy driveway or a partially snow covered walk way, or through a parking lot that hasn't yet been plowed.

Yep, I really like my snow boots. They are one of the things that tell me yes, Marie, you will get through another winter just fine as long as you wear snow boots.

LETTERS - A Great Love Story

2010-11-05T12:19:00.005-04:00

Most every night I have had the opportunity, actually a unique opportunity, to be with my parents in a sense who have both passed on. Mom died April 6, 2003 and my dad followed shortly behind on June 13, 2003. Those two days are of course embedded into my mind and will follow me when it comes my time to cross over.

So far I have typed into the computer (and saved on a flash drive) 60 letters from my mom to my dad during the period of 1937 thru 1944. And now I'm doing the same with my dad's letters. There are more letters from him at least 40 more, in fact last night I typed letter 43. I will eventually put them into a book format (both ebook and hard bound) for my kids and grandkids.

I do know while reading these letters I am getting glimpses into the man and the woman that I did not know while growing up in their home. The dad I know worked a lot of hours painting, roofing, and putting on siding. It was not an easy life for him but I can now see why he needed to be his own boss. During his service in the military he was not happy with the system. Probably because he should have been one of the higher ups giving the orders rather than taking them. My mom on the other hand was quite fragile, and from the bits and pieces of her life she did not have it easy from the time she was four years old up until my dad was finally discharged from the service.

It was not easy for anyone during that period when our country was at war. Rationing of much of what we take for granted: gas, sugar, flour, oil, etc., was not readily available for the folks on the homefront. A couple of my dad's letters had him spending Easter, Christmas, and his birthday alone, or in some cold unfriendly barracks, wishing for what he called my mom's "home-mades," namely homemade pasta. He loved his pasta!

My mom did not work outside the home. She stayed in a small apartment in Hartford (Albany Avenue) and often would go over to her sisters for both company and meals. Only a month before her death did my sister and I learned that she had spent time in an orphanage. We knew both of my maternal grandparents died within a year of each other; my grandmother from TB, my grandfather from the 1918 influenza that hit the world hard. We did not know she spent her childhood into adolescence inside that orphanage, explaining so many things to us why she lived in a state of anxiety, depression, and fear through our own formative years.

Yet from these letters I can see my dad and mom truly wanted to be together. Yes, there were problems in their relationship, especially after my mom's breakdown when my sister and I were only four. She disappeared from our own lives for a time and of course that has probably affected our own sense of an abandonment issue where we needed to deal with our own bouts of anxiety, depression, and fears.
.
But in the whole scheme of things mom and dad truly loved each other. They were married in 1938 and they passed on in 2003...65 years together.

I call this a true love story. They had very little while my dad served his country. Yet in his letters he promised her the house with the white picket fence, and whatever else she wanted. I remember growing up on the corner of Berkshire Road and Litchfield Place in Rocky Hill, Connecticut inside a small five room yellow ranch house (called tract housing.) And yes there was a pristine white picket fence that surrounded the small yard. Also what they called a wooded stockade fence covered in beautiful red roses.

I feel their presence quite strongly at times, and for me it comforts me especially knowing that they are together still. I'll continue to finish typing all of these letters and as I do they will continue to provide a great love story; a love story that many never get to enjoy because I think many quit on each other too soon.

November Already!

2010-11-04T19:56:00.002-04:00

I can't believe October 2010 has passed and I'm wondering where that month went. These months go by so fast, too darn fast for my liking. I was no sooner celebrating the Fourth of July when I find myself this past weekend removing make up after attending a Halloween dance and voila now we're into November 2010.

Now I'm having to think about Thanksgiving, and the rest of the holidays that follow, plus start to worry about the cold weather, and the elements of sleet, snow, and ice that come along with at this time of year.

I've found by taking it one day at a time is probably going to be the best route to take.

Last night I enjoyed a great meal of Baramundie fish, steamed veggies and a nice glass of wine. Well there were two glasses except the first one found its way on to my hardwood living room floor, the glass breaking into a thousand pieces. For me it was almost a forewarning of things to come. Not sure what that's going to be but sooner or later I'm sure I'll find out. Back problems, an unfocused mind, plus other distractions has prevented me from focusing where I should and want to focus, namely my stories.

I have this thing about premonitions. I used to freak out relatives back when I was younger, experiencing dreams or so-called visions stemming form simple thoughts inside my mind that were more or less right on the money.

Sometimes they were good, sometimes there were not so good thoughts.

I picked up the pieces of glass last night and thought this is pretty much what we all find ourselves doing at one time or another, which is picking up the pieces of our lives when at times we don't see too clearly where exactly that life is headed or perhaps more so where we might want that life to go. It's always a good thing to have a plan, except even with plans in place, things go awry.

One things I've learned over the years especially the past eight years is never to hold high expectations about most things because it prevents experiencing those disappointments when life can suddenly take a different course.

Still, predictability, especially after a certain age is not so bad in the whole scheme of things.

Predictability, or the certainty of knowing things are okay allows me to focus back on the creative process. Unpredictability in life distracts me to the point that my mind can't wrap itself around any of my latest projects.

And lately my writing life has left the tracks so to speak. Plus I haven't been as disciplined in getting my stories written, stuck somewhere inside my head waiting for their release.

There's always one other more thing to do; cook meals, clean up, walk the dog, attend a dance, spend time with family and friends, make another chiropractor session, etc., etc. Things that all writers are faced with when making that decision to simply sit in front of a computer and write.

One of the plusses of winter I guess is the weather will keep me indoors more than outdoors. I don't do well in the cold. Except for bundling up once a day to take my dog for her walk, I will hopefully find myself sitting here at my computer cranking out the necessary words and pages that eventually comprises my next story.

Meantime, I'm going to go get another Snicker bar from the plastic pumpkin sitting on my dining room table.

THIS IS ALARMING! SCARY! PREVENTABLE!

2010-10-22T14:04:00.000-04:00

I read this today on Yahoo.

ATLANTA – As many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by the year 2050, federal officials announced Friday, in a dramatic revision of earlier projections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 10 have diabetes now, but the number could grow to 1 in 5 or even 1 in 3 by mid-century if current trends continue.
"This is alarming," said Ann Albright, director of the CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation.
The agency's projections have been a work in progress. The last revision put the number at 39 million in 2050. The new estimate takes it to the range of 76 million to 100 million.
An estimated 24 million Americans have diabetes currently.

Anyone out there heeding this warning!

Okay then, why is this occurring in these numbers. I'm always concerned because the cost of healthcare goes up when Americans get sick. And since I pay for my healthcare, my healthcare has more than doubled since 2002.

Yet, I do not have diabetes. But I have noticed with the increase in my premiums every year my blood pressure is rising instead. Why is my blood pressure rising? A few reasons I can point out. First, I did have a personal trainer at one point but as my healthcare rose, I could no longer afford the trainer. I did have a gym membership at one point, but as the cost of my premiums for healthcare rose, I could not longer afford the monthly membership at the gym. My blood pressure at one point was perfect, now it's in what is referred to as "white coat" numbers. And yes my weight has gone up as well.

I'm blaming it on myself because I am not a disciplined as I once was and I'm older. No excuse. Whether I have a personal trainer or a gym membership or not is no excuse for my numbers to rise. This is what I am now telling myself today. After all each day is the first day of our lives.

Still, what is wrong with the over all picture of the state of health of Americans?

From this report, not good.

And so much so that for most of us I'm sure no one really knows where to begin to turn it around anymore. Yet the information out there is plentiful, and we all know as I do the only way to remedy this situation is to simply eat the right foods and "move our butts."

Yes, it's as simple as that and sometimes I have to shake my head in utter disbelief because of the solution.

Mindful living, mindful eating, a mindful existence of what we are doing at any given point in time in our daily life.

In other words, watch what we put into our mouths at any given moment, watch what activities we embark upon at any given moment, and if things aren't feeling right inside (fear is always a hindrance) then try to act upon it before it can grow into something that has reached a point where only medications will keep it in check.

If we know our numbers whether it's blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar and we see that they are rising, then we do need to get off our behinds and actually do something to counteract what is happening inside. Although a high HDL is good, and that is one number we want to see rise. Mine at last count was 71 only because I made a concerted effort to eat those foods (fish, nuts, seeds, veggies, fruits, etc) that would bring that number up. And by golly, it worked. 71 is a high number for HDL but it is telling me the cholesterol I do have in my body is protecting me and not clogging up arterial walls.

Again, all it takes is a simple mindfulness attitude that could probably eradicate 75% of the illnesses occurring in our nation.

When I go shopping I often watch what others buy, and often I am tempted to tell the person behind me if they really should be drinking those oversized bottles of soda? Maybe instead they could opt for something like ... plain old water...or flavored water.

Or maybe that Sunday pot roast could instead become a Sunday chicken breast (no skin, no fat) or a nice fish fillet, preferably salmon or what is becoming more popular baramundie. How about filling up our plates with veggies and whole grains? If we need to eat something sweet, dark chocolate (65% and above) is going to do us a lot more good than that bag of Fritos. Even a nice glass of wine occasionally during the week will add to our overall health (reservatrol for the heart) rather than that sugary fruit juice or sugar laden soda.

Mindful shopping is something every American needs to adopt when they shop! There's is so much to be found in the vegetable and fruit sections, and simply keep away from the middle aisles where all processed foods are located.

I'm opting to turn these numbers around for America...because well it's kind of embarrassing to say the least that we Americans are getting a reputation for not being smart enough to stay healthy when all it takes is a little mindfulness.

Did I See Dead People?

2010-10-18T13:31:00.003-04:00

There are some things that cannot be explained, reasoned out, or rationalized. Well, maybe so but after yesterday's occurrence I'm still trying to figure out how things happened in the way they happened, and I still can't figure it out. Especially since someone who was with me and is quite logical, rational, and practical is having the same difficulty, i.e. coming up with an explanation that makes perfect sense.

My friend and I took a nice drive through the Connecticut countryside, specifically toward Bethlehem, Connecticut. I wanted to visit a place called The Abbey of Regina Laudis, which is located in that town. I wanted to show my friend this place knowing how he enjoys places with a lot of history, and also that he enjoys anything that falls within a spiritual context.

The Abbey of Reginas Laudis is not difficult to find....take Route 6 then Route 61, then a left off that road and in less than five minutes down that particular road take another left and you're there.

For more information and background on this location just CLICK HERE

We drove up into the parking lot which is on top of a hill. We exited the car, with my PeekaPoo on her leash we began to walk down the hill toward the chapel. I had been here before many years ago and wanted my friend to see this chapel which when one enters takes you back into another time period.

We were only a few feet from the car when we saw three people coming up the hill; two women and a young girl and they were walking toward what we presumed was their car to leave.

They smiled at us and at my dog. There was something about the little girl who could have been no more than ten or eleven that caught my attention. She did not look well. On one wrist she wore a bracelet but it looked like the kind of bracelet patients wear when admitted for hospital care. Also, there was a very dark black and blue mark around her left eye. She smiled at my dog but raised her hands in the air ensuring she would not touch her.

We said hello to them and then proceeded down the hill, and into the foyer of the chapel where we stayed no more then ten seconds, then proceeded through an opened doorway leading into the chapel area.

As soon as we entered I noticed three people sitting in the front seats. I held my dog tightly in my arms, and I sat two or three rows in back of them.

The middle one turned and I recognized her as the young girl, and then recognized the two older women, the same people who moments before we had greeted in the parking lot at the top of the hill.

To myself I said how did they get here so fast, in fact how did they get ahead of us? It appeared they had been sitting there awhile because they immediately got up and left.

We left as well and once outside did not see them anywhere on the grounds, as if they had vanished into thin air.

At this point I did not make any comments about what I had seen. It was when my friend made comments about them that it reinforced inside my own mind that what I had processed, which was their presence inside the chapel when seconds before we saw them heading for their car that this wasn't any figment of my imagination.

Believe me we tried to come up with a sane explanation for this whole occurrence, yet neither one of us ever said outright that this might be something that can't be explained away.

I sit here now as I blog about this and am still trying to resolve inside my mind how these three people had ended up in the chapel before us.

First, they were headed in the opposite direction, second, they did not follow behind us down the road toward the chapel, and third when we left the chapel we saw no car leave unless there was another exit.

All quite confusing, as well as curious, and makes me wonder if perhaps I had seen "dead people."

And of course with a writer's mind I immediately come up with a 'behind the scenes' scenario of what really might have occurred.

The young girl was in the hospital, and had died, and had been greeted by two of her relatives, perhaps her mother and an aunt, or a grandmother and an aunt, both who had passed on and now were showing her soul its way back home.

En route they decided to stop at The Abbey of Regina Laudis, and what better place for a soul to rest its "weary soul"?

I'd like to think the scenario has some relevance. I'd like to think that at times we the living may be privy enough to learn about what occurs on the "other side," or what is in store for us in the hereafter. Oh yes, I will be going to see Clint Eastwood's new movie, The Hereafter!

My late husband, my parents, my in-laws, and all my aunts and uncles have passed on so I'm thinking how nice it can be that I will get a chance to see some if not all of them again.

And when I do I may just suggest to them as we hopefully make our way back through the pearly gates, let's stop and rest a bit at a place called The Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut.

I think they would all enjoy that visit.

I know I would.

Anorher Cold Rainy Day

2010-10-04T20:08:00.000-04:00

I have plenty to do but you get to a point you don't know where to start. First, I need to get my summer clothes into storage, bring out the winter ones. I know once I get started it'll be okay. Inertia is the problem. Or the fact that when I stop to do these things, I'm not productive with my writing. And if I'm not productive, then there's no monies coming in from that source of income. I did have a small income from selling books on Half.com but that whole system was put out of commission through life circumstances and I'm sure Half.com has removed all the books by now. If I want to do that again, it means going through all the boxes and listing the books and assigning numbers...which took me six months to do in the place. Something I no longer have the inclination to do now.

This is probably one reason I decided to have a glass of wine, something I don't normally do when I'm alone. Wine is for enjoying with others.

If there was a dance tonight, I'd probably go to that only because once I'm on the dance floor I don't have to think about anything other than the music or where my feet are going. Needless to say I take every opportunity to go dancing, so much better than popping anti-depressants, which for me any my circumstances is not the way to go.

While driving back from my chiropractor today I suddenly had the feeling of becoming uprooted and not knowing exactly who I was or where I was going. This sense of disorientation went along with my morning. Upon awakening I felt a lot of angst that actually radiated outward to my feet and hands. The only remedy I found for this was to tighten my body which helped to dispel these feelings.

Once I'm up I usually busy myself with getting breakfast, doing wash, taking my dog for her walk except today it was cold and rainy and I'm not such a diehard that I can do this especially when my body always remind now how old I am and how old I'm getting.

One really does have to be in the right frame of mind to be productive I think. I wish I could do like others simply sit here and create my stories. Except right now I have my own story that keeps swirling inside my brain and I'm not sure the best way to tell it.

I finished typing in 62 letters written by my mom to my dad starting in 1937 through 1943 possibly 1944. Most were during 1943. As I read the letters the slow realization of what happened during those months while my dad served in the Army is now eating at me in a way that I'm not sure what to do with this information.   They've both passed on and there is really no one to ask. All those mentioned in these letters have also passed on and all I can do now is to make up my own conclusions to why mom was the way she was.

Talk about unlucky stars! She refers to her "unlucky state of being" quite often in these letters. Knowing what I do know about her I'd have to say she was right on the money. Born into a family of 10 plus, orphaned at the age of 4, living inside an orphanage until age 16 she met my dad and married him in 1938 at the age of 23. Five years later he's off to war, then returns in 1945, and I and my sister are born in 1946.

From these letters my father was discharged based on some medical problems but I think also because he felt my mother could not live without him. All of her letters reflect this, each letter expressing her downhill slide into a debilitating depression that would peak after my birth.

At four years old in a way I lost my mother to this a debilitating mental illness known as depression. One day she disappeared for a while where she underwent the type of psychiatric treatment that in today's psyche world might be regarded as barbaric at best, i.e. the electric shock treatment.

My mom it seems through these letters was determined and made it her purpose to let the draft board as well as whoever else could help my dad get a discharge know she would have a nervous breakdown if my dad did not come home soon She actually stopped eating, stopped going out, stopping living.

It worked.

Except she in fact ended up having that nervous breakdown brought on by the stress of going through what she needed to do to convince them all so that my dad could get his discharge.

In her letters she could not sleep.    I still remember her telling me one night she had sat up all night looking out at the night sky, unable to sleep. I was twenty at the time.

She never freed herself from that depression that would dwell within her up until the day she died in 2003 at the age of 86.

So now I'm not sure what to do with these letters. I will put them into a book, for they do tell a lot about my dad, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and how life was for them during those difficult times.

I now am going to go through my dad's letters to my mom which total over a hundred.

Their lives were greatly disrupted by the men of that time being called to serve, asked to make asacrifice; a sacrifice that ensured today we aren'tnot speaking another language and that we live in this country in relative peace and harmony.

Except I now often wonder what kind of person my mom would have become if (1) the flu epidemic hadn't killed my maternal grandfather, and tuberculosis hadn't killed my maternal grandmother, and (2) if the war hadn't taken my dad.

I'll never know of course.

Oh yeah, I did discover that at some point I had a stepgrandmother on my father's side. I have no idea who that was. Some day I may find out. Unfortunately, the brothers and sisters on both side feuded quite a bit especially as they became old, ending up most of them not speaking to each other. The cousins scattered. No real connection was ever maintained.

Probably another reason why after reading these letters I feel quite uprooted and scattered myself.   When I became a widow most of those I had any connection with, those connections disappeared as well. I think as we age we find we have neither the energy, the inclination, nor the strength to re-connect to those who once made up our pasts.

Okay, I finished my wine and now I'll go watch Dancing with the Stars!

Rain Rain Go Away!

2010-10-01T11:03:00.001-04:00

It goes without saying that I know we need this rain, but c'mon! Enough is enough. I need the sun! Yes, I could take my dog for her walk in the rain, but somehow coming back home with a wet dog is not what I look forward to doing.

Plus cloudy days cloud up my mind and starts to remind me of the colder months coming, and even colder ones where I will be somewhat housebound because of the weather.

Maybe, just maybe I need to start thinking about what I should do at this point...stay here in CT where we are never bored by a weather than can affect our moods to the point where we don't know if we're coming or going. Or move to a warm rather stable environment where I know I can go out 90% of the time and get my required amount of Vitamin D. Hey, I'm in that age group where bones are actually affected by what I do, what I eat, and even probably how I think.

I do need to make my way out there today despite the rain, and at least it will get me out and away from these four walls that seem to close inch by inch.

It's true we can do nothing about the weather, but we can do something about where we experience that weather.

Mmmm, this morning the Today Show showed sunny (90% of the time if not more) Arizona, specifically Lake Havisu where one can actually cross over the London Bridge. I remember that area while visiting my son while he lived out there and one of the things I will always remember...it was sunny 99% of the time, in fact while I was there 100% of the time.

I remember all the RV's making their way out that way and thought to myself....someday....someday I'm going to do just that.

And today is one of those days where that vision becomes clearer and more focused in my mind.

Lake Havisu....someday ....here I come!

COINCIDENCE OR A TRUE SYNCHRONISTIC EVENT

2010-09-16T23:01:00.000-04:00

Hayley Elizabeth’s Connection

Anyone who has ever lost a loved one to death knows that our connections do not end after death, certainly, and synchronistic events sometimes appear as reminders of this fact. (There Are No Accidents: Synchronicity and the Stories of Our Lives by Robert H. Hopcke)

On Saturday night September 5, 2010 while driving home from a dance in North Haven, CT I suggested to my boyfriend Joe that he change the radio station from Sirius Radio to the night time show Delilah (Pillow Talk) on FM 100.5. We don’t normally listen to this station when we go out. In fact my boyfriend has never listened to this station and never knew of its existence.

We left the dance earlier than usual, before eleven. Normally we stay for coffee and dessert. We realized later that we probably would not have caught this particular show or the request/dedication that came on if we had stayed at the dance longer.

While listening to the requests and dedications that were being called in to the show, one particular request/dedication caught our attention. A young father called in to dedicate a song to his newborn daughter (2 weeks old). From the tone of his voice we could tell that he was quite exuberant in his joy in announcing that he was the proud father of a baby girl.

Delilah asked him the name of the baby.

He told her the name was Hayley Elizabeth.

My friend noted the first name because his granddaughter’s name is also Hayley. He told me later he didn’t really catch the middle name. I did make note of it but I didn’t say anything at the time until also later. The middle name was the same as my mother’s name, which is Elizabeth.

The following Sunday morning we decided to take my PeekaPoo dog Sugar for her walk. Usually I would take her around the neighborhood but this morning I suggested that we take her to Norton Park. I hadn't been to this park yet this year and thought it would be nice to take her some place different. I live in XXXXXX and I usually stay in my own area for her walks, but I felt strongly on this particular morning to take her to Norton Park.

My friend and I strolled around the walking paths in Norton Park. My friend spotted the Canal plaque that gives a history of the canal. We then sat on a nearby bench to enjoy the beautiful sunny bright morning.

I was ready to head for the car with Sugar but my friend insisted that we stop to look at the gazebo. It was then we discovered the gazebo was dedicated to the Petit family.

We then stepped inside the gazebo where we sat for a moment of silence. My friend began to read the names inscribed on each of the plaques placed on the benches inside the gazebo.

One read Hayley Elizabeth Petit and we realized the first and middle names were the same as in the dedication made the night before by that young father for his baby girl.

It was at that moment that I realized the significance of the words expressed above and that such a thing as synchronicity does exist in our world.

We both recognized that this may not have been a coincidence to first choose to leave the dance early, then choose to listen to the radio station that Saturday night, and then choose to go to Norton Park for a walk the next Sunday morning.

We believe that we may have experienced one of these synchronistic events Mr. Hopcke speaks of in his book. We may have been destined to listen to the radio on Saturday night and then take my PeekaPoo for her walk through Norton Park and visit the Gazebo Sunday morning.

We were meant to be there so that we could make that synchronistic “connection” and be made aware that Hayley Elizabeth is doing fine and that she wants you, Dr Petit, to know that she is with you during what will be a most tumultuous time of your life as the trial begins.

My friend Joe and I and all your supporters will be with you as will the spirits of your family while you go through these most difficult times ahead.

Sincerely,

Marie and Joe

Donations can be made through The Petit Family Foundation website - CLICK HERE

My battle with a wart!

2010-09-14T16:47:00.014-04:00

Yes a wart. I have never had these and so when I realized that's what I had growing on the right upper portion of my thumb I practically went ballistic.

Okay so exactly what is a war? Every one of my health reference books tells me that a wart is a common skin condition caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and that these come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can occur on the extremities, the face, the genital region, and the soles of the feet. Harmless, not painful. Perhaps but oh what a nuisance they are especially when they occur on a finger.

Last month while slicing strawberries I knicked the tip of my left thumb. I noticed when this happened a tiny black speck being sucked into the wound. I immediately washed my hands with an antibacterial wash. Still, over the next few weeks what I thought was a simple callus had started to grow and as time went by it got harder and harder. Beneath the callus the skin was sore and something just wasn't right.

My research showed this this callus was probably one of those pesky warts that kids get. I never had one even as a kid. I don't know why this one occurred except to say the open wound allowed the HPV virus to enter. Further research showed that sometimes our immune systems don't t do what it's supposed to do, which is to fight off these invading pathogens.

I took the bull by the horn and started treatment. I didn't run to the doctor. Instead I decided to try it alone. I opted for what is recommended with a holistic approach. I used duct tape along with apple cider vinegar soaking a tiny piece of cotton, and then applying it against the hard skin, and then wrapping the tape around my thumb. Then I decided to use a better brand of tape, as well as small cotton fingers and finger cots, which look like teensy weensy condom, and provides a nice waterproofed area.

After about three days the wart itself dies. This is evident by the blackness that fills the holes. Yes there are small itsy bitsy holes in the skin. (Ugly...yes...gross, that's a given.) Why I keep it bandaged when going out in public.

I'm still continuing the treatment and eventually will go to the next step which is to gently remove the hard skin. Not sure how that's going to go. The thumb isn't as bad now and some of the hardened skin has disappeared. Yet the blackness remains and looks weird.

I've also gone back to making my immune boosting soups which will hopefully help my immune system fight off future warts if any more occur.

I think there is so much we all can do when fighting these battles with these invaders. It produces a microcosm of what I can do for myself in terms of making my system whole and stronger to ward off larger invaders.

I said to myself if everyone took this approach with their bodies, which is to eat those foods that boost the immune system, just think how something as small as taking up battle with a wart can improve the total cost of health care in our nation.

This is one reason I will continue to watch shows like The Doctors and Dr. Oz mainly because they educate us to not only take care of ourselves but also our kids.

Order No More Secrets No More Lies

2010-09-08T12:05:00.000-04:00

from THE WILD ROSE PRESS (either in an Ebook or Paperback) and find out what actually happens to poor Augie.

WHAT ARE THEY? PHONES OR FIREFLIES?????

2010-09-05T17:57:00.003-04:00

This will be brief but needs to be said somewhere and what better place than a blog!

Why do people insist on going to the movies where they pay good money to watch a film and then spend the time "texting" on their cell phones.

It makes no sense.

Do they not realize that when they put those phones on the screen on that cell phone is brighter than the screen on which I'm trying to watch the movie that I also paid good money to watch.

This past Friday my friend and I went to the movies to watch the new Julia Robert film, Eat, Pray, Love.

At one point I did not know what to watch, the flickering screens of the distracted movie goers as they text their friends, or Julia Roberts.

It is sad.

Are some members of this newest generation so self-absorbed, selfish, rude, and downright stupid that they actually believe they can do texting thing inside a movie theater?

It's downright scary because this can be an indication of a world of the self-absorbed, as well as the selfish, and rude demonstrating stupidity a that in coming years may be prevalent among those who fill up positions requiring not only intelligence (doctors, lawyers, airline pilots) but also common sense.

To sit inside a movie theater with an Iphone on or whatever type of phone and knowing or just plain ignoring the fact that the screen on those phones is very bright and is going to bother, irritate, and downright affect the pleasure of those other moviegoers sitting to the side or behind is arrogance in its most purest form.

When I sat in that movie theater to the left, to the right, and in several rows toward the front of me these inconsiderate, stupid, clueless moviegoers were turning on cell phones. They had me wondering if I wasn't in some backwoods instead with fireflies lighting up around me.

Using a cell phone for whatever reason inside a move theater is disrespectful to every movie goer who came to watch the movie. What if I decide to bring my digital camera and started taking pictures using a flash of course inside a movie theater? What if I brought a small portable battery operated TV and decided to watch other shows while watching the movie? All this is

Get real folks!

Cell phones need to be turned OFF inside movie theater! Before each movie this RULE is flashed on the screen in letters large enough so no one misses the warning!

God help us all if these cell phone distractors are the future leaders of our world. Maybe just maybe there's something to be said about December 21, 2012 when the world as we know it will be no longer. In fact that's happening right now in movie theaters with patrons who defy the rules.

HURRICANE EARL IS ON THE WAY! WILL WE BECOME STORMBOUND?

2010-09-02T23:42:00.001-04:00

Hurricane Earl is coming up the East Coast tomorrow. Depending on how it will hit the coastline, some may become stranded for the duration just like my characters do in my story STORMBOUND.

Storms like this have a way of reminding us we are not always in charge. In fact storms like this tell us it is Mother Nature who always steers the ship.

Some of us might be misguided into thinking we can fool Mother Nature, except she's going to do what she wants to do regardless of whatever plans we make.

STORMBOUND is available at ASPEN MOUNTAIN PRESS .

Animal Rescue Foundation

2010-08-31T11:46:00.000-04:00

A little over two years ago a terrible fire destroyed a local no-kill animal shelter, ARF. Originally this place was called Charwood Kennels and has been in existence for over 30 some years. They are now rebuilding and will have a new and better place in which to place animals who have been abandoned. Personally I don't see how anyone can do this to a pet. The thought of my own dog being out there in what can be a somewhat unkind world to these creatures is frankly unthinkable.

I'm placing at the right of this blog a link directly to the Animal Rescue Foundation's website so you can see what a great place this was and will again be where it will offer a safe haven for God's unfortunate animals.

This morning I had a nice doggie grooming session with my own puppy.

I love to play doggie beauty parlor

with my PeekaPoo ...

We're in Hurricane Season

2010-08-26T13:27:00.001-04:00

The Great Hurricane hit the New England coast on September 21, 1938.

A week or so later my mom and dad were married - October 1, 1938. Often through the years they shared recollections about that storm. They lived in Hartford, CT at the time. The photo on the left shows Hartford right after the storm.

I know my mom was worried that they might have to call off the wedding. Fortunately, that did not happen and they ended up celebrating sixty-four years of marriage.

Except in their sixty-fourth (2002) year both were suffering failing health and both passed on the following year (2003.)

Forecasters are telling us we are in hurricane season and to be prepared.

Storms have always held a fascination for me. I think because my sister and I while growing up heard the relatives talk about the Great Hurricane. They told us it was as bad as it could get.

This photo shows East Hartford, CT. It shows the Travelers Tower, a place where my sister worked in the mid 60's. It shows houses submerged under water. Yet, I spent many summers there at a soda shoppe where my Aunt Mamie worked. My sister and I stayed with her for a time when my mother was very sick. This occurred in the early to late 50's. I remember the old fashioned paddle fans whirling above the formica covered counters. I remember the red stools that we often played on, twirling around in time with the fan. My sister and I would tuck ourselves into one of the dark oak booths, enjoy the sundaes my Aunt Mamie made for us. When we reached the age where we could read, along with those sundaes we also enjoyed all the comic books that filled one wall of the shop. We had to be careful though. Couldn't get any ice cream on the pages so that all could be returned to their respective slots after having been read. Our favorites were Archie and Veronica. Remember Betty, Jughead? Also, Superman comics, Little Lulu, and many others. We did end up buying more than we returned.

I look at the photo of this bus with people trapped inside. I heard about this story and thanks to the internet was able to find it and post it here.

I remember taking the bus often from Windsor Locks where my Aunt Mamie lived to East Hartford where she worked. I remember the smell of diesel fuel, and something else, I think pop corn. I'm not sure why the pop corn. I think because she would take us to lunch as Kresge's and there they had a huge pop corn machine. Or maybe the recollection comes from those times Aunt Mamie took us to the theater (The Strand) where we watched the latest flicks and enjoyed that popcorn.

I can only imagine the fear these people felt trapped in that bus with the rising waters swirling around them.

Yes storms hold a particular fascination for me perhaps because of these stories of people getting stranded, trapped, and eventually becoming rescued.

When I started to write my story Stormbound at first I tentatively titled it Christmas in July! Somewhere in my subconscious the story instead headed into a slightly different direction. I had this cast of characters who become stranded inside a farmhouse. (Did I mention the house my Aunt Mamie lived in we called, "the Farm!") Each characters added to the story through their own quirkiness, flaws, and of course a few redeeming qualities.

Storms test the spirit, as well as our ability to survive what they can throw at us. I cannot look at photos of those who endure Katrina's wrath without wondering how they ever endured all those days not only during the storm but afterward.

Storms remind us that we are not always in control of our destiny. Storms come in many forms as well, not just those caused by meteorological occurrences. Every person will at one time or another experience some form of storms within their lives.

One of the things I came away with after writing my story STORMBOUND was that we can react like an oak tree, straight and strong, yet we may still become broken by the heavy effects of the winds. Or we can allow ourselves to bend, to become pliant, enough so that whatever strong winds blow our way we in fact do survive.

Hurricane seasons reminds us of that fact.

The sun is finally back out!

2010-08-26T10:26:00.000-04:00

Getting Old Is Not For Wimps!!!!

Wow, I really missed the sun this week. After this posting I'm getting myself out there with my dog for our daily walks. We look forward to them every day. Yesterday I did manage to get her out there. She's waiting for me now. I'm a bit slow in the mornings. I think it has to do with the fact that I'm not getting any younger, and this aging does not allow me to move all that fast in the mornings.

I remember my mother telling me about the stiffness on getting up. And now I'm experiencing that same stiffness and find myself shuffling more, and taking my time because I can't move as fast. When that happens out comes the therapeutic heat packs, the sports cream and these pain patches that you can put on the area that is hurting the most.

Yep, getting older is not for wimps and each year becomes a test of wills. I try not to let it stop me because I always figure once I let it dictate what I can or cannot do, the game is over.

This is one reason why I continue to go dancing. Dancing involves a lot in terms of processing both the physical and mental.

Maybe that's one of the reasons that some say it even helps those with Parkinson's disease. They noticed those who have this affliction once they're on a dance floor and are moving to the music, the tremors stop and they can actually move about quite freely.

I find the same happens to myself although thankfully I don't have Parkinson's.

Except the other day I lifted and moved a couple of boxes of books and thought nothing of it. But later that evening as I rose from the sofa to answer the phone my legs almost went out from under me and I had to grab on to a table. From that point on out came the special heat wrap, the sports cream, and I limped around the house for the rest of the night.

The next morning I felt better and was able to take my dog for her walk. I'm okay once I'm standing, but it took several days before I could empty my dehumidifier simply because I could not bend down for the life of me to take the damn bucket out. All was a reminder that as times passes, my poor body is now engaged in a downward spiral, a deterioration that comes with aging.

I'll not give in so easily. In fact I'm determined to do all the stuff that needs to be done around here mainly because I can't let any of this get me down.

The whole idea of being unable to do this stuff affects my mental condition in a way that I don't become as productive in the writing. I'm working on a series of stories, and I was going full speed ahead.

I've come to a dead halt and need to regroup.

Many believe a writer's life has to be the best on earth. At times it is when the flow is there. When it's not, and we don't produce, we not only become depressed by our situation, in turn we may hamper our ability to earn any monies at all.

Luckily I'm stubborn and simply won't give in to these aches and pains that are trying to tell me to slow down. It's not feasible for me to do so. Once the cooler weather gets here I'll do what I did last year, get out into that garage, fill up that Subaru for Goodwill, and get everything back on track.

Then I'll continue on writing my stories.

Rainy Days!

2010-08-23T20:25:00.000-04:00

I don't particularly like rainy days and Mondays...now isn't there a song with that title , specifically a Karen Carpenter's song? Well, it's true especially if those rainy day falls on a Monday and then the forecast has more of the same for Tuesday into Wednesday.

And I certainly don't like rainy days after what I've been reading through my research on Vitamin D. I like sunshine! I'm not the proverbial sun worshipper but knowing why we need the sun has put a whole different perspective on things.

We derive Vitamin D through interactions between UV rays and our skin, which I've discovered is not just a vitamin but a hormone that our systems require for optimal health. And once we get that Vitamin D, then we absorb that calcium, which in turn helps to build stronger bones.

Okay so the fact that sunshine is actually good for us sans sunscreen lets me know why I feel great when I get myself out there and get some of those rays while walking my dog. I come back from the walk feeling pretty darn good and ready to take on whatever project I'm working on. Today was definitely not one of those days.

Today I had a somewhat difficult time getting down to business.

My weekend was quite busy and productive in terms of doing all the things I love to do which mostly consisted of dancing as well as walking my dog. I spent time with a special person so I'm sure that is part of the reason why I feel this let down. I should've gone to the Zumba class at the gym but the gloomy day pretty much made it easier to just stay put.

Then again I've become accustomed to having people come into my life for a time, and disappear. When you get to be my age that happens more often than not. So for the time I'm with that person(s) I do appreciate the camaraderie as well as the activities. For a long time now I've learned to simply live in the moment, not look toward a future of guarantees. For some inexplicable reason something inside me will not allow me to do that, which is to feel a certainty in life that I had once felt when my life was on a more even keel.

Mondays become a real let down for me especially after these busy weekends and especially when Monday turns out to be as gloomy as this Monday. A reminder of how I dread the shorter days as well as the cold winter months ahead.

I truly feel I need to be somewhere warmer, and where the sun shines most of the time. My whole being tells me that's where I probably belong eventually at least during those long winter months that seem to go on and on here in the Northeast.

On days like this I can't help but recall those hot summers spent in Florida (Sarasota/Bradenton) and how great I always felt. Of course I would feel that way. I'm sure my Vitamin D levels where way up there where they're supposed to be. My family and I spent a lot of hours on the the beaches, or in the warm salty waters either Holmes Beach or Coquina Beach. I'm sure that is one reason why my father-in-law lived to the ripe age of 96 moving down there in the early 70's. He was still riding his two wheel bike around hismobile home park well into his nineties.

I took my Vitamin D supplements today and ate some canned Sockeye Salmon, some yogurt, and anything else that might contain some calcium, or magesium and of course Vitamin D, taking the approach that mindful eating helps to enhance my mood rather than suppress it. And there is that container of Hagen Daz Vanilla Almond ice cream sitting in the freezer waiting for me.

Rainy Mondays are more or less lonely days for me as well. I start to reminisce too much about the past. I think of the days when the screen doors would constantly open and close as my sons came and went. knowing at this time of year we as a family would plan for some vacation, either short or long, and getting ready for that trip.

When we're younger and working outside the home loneliness does not become too much of a factor in our lives. It is when we reach that time in our lives when life slows down some, and we find we have more time to reflect, to think, or to dwell on a past that offers us its memories.

Rainy days and Mondays become a time for reflection of what once was and will never be again.

Yes indeed, I need to go to my freezer, pull out that container of vanilla ice cream, and feed that part of me that needs uplifting. Or maybe a nice glass of red wine! I'm glad I have my puppy here to keep me company and put a smile on my face! Tomorrow we will get each other out, probably to a Petco or Petsmart then over to my sister's for supper.

A Great Day to Shop

2010-08-17T09:34:00.001-04:00

In a little while I'm off to meet up with the grandkids at Friendly's for lunch. From there we are headed to Kohl's to do some serious school shopping. I love Khol's because they always have some pretty good buys. I know this sounds like the proverbial commercial. When I started to go out to dances, Kohl's was the store for me which I frequented regularly for my shopping needs. As a single lady again, and with grown kids on their own, and pretty much on my own, I have to say I had no trouble filling up my closets.

But today I'll concentrate on buying for two of my grandkids who are now going into the second and fifth grades. I can't believe it! I'll take the other two grandkids out later this week as well. They are going into the first and sixth grade, and if that doesn't make me feel older. Probably one of the reasons I get up mornings with stiffening joints. Yep, I'm getting older!

This is the best times of their lives where learning is still fun, and there is just so much to learn that one needs a lifetime to keep up with it all. I know I'm still learning, which I feel should be ongoing from birth to the time we slip into the next world.

Meantime, today the sun is out, the humidity isn't too bad, and it's a great day to get out there to shop during tax free week here in Connecticut.

Yeah! It's Tax Free Week!

Let Food Be Your Medicine!

2010-08-16T23:26:00.000-04:00

I have so many books on the subject of healthy eating, yet I still find myself going to the freezer and pulling out a small container of Haagen Daz ice cream. I did enjoy my bone building soup earlier today. I came across a recipe for this in one of my many books. It required very few ingredients; garlic, onions, fat free chicken broth, and then I used a large family sized package of chicken legs, with the skin removed. I cooked this soup for two days. Also, I added a cup of apple cider vinegar.

Yes, two days! Actually the recipe said I could simmer it for three days in a crock pot on high.

The broth had a wonderful taste, much more flavorful than if I had cooked the soup for the usual amount of time, around an hour or less.

What happens is the acidic content of the vinegar helps to dissolve the bone content. In fact, I noticed when I ate the soup there is no cartilage, which means that probably dissolved in the soup.

Why go through all of this trouble?

Calcium, magnesium, and whatever other minerals I can derive from the bones themselves. This is what our grandmothers, great grandmothers, and before them did...cooked these soups for the mineral content within the bones themselves.

How many of us take the time to do this anymore?

How many ask others to "save the bones" for soup? Then make soups that become loaded with nutritious minerals that our own bones can use?

We who have entered those years where calcium intake as well as other mineral intake is important only because our bodies' need for these nutrients will get them from somewhere, and it's usually our bones. We can derive this calcium from nonmilk sources such as:

figs
oranges
papya
raspberries
almonds
hazelnuts
calms
salmon
Blackstrap molassses,
collard greens
dandelion greens
kale
mustard greens
turnip greens
hard water.

And to do this we need Vitamin D, which we can get from leafy greens, nuts and seeds, egg yolks and taking a walk where we can soak up sunshine.

It can become a balancing act especially if we are trying to keep our cholesterol numbers low.

That is what I'm finding for myself. I lowered those numbers eating whole grains, yet I now need to be careful when eating whole grain cereal so that the calcium in calcium rich foods will be absorbed. For me it becomes even more complicated. Those requiring thyroid medication need to take extra care since such meds can endanger our body's calcium reserves.

What is a person to do especially when reaching a certain age where we become aware that our calcium reserves are no longer as high as they once were?

Mindful eating is probably the way to go. Each day I am now more aware of what I put into my mouth in terms of nutrients. I'm small boned and don't eat a whole lot of food during the day. So what I do eat needs to provide me with all the nutrients I require to at least keep ahead of my losses.

Too much dairy is going to raise those cholesterol numbers. Not enough is going to lessen my calcium reserves.

Again, it becomes a balancing act and maintaining an awareness of what I'm putting into my mouth. Yes, there are days when I just say, heck with it and have that small bowl of Haagen Daz. Then as guilt follows, I'll go back to making the soups, taking the supplements, and praying that at my next series of test (blood test for cholesterol, bone scan for bone density) I will be okay.

Not an easy prospect.

Writer's Block -- Is there a remedy?

2010-08-06T12:47:00.002-04:00

This is something we writers can find ourselves struggling with at various times in our writing life. I'm not exactly sure what causes this, but I suspect it has to do with what is happening in our own lives.

This week I was not very productive, I'll admit it. Last week I couldn't get the words out fast enough on the screen.

I think a state of mind could be one factor.

When I'm happy, calm, at peace with myself or my environment, I find the brain is more than willing to produce the words, scenes, characters that can make up a completed story line.

On the other hand when something is troubling me, or I don't feel too settled, and become filled with a kind of angst, productivity goes right down the tube.

Yet, I find like the sportswear company tells us, Just Do It!

Today I started three short stories that will eventually result in another trilogy. Needless to say it was slow going. My mind would not settle down. That same angst, that same troubling feeling kept welling up inside me.

I'm thinking. Maybe it had to do with letters that I've been reading. Letters written to and from my parents dated in the early 1940's. This was several years before my sister and I were born.   These letters occurred just before and during the war (WWII.)

My mom was very unhappy because my father was called to serve. She was lonely, and from reading her letters had become quite depressed over the situation. She could not bear to be without my father for one day. There were also letters from my aunts to my dad telling him how my mother was not doing well because he was not with her.   And by the time my father did come home, nine months later from his returned date my sister and I were born.

Unfortunately, my sister and I agreed that back then my mother needed psychiatric treatment for a severe depression that did not lessen with his return. And she did end up having electric shock treatments occurring at a time that such treatments were primitive at best, and probably did her more harm than good. It made me realize I never truly knew the person who my mom was because these treatments occurred when we were only four years old.

From that point on my mom became an agoraphobic. That coupled with the fact she also probably suffered from a disorder now known as borderline personality disorder, my sister and I can look back and now begin to understand why mom was the way she was.

Yes, seven years after her death we now understand. Back then while growing up in our household, we did not, and consequently life was at best difficult, a constant struggle with ourselves and with her while trying to develop and consequently live in the "real" world.

It also made me realize it can take some courage to live in this world as a single person. I've done it for eight years since the death of my husband. I'm actually witnessing more pros as oppose to cons to being a single person. I also thought at one time I could not live one day without my husband. It has been eight years, and I think I'm doing all right considering.

Living as a single person we come to realize we must count on ourselves to do the things we need to do for ourselves.

We make our own happiness, and not live life through another or count on that person to provide that state of happiness for us.   It doesn't work.

It did not work for my mom, who counted on my dad to be there for her 24/7.

One reason why I think my sister has remained single. And probably one reason why I will continue that status as well.

We can lose ourselves if we allow ourselves to become connected to another in a way that can make ourselves disappear.
My mom disappeared. It did not have to be that way. While my dad was in the service, she could have lived joyful life with her family and friends. They were all willing to do that for her. Yet she allowed herself to settle into a depressed state of mind that actually prevented her from gaining the strength to go on and do her thing. My mom's life was tragic at best losing her own parents at the age of four, and then being put into an orphanage. This I learned only one month before her own death in 2003.

Letters of the past reveal so much...and yet I haven't read them all. I plan to. I plan to put them into a book format. I plan to give them to my own kids and grandkids so that they will get a sense of the family. A family torn by war. Most of what was in the letters the ones I read were about my dad, my uncles all waiting to be called to serve their country. And then letters to them as they trained in the various boot camps. And then letters revealing their fears of going overseas and never seeing their family again.

Yes, anything can cause a writer's block. But I think my bout of writer's block may be over for the time being considering what I've so far written in this blog.

Life can sometimes get in the way for a writer.

When that happens, we simply allow ourselves to be, perhaps reflect on what is happening within our lives. It may be a way for our subconscious mind letting us know we need to pull back, take a breath, address whatever issues we may be having with ourselves or with others.

I've done this I think right here in this blog.

Thank You Dr. Oz!

2010-07-14T14:55:00.002-04:00

As well as all the doctors on the show The Doctors!

Today while I pushed my grocery cart into the line to check out the man in front of me, a nice guy really was haggling over some sale price on paper towels. The young female cashier was very polite yet pointed out to him that he was wrong re the sales price. I didn't pay all that much attention to what happened as I was busy sorting my own stuff and getting it on to the conveyor belt. But the one thing I do pay attention to is what people buy in terms of groceries. I'm always tempted to tell them the six large bottles of soda isn't going to do good things for them nor is the processed packaged foods that purport to be healthy but in fact may add to an over all problem we now have here in this country, which is growing obesity in the young as well as older American.   I usually keep my mouth shut.

When it was my turn to check out the young cashier picked up my container of hommus and tells another cashier this is what it looks like! Immediately I knew this young person had some knowledge about healthy eating. As I put out my stuff which basically consisted of veggies and fruit as well as fixings for my soup such as beans and fat free chicken broth, she picked up my bag of avocados, which I have to admit were kind of pricey at this store (2 for $3) and I had six of them. She looked at me and said, "I hate peeling these but I love them!"   Wow, I thought. Someone her age had to have been raised by some very conscientious parents who taught her about nutritious foods and fed her foods that could add to her overall health. I mean I haven't come across too many young people who "love" avocadoes unless they were in a fat filled dip like guacomole.

I say this because last year my cholesterol numbers were high...the highest they've ever been. For me that is scary especially since my triglycerides were at an all time high. High triglycerides is never a good sign. My late husband struggled to get his numbers lowered even though his total cholesterol fell within the normal range. A high triglyceride number is not good simply because it tells us we are good candidates for a heart attack. At my age that raises more than a bit of concern. It tells me at my age I need to be even more mindful of what I'm eating.

From that point on I decided to do it Dr. Oz's way! Everytime 'd go grocery shopping I would do it more mindfully keeping in mind all the good things he told us about and what we should or shouldn't be eating.

I was never a true avocado eater but have come to enjoy them. Yes, they are very high in fats and so I keep in mind the caloric content. The fat content is healthy, and what Dr. Oz refers to as MUFA. Monounsaturated Fatty Acids.

One every other day with a bit of squeezed lemon for me has now become a treat in and of itself. Throughout the year I concentrated on eating more of the good fish like salmon, sardines, and yes on Dr. Oz's recommendation, Baramundie fish. I made soups consisting of vegetables like kale, escarole, chard, collard greens, along with beans, such as those white beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and of course what Dr. Oz calls a superfood -- lentils.

I walked my dog and no one can tell me it's a coincidence that since she came into my life last August, that my cholesterol as well as blood pressure (yes, that was up as well) are all well within a normal range.   She doesn't even need to have her nails clipped because of the walking we do every day!

I also started to have a glass of wine several times a week. Not every day but more often than I did before. Specifically I drank red wine, preferably a Cabernet Sauvignon, which I've read is great for helping to lower cholesterol and is heart healthy because of its reservatrol content.

I've gone through at least three boxes of Quaker Oatmeal (not instant because I was eating instant last year and that only raised my blood sugar levels which now are below 100.)

I've been eating more nuts, specifically almonds every single morning. I grind these along with sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. I spread a couple of tablespoons over the oatmeal. I also throw in ground flax seed, as well as hemp seeds, and recently have been adding Chia seeds to the mix. A little cinnamon for blood sugar control along with a cup of rinsed blueberries (either fresh or frozen) and almond milk does the trick for me. I never get too hungry throughout the day.

I've also been making frozen yogurt pops using Activia yogurt. I purchased these pop makers through Amazon and these are working out better than expected.

What Dr. Oz tells us works!   It truly worked for me. When the bloodwork results came in the mail from my doctor's office I couldn't open it at first. When I did I was quite pleased to see that I had lowered my cholesterol from 289 to 200, and I am still working on getting it lower.

Yes, I could have gone on statin drugs except I don't do well on meds because of side effects. Some people can take meds for cholesterol and blood pressure and not be bothered by the side effects I have never been able to tolerate meds that produce any side effects. I knew I had to believe as Dr. Oz does that getting healthy is a matter of becoming mindful about what we ingest into our bodies.

We are essentially feeding machines. I'm not sure when it started, probably with the advent of industrialized food processing that we may have been led to believe we can ingest all the processed foods that is produced into our systems. Unfortunately, our bodies don't know this and do much better on whole foods that has not been processed in any way. If you think about it, organic foods, foods that come from the earth is pretty much all we need to thrive. A package of Twinkies, or a package of processed hot dogs is not going to do that. Whole foods produce certain chemical reactions deep within our cells that processed food can't come close to providing. It's like running a car on alcohol and not gas and hoping the right interactions are taking place, when in fact none takes place and the car eventually no longer works.

When you think about it, we probably could do without at least 90% of what is sold in terms of food in our grocery stores. As Dr. Oz tells us by doing our shopping around the perimeters we in fact need very little if anything from the inside aisles.

I recently read 180 billion dollars is spent on the treatment of diabetes, a condition that is caused by diet and lifestyle. I'm not only hoping but I'm praying that more young people like the young lady I met today in the grocery store will make it a point to learn about what their bodies really need, what they should be eating, and what they can do for themselves in terms of mindful shopping as well as mindful eating.

Only then will we see these astronomical figures of healthcare costs go lower and to a saner level. I'm also thinking what our country could have done with that 180 million dollars. First on my list is educating ourselves on getting healthy and staying healthy by eating the correct foods and living an active life.

Thanks Dr. Oz!

Keep spreading the word about how to eat and stay healthy!

July 6, 2010

2010-07-06T14:18:00.000-04:00

Today is a very hot day. We are in fact experiencing a heat wave here in the Northeast with temps going into three digit numbers. I'll always remember a similar week back in the same month, July 2002, and same day -- the 6th -- where temps hovered in the 90's, with the humidity also quite high. I remember my own doctor on TV advising people to cut down on outdoor activities, especially if they had any kind of heart problem.

I would give the same advice today and throughout the week, particularly for us "older" folks whether or not we have heart problems. I'm finding that as I get older I don't seem to adjust as well or as quickly to these temperatures.

I just stepped out a moment ago to check my mail and felt my lungs struggle to get oxygen through my system. I don't have any serious physical problems, nonetheless I know I will be curtailing outside activity until this heat is over.

I enjoy taking my PeekAPoo puppy for her morning and late afternoon walk. Today and probably for most of the week I won't be able to do that. Instead although I do have air conditioning, I'll take her to a Petco or Petsmart where we can at least walk around the stores in relative comfort.

Eight years ago today I crossed the path into widowhood. At times it's still hard for me to believe it has been eight years but looking back and seeing the journey I've been on, I can say this journey definitely changed me in ways I may not even realize even when I cross that same path as my late husband that took him beyond this world.

Widowhood may put one into a place that separates them from an ordinary world where one might feel disconnected from it in terms of being able to relate to it in that same ordinary sense.

My mind plays tricks on me. In my dreams I find myself back in that ordinary world where death was only a word, and its effects a distant problem.

But since July 6, 2002 death pretty much has stayed close by. It does it through memories of a past that was severed from me in a way that has me wondering if that past life even happened.

I guess because life continues to change, and that is inevitable.

We who become widowed make this journey sometimes feeling connected, and sometimes feeling quite alone.

I've often since that day have found myself shaking my head and wondering about the identities I've assumed as I grow older and cross newer paths.

It's not easy.

But this type of journey does strengthen us in a way where we can face that next inevitable occurrence in our lives.

The journey helps us appreciate whatever moments we have here mainly in the small things, not so much the big things.

I continue to write my stories, self publish them, and live a much more narrower life in terms of my connections to the world.

As a result I sometimes find myself connected more to the past than to a future that at the present is not quite so clear.

And so I live and appreciate small moments and any of the good things that come my way.

STORMBOUND - EXCERPT

2010-07-02T11:29:00.001-04:00

Excerpt of Marie Visone Roy's
Stormbound

"Are we getting a Christmas tree this year?" Zachary squinted up at her, his three foot five inch frame fidgeting beneath her struggling fingers. His large brown eyes remained fixed on her face as he waited for her answer.

When she realized he actually expected a response from her, she stopped pulling at the stuck zipper. “Zach, where’s your mind at? Have you forgotten we’re only into July?" She resumed the yanking trying not to let his words distract her from the task at hand, which was to free the damn zipper, and promised herself that his next raincoat would contain only snaps and no zipper.

"I know that!” He rolled his eyes. “But last night I dreamt that you and dad were fighting over which tree to cut down. At least I think it was Dad. Maybe it was an angel. I saw a movie the other night at Tommy’s house. They had a bunch of angels playing baseball. Do you think Dad will come down here and play baseball with me? I bet if we get a tree, he’ll even help us decorate it. I want to have Christmas here this year, instead of going to Gram's house. Dad said we should stay here for Christmas."

“He did, did he? And when did he tell you this?”

“Last night. In my dream. Aren’t you listening? We have to stay here for Christmas. Dad wants us to stay here,” he emphasized. “He said you can make those gingerbread cookies you always used to make for us.” His eyes took on a look that could make her feel sad along with some guilt.

“Look, Zach, Gram will be disappointed if we don't go visit her at Christmas. She looks forward to us coming down. Besides, we don’t have to do what our dreams tell us. They’re only dreams, they’re not real.” Their life had become more surreal than not with the passing of her husband five years before. Since then, each day had become a reminder of that void. Zach was determined to keep his dad alive through these dreams he kept having every night.

"Why can't Gram fly up here instead? At least we get snow up here. It’s never going to snow in Florida. It never feels like Christmas down there. It’s not the same."

"I thought you enjoy helping Gram put up her tree," Lacy reminded him, hoping he would agree and they could end the discussion. At the same time it made her wonder why they were even having this conversation what with summer having just begun.

Zachary glanced toward the end of the driveway. "Yeah, well…” He turned back to her. “Why does it always have to be at her house? It's just not the same having it there!" He glanced down at his toe and dug the tip of his sneaker into the soft rain soaked earth until the top turned a muddy brown. He stared at it. Then he looked back at her. "Besides, Christmas trees aren't supposed to be all white. And Gram puts on those dumb pink bulbs. I never get to throw the silver stuff Dad used to like."

Lacey sighed brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. Five years should have helped ease the pain so that there wouldn’t be any more of these arguments. The distance between her and Zach widened when they found themselves at odds with each other and returned to where emotions refused to become buried in the past along with Charlie.

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EXCERPT:

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/excerpt.php?prodId=187

My Walks with Sugar

2010-06-25T15:37:00.000-04:00

I'll be taking Sugar for her second walk in a little while. I look forward to taking her. We walk around the neighborhood where it's quiet, and most are still at work. My work of course is done inside my home.

I've lived in this neighborhood for close to 40 years. It's hard to believe. I almost moved away last fall but decided against it for the time. And since then I've realized how lucky I am to be where I am, in a location one can actually relax, and feel more in touch with nature. Yes, I have neighbors on all sides, but am situated in a way that I do have my privacy, yet we can all look out for each other, which we do.

I moved here in 1971, actually at the end of August. Married, with a two year old and six months pregnant with my second child, this was going to be our "starter" home. Except as the years passed, we found it easier to stay on, add on, and remain where we were. My house is considered tract housing, a small ranch house. We paid I think $20,000 for it. We added a two car garage, a family room, another full sized bath, a deck. The basement is finished. The yard is kept up by my neighbor, who does a fantastic job. He lives in the back so is always around to do whatever needs to be done. His son plays with the younger boys across the street. They often cut through my yard to visit each other's house. I don't mind. We have formed a community and we look out for each other.

Still, whenever I go out into my backyard, I envision how it once was. My neighbors to my right, the original owners of that house have passed on. I can still imagine Roger out in his garden, or building a windmill, or stocking up on wood, filling a special shed just for that purpose. I imagine him with my late husband, figuring out how to start and complete the latest project. Each holding a beer, kabitzing about the best way to do things.

Helen, Roger's wife loved bingo. She also loved her hot dogs, and knitting or crocheting.

Roger loved his special projects, like that windmill. I'm not sure if he ever really generated any electricity out of it.

Every summer Helen would holda tag sale. One time I participated in a neighborhood tag sale with Helen and her sister Jeannie. Both have passed on, joining Roger, and my husband.

I now walk around the neighborhood with Sugar. All the kids have grown, and have kids of their own. It's all different.

The years passed so quickly. And each generation will wonder how does time go by so fast like that, leaving behind only memories.

The above ground pool we once enjoyed is long gone. I did not plant a garden this year, although the ground is ready for it having been rototilled last week. I simply did not get around to it. Age has something to do with it of course. I conserve my energy now for those actitivies that I want to enjoy. Dancing being one of them which I'll do tonight.

My walks with Sugar gives me the opportunity to reminisce, reflect, and re-evaluate. As July 4th weekend approaches, I am reminded that it will be eight years that will have passed since losing my husband on that fateful day (July 6, 2002.) In the beginning of my grieving I was told eventually we get "over" such terrible tragedies. In a way I will agree. Yet, I have to warn we totally never get over those type of events in our lives that pretty much turn us upside down.

I'm sure that every day since that day I have at some point during any given day thought of what happened. The images don't disappear but become embedded into our psyche. Thirty-three years with someone does not disappear. Forgetting become an impossibility.

We go on. We make a new life. We create new memories. We can laugh again. We can experience joy again. Yet, in the quiet moments, such as taking a small dog for her walks we can be transported back in time, and even start to again enjoy those moments created by that past life. Moments such as those have made us who we now are in the present.

Through death, through divorce, through an event that separates us from that person we had spent a lifetime with, it is the memories that stay.

As a result, I think we appreciate more of what is in the here and now. We remember to show gratitude for when things go well, because we know how it can all go wrong and turn on a dime.

We value relationships better, and we become more patient with those who are now in our lives.

And why I look forward to my daily walks with my dog Sugar, and am more grateful and more appreciative of all that life brings to me.

This week will be a week of reflection for me of course as it has been since after 2002.

TWO REVIEWS FOR NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES

2010-06-15T12:31:00.003-04:00

While surfing the net today, which I occasionally do to see if any new reviews are there for any of my books. I came across two of them today. Of course, seeing that I received five stars from one, and four stars from the other...I'm doing a snoopy dance.

I'm posting them here so that I can come back to this page and look at them, especially on those days when I may feel a bit discouraged, or down, or simply wondering if I should be doing something else. Of course I know the answer. At this stage in my life, I need to do those things I fully feel a passion for and that is creating complex plots, complicated characters, and stories where readers will find a satisfying ending.

This reviewer gave No More Secrets, No More Lies five stars!

Years ago, Sydney Morgan gave up on the only man she ever loved. After spending an entire weekend together, Sydney wasn't prepared to find out that the man she thought she knew, was in fact engaged to be married. Not waiting on an explanation, Sydney left him, her job, and disappeared. Her choices eleven years earlier weren't made just for her sanity, she had someone else to think about. While Sydney thought she was doing the right thing at the time, she is now haunted because the man she has continued to love is now one of her clients and he wants back into her life. What will he do when he finds out the lies she had to tell in order to keep her most prized possession safe?

Grant Sinclair is pleasantly surprised to find that his new financial advisor is none other than Sydney Morgan. When she left him eleven years ago, Grant was almost destroyed and thought to lick his wounds by marrying another, which didn't work. Grant is divorced now and when he sees Sydney again, he wants to take up where they left off, only Sydney isn't cooperating. Grant finally learns the reason for her subterfuge when he realizes that she is a single mother of a son. A son that seems to have been born nine months after their weekend together. A son that thinks his father is dead.

Will Sydney's lies be too much for Grant to bear? While she thought she was doing the right thing at the time, Sydney is tired of the lies and decides to tell all.

No More Secrets, No More Lies by Marie A. Roy is intensely emotional and often times just downright sad. Choices made by Sydney made me wince at times but I could relate to those same choices and was able to lend my support. Grant Sinclair made me a bit irritated in the fact that, while he never called Sydney in eleven years, he immediately wanted to pick up where they left off without first asking for any explanations as to why she disappeared. Have no fear, however, Sydney put him right in his place and that made me smile.

No More Secrets, No More Lies was a good read. I applaud Marie A. Joy for writing such a poignant novel. Fully able to relate to making choices alone, I found myself immersed in the story and sighed with satisfaction when finished. I think I have found another author to read and for that, I am happy!

Talia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This reviewer gave No More Secrets, No More Lies four stars!

Secrets have a way of revealing what you wished to stay hidden . . .

Sydney Morgan has just been given an account that could either make or break her career. She is determined to win GS Enterprises but she is totally unprepared when she discovers that GS's CEO is Grant Sinclair. Her past has come back to haunt her. Grant is the same man that she put out of her life ten years prior .... the same man who broke her heart ... the same man who is the father to her physically challenged son, Brian .... the same man who still sets her heart to racing. Will she have the courage to face Grant and reveal the secret she has kept locked away from him for so many years?
Grant Sinclair hasn't seen Sydney Morgan for ten years but she still has that same beauty that had captured his attention the first time his eyes met hers so many years ago. However he is saddened to see that those same eyes are now shadowed with guilt and doubt. What has happened to her? Will he be able to convince her to reveal the secrets that she has kept so well guarded? Will he be able to accept the truth if he does?
In NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES Marie A. Roy does an exceptional job in her development of her characters. It has been a very long time since I found myself growing so close to the book's characters. Her smooth poignant plot will stand up with the best in the romance industry. Books such as this one are hard to put down once read.

By Suzie Housley -MyShelf.com Book Reviewer

A New Toy for my PeekaPoo

2010-06-15T11:09:00.001-04:00

A Thing for Dr. Oz

2010-06-09T14:47:00.000-04:00

I finally had to admit to myself today while standing in line at a local Price Chopper that I may have "a thing going" for Dr. Oz. Then again so does probably a million or more other women (and some men) who watch his show every day.

Today when I noticed a woman standing behind me and staring at what I had put on the conveyor belt, particularly one of the items I realized she probably was not familiar with Baramundie which is a fish and in fact is what the package contained.

Baramundie is a white fish. Baramundie is what Dr. Oz recommends that we eat simply because it's one of the best fish to eat besides Salmon. One can eat just so much salmon. Baramundie is usually found in the frozen fish section in the fish department. You can Google it to find out more about it and the fact that it is an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Getting back to Dr. Oz, I informed the woman what the package contained. I then shared with her why I buy it now because of Dr. Oz's recommendation. I also shared with her that Dr. Oz and I as well as my sister will share the same birthday this week. Her eyes lit up at the mention of Dr. Oz's name.

It was then I realized also that his show has greatly influenced what I now buy in any grocery store. Today I bought not only the Baramundie fish, but also raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, Shitake and Maitake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, veggie burgers as well as Smart Dogs, which look like hot dogs but are made from tofu. Also, spring greens, Benecol spread, Greek yogurt, a package of frozen vegetables as well as a package of frozne Edame beans. I did regress when I picked up a small container of Haagen Daz vanilla ice cream.

A special friend will be over later and we will enjoy a dinner comprised of the Baramundie fish, sweet potatoes, salad, and the ice cream for dessert. We will also enjoy a nice glass or two of a white wine...probably a Chardonnay.

I think TVshows like Dr. Oz and The Doctors (which I also faithfully watch each day_ teach us that we should be buying our groceries in a mindful fashion which can result in far better choices as far as nutrition.

Healthcare I guess will always be a "biggie" with me in terms of what it is doing to not only ourselves but our nation.

I read somewhere that during the "big" wars (WWI and WWII) when Americans needed to ration what they used and were eating less meat, as well as less sugary foods, and incorporating more of the bean dishes, and the soups that contain vegetables the incidence of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure became lower. That is no coincidence.

Yet, today I spot customers in these stores filling carriages with sugar laden sodas, salty snacks, fatty meats, and highly processed foods that only aggravate any condition they may already have, or be the trigger in developing any of those conditions.

We are in essence merely "feeding tubes." Why are we careful what we put into our gas tanks. Why can't we be more careful of what we put into our own bodies? Each cell needs certain nutrients to thrive. It makes me wonder about a certain soda which actually disperses grease off a cement floor what that will do to us when we ingest it into our stomachs? Yet, many Americans feel they can not live without this drink.

I would love to see classes and courses given that explain the digestive process, and what the body truly needs to stay healthy. Also, what foods will actually harm us in the long run, producing illnesses that are not only pushing healthcare costs to an all time high, but taking away from resources that can make our country a far healthier and productive country.

Anyway, getting back to Dr. Oz, I'm hoping more and more will watch his show, try to understand what he is trying to tell us in terms of what WE should be doing to maintain a healthy life style.

Meantime, later today I'm going to enjoy my Baramundie fish and all the trimmings!

My PeekAPoo Puppy

2010-05-06T12:49:00.002-04:00

Too Fat to Fight

2010-04-20T11:06:00.006-04:00

This post won't be about writing or my books. Today I came across this article. Here's a paragraph from that article.

A new report being released Tuesday says more than 9 million young adults, or 27 percent of all Americans ages 17 to 24, are too overweight to join the military. Now, the officers are advocating for passage of a wide-ranging nutrition bill that aims to make the nation's school lunches healthier.

Click HERE to read the rest of the article.

Perhaps the school curriculum should now include a course on nutrition and what kids should be eating. If we all took a more conscientious approach to what we put into our mouths at any given point in our day and night, and realize like any machinery, there are certain things we need to be healthy, then we will again produce young men and women who are healthy enough to join our armed forces.

This to say the least is embarrassing for this country. Our kids are now too fat to join an organization that is devoted to protecting us. Lord help us all!

Yet, when I see statistics telling me we are spending in healthcare every year 98 billion dollars in just the treatment of diabetes it makes me wonder. Is there a conspiracy between the healthcare system and the fast food chains to produce this state of affairs. Again to say the least this is embarrassing for all of us in this country.

We are indeed becoming a "sick nation." And it seems no one knows how to put the BRAKES on this rampage of disease that is basically caused by lifestyle and diet.

Yet, it all comes down to economics. Stop buying the soda--which adds absolutely nothing to the health of our bodies--and you put people out of jobs. Stop buying all that processed foods that can never provide all the nutrients whole unprocessed foods do into our bodies--and again you put people out of work.

It's a Catch-22 situation where we make the choice to be able to make the money to put food on to our table or we make money to pay the co-pays that go with those numerous visits to a doctor's office for diseases that are caused by our diets.

Education is the key to helping our children become healthy and fit so that if they want to join the armed forces they won't be rejected based on their overweight status.

Eating whole rather than processed foods will help. Portion control will definitely help. It is one reason why when I go out to eat I usually cut the portion in half or even more than half, and end up with two even three meals that week.

The information is out there on what is going to help us attain a good weight. Again, it is simple. Become aware of what you are doing to your body...which over time many lose perspective and actually become out of touch where they are in their diets.

The body is a machine. It does need certain foods to survive. It does not need the processed foods, or any quasi-food that adds absolutely nothing in terms of nutrients.

The body will utilize all the vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes you can feed it. When it comes to pastries, and soda, candy...basically all that sugar, all the body can do is turn it into fat storage which pushes the numbers up the scale.

Exercise is also a must. Our bodies were meant to move...and incorporating that every day is the key along with eating the correct foods the body can utilize will produce a well-oiled machine that our nation can be proud of once again.

A common sense approach to a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet is needed more now than ever before because our healthcare is actually more of a security threat in terms of costs than anything we can incur from outside sources.

Who needs terrorists to destroy what we have? Just scoffed down those donuts, gulped down all that sugar laden soda, scarfed down the double burgers, and the extra serving of fries...and don't forget those milkshakes that hold more calories then anyone is allowed in a week. We don't need any terrorist to bring down this great nation. What we eat and the poor choices we make will do that for us.

Enough said. I'm out of here to take my PeekaPoo for her long walk!

NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES

2010-01-14T09:16:00.002-05:00

NEW RELEASE DATE!

APRIL 16, 2010 at THE WILD ROSE PRESS

This is a story that is being reissued with a new publisher. When it originally came out at Novel Books Romance (no longer in business) NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES received a Four Star Review from ROMANTIC TIMES BOOK CLUB MAGAZINE.

Here are some other review sites that have reviewed this book:

THE ROMANCE STUDIO

FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS

Class in Progress

2009-11-13T12:33:00.011-05:00

Sugar Completed Puppy Obedience Class

2009-11-13T12:13:00.002-05:00

Yep, she and I made it to all eight sessions. It was touch and go again, simply because Sugar has certain traits that could have worked against her graduating from this class, such as stubborness, lots of energy, a curiosity unmatched by many, and wanting to be the center of attention.

No dog was too small or too big for Sugar, she wanted to know them all. I compared her to the class clown, always vying for attention, and not paying attention to boot. But during those last two class sessions when Sugar actually began to sit, lay down, and stay in place, and when she did not touch the treat laid out in the aisles to the command "Leave it!" I knew. Sugar was going to make it through. And she did. She performed with the best of them, and proved that with persistence, perseverance, and lots of patience goals can be accomplished.

2009-09-03T11:23:00.003-04:00

It has been touch and go so far with me and Sugar. I'm getting acquainted with her ways and in turn she's learning what to expect from me. It's a two way thing going on here. There are no winners or losers, just simply getting to know our limitations, our flaws, weaknesses as well as strengths and how far one can push the other.

Sugar is still in the puppy stages of development so I do give her some latitude. At the same time she needs to know her boundaries, and the fact that none of my shoes, sneakers, or sandals are any part of her own growing pile of chew toys.

Today we go to Petco to get more food and probably another chew toy or one that will be good for a game of pull and tug.

There are moments when I'm ready to load her into her carrier, plop it into the front seat of my car and head back to that puppy store telling them I must've not been in the right state of mind, and return her.

Those moments are more fleeting now. They only come when I find her discovering another electrical cord behind a sofa or chair, or dashing through the house with one of my sandals, or missing the poopie pad.

Yet she's someone to get up for in the mornings. Someone else to think about during the day and provide for her needs. I think of the long winter months ahead and surmise that Sugar's company is going to be a welcome plus in my life.

Where do writers get their ideas!

2009-08-23T13:48:00.005-04:00

Everywhere! Anywhere! It can be a thought, a verse, a poem, an incident, or during a walk, a car ride, on an airplane in mid flight, on a boat, a cruise ship, or while doing dishes, or washing the bathroom floor, taking the dog out to do its thing, planting a garden, mowing the lawn, cleaning the garage, cleaning the basement, watching a program on TV or a movie on the silver screen.

Or it can happen while shopping in a grocery store.

That happened to me today when I stopped to pick up a few things like yogurt, coleslaw, rolls, and some milk. I spotted a man dressed in a black tank top and tan shorts. His jet black hair was worn short, but you could tell if he let it grow longer it would become thick and even unruly. He was tanned, the kind of tan that is earned not by sunbathing but by working outside. And he was very well built. So I'm guessing construction.

He glanced over at me. And I thought what a perfect specimen, and saw a character developing. I briefly returned the glance, and self-conscioudly slipped into another aisle, all the while peeking around the corner. He glanced again my way, and I pretended to be studying the contents on a can of cat food.

Finally, I knew I had to make my way to the cashier where he was now paying for his purchases. It's a small store and I had two choices. Get in the same line behind him, or go in the one at the right where a customer had a loaded cart.

I took a deep breath and placed my few items on the conveyor belt as he paid for his stuff, and then he left.

A brief moment in time. A lost opportunity.

Still, it triggered something inside my mind, and as I drove home I mentally heard a conversation going on between two women.
-----------------------------------------------------------

"I just met the sexiest man," Janette told her roommate Nicole as she lined up the cartons of yogurt on the refrigerator shelf. "I didn't actually meet him, I spotted him."

"Tell me where that was so I can see if there's more like him." Nicole laughed. "It's the middle of a Sunday afternoon. Where could you meet someone like that anyway?"

"Becker's Foods." Janette smiled, closing the door. "And I'm wondering if maybe he does his shopping there every Sunday afternoon."

"Wow, you're serious."

"Yes, and I'm going back next week to find out if my hunch is true."

So will Janette go back? Will she meet up with this dark handsome stranger? And will this dark handsome stranger present an opportunity for Janette to live out a few fantasies?

My mind is already working on those scenarios and I can't wait to find out what happens.

Helping the Economy!

2009-08-21T15:26:00.003-04:00

I do my best to help this stagnant economy. At least I think I do. On a fixed income consisting of a pension and a SS check I am still out there making purchases.

And I do it in the local stores in my area. I go to Mandee's. I go to Job Lot. I'm often seen at WalMart. I go to either Price Chopper, Stop and Shop, or the IGA's.

I figure every little bit helps. We get the things we need, and these businesses stay in business and pay their employees.

This is pretty much what it takes to keep any economy going, stabilizing it to the point that jobs can be created. When that happens, then we've got more people going into the workforce that coming out and who in turn are able to do what I'm doing, which is helping a stagnant economy.

Except at times people like me on that fixed income might use a helping hand in terms of a break in the pricing of these goods and services.

I went to a local HealthTrax facility to see if I could join at a reasonable price that would not seriously jeopardize my budgeted monthly expenses and put it at risk.

This is a facility that once housed tennis courts and held local tennis matches. It is a facility that my late husband frequented quite often, playing in these matches, as well as playing in tournaments that built him a solid reputation as a tennis pro.

I think the match that he would always remember is the one he played during a yearly tournament called the Ralph Strong Tournament where he and his partner John played against Ralph Strong (84) and his partner (50's.)

Bob and John were still in their 30's. Both avid and capable players they ended up losing the match and afterward expressing the fact that Ralph was a very consistent player and very seldom missed the ball as it came over the net.

Although I myself never became a competitive player, I can still hit a forehand, backhand, and overhand and get the ball in the right spot.

Needless to say the faciilty held good memories until this past Tuesday when I decided to go and see what specials they had going. And they did have a special going, as well as an open house. My granddaughter accompanied me and was excited at the prospect of her grammie becoming a member. For an additional fee I would have been able to bring her during school vacations.

In an earlier post I think I related the fact I once belonged to Gold's and when my healthcare costs went up, I had to cut out that monthly expense of $37. In fact every year as my healthcare cost creep higher, I try to cut down on something else.

But with the way the economy is at this point, in the back of my mind I thought just maybe I could get a really good deal and pay less than the $37. But alas, instead the cost even paying ahead turned out to be $41 a month, so an increase. Fixed incomes don't really allow for these increases.

Still I thought maybe I could come home and mull it over, go over my budget figures, see what I might be able to make this work. I told the "salesperson" this. That day they were willing to waive a $30 fee if I signed up right then and there. She then tells me to wait a second while she checks with her boss to see if this was the best deal they can give me. She comes back and tells me that if I wait until Friday to give them an answer, then they would have to charge me the $30 fee. I'm thinking "hard ball tactics" which grates against my soul in a way that puts me immediately on the defense.

Do they not see that all this looks like is that I'm penalized for wanting to think this over rather than sign a contract for close to $600. Then they're telling me that some insurances will cover the whole costs. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't although they are in some program called GlobalFit where a discount can be given anywhere from 10% to 60%. This I've been given, a whopping 10%. Still the monthly fee is $41.

Three days later the phone periodically rings and it is the health facility calling. I don't plan to answer and am looking into another facility where the rates are low, though they don't offer as much as this first one.

Still, for me it's a place to go where I can get fit and socialize. It doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles. And hopefully this one will fit into my tightening budget, because I'm sure with the way things are going in this nation, what with obesity dangerously on the rise, my healthcare costs will continue to soar and I will be paying that ER visit for someone who has not healthcare insurance, but loves and mindlessly indulges in all that fast food at McDonalds, Burger King, and Pizza Hut.

One week with Sugar

2009-08-20T09:23:00.004-04:00

Yep, it's one week today and yes it has been a bit of an adjustment period for both of us. The beginning of the week I found myself asking, "What the heck was I thinking?" A puppy is work. Every morning instead of coming straight to the computer, I now go straight to the family room and clean out her pen. She sits there and looks up at me, then shakes, jumps, and when I open the door wants to be picked up right away. Reminds me of the days when I took care of babies. Not much difference.

This morning a week later I went through the same routine, as well as washed her with a Quick Bath pad, ensuring I covered everything, and then I brushed her as well. I let her loose and she followed me from room to room. So of course I had to shuffle through the house as I continued to clean out my office, taking more time and getting less done.

Then I looked at her at one point and something came over me. I need to appreciate these "puppy" moments because like with my babies, they are fleeting and you find yourself wondering where all the time went. Of course tears came to my eyes as I picked her up and gave her a kiss and lots of hugs, and a few treats.

Stay in the moment, enjoy the present, and the rest will take care of itself. That's pretty much what I'm learning to do with Sugar. One day she's not going to be able to run like she did this morning, and may simply stay in her spot watching the world go by.

Meantime, she can run like the wind, and enjoy her puppyhood with me.

Cleaning out my office today!

2009-08-18T15:36:00.003-04:00

I finally took the plunge and am now starting to move things out, most of which are boxes of books that will eventually be shelved once I get the shelving installed in my office. But first I need to clear it out and to do that takes a bit of strategy on my part. I try to carry the boxes out and managed to do three until I felt a pain in my left lower back. Immediately I put the box down, and kept moving before everything froze up on me. I then took a long hot shower, applied some of the Tropicin cream and kept moving. I then carried small piles of books from a box in the office to the garage. It's the old "taking baby steps" trick that eventually gets the job done.

I found my mind can no longer work in a too clutter environment. There is organized clutter where I know where everything is. And there's the clutter that gets out of hand and is telling me, or practically shouting at me to do something.

And I pick this hot day in August to do it. The house is cool but the garage is up there with temps in the 90's. I give myself several days to get this stage completed. Then I'll wash the walls. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and look for the paint. I'm not sure what color...should it be striking like maybe a terracotta hue. Or more subdued and more in touch with what's on my living walls which is a stone gray color. I'm not sure. They have the small cans of paint you can bring home and try them out.

This room hasn't been touched in over 35 years so long over due. I still remember papering it with a striped blue, gray, and white paper. And I still remember the special blue rug, and blue checked bedspread. This was my older son's room. The last thing done to it actually was sandpapering the wood floor and putting a nice varnish on it. I remember that week my husband spent the time using a hand sander to do the job. Later that week he came with me to an RWA writers' conference in Natick, Ma. This was all during his school vacation, April 2002.

I had wanted someone to come in and do the sanding but you know how men can be when it comes to doing these types of projects. Why pay someone else when they can do it themselves.

It proved to be quite a project, with all that dust produced by the sander. The floor still looks pretty good and has held up over these last seven years.

Now I just have to get to moving out these boxes and make this the office that will help to inspire me to keep creating my stories.

It is late afternoon and still at this time somewhere inside me listens for his voice telling me he's home from school. Although during the summer months he would be coming up after giving a tennis lesson at the local golf club. And then we'd go out a grab a bite to eat. I'm sure this summer he would have all four grandkids on that tennis court teaching them everything he knew about the game.

Yes, life is pretty much taking baby steps and moving forward.

Newest Addition to the Family!

2009-08-14T14:36:00.006-04:00

A PERFECT SUMMER DAY WITH THE GRANDKIDS!

2009-08-08T12:26:00.009-04:00

What Gets on the News Today!

2009-07-31T08:09:00.003-04:00

All writers come to know how difficult it can be to promote our stories. This is part of the overall plan when working as a writer whether in fiction or nonfiction. And for those of us who don't get the nice advances, it becomes that much more difficult especially in these hard economic times.

Now wouldn't it be great if we could get called to appear on talk shows or news broadcasts such as the Today Show? What a wonderful thing that would be if I called say the Today Show and asked them to do an interview of me, a virtually unknown writer. Here I could promote at least my contemporary romances and hopefully the erotic romances. Just how many people would this help? Besides the publishers I'm with, the spotlight would also focus on those behind the scenes such as my editors, the copy artists, those who maintain the websites, do the payrolls, etc.

Yet, I am sure if I call any of these talk shows or news broadcasts I will receive a flat sorry, but we can't fit you in, meaning they prefer someone more well known.

I watched the Today Show this morning and they had on as a guest the ten year old boy who stole his father's car and went for a joy ride! He said he didn't want to go to church.

Yes the boy is very cute, and all kids are at his age. Just look at my four grandkids here. And yes, he looked really cute jumping from that car as the police chased him. Yet, what I really saw was a possible "criminal" in the making. Harsh words yes. But the fact that he got to strut his stuff on the Today Show was in and of itself a pretty nice reward for behavior that should not be tolerated in any shape or form.

I do know my late husband would have been shaking his head in disbelief considering the students he had had to deal with over the years. And parents who would defend their kids behavior and call the administrators to do something about these teachers who try to make kids tow the mark.

All of my grandkids did very well in school during the past school year. All are now moving on to the next grade. One is in kindergarten, one is in first grade, the other is moving in to third grade, and the oldest is now a fifth grader.

The fifth grader wrote two stories, both of which have received recognition by her teachers, the school, and her peers. But if I were to call the Today Show and ask that they have my granddaughter on to tell about her accomplishments I would probably be turned down flat. She not only wrote these stories, she also took part in soccer, basketball, dance, and is now in rehearsals for a town production of Grease. She also brought home a report card of all A plusses. You can imagine how teary eyed I got seeing that she worked extra hard in math since last year she was getting B's. My late husband taught high school math and would have been doing the Snoopy dance all over the place (despite the fact he lacked some rhythm) knowing his grandkids work very hard in school. They are not out there taking their parents' cars and going off on any joy ride.

When I put on the news now all I hear is a lot of criticism of this, and complaints on that, and those who cause chaos in our society are recognized worldwide.

How about recognizing some of those who actually put their nose to the grindstone? Who live pretty ordinary lives yet strive to accomplish their goals.

I don't know about anyone else, but watching that little boy jump from the car, and race into the house had me thinking I was actually watching one of the crime shows on TV where the perpetrator is running from the cops and actually think he can get away with it.

This little boy should write a book about his experience as a fugitive. I'm sure he'll get on all the talk shows. Soon we'll have many more little boys and little girls following in his footsteps.

Why strive for A plusses when you can get to New York and on the Today Show because you decided to take a joy ride in your parents' car.

The Today Show can EMAIL me if they want me to bring my granddaughter who will be more than happy to talk about the two great stories she wrote. She may even put in a plug about her grandmother as well.

Summer vacations!

2009-07-28T08:48:00.004-04:00

There's a lot to do on a summer vacation. Spend a day at the beach. Fly to a faraway place. Swim in a backyard pool. Take long walks in the woods, get nearer to nature. But still kids get bored and you have to get creative. Take that energy and put it to good use. That's what I did and in so doing I now have one of the spiffiest mailboxes on my street. Yep what can be regarded as work for some is a whole lot of fun for others.

Take a look!

Michael Jackson's Memorial Service

2009-07-08T13:09:00.005-04:00

Yes, I was one of the millions who watched the entire broadcast yesterday of the memorial. Personally, I thought it was well done. Like one newscaster stated, there was a nice mix of speeches, eulogies, and songs. It was done in good taste.

I watched with mixed emotions; a great deal of sadness for the family. Jackson's songs will always be a part of my life because listening to them brings back many memories of several time periods, back to my early 20's, through the 30's, and beyond.

As one fan stated these songs whether we like it or not are part of the fabric of our being. When we hear them we are brought back to those times in our lives that we might or might not want to remember.

For me they bring back good times with my growing family, and good times with my late husband Bob. Whatever else happened in Michael Jackson's life lies outside of that emotional connection that I have with his music.

And I thank Mr. Jackson for providing me a gift of his songs. This is a gift that he gave the world.

Good and bad things will be said about him.

But nothing can take away the fact that through all of his songs he touched our hearts, uplifted our spirits, and put smiles on our faces.

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

2009-07-01T15:10:00.005-04:00

A faded wedding photograph
You and me in our first dance
Our eyes are closed
We're lost in one sweet embrace
Since those days the world has changed
But our love remains the same
God knows we've had our share of saving grace

And I'm proud of all the blessings
You have given me
The mountains we have climbed to get this far
You've learned to take the laughter with the tears
After all these years

You make it feel brand new
After the fires that we walked through
Against the odds we never lost our faith

In our house we've made our home
Where our children all have grown
Precious moments time cannot erase

Make a living up and down the gypsy highways
Seasons that we've had to share apart
Somehow in my heart I always keep you near me
After all these years

After all these years
You stood by me
The days and nights that I was gone
After all these years
You sacrificed, believed in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear
After all these years

After all these years
You stood by me
The days and nights that I was gone
After all these years
You've sacrificed, believed in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear
After all these years

In Memory of my late husband Bob Roy who passed on July 6, 2002.

NEW HOME FOR MY BOOK !

2009-06-28T13:41:00.002-04:00

No More Secrets, No More Lies will be coming out at my new publisher THE WILD ROSE PRESS.

Until that happens, you can go check out their website to see the great reads this publisher offers.

THE WILD ROSE PRESS

A Flag Cake for the Upcoming Fourth of July Holiday

2009-06-07T12:17:00.005-04:00

Stormbound takes place during a July 4th weekend. After making this delicious dessert below you can sit down, relax and read my story.

BUY LINK for STORMBOUND:

RECIPE FOR FLAG CAKE - Prep time: 20 minutes

1 quart strawberries (4 cups), divided
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 package (8-serving size) or 2 packages (4-serving size each) JELLO-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
Ice cubes
1 cup cold water
1 package (12ounces) pound cake, cut into 10 slices
1-1/3 cups blueberries, divided
1 tub (8 ounces) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

SLICE 1 cup of strawberries. Halve remaining strawberries; set aside

STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is melted. Refrigerate 5 minutes or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites).

Meanwhil, line bottom of 13x9-inch dis with cake slices. Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup of the blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake slices.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Spread whipped topping over gelatin. Arrange strawberry halves on whipped topping for "stripes" of "flag." Arrange remaining 1/3 cup blueberries on whipped topping for "stars." Store in refrigerator.
Makes 18 servings.

It's Little League and Soccer Season

2009-04-24T13:39:00.003-04:00

This time of year holds many memories for me. Both of my sons were involved in Little League. I remember coming home from work and going straight to the baseball field to help out at the concession stand. I remember watching either from the bleachers or the stand my late husband out there coaching his team the Phillies. They were a brand new team and most of these players were inexperienced as far as playing the game.

My husband Bob loved to win. He was a very competitive person. He himself played tennis and was rated at a high level that enabled him to also coach and give lessons in that sport. His tennis team did go on to win a few championships for their school.

But when it came to baseball, yes he certainly loved to see his team win. Except I think that what was even more important to him was that every kid got the chance to play in the game. During the drafting period where coaches got together on the field to choose the players, my husband not only picked the best players for his team, but he picked those who would still need some work, and those who at first did appear to measure up to the rest of the players. For his team Bob picked the first girl to every play in the league. He also picked a young boy who was born with an undeveloped hand. These two were overlooked by other coaches, either that or simply ignored.

Bob felt every kid should have a chance to play in a sport if they wanted to play. The Phillies never went on to win any championship, but they did well and did win enough of their games during the six years that Bob coached that built confidence in the players that I'm sure carried through into their adulthood years later. (Most of these players are now into their late 30's, and maybe early 40's.)

This week one of my sons will be watching his daughter and his son play in soccer practices or games. I'll also go and watch when I can. My other son spends time on a baseball field watching his young son play T-Ball.

Each of them know it doesn't matter if you win or lose, what matters is you get to play in a sport that you want to play. No more. No Less.

Of course it's always a plus when the teams wins. Everyone involved in these sports is a champion and a winner.

I know Bob is looking down from Heaven on his sons and his grandchildren, and he's right there rooting for them every step of the way. Of course I do get sad wishing that he were there beside me instead on this side of life rather than in Heaven standing in that way he usually stands, with arms folded, and wearing his faded favorite jeans and his light blue knit shirt. How tickled he would be to see his grandkids involved in sport. His other granddaughter is a very good tennis player.

The little boy with the undeveloped hand inspired a story for which I am now finding a new publisher. It's a story that when it was available to the reading public before the publishers closed their doors, did receive excellent reviews and I was told this is a story that stays with the reader way after they finish the story.

I think that's what happens when we as writers write from snippets of our own lives because those snippets pretty much tell a story that most are familiar with and most have experienced.

This story titled No More Secrets, No More Lies reminds us to make memories with our kids because in turn they will then go on and make memories with their children, our grandchildren. And in the process these memories keep going through future generations.

Immune Boosting Smoothie

2009-04-24T13:29:00.001-04:00

RECIPE FOR IMMUNE-BOOSTING SMOOTHIE

Children often don't feel like eating following a cold or illness. Their nutrition suffers and their immune system suffers. This accounts for the common occurrence of getting one infection after another. It's best to keep so well nourished that the nutritional reserves can withstand several days of poor eating. Drink this smoothie daily upon school entry in September, upon beginning daycare, upon exposure to a contagious illness, or when you or your child feels a cold coming on.

· 2 cups milk or soy or rice beverage

· 1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

· 1 serving of a multinutrient supplement

· one frozen banana, cut up

· 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

· 1/2 cup each of your favorite fruit, frozen (e.g., organic strawberries, papaya, mango)

· 1 tbsp. flax oil or 2 tbsp. flaxseed meal (Because fiber steadies the absorption of carbohydrates and therefore contributes to a steadier blood sugar we suggest using rich sources of fiber, such as flaxseed meal (i.e., ground flax seeds, containing both the oil and fiber), although flax oil has a more palatable consistency than flaxseed meal. For additional fiber, if you don't mind an even grainier texture, add 1 tbsp. or more of oat bran.)

· 3 ounces tofu

· 10 mg. zinc

· 100 mcg. selenium

· 50-100 IU vitamin E

· 1 serving soy isolate powder (optional)

· 2 tbsp. peanut butter (optional)

Combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve immediately after blending while the mixture still has a bubbly milkshake-like consistency.

HE LIKES IT! HE LIKES IT!!!!

2009-04-21T11:14:00.004-04:00

Some of us have kids or grandkids who are "finicky" eaters. We want them to eat healthy but what if they simply refuse to eat certain foods. My five year old grandson has suffered ear infections, sore throats, etc almost since birth. Last year he had his tonsils removed. He had tubes put into his ears for drainage. He's had his adenoids removed. His tonsils were so swollen at one point he refused to eat any meat. You can't blame him. As a result he developed into a bit of a finicky eater.

He is improving as his parents are always trying to encourage him to eat good things, and are patient with him as well.

Last night he and his mom came over for a little while. I had made Portuguese Kale Soup and asked if he wanted to try some. His mom and I both had nofgreat expectations that he would eat it. So you can imagine our surprise when after finishing the first small bowl, he wanted another, and then another. Our eyes lit up because this soup is chocked full with nutritients.

I think it produces the right blends of vegetables and even fruit (tomatoes) that is quite appealing to every palate. I know I usually have a least two bowls of this stuff at a time.

Today I'm going out and getting more of these ingredients and making an extra big pot of it so that I can bring over a large container to both of my sons' houses. Hey, what are grandmother's for anyways? Even if I'm not Portuguese I love this soup. I do have a Portuguese friend who remembers his mom making this soup all the time. I guess you can say it's a memory maker as well.

I'm sharing the recipe here for those who may want to try it especially if they have little ones who are finicky eaters.

PORTUGUESE KALE SOUP

1 pound kale 2 tablespoons butter
1 pound small red potatoes 8 cups Basic Chicken Broth (I buy the fat
free canned chicken broth)
1 cup chopped onions Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup chopped carrots
3 pounds tomatoes (I buy the large canned either diced or crushed tomatoes)
2 cloves garlic
1 pound chorizo (or linguica) sausage (The linguica is not as spicy.)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I use olive oil)

1 Strip the kale leaves off their stems and cut diagonally into wide slices. Dice the potatoes. Chop the onions and carrots. Peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes. Mince the garlic. Prick the sausage and boil it in water for 5 to 10 minutes to release the fat; drain and cut it into 1/2-inch slices.

2. In a soup pot, heat the oild and butter together. Saute the oinion, carrots, and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the broth and potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce toa simmer, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. With a masher or the back of a cooking spoon, mash most of the potatoes against the side of the pot.

4. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Add both the kale and the sausage slices, cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Salt and pepper to taste.

And that's it!

This soup tastes great the next day and the next, if there's any left over.

And of course it'll taste great with freshly made bread.

Since I'm Italian, for an Italian touch, I add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese when serving.

Free Dental Clinic in my State

2009-04-17T11:04:00.004-04:00

I was just listening to the news this morning. A free dental clinic was held here in my state. And the response was from what I saw overwhelming. They had to turn away over a thousand people. That is sad. Dental health is important to our overall health as poor dental health can cause problems or indicate there is a problem in other areas. For one heart problems. Another is poor nutrition, the inability to eat properly because of ill fitting dentures, or tooth loss.

I pay for my health care insurance. In fact I'm sure that come this July it will probably reach $500 a month for a single person, and since I live on a fixed income that is going to be an added struggle for me. Unless of course I sell more of my stories which will help defray the cost.

And I don't dare let the insurance lapse and try my darndest to get that monthly check into the mail and pay that monthly premium.

I recently had a root canal procedure which cost $1025 of which the insurance paid for $900. But actually what it comes down to is my handing over the monies to the insurance company who in turn hand over the monies to my dentist. The Explanation of Benefits was confusing at best. Dentist Submitted Fee was $1025. Allowable Contracted Fee $900. Amount not covered $125. Amount My Plan Pays $720. And the bottom line is I now owe $180. Maybe I should have this done at the ER because then I only have to pay a co-pay of $25. My last visit to the ER was close to $3,000. You can see how this can be confusing to anyone dealing with health insurance finance issues.

On the other hand, I know someone whose healthcare is through "socialized" healthcare. When she goes to her doctor, which can take weeks to set up an appointment, she feels she does not get as good a care as she would like. They will never schedule tests they feel are unnecessary. They will pooh pooh her aching ailments and write them off as either anxiety attacks, or just plain stress.

I feel when I go have a dental procedure done I do get very good care. This last root canal was made quite comfortable for me, and basically although I dread going to the dentist at every visit, I will continue to go to my dentist because of his professional manner and quality care.

Basically you get what you pay for and I feel since I'm the one paying, that I am getting good quality care. So far two of my doctors I've been with close to thirty years.

I do feel though everyone should have access to quality healthcare in this country. There really is no excuse not to. Considering the number of people who are in need of this, I don't see any reason why it can't be more affordable for them.

Healthy people make a healthy nation.

No More Secrets No More Lies

2009-04-11T09:52:00.007-04:00

is temporarily unavailable due to the publisher closing its doors and now looking for a new home.

This is another story given four and five stars from reviewers. It should not be sitting in my hard drive unavailable to the reading public. I'm doing my best to find it a good home. One nice thing about epublished books they have a very long life span. And hopefully this story will re-emerge soon for those who love a great uplifting romance!

Marie Roy

Whoo! Whoo! Great Review for Stormbound!

2009-04-11T09:47:00.005-04:00

Here's the link where you can read the entire review! They gave it 4 STARS!

Ecataromance.com

IS MY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MAKING ME SICK!

2009-02-24T11:18:00.006-05:00

How can this be POSSIBLE some may ask? Do you not have a good healthcare provider.

Well, yes, I do have a healthcare provider.

I pay for this healthcare insurance straight out of my pocket every month.

I've been doing this ever since my husband died in 2002. Before that time I didn't have to pay as it was through the Board of Education and one the benefits of being an educator was having these premiums paid by them or through the state.

It seems strange though to have to pay now at a time in one's life when one can ill afford these high premiums that some Americans are faced with paying on a monthly basis.

When I first started to shell out these monies the premiums were $256 a month. Even then it was a bit of a struggle, but I am one to believe if I don't have coverage, then shit will hit the fan. For example since then I've found myself in the ER twice. One time because I required an angiogram it cost $5,000. The second time in the ER almost $3,000. Then again I've paid a whole lot more into the system than that over the last seven years so basically it wasn't anything that I got for free.

Since 2002 my premiums have risen to almost $475 a month. Now when you're living on a relatively fixed income that rise affects pretty much how I now live. I did have a gym membership at one time. I went faithfully. And all my numbers--cholesterol, blood pressure--were lower because of it.

Well, because of the rise in everything in this country, namely our taxes, insurances premiums for cars and homes, food, gas, heating oil, and of course those premiums for health care I gave up the gym membership.

Consequently, I know I'm not as healthy as I once was when I was taking part in a regular exercise program.

So I'm wondering now. Does our healthcare system that is currently in place really care about the health of the citizens of this country?

I'm not sure.

In fact I would say it could care less as long as the premiums keep rising and people like me support the system.

Something is wrong here.

Then again considering where we got ourselves because of irrational thinking and decisions that basically don't make sense on the parts of those that should be thinking rationally and making sound business decisions plus those who have been living beyond their means, it makes perfect sense that this country is going to feel the pinch of the economy for a very long time.

Meantime, I'll just continue to make my seven-day soups, buy only what I need, sell off my things on Ebay and Half.com, and live way below my means. Since the death of my husband in 2002 I've been doing just that, so doing it now is no big deal anymore.

But for those who have been taking things like "free health care" for granted, or feel they truly needed that third garage for a car they may seldom drive, or the huge house that has suddenly become the Albatross around their neck, then a rude awakening is still in the offering.

TO ORDER A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE

2009-02-16T20:00:00.003-05:00

Lia Martin’s father Eliah Stewart summons her to Split Maple Ridge, Vermont, a place where years later still evokes memories of a dark love and an even darker betrayal. Knowing how his daughter feels about this place, Lia feels he would not have asked her to return unless for a good reason.

The name Eliah Stewart still grates hard against Sean McIntyre’s soul, reminding him of the painful humiliation he had once experienced on that unforgettable night. Years later he would tell others he felt safer fighting in Vietnam than in those Vermont backwoods.

When unforeseen circumstances throw Lia, Sean and Eliah together under one roof, despite the reopening of painful past emotional wounds, love still exists between Lia and Sean. But the question remains if this love will survive once all truths of what took place on that stormy summer night are exposed.

To Order: Treble Heart Books

TO ORDER NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES

2009-02-16T19:55:00.003-05:00

Sydney Morgan, single mother, financial advisor, wants the best for her physically challenged son. Except when his biological father re-enters her life, she realizes the secrets and consequential lies she has forced her son to live may destroy not only his trust but also his love.

When Grant Sinclair brings Sydney Morgan back into his fold, he soon discovers her long held secret. Will this secret end up destroying the yet fragile emotions that still exist between them, as well as a possible future together as a family?

To Order: Forbidden Publications

ORDER STORMBOUND

2009-02-16T19:51:00.003-05:00

A widow who can't celebrate Christmas at home; a doctor worried about losing another young patient. Together, trapped in a storm with a cast of unusual characters, these two find out what life is truly about and work on discovering the peace that has eluded them.

To Order: Aspen Mountain Press

TAXES

2009-01-30T09:12:00.000-05:00

I just finished my bowl of Cherios, and then consumed several Special Dark Hershey Miniatures. I don't normally eat chocolate first thing in the morning unless it's a cup of "hot chocolate." But I figure I'm off to the Town Hall to pay my property taxes. They're due February 1. Tomorrow which is a Saturday they have special hours as well for those who pay them just before the deadline.

This is one thing I've always made sure to do considering as an American it's "American to invest in America." And paying our taxes is one way to do this. Especially now in this economic climate where towns are hurting as much as everyone else. I don't want to contribute to the downslide that this country has been in since the real estate crash that pretty much became the catalyst for the demise of Wall Street.

No siree. This country's has got enough troubles without the likes of me contributing to those troubles.

Then again, I come from a "stock" of people who prided ourselves of the fact that we carry our own weight and we don't default on obligations.

Doing so can have long lasting repercussions.

So off I go to the Town Hall, wait in line with check in hand. I will smile at the Town Clerk who will take this check and mark me as a "paid" resident of this small New England town. I won't be put on any "delinquent" list. Or have anyone put a lien onto my house. Of course it mean for the next coming year as I've always done to live within my means. Budget my income. Do without some of the "unnecessary things" that had once been labeled a "definite must."

Belt tightening is in order for must of us.

Then again, I will allow in my budget monies to buy books/ebooks. I figure at least buying these will let me escape from this climate of unease and uncertainty. Heck, we all need a break from what is happening around us.

And where else can anyone find that so readily available than their nearest computer where they can download a book, have it right there at hand and ready to delve into.

Just click on the links below and go to any of my publishers' sites and you'll find more than enough to help you weather the latest storm(s) happening here in the good old USA.

And look for me there either as Marie A. Roy or Collette Thomas. (It will help me pay my property the next time I go to the tax office which will be on July 31, 2009--again just before the deadline:)

Aspen Mountain Press

Forbidden Publications

Noble Romance Publishing

Treble Heart Books

January 2009 A Productive Month

2009-01-29T14:24:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd take a moment to assess the start of 2009 in terms of where I am and where I'm going. Mainly I've used this blog to promote my books. Then I thought a blog should be used for more than that. It should be used for letting others know more about moi!

So that's what I'm going to do here. Like who the heck is Marie Roy anyway? What do we know about her besides what she writes. Okay, she got grandkids, and she's a widow, and she writes romance fiction.

And she's a twin!

I have to confess even at my age I'm still trying to figure out who I am and where I'm going. The fact of the matter is throughout my life so far I've worn a few hats; daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother. Also, I've donned the hats of administrative assistant, paralegal, office manager, and of course published writer.

Currently, I've put on the hat of "used book saleslady." And I will soon be doing some database development and managing the books in my basement that is now pretty much filled with boxes of these books.

Life does not get simpler as one heads toward that phase of life when seemingly it is supposed to slow down.

In fact I find myself speeding up on more than several occasions. Yet, I also find that I no longer feel as if I'm heading toward the state of "not doing much" when in fact I'm constantly doing something.

My friends calls me the hamster on its wheel because I keep turning and turning and turning.

And with the way the economy is heading today, I think it is good that we all keep ourselves involved, and maintain our focus on getting this economy going.

I've always been one for supporting my fellow man in terms of helping them be the best that they can be. And I think that is what each of us here in the good old USA should keep our focus on.

God helps those who help themselves. I found that out especially these last six years when I no longer could call hubby to come and fix the toilet, or put up a light fixture, or help me bring in the groceries. I actually spent an afternoon learning just how a toilet "insides" actually work. By doing so I alleviated the necessity for calling in a plumber. I fixed it myself...and the darn thing is still working (knock on wood.)

Also, over these last several weeks I've actually developed some good strong arms through having to heave boxes of books on top of one another as I sort through them. It so much like weightlifting, that each time I heave one on top of the other and stack them at just about my height, I gain more muscle weight. Who needs a gym?

But back to the concept of supporting each other, I feel especially in the publishing industry we need to help to this with each other in terms of our endeavors.

We need to form a strong alliance among ourselves whether we are published via epublishing or traditional publishing. And based on the 700 plus books that I've uploaded to Half.com I can fully say that I support the whole array of publishers. 700 comprises about 40 boxes. And I probably have that many and much more to go through.

I've always been a team player. I've found that in the past it's the team mentality concept that helps each team player achieve their goal(s). It's the team player mentality that unifies and strengthens whatever resolve exist within any community.

And hopefully this team player mentality will help President Obama succeed in making American once again a place with a strong and viable economy where each of its citizens can once again dream and aspire to reaching our/their goals.

Naturally I'm only a very small cog in this wheel of life, but I feel it is all the "cogs" that keep the wheels spinning.

Enough said. I'm going to go back downstairs to continue to categorize my books. The next eight boxes are filled with erotica and I'm going to have a great time going through those I'm sure. I know there are some great books there that I will eventually upload to Half.com. In fact I've mentioned to my ERW (Erotic Romance Workshop Group) they will be the first to see a list that I'm going to also comprise of the books that I'll be putting up there.

So if you like to make a comment here on this recent blog, let us know if January was a "productive" month for you and what you did to make it productive?

Marie Roy
Appetite for Lust just released at Forbidden Publications.
Click here to Order

Trailer for Stormbound

2008-11-23T12:20:00.000-05:00

STORMBOUND NOW AVAILABLE AT

2008-11-23T12:06:00.000-05:00

ASPEN MOUNTAIN PRESS

Lacey Parker, widowed, single mother for the past five years no longer celebrates holidays at home. One day just before the 4^th of July celebration her ten-year-old son Zachary who protests this seemingly steadfast resolution asks his mother why not? Lacey has no clear cut answer to give. She simply prefers to be somewhere else during these times of family celebrations.

Dr. Michael Tanner, the attending physician at County Memorial’s ER is having doubts about staying in the medical profession, especially after losing a young girl’s life in his ER, and only a week later almost losing a young boy’s life.

Michael and Lacey become stranded inside an old farmhouse during a raging Nor’easter with some very colorful characters. Despite the potential for total destruction, life shows both that amid potential disaster there still exists hope and a promise of good things to come.

Look for STORMBOUND at http://www.aspenmountainpress.com

The Empty Nest Cookbook!

2008-11-16T17:33:00.001-05:00

Just in time for the holidays! This book has a slew of wonderful recipes. There's a great section on how to cook that perfect turkey. Joy Smith is a member of my CTRWA Chapter who has written this cookbook that gives not only delicious yummy recipes but also menus and a bit of revelations. You can read more about Joy and her books at her website titled Joy Smith's Blog! And you can read all about her latest adventure on the open seas! Just reading through this episode I got a little seasick myself.

Here's one recipe from Joy's book that I don't think Joy will mind if I share with you. I think it's perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

BLUEBERRY PEAR COBBLER
(Who doesn't like a well prepared cobbler! I'm making it and bringing it to my son's on Thanksgiving Day! )

(Try this no-batter coffee cake when time is short.)

4 pounds ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced.

2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 package regular-sized refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

4 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13x2 inch baking pan. In a mixing bowl combine the pears, lemon juice, sugar, blueberries, and cornstarch. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Open the package of biscuits and separate them. Dip each biscuit top first in the melted butter and then in the sugar. Arrange them on top of the fruit in a single layer. Bake the cobbler in a 350 degree oven for about 50 minutes, until fruit bubbles and is tender and the biscuits are golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice cream!

Can't wait to try this recipe!

Thanks Joy!

Giving Back to Veterans -

2008-11-08T11:38:00.001-05:00

This is from an excerpt from Time Magazine July 14, 2008 Issue:

"With Veternas Affairs overwhelmed by two wars, it may be a good thing, spiritually, for the rest of us to help those who have sacrificed so much in Iraq and Afghanistan. A few years ago, a colonel who had just returned from combat told me, "Over there, it always felt like we're stuck in hell and the country is at the mall." Part of the responsibility for the disconnect lies with President George W. Bush, who never asked us to sacrifice for the war effort. It's time to rectify that. "I'd like to see every kid in America give part of their allowance to help the troops," Wilpon says. As an elderly kid, I'm giving part of mine. If you want to help, please visit welcomebackveterans.org."

I personally am hoping that we bring our troops back. In the meantime, every book I sell of A Soldier's Fortune, a part of those proceeds (10%) will go to this organization.

So you can help by just ordering a copy of A Soldier's Fortune, either in ebook or paperback. 10% of my royalties will be donated to this organization - WelcomeBackVeterans.Org

And don't forget on this Veterans Day to remember those who gave up their lives so that we can remain free. We must do what President Elect Obama encourages, help each other and in turn we will help this nation be once again the strong resilient nation that it can be.

To Order A Soldier Fortune : Click on Treble Heart Books

A Soldier's Fortune

2008-10-22T11:58:00.000-04:00

I remember doing a booksigning for this story on Veterans Day 2002. The booksigning was at the Nautilus Museum in Groton, Connecticut. I remember looking out at my audience, and sitting among them was my family: my son, my daughter-in-law, and my three year old granddaughter. I also saw an empty chair which would have been occupied by my late husband who had passed on only two months before. I got up to read the excerpt that I had planned for the occasion. I chose the Epilogue mainly because the scene takes place in front of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. and thought it would be appropriate for the occasion. I started out okay, but then emotions overtook me and my good friend then Ellie finished the passage.

I thought I'd share it here.

"Skeletal branches arched up toward a steely sky. Lian knew beneath the cold ground, seeds of continuing life would eventually produce the promised flowers of spring. A crisp breeze blew through her mid-length hair.

On either side of her stood five figures reflected by a ribbon of dark granite. Her eyes panned the glossy surface. So many names, she though, far too many names.

Shivers ran through her, caused by not the cold but form something else that stirred deep inside. On her right, Pop sat in a wheelchair. In his uncertainty, he kept his hands folded in his lap. The protective lambskin collar of his thick green corduroy jacket was pulled up to his ears. He hadn't spoken much since leaving the hotel.

Sean stood on her left. He also hadn't said much since getting up that morning. Now lost in thought, dressed in jeans, a dark brown bomber jacket, he kept close to her side. Unsure of what to do with his own hands, he awkwardly held a charcoal pencil and paper that had been given to him by the local park attendant.

"Here's the panel," Harry whispered, reverently.
"Yeah, now we just have to look for the line," Sean replied.
Lia held her breath, feeling a rush of anticipation surge through. She glanced at Brad. A younger version of his father, his face showing uncertainty, confusion and something else she couldn't quite discern. Brad turned, met his mother's gaze. "I'm a generation from this," he quietly commented.

Lia nodded, forcing down a fear and the image of having to search the Wall for her son's name, instead of the name of a dead brother-in-law.

"There is is," Harry pointed out, drawing close to the reflective surface. His voice was soft, respectfully remorseful.

Sean drew in a breath, joined Harry and for a long moment studied the inscription. Resignedly, as if finally able to accept the truth about his brother, he lifted the pensil and pressed it firmly against the unyielding surface then rubbed across the paper with the pensil. Through broad even strokes, dark slate letters emerged.

RUSSELL SCOTT MCINTYRE.

Lia repeated the name silently. Russell Scott McIntyre had fought a war where more than thirty years later no one could say who the actual winners were.

She felt a delicate whisper-like touch pressing into her palm. Comfort followed as Tuyet's fingers intertwined with hers.

Soft murmurs drifted from the other visitors who lives had in some way become entangled in a similar pain, a similar resignation, a similar acceptance that allowed them to eventually heal.

Suddenly, Eliah pushed himself up out of his wheelchair, and approached the Wall. From one pocket, he drew an object. Lia, at first could not make it out except that it had been wrapped in plain white tissue paper.

As Eliah unfolded the mysterious package, she saw that they were some of his prized arrowheads, ones he had treasured for more years than she could remember. Then he drew from his other pocket a string of beads, the only finds to originate from the rescue dig, which although some would regard as unsuccessful as far as finding tangible treasures, they all had found so much more--each other.

To give himself support, Eliah placed on hand below the letters of Russell's name, then eased himself down toward the ground where he placed his offerings of arrowheads and beads.

Sean watched, said nothing. After a moment, he placed a hand beneath Eliah's elbow, and helped him back to his feet.

Lia, Tuyet, Harry, and Brad moved toward the two men, forming a semi-circle of comfort.

They had all been there in Vietnam Lia felt, in some manner. She traced the letters of her brother-in-law's name.

How strange, she thought. Cold in appearance, yet it felt warm to the touch. She stared at the cross pattern, which had once declared Russell an MIA. She traced the diamond shaped lines that had been etched there years later, confirming his death.

Sean's hand covered hers, then drew it away from the stone surface. Lovingly, he looked at her. She met his gaze, and felt grateful for the life that now stretched before them as well as the memories that would eventually heal all wounds.

A Soldier's Fortune can be ordered through TREBLE HEART BOOKS.

TO ORDER

No More Secrets, No More Lies

2008-10-22T11:27:00.000-04:00

Earning a four star rating from Romantic Times Book Club Magazine, my book No More Secrets, No More Lies has been well received by those who read the story.

Here's the blurb:

STORMBOUND -

2008-10-12T15:10:00.000-04:00

A contemporary inspirational romance that will touch the heart and lift the spirit! A great upcoming read for these troubled times. Perfect for the holidays.

Lacey Parker, widowed, single mother for the past five years no longer celebrates holidays at home. One day her ten-year-old son Zachary who protests this seemingly steadfast resolution asks his mother why not? Lacey has no clear cut answer to give. She simply prefers to be somewhere else during these times of family celebrations.

Dr. Tanner and Lacey Parker become stranded inside an old farmhouse during a raging Nor’easter with some colorful characters. Despite the potential for total destruction, life shows both that amid potential tragedies there still exists hope and a promise of good things to come.

A Soldier's Fortune - Treble Heart Books

2008-10-10T19:32:00.001-04:00

THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!!!!

2008-09-27T16:53:00.000-04:00

We are into the last week of September. Next week we begin October. And as we all know from past experiences, the days, weeks, months can go by so fast we're suddenly thinking WOW, it's New Year's Eve already! What happened to 2008????

While sorting through my stuff I came across some nifty cookie recipes, the no-bake kind.

I thought, why not share these with others now. Then we can all start to prepare for that holiday baking. Maybe if we have the freezer space, make up a few batches now, freeze them, and have them all set to go come Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever other festivity we will find ourselves involved.

I will start to post these cookie recipes up on my website starting this week. So stay tune and occasionally go and check out the website. These you'll be able to easily copy and use when it comes time to holiday baking!

Some of the recipes are -

Chocolate-Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Apple Cookies - (This one sounds great!)
Maple Cranberry Cookies (Perfect for the colder months!)
Coconut Cookies (You can't get any healthier than this!)
S'mores (A great and easy treat! My grandkids loved these.)
Choco Puffs (This is sooo easy, and actually healthy as well.)
Rocky Road (With some chocolate chips, graham crackers, peanuts and marshmallows plus a few more ingredients, you got a great treat.)
Crispy Rice Treats (the old standby)
Plus I'll be putting up recipes for cereal bars, icebox bars, etc.

All you have to do is occasionally go to my website - and look for these recipes!

Marie Roy

WEBSITE

To Order No More Secrets, No More Lies

Click On Forbidden Publications

To Order A Soldier's Fortune

Click on Treble Heart Books

2008-09-17T17:58:00.000-04:00

My latest YouTube Video

Make a Memory!

2008-08-12T20:58:00.000-04:00

DANCING!

2008-08-04T14:28:00.000-04:00

Dance!

Dance if you can!

Nobody cares if you can't dance well...just get up and dance!

That's what I do most every weekend.

I go dancing.

Why?

I dance because I don't think about anything else other than what my feet are doing.

I dance because it helps calm my spirit and my soul.

I dance because then I like myself better.

I can move to the rhythm of the music.

I can feel the rhythm of the music.

And for that time that I dance I don't feel sad.

I dance so I do not have regrets that I didn't dance enough.

I dance so I do not think of the fears inside me that can come out at any time.

Dancing silences the noise in my head.

Dancing quiets the chaos in my soul.

Fear is kept at bay for the length of time I spend dancing.

Dancing stifles the anxiety that is always there beneath the surface.

Yeah, I dance and will keep on dancing until I can no longer dance.

Stormbound

2008-07-15T15:19:00.000-04:00

A contemporary romance that I've just contracted with Aspen Mountain Press. I fell in love with the characters in this story...each one different, unique, quirky to say the least. Find out what happens to each of them while stranded inside an old farmhouse during a dangerous storm that hits the Eastern Seaboard.

Stay tune for more details as they become available!

Is there such as thing as Serendipity?

2008-07-15T15:09:00.000-04:00

I just finished watching Nicholas Cage's National Treasures with my
granddaughter. It's a pretty good movie, and certainly keeps your
interest.

At the very end of the movie one of the characters receives a white
envelope and it's marked from the "White House." Then it struck
me...I have one of those! While clearing out some of my stuff I came
across it and put it in my office somewhere. I received it 15 years
ago after writing some articles for a local newspaper, then sending
one of the articles to President Clinton re the war in Bosnia.

Anyway, I went into my office and looked for it. I found it and
brought it out and gave it to my granddaughter, who thought it was the
coolest thing ever. First to see it on the movie, and then having her
Grammy give her an envelope similar to the one she just saw on TV. We
put it in a special plastic folder. I told her to keep it safe. I'm
hoping one day when she follows her dream of becoming a lawyer or
perhaps a Senator, or who knows, maybe President she'll remember the
envelope I gave her today that was sent directly to me from the White
House.

A GREAT SUMMER READ!

2008-07-13T08:22:00.000-04:00

Finalist in Treble Heart Book Awards for Best in Contemporary

A SOLDIER’S FORTUNE (Award winning novel that will lift your spirits, warm your hearts, and help you understand.)

Lia Martin’s father Eliah Stewart summons her to Split Maple Ridge, Vermont, a place where years later still evokes memories of a dark love and an even darker betrayal. Knowing how his daughter feels about this place, Lia feels he would not have asked her to return unless for a good reason.

The name Eliah Stewart still grates hard against Sean McIntyre’s soul, reminding him of the painful humiliation he had once experienced on that unforgettable night. Years later he would tell others he felt safer fighting in Vietnam than in those Vermont backwoods.

Available in EBook and Papberback.

To Order Go to: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/MarieRoysynopses.html

Reviews!

"Superb depth of character, heart-felt emotions, and a unique plot make

Marie A. Roy's A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE a wonderful reading experience. Few

authors know how to make a story come to life the way Marie A. Roy does."

Denise A. Agnew, best selling author of Dangerous Intentions

Denise A. Agnew

This is a bitter sweet tale that reminds me of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series in some ways, instead of Grandma Mazur there is Eliah Stewart. The humor in the story helped to balance the seriousness that penetrated whenever the Vietnam aspect was brought to the fore. Marie A. Roy has written a story showing how love can come at any age. I see future romance novels with older hero heroines and I must say if they are all as good as A Soldier's Fortune they'll be enjoyed by readers of every age.

---Kimberly Lightfoot

The Word on Romance

In Memory Of

2008-07-07T10:38:00.000-04:00

July 6, 2008 marks the sixth anniversary of my late husband's death. I found this photo of Bob. It pretty much demonstrates he was a person who enjoyed life. Yes, he loved his Heineken beer, though he wasn't much of a drinker. This photo was taken at a dinner party the night before my younger son's wedding back in 1997. It is hard to believe that five year later Bob would leave us.

Bob taught high school math for thirty-three years. His 34th year would have had him retiring from that profession, although Bob was not the kind of person to retire from anything. He probably would have been teaching at a local college at least part time.

He provided an excellent role model for his sons, who are now excellent fathers and husbands. He also provided a great role model for his students, many of whom have gone on and become what they intended to become, productive human beings doing what they love doing.

We will never fully know why people like Bob must leave us in this life. The only thing my family and I have come up with is that Bob after devoting all those years teaching young minds the complex problems of algebra, calculus, applied mathematical terms, Bob had fulfilled his purpose here on this earth. And he had only fifty-five years to do it. Young for someone who had so much more to give. Many do not leave such a legacy behind as he did where what he taught now lives on through the minds of all of his students.

I of course miss him every day. And I will continue to miss him until it is my turn to join him. The pain has soften somewhat to the extent that I am now able to upload a photo of him without experiencing too much of that pain, Instead a bittersweet sadness fills me inherent in losing someone like Bob from my life.

Yes, it has been a struggle these past six years, My struggle continues. In the process I've been strengthened by it all, no longer afraid that I can't go it alone without him. This is not what he would have wanted for me, not able to enjoy life because of fear.

So I continue to stumble along, make my way and know each day, each year I survive. I'm just lucky Bob left me two sons and their families to make this journey less painful.

Still, whenever one of my grandkids reaches a milestone in their lives, each one of us wonders, "Now what would Grampy have thought, or say or do?"

The fact that I can do this memorial is a milestone for me in a sense as it shows me the denial that I had been in is lessening along with the pain.

I do know that he would be smiling, have that mischievous look in his eyes, and know that he is always proud of his kids and his family members. Bob loved life! And he would want all of us loving life as much as he did!

Bob, you will always be loved and remembered in our minds and our hearts!

Marie