Blog a Review - Widow's Walk

Reading books is like attending a great feast, one that offers table after table of amazing foods and desserts, appetizers, entrees, fruit fountains and chocolate sculptures. Summer, for me, is a perfect time to indulge in a reading smorgasbord.

I audio read the classics and add a few current selections, I also carry a book with me daily and have one next to my bed for evening. There are no kindles or iphones and no miniature screens with condensed versions of Hemingway or Steinbeck. As a treat, I like the freedom to pick just released novels, the ones with hope and aspirations on every page, these I sprinkle among the well tested and the extraordinary on my reading plate. Among my bounteous courses of words consumed over the past three months, I have most recently read a new fiction, Widow’s Walk, by Kenneth Weene.

Set in Boston a few decades ago the story is about an Irish Catholic family, the Flanagans. Having grown up in the Boston area and myself being the product of a strict Catholic upbringing and education, on many levels I could relate to the characters in Mr. Weene’s book. Kenneth Weene writes a gripping tale of, God, religion, misconceptions, guilt, grief,and fear. Widow’s Walk peels back the layers of a good family torn apart emotionally, spiritually and physically.

When Sean senior dies on the job, he leaves his wife Mary to cope with more than his death. She survives to face her own discontent, routine and the infused guilt of a religious view that has claimed her for years. Mary continues to be more concerned with the will of God than her own happiness and that of her family, she plunges through life a blank page, an empty vessel of a woman.

Sean senior does not live long enough to see his only son, a Vietnam veteran, return home paralyzed. He never sees the deadening pain in his daughter’s eyes from the loss of her unborn child and in the end; his early demise absolves him from the tragedy yet to befall his good family.

“Life is a banquet, and most suckers are starving to death.” This quote mentioned in the story comes from the play, “Auntie Mame”. These metaphorical words resonate in the unfolding story of the Flanagan family. Only young Sean succeeds in overcoming his obstacles, while his mother and sister flounder despite the opportunities offered.

This book will keep you turning pages and comes with a Kleenex advisory as well as the warning to dispense with any notion of a happily ever after.

Leave a comment and you could be eligble for a free copy of Widow's Walk. For more information check out the blog tour.

Have the best day everyday.

Linda

Blog Apple Pie

I have been making apple pies since the seventies, perfecting the crust, the texture, the apples and the taste…tart. My pies have been a staple in our building of traditions, one pillar among many. We are a family of foodies and there are occasions that require apple pie. Twenty years ago, Pat Brooks (New York Times) praised the crust (like grandma used to make) and its taste. That was in the days when you could bring baked goods to local establishments and “sell” them with out worries of the health department or salmonella.
This weekend I entered my green apple pie in a local agricultural fair, one that brings their blue ribbon apple pies to the state fair. I entered without expectation, just for the fun of it. I had long ago ceased to “sell” my goods and now baked only for those whom I loved.
My pie won a red ribbon, second place…I was thrilled because the competition was intense, many pies to taste by the judges. Only later did I learn that I lost by a mere four points because the pie was tart. Bravo to the judges…their taste buds were correct, green apple pie is tart. I guess I will have to enter again next year and assuage red apple pie palates. Touché…

Interview on Thursday…”Meet the Author” http://wxci.org 91.7 FM on your radio at 9:30 am and again on Sunday the 30th at 9:30 am. You can stream the broadcast on your computer.

Have the best day everyday.

Linda

Blog Time Management

Time management…ugh, most often my nightmare, here it is 5 am and I am just getting to this blog blitz for…yes, you guessed it…time management. The team of Karen Leland and Keith Bailey has written a book: Time Management in an Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. This writer needs to change some bad habits and Karen and Keith discuss habits of action.

I have great intentions…I have written two books and numerous blogs and short stories so I know I can be motivated, but what about the blank page and the days I procrastinate and what about when I “gather metaphorical dust”? These are the days when discipline is out the backdoor.

Three habits are suggested by Leland and Bailey: #1-Focus on the trees not the forest, #2-Take energetic credit for completion, #3 Time-Planning: Put a stop to putting it off. For a full expansion of these how-to habit suggestions get on board the time machine.

Buy a copy of Time Management In An Instant the week of July 20th and receive a free license to the Essential Email online course. To buy the book and claim your bonus, or just to buy the book go to: http://www.quality-service.com/timemanagementinaninstant
While email is the most widely used communication tool for business, its remote nature - which eliminates tone of voice and body language - presents a huge potential for mischief, misunderstanding and misinterpretation. This online program will help you go beyond basic email etiquette, to the proven principles and practices for gaining mastery and saving time over your electronic mail box.

Karen Leland and Keith Bailey are the bestselling authors of six books including Time Management In An Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. They are the co-founders of Sterling Consulting Group, which helps organizations and individuals learn how to fight distraction and find their focus in a wired world. For more information please contact: kleland@scgtraining.com

Have the best day everyday…

Linda

Blog to the Beach

“To the Beach” the sign reads with an arrow pointing down the road. I sniff the air and follow the arrow and the scent of the ocean leads me to a sand path with wisps of beach grass and flowers. The walk is short and familiar; we have spent many summers on this beach, coming back to the same rental, year after year. Our only complaint is that it is never long enough, because just when we get a rhythm going we have to leave. Next year maybe we will stay longer, long enough to get bored. For now our beach vacation is over and we are packing up, going home and the sun has barely risen, and the beach is nearly empty when I climb the path one final time. The shore comes into view. I hold my breath for an instant caught in the intake of the oceans beauty. I walk to her edge and whisper my goodbyes. “I’ll be back,” I say. ‘Wait for me, don’t forget me.” The sand slips between my toes and the water laps my ankles in acknowledgment of my request.

“To the Beach” the sign on my refrigerator reads. The arrow points to the porch and beyond. “Remember me,” I say as I sniff the air and follow the tip of the arrow.

Join me on Friday, June 24th for a blog post about a writer’s worst nightmare: how to avoid distractions and stay focused. “Time Management In An Instant” by Karen Leland and Keith Bailey will spark the discipline writer’s like I need to better manage time and to keep writing.

Have the best day every day…

Linda

Fight-the-fight in Blog

A portal opened in the universe and two celebrities of the 21st Century passed through. The news has been flooded with the sudden demise of Michael Jackson. His music, his eccentricities and his addictions all spread out across the globe for hungry viewers. Over shadowed by the glitz of the weird, Farrah Fawcett’s death portrayed with less intensity, but more dignity sends a valuable message. She fought the fight. What are you and I fighting? Ms. Fawcett remained hopeful to the end, could we be that brave?

Like Hudson Catalina in “Belly of the Whale”…to give up hope is to give up life.

Fight-the-fight, it is your life and mine.

Have the best day everyday.

Linda

Blog Women of Wisdom

“What will you do with this one wild passionate life?” Mary Oliver…

Blogging about passion and having a dream is one of my favorite subjects. Too often women in particular find themselves stuck outside their aspirations. When young the idea of pursuing something that made the heart sing and soul dance faded, overtaken by responsibility and day-to-day life. Time sends the message that age is not dream friendly. Take notes: None of this matters. As a woman who pursued her dream late in life and succeeded in its coming true, I say to all women that you must to be true to your self, to your passion.

Women of Wisdom by Kris Steinnes is a great compilation of stories directed to spirituality and empowering of women. Angeles Arrien has a chapter about having to put your dreams on hold. Her words speak to all women. “I am at home when I have fire; when I am deeply connected to what has heart and meaning.” Purchase a copy of Women of Wisdom to use daily as inspiration and guidance.

Women of Wisdom by Kris Steinnes, is being offered beginning June 23rd, 2009 at 12:01am. We invite you to go to this page – Women of Wisdom - to access the order page and then go back to this page to access the bonus page. On the Exclusive Private Invite page, enter your order confirmation code. That will allow you to gain entry to the bonus gifts that are available to people who buy the book on June 23rd.

Have the best day everyday-stay true to your passion.

Linda

Blog Blooms Day

Blooms Day, June 16 is a celebration of the Irish writer, James Joyce, "Ulysses". Named after, Leopold Bloom the protagonist this memorable day is filled with recitation and merriment. This past Tuesday, Blooms Day 2009, I read a short excerpt from Molly Bloom’s Soliloquy.

I turned inward yes caught up in memories yes of Molly and Bloom yes their world their day yes and I was the Flower of the mountain for a few minutes yes and felt his breath on my neck yes and it was Leap Year yes my gawd Leap Year how did I miss that opportunity yes and what if I had known would I have asked him yes to say yes I will yes he might have taken me dancing yes twirled me round the floor yes and said I will yes he might have said yes.

Have the best day every day.

On Monday the 22nd of June, stop by to get information about Women of Wisdom by Kris Steinnes. This incredible book speaks to women and addresses the endless possibilities of spirituality and empowering of self.

Linda