Happy July!

Garrett and Sunny playing fetch at the Russell Canoe Livery dock.

Once again I find myself trying to get back into blogging. Last month I’d hoped to write daily about my roots. It just didn’t work. Don’t be surprised if I do finally get around to exploring every nook and cranny of that topic in the near future. Working at my parents’ canoe livery, Russell Canoes, this summer, organizing old family photos and memorabilia, and living in my Dad’s childhood home have all conspired to bring back wonderful childhood memories. Did I mention that I love working at the canoe livery? We truly do have the best customers and employees, past and present.

Here are a few vintage Russell Canoe Livery pictures I recently shared on our Facebook page. I took the pictures above the other day. I love getting to work with my little brother! We had fun playing fetch with our parents’ gold retriever Sunny as we waited to take out canoers and tubers. Happy July!

Grandpa Owen summer 1973. Love this pic! It shows our main location in Omer prior to any store.

Company tubing trip circa 1985. My Dad is the driver's seat. Loved his old truck!

Company tubing trip circa 1985. My Dad is in the driver’s seat. Loved his old truck! Also includes a couple of our first buses – Buses B and D. Grandpa Owen back by the tailgate.

: Another view of the tubing crew. My Mom is in the passenger seat. Circa 1985.

BlogHer Challenge 2013: Roots

Jun3

BlogHer Challenge | The Black Tortoise

Last night as I was thinking about how I want to revive and update this blog, I realized just how much I miss my blogger friends. One of the nicest is Adela from The Black Tortoise and Once A Little Girl. As it just so happens, I read her new post today about the BlogHer Challenge. Now I am signing up myself. I’m disappointed that I didn’t participate in the April A to Z Blogging Challenge after having so much fun with it last year.

So, here it goes. Watch for a new post every day this June. The theme is perfect for me and my blog: Roots. So check out Adela’s first entry – BlogHer Challenge | The Black Tortoise – which is very sweet, as always, and stay tuned for mine!

NaBloPoMo: The Challenge Begins on a Personal Note (theblacktortoise.com)
Editing BlogHer’s Food Anthology, ROOTS (blogher.com)

Book Review: “The Return Of Catesby” By Bob O’Connor

Apr24

It isn’t every day that I come across a book that inspires me on several levels. The Return Of Catesby by Bob O’Connor did just that. The rest of my review will explain how and why. If you enjoy historical fiction, I can’t recommend The Return Of Catesby enough.

Over the last few days I’ve spent some time thinking about how The Return Of Catesby inspired me. First, I have to admit the style in which the book is written is one of my favorites. I love journals and believe this technique is particularly suited for this type of historical fiction. As a reader, I am always looking for my next book. After learning a little about Bob O’Connor’s work, I knew I wanted to read more. The Return Of Catesby serves well as a sequel to Catesby: Eyewitness To Civil War, as well as a stand-alone read. While I don’t feel the need to read Catesby: Eyewitness To Civil War to fully appreciate The Return Of Catesby, I am now compelled to read the first book due to Catesby’s experiences discussed in the sequel. All other content aside, the topic, genre, and organization of the book would’ve been enough to draw me in. But there is so much more. I simply don’t remember the last time I read a work of historical fiction with such heart.

Why The Return Of Catesby inspires me is an easy question to answer. There is, of course, the character of Catesby himself, a fictionalized version of a real blacksmith who lived during the Civil War era. In the book, he comes across as the most authentic, inspiring teacher imaginable, despite having never stepped foot in a classroom prior to his first day of teaching. His wife, Marcia, truly comes into her own at the end of the book and is Catesby’s constant helpmate in every sense of the word. Perhaps most inspiring of all is the insatiable appetite for learning exhibited by some of Catesby’s students. They simply couldn’t get enough, despite the fact that the town of Harpers Ferry wasn’t exactly welcoming. I envy the community created around the school. They truly cared for one another and even sought to learn the history of the tension between the community of Harpers Ferry and the school.

Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia

The Return Of Catesby by Bob O’Connor will stay with me for some time. I am honored to have hosted an interview with him and to have had the opportunity to review the book today. If you have any interest in historical fiction at all, I highly recommend The Return Of Catesby. Do not be surprised if I review more of Bob O’Connor’s work in the future.

Antietam National Batllefield

Author Interview: Bob O’Connor, Author Of “The Return Of The Catesby” (russelllindsey1980.wordpress.com)
March 2013 Roundup: Historical Fiction (australianwomenwriters.com)

Author Interview: Bob O’Connor, Author Of “The Return Of Catesby”

Apr19

Today we learn a little more about Bob O’Connor, author of The Return of Catesby, in this author interview. Bob is currently on tour with Walker Author Tours. Enjoy, and pick up your copy of the book at http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-8206-1.

How did you get started on your writing career?

My writing career officially started in 7^th grade when an article I wrote got published in the Illinois Historical Society’s student magazine.

If you could describe yourself in five words, what would they be? Focused, determined, believable, creative, imaginative.

Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction to read? To write?

I read both. I write both. But I prefer to write historical fiction because I can be much more creative.

How do you build your character world?

I keep a notebook. I observe people in the grocery store, in church, etc, and try to pick up interesting behaviors I can incorporate into a character.

Tell us about your favorite character you have written and why.

Catesby is by far my favorite character and is the subject of two of my books. He is a fighter, having overcome so many troubles to find freedom. I admire his courage and “stick-to-it” spirit, his observations and his “never give up” attitude.

Do you think that the future is ebook or print?

Obviously the trend is e-books. But the industry encourages us “little guys” to give away our e-books in hope that people will buy or next one. I am not convinced that is a good idea. I actually think people who give away thousands of e-books will find that the person reading them will seek someone else’s free e-book the next day. It is also discouraging that although we (authors) make 70 percent on e-book sales, the price of e-books keeps going downward. I hope they never figure out how authors can autograph e-books. I am a HUGE fan of books that are printed and hope they never go away.

Where have you had the most success in selling your work?

It is always easier to sell books when I have given a talk. But I am also successful anywhere there are large crowds of people including at fairs, festivals, Civil War reenactments and the like.

Tell us about your book.

My book is the continuing story of Catesby – a real colored blacksmith who lived originally in Charlestown, VA as a slave to Colonel Lewis Washington, a descendant of George Washington. In the first book Catesby struggles to find his freedom. He runs away from the operation of a blacksmith shop under a cruel owner who permanently cripples him. He flees on the Underground Railroad to Pennsylvania.

This book follows Catesby’s new adventures leading up to his teaching position at Storer College, a new school to teach newly freed blacks to become teachers. Ironically, the students’ first day in the classroom was Catesby’s first day too, because he had been taught at home by his mother. Catesby’s vast experience is helpful in encouraging his students and helping them believe that if Catesby, a man with a bad leg who had been a slave could accomplish greatness, they could too.

Where can we find out more about you and buy your book? On my website at http://boboconnorbooks.com/synopsis.cfm#Return

Interested readers may purchase the book here.

An Update …

Mar1

No, I have not fallen off the face of the Earth. No, I have not given up blogging. Early in February my Grandma was admitted to the critical care unit of the local hospital. To be blunt, for a while it did not look good at all. Fortunately she is doing much better and was transferred to the skilled nursing area of the hospital. Watching everything unfold with my Grandma has only reconfirmed my belief that my Grandma is quite possibly the strongest woman I know – and one of the most giving. I’m sharing this because I’ve been dividing my time between work and the hospital, as well as spending time with family, running errands, and gearing up for the camping/canoeing season.

I miss writing, I miss blogging, and I just need to do it. Unfortunately I tend to over-think anything I write here. That needs to change. There is much going on in my life that I would like to share here. Moving back to my hometown after living elsewhere for well over a decade continues to amuse me. Each day I am more grateful than the last for the wonderful childhood I had. Much more soon.

Lindsey

Spin The Plate On Tour With Walker Author Tours: An Interview With Donna Anastasi

Feb28

Today we have an author interview with Donna Anastasi, author of Spin the Plate, who is currently on tour with Walker Author Tours. Enjoy, and don’t forget to pick up your copy of Spin the Plate!

What are your habits when you sit down to create? Do you have to be in a certain room? outside? Music playing? The inspiration part happens when I’m driving or walking and my mind is relaxed and wandering. The ideas happen at random moments so I’ve always carried a small notebook. More recently I’ve been using the notebook or recorder feature on my iphone. The writing part happens when I’m alone and things are quiet. Any place will do. I usually write an hour at a time between other obligations. But when I’m just starting to pull it together or getting near the end, I’ll go away by myself and hole up for a day or weekend for concentrated writing.

Where do you find inspiration for your books? The inspiration for me for fiction work finds me and demands to be written. For non-fiction it is more a intellectual decision to write about something that I’m an expert on that doesn’t have good or detailed enough coverage.

Do movies inspire you and if so, which ones? Yes! I am a movie-aholic. I had one job where I took a bus into Boston everyday and watched 3-4 movies a week. I love movies that are a bit off beat, have characters with great chemistry that aren’t perfect but that you bond with anyways, are intelligent or clever, and teach or remind you of important truths that perhaps help you be a bit of a better person. Just a few of my recently watched favorites are Les Mis, About a Boy, I Am, Catfish, Death to Smoochy. Primal Fear is my most watched movie. Silver Lining Playbook is my newest favorite. I also loved 50-50.

I write reviews and make listmania lists on Amazon of films and books that I like. If you share my tastes you can check these out here:

REVIEWS: https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3OXW1R2RMDXBX?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_dp_pdp

LISTS: https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3OXW1R2RMDXBX?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_dp_pdp

Have you ever had a moment that you felt like quitting writing? Why? No, because I don’t do it professionally which gives me the luxury to pick it up and put it down as I want. I do have different feelings toward my novel at different times and these feelings run the full gamut.

Do you think that the future is ebook or print? ebook. Books are going to go the way of the newspaper. That makes me sad. Nothing like the smell and feel of a “real” book in your hands.

Tell us about your book.

This book is not your usual bodice-ripper romance where an unnaturally gorgeous heroine meets a buff, alpha-male for hot nasty sex.

Not even close.

Jo is a survivor of a bleak and abusive childhood. She channels her pain and rage into weight training and roams the city streets at night as a powerful vigilante. While she is more than capable of defending herself against physical danger, she is defenseless against the memories of the past that torment her.

Francis is a mysterious man she meets on the subway train. He doesn’t have a regular job and is still living at home. But he is gentle, likeable, friendly, intelligent, sensitive, respectful, generous, patient, and understanding. Just what a brave, but damaged soul like Jo needs.

In this story, the average-guy hero battles to win the battered heart of the wary, edgy, less-than-perfect heroine.

“Spin the Plate is a fast-paced, edgy, darkly comic tale of resilience, romance, and redemption that breaks over you in waves. All you can do is gasp, stay afloat, and enjoy the ride.”
— Holly Robinson, author of The Wishing Hill and Sleeping Tigers

Where can we find out more about you and buy your book?

The novel is offered as a free ebook from Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes, and is a 99 cent kindle ebook. It is available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Make sure to get the January 2013 (full length novel) version titled “Spin the Plate: A Novel.” More information about me and the book can be found at www.spintheplate.com.

Why I Write: Every Life Has A Story

Jan29

Let’s start at the very beginning: Why Write At All? « The Collaborative Writer

As of late I’ve come across some great material that got me thinking about why I write in the first place. The article above from The Collaborative Writer gets it exactly right. I admit it: I am my own worst enemy. I tend to over-think everything and spend too much time planning what I’d like to do when I really should be writing. I. Just. Need. To. Write. Why is that so difficult in practice?

The thing is that I truly believe everyone has a story. No one has a perfect life. Everyone is struggling with something and conflict is the heart of any great story. Not only does that simple premise – everyone has a story – get to the heart of why I write, it is also the reason why I love to read. I am drawn to biographies and autobiographies or any good plot driven by realistic conflicts dealt with by well-rounded characters.

Again, I keep going back to asking myself why it has to be so hard. I love to create. I know what I like to write. I always feel more myself when I write. Why don’t I write more? I think we all need to ditch the excuses.

The video included below I came across as part of training for my position as a clerk. I love the message of the video. It is all too easy to forget that everyone is struggling with something.

Let’s start at the very beginning: Why Write At All? (collaborativewriter.wordpress.com)
Writing Challenge: Character Development (theevolvingdad.wordpress.com)
7 Easy RulesTo Write Your Best Chapter. (Rule 1: Write Your Worst Chapter.) (thebestchapter.com)
Writing Thoughts on Compositions as a Whole (crampedwriting.com)
Writer Interview: The Lovely Monique McDonell Talks About Her Writing And Creative Process (pamelacook.wordpress.com)

I’m In Love

Jan2

I am in love. I’m in love with the Kindle Fire I received from my parents for my birthday. Earlier this fall, I came up with the crazy idea that I’d love a Kindle Fire for my birthday. The idea seemed crazy at first because I received a Nook Color last year. The thing is that I love my Nook so much I wanted to compare the Kindle Fire, discuss various features, and share everything with all of you. So, here it goes:

So why do I love my Kindle Fire so much?

The experience of setting up the Kindle Fire blew me away. All of a sudden I had access to my Amazon.com MP3 collection, which I’d largely forgotten, right on my Kindle Fire. Free apps such as Kindle Buffet have already helped me create huge library of great books to discover, largely for free. I also discovered a great, free YouTube video downloader. All of that is just the beginning.

I have to admit, I haven’t exactly been fair to my Nook Color. I’m going to have to spend some time exploring some of its capabilities. Over the last year I largely used it as an e-reader and to play a few games (Words with Friends, etc.). I’ll do a direct comparison of both devices soon. I will say this though: It is hard to compete with Amazon’s selection and service. I’ve been nothing but happy so far.

How does the Amazon Kindle Fire Measure Up to the Nook? (epicagear.com)
Amazon, Barnes & Noble go tit for tat in tablet wars (reviews.cnet.com)

Gun ‘N’ Roses ~ Just Because

Sep15

Ok. For some reason “Sweet Child O’ Mine” has been in my head lately. It would actually make a perfect theme song for this blog. Of course, as soon as I start stalking YouTube to listen in and maybe even find the original music video, so many other great Guns ‘N’ Roses songs came up. “November Rain” and “Welcome to the Jungle” in particular, both of which will always remind me some of the best times in college.

25 Most Destructive Guns N’ Roses Moments (loudwire.com)

Paul McCartney: History

Sep15

I’ve been promising a series of posts focusing on Paul McCartney for some time now. I suppose I’ll start with the obvious question: Why am I such a huge fan? It is all about creativity. I don’t think anyone or anything has inspired me as much as the Beatles, Paul McCartney in particular. As I have no musical talent whatsoever, and have no desire to pursue music, you may ask how that is possible. It is all in the lyrics. Please tell me how a writer wouldn’t be inspired by the man who largely wrote the lyrics below. I dare you. Supposedly Paul McCartney wrote this for his one-time fiancée Jane Asher. The song, of course, is only one of hundreds, with the Beatles, Wings, and solo.

I’m Looking Through You – Rubber Soul (1966) – Lennon/McCartney

I’m looking through you
Where did you go?
I thought I knew you
What did I know?

You don’t look different
But you have changed
I’m looking through you
You’re not the same

Your lips are moving
I cannot hear
Your voice is soothing
But the words aren’t clear

You don’t sound different
I’ve learned the game
I’m looking through you
You’re not the same

Why, tell me why
Did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit
Of disappearing overnight

You’re thinking of me
The same old way
You were above me
But not today

The only difference
Is you’re down there
I’m looking through you
And you’re nowhere

Why, tell me why
Did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit
Of disappearing overnight

I’m looking through you
Where did you go?
I thought I knew you
What did I know?

You don’t look different
But you have changed
I’m looking through you
You’re not the same

Yeah, oh, baby you’ve changed
Aah, I’m a-looking through you
Yeah, I’m looking through you
You’ve changed, you’ve changed
You’ve changed, you’ve changed

Below is the video if you are in the mood for some vintage Beatles or just a great song.

Now that you know where my interest in Paul McCartney’s work comes from, it is time to learn how it all began well over 50 years ago. It is well-known that John Lennon met Paul McCartney at the Wooten Village fete in July of 1957. What many might not know is what actually got Paul into the band. It was a nearly perfect performance of “Twenty Flight Rock” by Eddie Cochran. He knew all of the words.

The rest, of course, is history. Since the entire history of the Beatles is well-covered ground, and I had my fair share of fun dredging it all up again this past April, I won’t go there. What happened to Paul McCartney after the Beatles is almost as interesting as anything that came before.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, whatever possessed Paul’s wife Linda to agree to be in a band with her famous husband, I’ll never know. I’m just glad she did. Wings weren’t the Beatles, but that seems to be the point. It just started out as Paul, Linda, their kids, and their dogs. I’ve included the first few parts of Wingspan. It is fascinating. The videos speak for themselves. For those who don’t know, the interviewer for Wingspan is Paul and Linda’s oldest daughter Mary.

More than anything I admire Paul McCartney’s, and the Beatles’, dogged determination to get it right. They weren’t content to leave things as they were; they continued to innovate. Many people don’t know this, but Paul McCartney has also tried his hand at classical music (quite successfully), pursued abstract painting, and worked to save his and George’s school from demolition. It is now the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, or LIPA. Oh, and he isn’t done… yet.