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books, daily writing, events, fiction, historical fiction, inspiration, passion, publishing, short stories, Uncategorized, writing

Day 4 #nanowrimo

November 4, 2018 emmapalova 1 Comment

Time change favors productivity of Wrimos with excerpts

Lowell, MI -The time change favored the brave Wrimo writers of the National Novel Writing Month falling back an hour.

I started writing probably somewhere around 5:30 a.m. of the new time. The first signs of a new day came around 8:30 a.m. I logged in a total of 8,590 words with the short story “The Writer, the Nun and the Gardener” from the new collection “Secrets” (c) copyright Emma Palova.

The way the story unraveled itself surprised even me as I was writing and the characters began to lead me into their lives. Thank you main characters Zita, mom Dona, boyfriend Kurt and Mother Karla.

I have a clear intention of publishing “Secrets” upon the completion of the 50K word goal of the National Novel Writing Month.

After the morning writing marathon, the day became quite a challenge with the regular Sunday routine broken not only by writing, but also by a visit to the Belrockton museum in search of inspiration. That’s where I discovered the poster for the cover of the new book, and a million ideas for a new story.

Another day of #nanowrimo is on the horizon, and I don’t have the luxury to run out of story fuel.

My parents Ella and Vaclav came over with brother Vas for an unusual Sunday afternoon visit. The rut of the Sunday visits from the old country of Czechoslovakia came back. Vas and mom were fighting.

I am grateful that we live close enough to visit, plus we had fun with my husband’s newly acquired fame thanks to his shining U.S. citizenship. Ludek even got a letter from one of his fans, Dave.

Here is an excerpt from “The Writer, the Nun and the Gardener

Dona drove through the long alley of beautiful crab apple and oak trees. The crab apple trees were now in their late pink and white blossoms, so the petals were all over the dirt road leading to the Dominican campus. Dona passed the small red barn on the right with the apple orchard also in full blossom. The labyrinth of dirt roads took her to the main building. She knocked on the big heavy door again.

Mother Karla opened the door and welcomed the woman into her quarters. Sitting at a big desk with a cross behind her, Karla folded her hands and looked up at Dona. A rosary was intertwined between her fingers and wrapped around her right wrist.

This time, Dona was more composed. She dressed appropriately for a battle with what should become the new mother of her only child. Dona put on her best suit, a striped navy-blue jacket and skirt, and a white silk blouse. Golden bracelets were dangling from her left wrist, and Dona made sure she put the diamond ring on the correct finger of the left hand even though it was a little big.

An hour before Dona’s arrival, Mother Karla went through a different ritual of preparing for a dangerous guest. She prayed for a successful outcome. Karla too put on her best foot forward in her white garb.

“Speak about what brings you here,” Mother Karla said watching Dona closely.

Without wincing or fidgeting, Dona went straight to the point looking directly into the Mother’s eyes.

“I will not let my only child become a nun,” said Dona firmly. “There is no way, my child will be a nun; not while I am alive. It will happen only over my dead body. I will fight this. You lured her to this. She would have never done this on her own.”

Dona leaned back into the leather armchair crossing her slender legs. Mother Karla leaned forward over her desk toward Dona playing with the beads of the lavender-colored rosary. She inched her fingers toward the cross on the rosary.

“Why would I lure your child to the order?” asked Karla strictly.

Dona stood up and walked closer to the big desk breathing heavily into Karla’s face.

“You coaxed her into this with your lies and deceptions,” she attacked Karla.

Dona slammed her small fist in front of Karla’s face on the big desk. Karla stood up too and walked around the desk to stand face to face with Dona. Karla put her hands against her wide hips:

“First of all, I am a woman of cloth. I do not deceive or lie,” she said. “It is my highest duty to tell the truth to anyone who is seeking it.”

Dona was sobbing out loud now. She was trying to catch her breath before speaking again. Then, she collapsed back into the leather armchair.

“You’re stealing my daughter from me,” she wept. “You’re a thief.”

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books, daily writing, excerpts, fiction, immigration, inspiration, passion, publishing, short stories, story series, Uncategorized

Day 3 #nanowrimo

November 3, 2018 emmapalova 1 Comment

National Novel Writing Month gets off to a great start

Excerpts from “Secrets”- The Writer, the Nun and the Gardener

Lowell, MI – It’s already day three of the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Today’s target goal is 5,000 words. With half of my third chapter or story done, I have passed that goal logging in 5,480 words.

Although stretching a bit beyond the target, some heavy hitters logged in 20k. I am happy with my progress since this is my first time participating in NaNoWriMo with the clear intention to get “Secrets”, sequel to my debut “Shifting Sands Short Stories” published.

It is also a double-donate Saturday to the creative project supported by major sponsors such as The National Endowment for the Arts. Here are some stats of participation:

Nearly 500,00 writers, including 100,000 kids and teens in our Young Writers Program.
More than 1,200 libraries and community spaces in our Come Write In program.
Nearly 1,000 Municipal Liaisons who organize in-person writing events in communities around the world.

For mor info how to donate go to: http://www.nanowrimo.org

I am delighted to share the following excerpt:

The Writer, the Nun and the Gardener

Zita touched her left cheek and ran her finger on a newly-formed pimple overnight. It will soon flare into a nasty red bump that may get infected. She smoothed her jean skirt tightly hugging her thighs covered by floral tights. Her straight brown hair was long. She always sat by the windows in any class to tame her phobias. She looked outside the window at the falling leaves. The harsh winter would come soon, and as always, she wasn’t prepared for it.

Book cover for “Secrets” aka the Face of Gossip.

Teacher Bob was going over it again; the reproductive organs and sexual functionalities or dysfunctionalities. She had just turned down a date, and Bob was having too much fun in his sex education class.

The only reason Zita took the class was her mother Dona, who insisted on it.

“You will soon be dating, you need to know some things about your body,” Dona said.

“But, why can’t you explain it to me?” asked Zita at the suburban home in Green Heights.

When Kurt asked her out again, Zita snapped, “I am not dating yet. I am not ready.”

Kurt didn’t live far from her in the middle- class neighborhood. When they were kids, they played together, since she was the only child in the family.

“Go and play with Kurt,” Dona said.

Kurt, too, had pimples and a lot of them. He had dirty blond hair, straight nose and blue eyes. He was tall and well-built, so he was on the football team.

In the boredom of winter, Kurt asked Zita out to go to the movies. This time, Zita couldn’t resist as the days were getting shorter and shorter; she had read all the books she could.

It was busy inside the movie theater. Most people were suffering from the lack of sun like Zita was. Kurt bought popcorn and looked at her pretty figure with pleasure.

“I can buy some chocolate too, if you want me to,” he said tempting her.

“Yeah, right, you want me to be fat or what?” Zita snapped.

Ever since her hormones kicked in, Zita had trouble with weight. The constant dieting cycled with overeating.

“We can run around the hood together,” he said.

The thought of running around the neighborhood in Green Heights startled her. The people loved to gossip about each other’s diseases and faulty relationships; who had sex with whom and let’s not forget that dry drunk next door, who beats his wife.

“You want to stir the soup, ha?” she laughed.

“It will be good for your figure,” Kurt leaned toward Zita and put his arm around her shoulders.

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Thanks to some of the sponsors of #nanowrimo. For a complete list go to nanowrimo.org

fiction, inspiration, short stories, story series, Uncategorized, writing

Being Faustina

November 2, 2018 emmapalova 1 Comment

Fuel and finish your writing projects plus excerpt from “Being Faustina”

By Emma Palova

Lowell, MI- Like most writers, I struggle to finish my writing projects. They seem insurmountable as I stare into the blank screen with the blinking cursor in front of me. Procrastination is my best and worst friend.

Yesterday, I found out about the National Novel Writing Month (NANoWriMo) creative project. Without checking too many details, I knew it would be a great tool to finish my “writings.” So, I set up an easy account with a book title and a book cover. My title is “Secrets.” (c) 2018 Emma Palova.

Right from the get go, the goal is to write 50,000 words by November 30 in any genre. When I am in the writing mode, regardless whether fiction or non-fiction, I write on average seven plus pages.

I find the accountability of the project very motivating with goal and word trackers.

I had to dig deep into my writer’s toolbox for inspiration, even though NaNoWriMo has inspiration tools as well. I like to rely on my own experience.

“Get out of the office and look for a story,” said former publisher and editor Alan long time ago. “Don’t wait for a story to walk in here, because it won’t.”

This morning, I got out of my comfort zone (studio) and drove to St. Pat’s for All Souls Day mass. And the inspiration came from a kid, who said his favorite saint was Saint Faustina. All Saints Day was yesterday.

After taking photos of the Celtic cross at the cemetery I drove home and penned second story in the book “Secrets”- Being Faustina.

I logged in 1,820 words.

For more info about #nanowrimo go to : https://nanowrimo.org

Here is an excerpt:

Being Faustina

Faustina entered the church cautiously. She always did. But, today more than ever, she watched around her for souls who haven’t passed to the other side. In layman’s terms those were ghosts.

She made sure to sit in the second pew on the left side of the nave facing the shrine made of photographs of the dead. As she knelt, Faustina realized she forgot to sign the Book of the Dead placed by the entrance. It was big leather-bound book with hundreds of signatures.

The Book of the Dead was annually on display during the month of November; wide open for more signatures. It was chilly in the church, and Faustina shivered. She did not know if it was from the cold or from her eternal sorrow.

On this day only, she still wore black: a black dress with a black slip under and black undies and a bra, black pantyhose, black shoes, black shawl, black coat and a black hat. Faustina purchased the complete black attire 14 years ago when she found out Willy was going to die.

By then, she was ready. Together they went through the roller coaster of high hopes of healing and lows of despair. The highs became just as exasperating as the lows. In the final days of Willy’s life, the doctor team gave him one month to live a life free of pain numbed by morphine and Oxycontin opioids.

When Willy finally ceased to be in pain, he was so high that at times he didn’t recognize Faustina, the love of his life. They were high school sweethearts who met at a Valentine’s dance.

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November: National Writing Month

November 1, 2018 emmapalova 1 Comment

It’s time to write

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Lowell, MI – This month was made for writing: no sun, no grilling, no walks to the Franciscan Sisters and no more kayaking. The temperatures have dipped below acceptable and the overall weather is not conducive to anything but writing.

So, the designation as the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and its adopted sister National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) by BlogHer, is very appropriate.

I participated in the NaBloPoMo post a day challenge in November of 2015.

By searching for NaBloPoMo details, I actually found out about the

Face of gossip — Book cover to “Secrets” (c) 2018 Emma Palova

novel-writing project that was first. The goal is to write literature of any genre in 50,000 words by the end of November.

Considering that it’s nasty outside and I have to drive twice a week far out into the fields, why not use that time to record speech notes on my phone. The app transcribes speech to script, so I can talk forever.

At the basis, stands the fact, that I love a new challenge and I need to put a project together. Today I put together the long time in the making short story “Chief” and uploaded it to my Novel Writing account tallying in at 1,907 words.

What any writing challenge does is that it keeps you accountable.

You have to write every day and that way you get it done.

For more info go to: https://nanowrimo.org

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Creepy feelings

October 31, 2018 emmapalova Leave a comment

Spooked out by Halloween

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s writings

Lowell, MI – My mixed feelings about Halloween are expressed in the photography below and above. On one hand , I love it because I love candy and masks as well as “doing myself up” one year as Gene Simmons from Kiss.

On the other hand I don’t know what to think about it. You know, kids dressed up as everything from Disney princesses, fairies, superheroes to brides and grooms as skeletons. Each to his own. Who said that all Spirits of Halloween have to be scary?

But flipping back to the first hand, I totally enjoyed the ghost hunt at Fallasburg conducted by the Michigan Paranormal Alliance for the second time last Saturday. Even though it was creepy to listen to the hardsole footsteps of the ghost of teacher Mrs. Richmond. I was also bummed that I couldn’t go to the Masquerade: With a side of Murder at the Candlestone resort in Belding.

Not to mention that the scary event inspires me.

I missed out on a Halloween themed wedding last Friday. But, we watched a spooky movie “Amityville” last night.

According to newgrange.com, Halloween has Celtic roots in the Samhain Festival. Smahain was the division of the year between the lighter half and the darker half allowing spirits to pass through at its thinnest.

One of the scariest places I’ve ever been to is the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba in Spain. The Moor mosque is located inside a cathedral as pictured in the feature photo.

Enjoy the sampling. Get spooked.

events, Halloween, inspiration, Uncategorized

Ghosts at Fallasburg

October 30, 2018 emmapalova 1 Comment

Michigan Paranormal Alliance finds ghost activity at Fallasburg village

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Fallasburg, MI – Just in time for Halloween to get spooked by findings of ghost activity at the Fallasburg pioneer village located three miles northeast of Lowell.

The Saturday night ghost walk organized by the Fallasburg Historical Society in conjunction with the Michigan Paranormal Alliance (M.P.A.), brought out more than 40 people. They split into four groups and set out to hunt for ghosts at different locations throughout the 1840s pioneer Fallasburg village.

As the one-room Fallasburg schoolhouse dipped into pitch black, ghost hunters from group two heard a distinct thump, thump, thump of feet walking by the desks near the windows. And then, came a bang from the storage room. Ghost hunter Peggy Kotecki ran out to see if it wasn’t coming from the outside.

Indeed, it wasn’t.

“I would suspect the most ghost activity would be here at the schoolhouse,” said Ken Tamke, president of Fallasburg Historical society, (FHS) and leader of group one.

Watch the slideshow below from the Fallasburg Vilage Haunting.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

During the first session at the schoolhouse, M.P.A. ghost hunters, Jason and Peggy Kotecki called on ghosts to speak, make noises or to show up. They placed a teddy bear in the second desk.

“Could you light up the fuzzy bear, if you’re here,” Peggy challenged ghosts. “Did you go to school here?”

Jason explained that the darkness heightens the sense of hearing.

“It’s easier to investigate,” he said. “You like to be able to hear things.”

The M.P.A. team members handed out EMF and ghost meters to detect electromagnetic activity indicating that a ghost could be present. If the meter goes above two points, there could be significant activity close-by. At one point, the meter went to 2.5, and the red light started flashing. However, Jason explained, this could be due to movement in the room.

Walking in the dark, group one passed the creepy Tower Farm on the right, and the lit-up Dave Misner house museum on the left. Different museums recorded different activity, accord to the team members.

M.P.A. medium Rosemary Leleiveld with Edwin Leleiveld were stationed at the John W. Fallass house. Rosemary explained the difference between a ghost and a spirit.

“A ghost is a soul that hasn’t crossed over,” Rosemary said. “Spirit is a human soul that has crossed to the other side. The whole idea is to communicate with the ghosts that are present.”

Another group experienced a ghost talking about his lost chair, according to Rosemary.

“It’s true, we moved all the things out of here, including the chair,” said Tamke.

Edwin said everything is a matter of energy, even ghosts give out energy.

The small house had a creepy Michigan crawl basement. It was like a labyrinth, and a paradise for ghosts.

The most interesting were the writings by the founders of the Fallasburg village, John and Phoebe Fallass.

“They both were accomplished writers; Phoebe was a poetess,” said Tamke.

On the other side of the Covered Bridge Road shining into the night was the Dave Misner House. The Misner House dubbed as “ground zero” by the FHS members is the society’s treasure depository. It is the only heated building in the pioneer village designed to preserve the collections in proper temperature. It houses gems like the “Fallasburg Footprints,” a property title book, WWI women’s cards, the newspaper scrapbook and the Vergennes Women’s Club yearbook.

“We had a lot of activity around the glass display case with the flowers,” said Lil Kotecki. “EMF’s were going off. There is some kind of energy.”

The ghost meter went off flashing by the case and on the second floor, it went off by a black women’s jacket. A feeble voice could be heard from behind the display.

The hayride was waiting outside. The ghost hunters boarded the wagon and headed up the hill past the Fallasburgh Flats Base Ball field to the Fallasburg Cemetery.

Ghost hunters Lisa Sekeet and David Mason were standing in the middle of the cemetery close to the front white gate.

“We’ve had the most activity here,” said M.P.A. team member Sekeet. “A ghost by the name of William Moon showed his presence by always pointing the rods in the direction of the Moon graves.”

At the Fallasburg Cemetery, the divining rods went crazy; at one-point crossing and then pointing in the direction of the Moon gravesite.

The team picked a person with “abilities’ here to use the divining rods. Divining rods are also used to locate ground water, buried metals, ores and gemstones. Lori from Lowell held the rods that first crossed and then pointed to the Moon gravesite.

“I blocked my abilities, I am trying to get them back with meditation,” she said.

Group one searched the grave’s headstone and footstones. Vergennes resident Catherine Haefner discovered a W. on one of the grave stones. Flashlights and cell phones illuminated the big Moon grave stone.

“I liked the cemetery where the most activity was,” said Haefner.

During the final findings session back at the schoolhouse, Jason Kotecki used an Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) recorder to play back the thumping sounds to all the ghost hunters.

“It sounded like hard sole shoes, like a teacher was coming up,” Jason said.

The M.P.A. team travels around the country to conduct paranormal investigations such as the one at the Fallasburg pioneer village. One of their most interesting locations was the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky where 63,000 people died of tuberculosis, otherwise known as “The White Plague.”

“You sit for eight to 10 hours in the dark talking to nothing,” said team member Sue Nielsen.

However, the pay-off comes when you do hear or see something.

“It’s that golden nugget, that you’ve been waiting for,” said Peggy.

The participants spoke about their various paranormal experiences.

Amy Ryan of Hastings shared her experience from 1992 when she lived above what was known as “The Haunted Floral Shop” in Grand Rapids. The curtains that she had shoved in the corner were all of a sudden hung up and straightened out.

“It was the real deal,” she said.

Teresa Medich of Burton spoke about her encounters with the dead at the schoolhouse.

“I am really enjoying this, the history and the museums,” she said. “The Tower Farm is really creepy.”

Local villagers’ lore has it that builder Orlin Douglass comes back to haunt the Tower House.

“There’s got to be something out there,” said Peggy, “and we want to know.”

Rosemary said the M.P.A. team has a lot of evidence of ghost activity at Fallasburg.

Some personal experiences included hearing footsteps and knocks in the schoolhouse when everyone was seated and quiet.

At the Fallass House, participants heard voices and knocks, EMF meter and Rem pod activity, as well as shadows.

Participants also reported feelings of being watched at the Misner House.

“It was a great investigation,” said Rosemary. “I think this year people had more personal experiences. Our group is always happy to assist in meaningful endeavors. This is a great example; raising funds for the historical society to maintain and restore the history of Fallasburg, and give voice to the past.”

For more info go to: http://www.m-p-a.org

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immigration, inspiration, Uncategorized

US Magistrate judge: You are America

October 18, 2018 emmapalova Leave a comment

More than 70 immigrants naturalized at Gerald R. Ford Museum

“Write the next great chapter in the history of this country.”

Hon. Ray Kent, US Magistrate Judge

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Grand Rapids, MI – On a beautiful chilly October morning people lined up in front of the Gerald R. Ford Museum on the banks of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.

But, most of them weren’t there to see the newest “In Step with Betty Ford, 100 Years” exhibit.

The future American citizens waiting for the naturalization ceremony came from all parts of the world from Burma, Bahrain, Singapore to Canada and everything in between.

New American citizen Ludek Pala. In the background US Magistrate Judge Hon. Ray Kent.

After registering and relinquishing their green cards, they took seats along with their guests and filled the auditorium. The tension of excitement was hanging in the air. The Color Guard practiced their routine to the clicking of their shiny black shoes marching around the auditorium.

Dressed up to the nines, the East Oakview 4^th Grade Choristers sang “The Star-Spangled Banner. Then, the Magistrate Judge Hon. Ray Kent entered with other officials and stepped up on the sun lit stage.

“I do these ceremonies three to four times a year, and it is my favorite job,” Kent said. “This is my first time doing two ceremonies back to back.”

It was also the second day that the number of naturalized citizens from Burma beat Mexico.

“There must be upsets by Burma. Go Burma, the judge joked. “We have 73 candidates from 31 countries.”

As the judge named the countries, the candidates stood up. When Kent said Czech Republic, Ludek Pala of Lowell stood up. They took the oath for new citizens and all recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Seventy-three people equaled 73 stories reflected in their languages, color of their skin and attire.

“You are America,” said Kent. “Ninety-nine percent of Americans are immigrants or descendants of immigrants.”

Among other famous naturalized Americans, Kent mentioned Henry Kissinger, the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who was born in Germany.

Kent also spoke about Albert Einstein as the smartest man who ever walked the earth and emigrated to the USA.

“You made the same decision like Einstein, you must be smart like him,” he said.

The numbers of naturalized Americans who made their imprint in science, technology and business were stunning. Among them are the owners of Google, AT&T and Yahoo.

The increase in population over the last 15 years can be attributed to naturalized Americans, according to Kent.

One out of four scientists are an immigrant, 31,000 have their own businesses, 76 percent of patents issued resulted from immigrants.

“You make America great,” Kent said. “We want you here.”

Kent spoke about a human chain formed by 80 strangers who saved Noah and Stephen from a rip current off the beach in Panama City.

“In that moment of need, they worked together to save other lives in the spirit of America,” he said. But, not everything is good.”

Kent also mentioned hatred in connection with the Charlottesville riots in Virginia in 1917.

“Do not hate, life is too short for that,” he said. “As Americans we’re all in this together, and when your turn comes to save Noah, join those hands. Each one of you has traveled your own road. You have different backgrounds. Hold onto your traditions.”

Kent encouraged the new citizens to practice their citizenship.

“Exercise those freedoms, they come with responsibilities,” he said. “You have the power to change this country. You exercise that power by going into that voting booth.

“If you see something wrong, say something.”

Since it was too late to register for the upcoming Nov.6 election, Pala plans on voting in future elections.

Each new citizen received a certificate of citizenship and a flag. There also was a photo opportunity with Kent, who joked that he will forego the $20 fee.

The ceremonies closed with “God Bless America” by the Choristers.

The judge’s last words to the new American citizens kept ringing in my ears:

“Write the next great chapter in the history of this country.”

In an era of detention of illegal immigrants and conversion of correctional facilities into detention facilities, the importance of citizenship cannot be understated.

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film, inspiration, travel writing, Uncategorized, writers retreats

Discoveries at Mackinac Island & Straits

October 17, 2018 emmapalova 1 Comment

Up North Straits of Mackinac Area attracts crowds, inspires a creative mind

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Mackinac Island, MI- It was a steady stream of cars heading Up North for the weekend last Friday. The traffic was a mix of hunters, fishermen, tourists, golfers and other adventurers.

Some braved the chill both in the air and in the waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron hauling kayaks, canoes, bicycles , seadoos and ATVs.

The ferries to Mackinac Island were packed full with people bringing their bikes with them. The waters in the straits were so wild that the catamaran rocked from side to side as the waves splashed over the panoramic windows.

In spite of the Friday rain, the Main Street on the island was lined with bikes. Some porters on bicycles carried the luggage in the baskets in front of them. I wondered how they could see.

Where horse is King

I discovered that on this island, where no motorized traffic is allowed except for snowmobiles, the horse has the right of way. And in peak season, there are 600 horses on the island. They are a way of life.

We did the one-hour buggy ride with horse Shorty inside the island.

“He was on a team, so he has a tendency to veer off to the left, just pull on the right reign,” said the friendly guy at Jack’s Livery & Stable located on Mahoney Ave.

After a while we found out, that Shorty was quite a character. Not only did he veer to the left, but he slowed downhill and went faster uphill. All the other carriage drivers knew him.

“Hi, Shorty,” they greeted him all around the route.

En route as we tried to make Shorty go left to the Arch Rock, Shorty wouldn’t do it and he showed it by whinnying. Having taken the long loop around the lake last year, it dawned on me that certain horses are trained to do certain routes. They won’t go any other way.

The horse handler back at the livery confirmed my insight.

“Yes, they are trained to go at walking speed and they will go only on their route.

Butterflies.

Where lilacs take over

The staple event of the Mackinac Island is the annual Lilac Festival that takes place during the first two Sundays in June.

In search for the annual Lilac Festival poster, we stopped at the Island Bookstore inside the Lilac Tree Inn on Main Street.

“Some of our lilacs are 300 hundred years old,” said the clerk. “They come from Eastern Europe.”

“Yes, we had them in Czech Republic,” I said. “Now, we have them in our garden.”

Where projects abound

As a true newspaper woman, I buy local papers wherever I go. So, we bought the Town Crier and The St. Ignace News at the Doud’s Market. The oldest family owned grocery store in America, founded in 1884, serves as a lifeline for the 200-some permanent island residents.

Other than regular groceries, it has everything from kombuchas to a seafood case with octopus. This is where I rediscovered kombucha, a fermented tea made with cane sugar and yeast. The first time I heard of a kombucha was at the Calvin Festival of Faith & Writing in April.

When we got back to Murray Hotel, two buildings down the street, a headline in the advertising section of The Mackinac Island Town Crier struck me:

“Mackinac Island Harbor Beach Boardwalk Project.”

A full back page screamed: “Save our Island.”

Apparently, one of the freight operation owners, is proposing a boardwalk with access to the beach for all. The project would consolidate the freight operations into the two most historic docks, including the coal dock.

Mission Point Resort on the sunrise side

A short stroll from downtown took us through the alley to the beautifully restored Mission Point Resort. The last time I saw it, it was a dull greyish structure built in the early 1820s by a Protestant missionary Rev. William Ferry.

A couple from Texas bought the sprawling historic property and poured millions into it. Standing in the middle of the main lobby, I stared into the 51-foot tall teepee. Attached to it was a big library.

We watched weddings on the front lawn from the panoramic windows of the Round Island Bar & Grill. I took in the breathtaking views of Lake Huron with Bois Blanc Island.

Back in Mackinaw City, mainland

As the ferry smoothly navigated the waters of Lake Huron, I watched the Big Mac Bridge swing in the wind. The night before, we watched a documentary on the history channel about the building of the Mackinac Bridge, dubbed as a swinging water masterpiece.

The pretty “candy city” with fudge and candy shops was busy on a Sunday morning. My last goal was to buy fresh fish caught locally. Other than fudge and candy, there were a few shops with smoked fish.

A clerk at a smoked fish shop recommended Big Stone Bay Fishery. located on US 23. I’ve never heard of it even though we’ve been coming up to the Straits area for the last 25 years.

As we entered the fishery, I could smell smoked fish. But, the fishery dealt mainly in fresh fish: whitefish, walleye, coho salmon and trout. It was a fish lover’s paradise.

The paradise Up North always brings new discoveries and inspires a creative mind. The Mackinac Island attracted Hollywood twice. In 1947 Hollywood filmed “This Time For Keeps” and in 1979 “Somewhere in Time.”

The “Somewhere in Time” weekend is always on the last weekend in October, and it officially closes down the island for the season. A few properties, shops and restaurants stay open for the winter.

Winter is a magic time on the island.

Go to my E Travel and Food blog:

Mackinac Island Winter

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film, inspiration, wedding, writers retreats

Happiness comes from creating new things

October 12, 2018 emmapalova 1 Comment

“True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Lowell, MI- I love this quote because it is so true. Yesterday, I completed a brand new mobile app on Swiftic for a client. It took me a long time as the app development companies kept changing.

Once I figured out the last feature, I was ecstatic. It’s a top notch app with eye-catching push notifications and more than 20 features such as loyalty and scratch cards, and catalogs.

I had that same feeling of joy when I uploaded my book “Shifting Sands Short Stories ” to the publisher last year.

I feel happiness today as Ludek and I are about to head out to Mackinac Island to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.

Yes, it’s the same place where Universal Pictures filmed “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.

It was also the home for the famous fur trade entrepreneur Madame Framboise.

The island will be all dressed up for Halloween. We plan on going to the Haunted Theatre and take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Cars are not allowed on the island, only bicycles and horses.

Even this late into the season, the hotels were sold out. We will take the ferry Star Line across the Straits of Mackinac.

It is also my writer’s retreat, because Mackinac Island inspires me with its history and character. I will include in my new book three historical fiction short stories; one from the island and two from Fallasburg.

Stay tuned for more posts from the island.

August, Czech heritage, history, immigration, inspiration, Uncategorized

50th anniversary of Soviet Occupation of Czechoslovakia, 1968

August 20, 2018 emmapalova 2 Comments

It is with certain trepidation that I approach the 50^th anniversary of Soviet occupation of former Czechoslovakia on the night of Aug. 20 to Aug. 21, 1968.

The milestone seems unbelievable to me. It was such a pivotal moment that influenced the rest of my life. What followed the occupation changed two generations; a massive exodus fleeing from the occupied country to its Western neighbors.

There is an old cliché saying that time heals everything. Decades of other events in history may have put layers of dust over this one. But those whose lives have been touched by the invasion, will never forget.

I’ve only heard other people’s accounts of the invasion; recently a video posted on Facebook stirred my memory.

People reacted to the event in two basic ways: either they stayed in the country or they emigrated to the West. The majority stayed in the country.

My father professor Vaclav Konecny decided for the latter of the two. That is to leave the country rather than endure the regime. Fifty years later, both of my parents have certain regrets. My mother Ella more so than my father.

“I left behind my sick parents against my beliefs,” she said. “That haunted me until the day they died. All those years, I felt guilty.”

The invasion suppressed the Prague Spring liberalization movement led by Alexander Dubcek, and substituted it with hardline communism or dark era of totality.

Those who stayed paid the price. No one could leave the country without exit visa.

Those who left illegally could not return without persecution.

Freedom truly isn’t free. It never has been.

“I think our modern history shows us that freedom isn’t a gift, which the powerful fight for to giveaway; it can be obtained and defended only by those who work to obtain or defend it.” late president Vaclav Havel in his speech on Victory Day May 8, 1994.

A half-a-century of Czech expatriates living outside the old country well beyond the Velvet Revolution in 1989, has shown their adaptability and assimilation into other cultures.

Our own immigration story has been molded by the 1968 Soviet invasion. At the time, my parents left from Sudan, Africa for Canada, and eventually to Hawkins, Texas where dad taught math at Jarvis Christian College.

The story got more complex, when mom Ella decided to return to Czechoslovakia in 1973 followed by dad. The return was both a nightmare and a mistake, as my dad later recollected it many years later. He left Czechoslovakia again in 1976, and after a battle for emigration visa mom joined him in 1980.

It wasn’t until December of 1989 that I was able to leave the country for the USA for good. I became an American citizen in August of 1999 at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids.

Looking back at this chronology of now historical events, I have to ask myself if I would do it again, much like I have asked my parents.

“Yes. I would do it again. I have no regrets; my entire family is here and I consider this country to be my home.”

The other question that people either ask me or I ask myself, “What is it that I miss about the old country?”

I do miss my friends from school and the university. Whenever, I miss the food, I just cook it myself. My son Jake was naturalized earlier this year, and my husband Ludek will become an American citizen on Aug. 22, 2018 in Detroit.

However, life is not just a chronological sequence of events or it shouldn’t be.

“How would our lives be different if we stayed in the old country?”

Those questions remain hanging in the air unanswered. I don’t expect any answers to them anytime soon or ever.

When I published my book “Shifting Sands Short Stories” last summer, I realized I would not have been able to do that in Czech Republic. If for nothing else, I wouldn’t have been able to do it because of language barriers. There are no English language publishers. Either way, it would have to be translated.

We adhere to Czech traditions and customs, mainly during Christmas and Easter. Our adult children Emma & Jake are fully bilingual. Jake is teaching his kids Czech.

I laugh when I say, “I am 99 percent American and one percent Czech.”

That one percent means; Vaclav Havel remains my hero and we speak Czech at home.

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