I got off to a rough start but ended up writing 1,263 words in two sessions. Some research put me behind, and I must do more tonight.
I found the ad below very helpful. Go figure, why? The more I write the less I understand the process. Stay with me on this wild 50K word journey into November. My neighbor Jody has been cheering me on.
I attended All Saints Day Mass, which I am grateful for.
Ad for steamship Bon Voyage built by Rogers & Bird
For the Love of Books Podcast
Listen in for a chance to win signed copies of books. I am looking for sponsors for holiday episodes in November and December. Comment below or email Emma.
The October lineup is a delightful mix of fiction and non-fiction authors from all over the USA. Spooky and non-spooky. Let’s start the month with funny UP author Nancy Besonen, a journalist with a weekly column Off The Hook. I will go live on Halloween with author Craig Brockman and his novel Dead Silence at 5 p.m. Mark your calendars.
Besonen is a former Chicago South Sider whose problem with fishing landed her in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, reporting for the L’Anse Sentinel to help support her habit. Her weekly humor column titled Off the Hook filled vital white space while having raucous good fun with every aspect of Northwoods living, and beyond. Nancy and her husband, Don, have three children and a small herd of grandchildren who provide love, laughter, frequent spills, and abundant inspiration.
As we mark the 23rd anniversary of the 911 attacks, I reflect on that ominous Tuesday. I still remember exactly where I was: I was covering the Ionia County Board of Commissioners, their finance committee meeting for the Ionia Sentinel-Standard.
County administrator Mark Howe announced the bad news to a speechless audience. Then we quickly dispersed.
On this day, Aug. 21 I always observe the anniversary of the Soviet occupation of former Czechoslovakia which prompted an exodus of entire generations of Czechs and Slovaks. We were among them searching for our place in the free world. And we found it in the USA in the early 1970s.
While living in the free world, I’ve made several observations based on my experience from the old socialist and new capitalist worlds. I’ve been privileged enough to compare the two. Here are my insights.
Nothing is more valuable than personal and societal freedom; the freedom to do business and religious freedom. No one has ever considered us as “Auslanders” or outsiders in the USA as new doors opened ahead of us.
We took on new challenges and opportunities as we built on our experience in different countries including Canada and Africa. I can’t speak for the rest of the family, but I have no regrets about leaving the old country. I honor the traditions, and the past while moving ahead.
Whenever I talk about my Greenwich Meridian Memoir, memories come back to me in a good way. I use them constructively to avoid the mistakes made by many, which is not always easy.
“I feel lucky to be standing here and telling this story,” I usually conclude my talk.
Unfortunately, history repeats itself, if we don’t guard it carefully.
Stand up for freedom.
My next author’s event will be on Sept. 14- Saugatuck Art in the Park from 10 am to 4 pm in Wicks Park at 449 Water St.
Check out this fabulous visitor’s guide. I will be in Lake Odessa with my books on Saturday Aug.3 from 9 to 4 pm. during Art in the Park. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to meet the author.
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