A sad anniversary of the 1968 Soviet occupation of former Czechoslovakia that spurred our two-generation immigration saga as portrayed in Greenwich Meridian Memoir.
Photos except for the feature map are a courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic.
Feature photo of old borders of Czechoslovakia
The country separated into Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 in what is often called the Velvet Divorce. There was no referendum, only a parliamentary vote in each republic. However, the opinion polls at the time showed that most citizens preferred to keep the federation. Negotiations between Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus and Vladimir Meciar in 1992 led to the decision to split.
We had an exceptional Father’s Day celebration yesterday at our house underneath the pergola covered with wisteria vine, which keeps the patio cool.
My parents Eliska and Vaclav Konecny, came over with my brother Vas all the way from Big Rapids and Paris. a hometown Up North.
At 90, my father professor Vaclav still loves to drive. Although he doesn’t take the freeway anymore, like me, he prefers to drive on the old 131.
I love the way the old 131 aka Northland Drive winds through charming Michigan hometowns like Cedar Springs and Howard City with its dam fed by the Muskegon River.
Even Maranda made it over and our neighbors Catherine and Katie on a scooter. The vibe was good and everyone behaved including myself, which is not always the case. Sometimes we end up fighting over little things that a minute later mean nothing.
I made our famous jello-shots with our signature @Moravian Sons Spirits https://moraviansonsdistillery.com apple brandy. We had two flavors: strawberry for adults and orange for kids without alcohol. I make the jell-o shots with sugar-free strawberry Jell-O using one cup of boiling water and one cup of apple brandy.
The spirit tastings around the holidays are tricky as we found out Friday. People had already stocked up on adult beverages during the week. We sold only four bottles of slivovitz but hopefully to returning customers, one of them a pediatric dentist.
We grilled our favorite bbq baby back ribs with potato salad.
I charged my solar gnome lamps in full sunshine. Hopefully, they will work tonight.
It is with deep respect and admiration that we congratulate you — you’ve officially been selected as a Finalist for the Author of the Year 2025 at the International Impact Book Awards, in the category of Non-Fiction – Cultural & Historical Memoir.
Your work was reviewed among hundreds of exceptional entries, and your message rose to the top. This recognition is more than a ranking — it’s a reflection of the impact your voice has had on readers, on the judging panel, and on the world of thought leadership.
You’ve done something most people only dream about: you’ve written a powerful book, you’ve put your truth on paper, and you’ve created something that moved others. That is no small thing. This moment is yours.
What Happens Next
The Author of the Year winner in your category will be announced live on stage at our Hollywood Gala on October 4th, 2025 — an unforgettable evening honoring thought leaders and changemakers from around the world.
We would be truly honored to celebrate this milestone with you in person. Finalists in attendance will receive:
A finalist certificate
An achievement medal
Recognition on stage during the ceremony among peers, media, and industry leaders.
More importantly, this is your moment, a chance to stand in a room of excellence and be acknowledged for the work you’ve already done.
We understand not everyone can attend, and we respect that deeply. However, in fairness to all finalists, if the winning author in any category is not present, the award will be presented to the next finalist in attendance.
A Night to Remember — and a Platform to Grow
The International Impact Book Awards Gala isn’t just a celebration — it’s a once-a-year opportunity to grow your brand, elevate your credibility, and be seen by the media, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.
Our team has poured every ounce of heart, labor, and intention into planning this event to honor you and every author selected. We would love for you to be part of it.
The things we do when inspiration hits home. Join Michigan Authors on their tours this season. Check their websites. Listen to For the Love of Books Podcast to stay in the loop.
Don’t miss out on a chance to get a signed book by a live author before the humanity becomes extinct like the dinosaurs.
Enter different worlds whenever you open a book.
Don’t let history repeat itself.
To be continued….
Author Emma Palova with T-Rex aka author Darla Jean Davis
Stop by the West Michigan Women’s Expo in DeVos Place this weekend starting Friday through Sunday, March 17 through 19 to pick up your next favorite read at Great Lakes Writers located in booths 110-118. See attached floor plan below.
The authors from all over Michigan represent different genres, and they will be available to chat about their books.
I have one free ticket left to the show for the lucky winner who listens to this podcast and emails me at emmapalova123@gmail.com
2023 West Michigan Women’s Expo
Great Lakes Writers (17)
Andrew Allen Smith
Ingar Rudholm
Jean Davis
Tina Lonski
Melanie Hooyenga
Wendy Thomson
Janet Vormittag
Emma Palova
Susan Maciak
Rhonda Accardo
Jules Nelson
Joan Young
Sue Merrell
Brenda Hasse
Sabrina Wagner
J Arens
Norma Lewis
Nicole Wilson
Attached is a floor plan for the expo and a handbook that has a ton of information including details on parking.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Each author (there are 17) gets half of an 8-foot table and a chair. The table will be covered and skirted, but you can put your own decor on top of the tablecloth. (Sherry gets a whole table.)
2. Our booth numbers are 110-118. If you want to share a table with someone let me know. If I don’t hear anything, you’ll be randomly paired with someone.
3. I ordered badges for everyone. They’ll say “Great Lakes Writers.” If you come Thursday to set up, you pick up your badge at a booth somewhere on the floor that says Exhibitors. If you come early Friday to setup, go to the main entrance and look for the Exhibitors’ doors to the hall where there will be a table with people handing out badges. You’re with Great Lakes Writers.
I ordered a few extra badges so if you have a helper to load in or out they can come through the exhibitors’ entrance and ask for a badge. Ask them not to keep the badge—they need to return it when they leave.
4. In the handbook it mentions the need for insurance. I bought a policy that covers us all under the umbrella of Great Lakes Writers.
5. The load-in information in the handbook only pertains to those who want to use the loading dock. I usually park underneath the hall (entrance on Michigan Street by the river) and take the freight elevator up—it has an operator. The underground parking is a huge maze—here’s a hint: as soon as you pull in from Michigan Street and turn left—you’ll see people unloading and using the elevator. Park and follow someone.
The freight elevator should be operational Thursday afternoon and Friday before the show and Sunday after the show.
You can park anywhere downtown and carry your stuff in.
6. I’ll be there Thursday around 2 to make sure everything is set up.
7. When the show closes on Sunday they have people at the exits ensuring vendors don’t leave early. They won’t let you carry anything out early. Again, the load-out schedule is only if you are using the loading dock. Once it’s 4 p.m. on Sunday you can leave, if you’re not using the loading dock.
8. I did not order Internet—it’s usually extremely expensive. Hopefully, you have service on your own phone, tablet or laptop.
If you have any questions, please email or call.
Again, let me know you received this.
Thanks!
Janet
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Join us this evening, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. for fun and adventure with authors Dana Storino and Emma Palova for Day 4 in the Winter Virtual Festival by Pages Promotions, LLC. Help us solve the mystery of the missing manuscript in a well-designed setting, sign up each evening to listen to authors’ readings through Feb. 28.
Be a witness as the mystery unravels.
Register on Zoom prior to 6:45 p.m. for a chance to win a free book on the Spinny Wheel of Happiness. In the box on the registration form, fill out that Emma Palova invited you.
This is a traveling panel exhibit on loan from the National Czech and Slovak Museum (NCSM) in Cedar Rapids now installed at the Czech and Slovak Ed.Center & Historical Museum in Omaha through Feb. 27.
If you’re in the area, check it out in person or browse through our website to find out more about your roots.
The Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 5 p.m. Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Give us your feedback in the comment section below.
Check out this oral history project “Leaving Czechoslovakia” during the Cold War.
Tune in for the December holiday special with guests: Lisa Plank of the Lowell Area Historical Museum, Nicole Lintemuth of Bettie’s Pages, authors Melinda Falgoust, Andrew Allen Smith, Theresa Halvorsen and Jules Nelson, wherever you get your podcasts. Click below to listen and to subscribe.
I finished the NaNoWriMo 50k word challenge in November this morning at 6:38 am right before the start of Christmas Through Lowell. This was my third time participating. I can’t say that the novel writing challenge gets any easier with more experience or with more books published. However, I better understand my inner workings as a writer and an author. I know what is my most productive time, and how many words I need to log in per day, (2, 675) and how to push through a writing block.
Each year, I learn something new. This year, it was the buddy system and that it actually works.
When I saw the daily word log ins by buddies and fellow authors Andrew Smith, Diana Plopa, Marianne Wieland, Brenda Hasse and Jean Davis, I just had to keep up with them.
Near the summit, more insights other than metrics came in, and I will be posting quotes.
. Copyright (c) 2021. Emma Blogs LLC. All rights reserved.
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