I’m so excited to announce, I have a new website! I had my old one redesigned, and I just adore how it looks.
Check it out here:
http://www.elizabethdelisi.com
I’d love to hear what you think, if there’s anything else you’d like to see, if you have trouble navigating any of the links.
It was done by Tirgearr Design. You can contact them at http://www.tirgearr.com if you want to have your website redesigned, too.
Okay, I guess my last post must have made Mother Nature angry. She dumped two feet of snow on us, and since it was a heavy, wet snow, there were trees down everywhere, taking out lots of power lines. We had two days with no power, trying to stay warm in a 47-degree house. Brrr! But we’re lucky as many people are STILL powerless, three-plus days after the storm.
I heard it was the third worst storm, considering how many people lost power, in New Hampshire history. The first and second worst storms were also within the past few years. Global warming, anyone?
It’s amazing how much we depend on electricity for heat, hot water, lights, clocks, computers and the internet, hot food, keeping food cold or frozen, washing clothes, coffee, not to mention charging up all our electronic equipment. You sure don’t realize how much you need it till it’s gone!
It’s also amazing how many hours of darkness there are when you have no electric lights. Candles take the edge off, but really don’t provide much usable light. Flashlights are good when you need to go from one room to another without breaking a toe, but if you run them steadily, they eat up batteries. I suppose before electricity, people slept longer?!?
I am SO thankful to have the power back. I just hope this storm wasn’t a warning shot across the bow, letting us know Mother Nature has a doozy of a winter in storm for us. Fingers crossed.
Last summer, a very…um…interesting spider appeared in our garden. At first, it terrified me. I mean, it was an inch and a half or two inches long, black and yellow, and evil-looking. I did some research on the Internet, though, and found out it’s harmless—to humans, anyway.
I intended to take a picture of it, but somehow I never got around to doing so, and before I knew it, it was fall and she was gone.
This year I’ve been looking for it in the same spot every day since spring, to no avail. Then, the other day, I was looking at a flower in a different part of the garden and there was that distinctive spider with the unique web. So you better believe I ran for the camera, and here it is:
Creepy, eh?
It’s a Black and Yellow Argiope, or Black and Yellow Garden Spider. You can read more about it here: http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_and_yellow_argiope.htm
Fun facts to know and tell: the Black and Yellow Garden Spider builds her web in a spiral out from the center. The zigzag portion is built by the smaller, drabber male spider. Also, she eats (yes, eats) her web every night and builds a new one in the morning. Talk about a fanatical housekeeper!
She dies after laying her eggs…sad. The baby spiders (up to a thousand—no wonder she dies) spend the fall and winter in the egg sack, then hatch in the spring and head out to find their own bit of garden. You better believe I’ll be looking for them next spring, and I’ll tell them all how much they look like their mom.
Here’s an optimistic view on life that we’d all do well to adopt!
“I plan to live forever. So far, it’s working.”
I received this in my e-mail. Not sure of the author—if anyone knows, let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.
Enjoy!
Sentimental Journey - The Green Thing
In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."
He was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts of electricity -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water.
We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service.
We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?
My dear husband, bless him, brought home an article from the Wall Street Journal, as he knew I’d be interested.
You bet I am! It says the two soaps ABC is cancelling, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live,” have been licensed to Prospect Park, a company that produces original scripted shows shown strictly online. Prospect Park says they expect to pick up the story lines and continue from where they leave off.
Now, there are a lot of questions about an online show: will we have to watch it at a set time or can we view it any time of day? Can we copy/download it to view later? Can we get it through a game system, perhaps, to show on our big-screen televisions?
There is a suggestion that the “production budget” will be lower. I assume that means cheaper sets, budget wardrobe, fewer exotic locales, etc. Frankly, I don’t care. It’s the stories and characters that count. Erika Kane can wear a burlap bag and live in a cave, and I’d still watch every day.
So, I’m cautiously optimistic that the soaps I’ve watched for 30+ years will continue. And I’ll be right there watching for the next 30!
Summer is the perfect time to take a writing course. And what better course to take than an accelerated one, that lets you finish in record time?
I’ll be teaching “Accelerated Fundamentals of Fiction” starting Thursday, July 7, and it runs for six weeks. Here’s the info:
In this course you will:
Who should take this course:
To check it out, or sign up, go here: http://fwmedia.gosignmeup.com/dev_students.asp?action=coursedetail&id=3058&main=Online+Workshops&sub1=Show+All+Workshops&misc=448&courseinternalaccesscode=&coursetype=0?utm_source=wdukrsite063011Workshop-widget
Let’s write!
My section of “Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting” at Writer’s Digest University has been pushed back to start on May 26, so if you hurry, you can sign up for it!
It’s a great course for both beginner and experienced writers, with something for everyone. If you’ve never tried a Writer’s Digest University course, this is a great one to start with as it’s not too long and at a level that works for everyone.
Workshop Length: 8 weeks
You will learn:
Who should take this course:
For more information, or to sign up for the course, go here: http://fwmedia.gosignmeup.com/dev_students.asp?action=browse&main=Online+Workshops&sub1=WGF%3A+Description+%26+Setting&misc=143
Hope to see you there!
I’ll be teaching a section of “Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting” at Writer’s Digest University. The starting date is May 12, so if you hurry, you can sign up for it!
It’s a great course for both beginner and experienced writers, with something for everyone. If you’ve never tried a Writer’s Digest University course, this is a great one to start with as it’s not too long and at a level that works for everyone.
Workshop Length: 8 weeks
You will learn:
Who should take this course:
For more information, or to sign up for the course, go here: http://fwmedia.gosignmeup.com/dev_students.asp?action=browse&main=Online+Workshops&sub1=WGF%3A+Description+%26+Setting&misc=143
Hope to see you there!
Check this out: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2011/04/18/6492909-hoover-sides-with-soap-opera-fans
I’m not the only one upset about the impending cancellation of AMC and OLTL. It seems Hoover, a major sponsor, is pulling ads from ABC in protest. Yay, Hoover!
They’re also gathering e-mails protesting the cancellation. Please click on the link above, where you will find the article and e-mail address to send your protest notes to.
At least we’re not going down without a fight!
I know this is supposed to be the Friday Happies, but I am seriously peeved.
Why?
ABC has decided, in their infinite wisdom, to cancel two of the three soaps I watch, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.” I’ve watched those two shows for 31 years, since 1980, and they are a cherished part of my life. And from all the negative comments posted on their website, I know I’m not alone in feeling that way.
ABC’s reasoning for the cancellation? A vague “the changing viewing pattern of the audience.” The shows to replace AMC and OLTL? “The Chew will focus on food from EVERY angle -- as a source of joy, health, family ritual, friendship, breaking news, dating, fitness, weight loss, travel adventures and life's moments” and “The Revolution, a daily show about health and lifestyle transformations.” Just what we need, another two cookie-cutter “reality” shows.
But if you go here: http://abc.go.com/site/abcdaytimenews and check out all the comments protesting their decision, you won’t find a single “Wow, great new shows!” All you see is, “What were you thinking?”
If you’re as unhappy as I am to see these long-standing veteran soaps disappear, please go to the above URL and let ABC know what you think. At least we’ll have the satisfaction of making our thoughts known.
Okay, crawling back into my little well of gloom.
Given how Monday’s snowy picture made me grumpy, it’s a cinch to figure out why THIS picture makes me happy.
Crocuses blooming = spring on the way!
Oh, I was SO happy to see them starting to come out. It always seems like the first sign of spring. Brave little crocuses, poking their little heads out when the snow is barely melted.
We should all be like the crocuses! Go for all the life we can get!
Okay, enough philosophizing. Just wanted to share the joy.
I have two courses I’m teaching coming up shortly, so I thought I’d share the info with you.
First is The Essentials of Mystery Writing:
Do you read mysteries and think "I wish I could write that?" Well, you can. Work with a published mystery writer to learn about the subtleties of the mystery genre, and begin working on your own page-turning mystery. By the conclusion of the workshop, you will have written 2500 words and had critiqued up to 2500 words of your mystery novel or short story. Workshop starts Thursday, March 17th.
Learn More!
And second, Writing the Breakout Novel:
Discover what makes a novel stand out from the rest in all its aspects—from premise to plot to character to theme—using Donald Maass' bestselling Writing the Breakout Novel as your guide. Breakout novels are built from the foundation up, beginning with a breakout premise which is plausible, original, emotional, and rich in conflicts to explore … and which will inspire and guide you as you build on that foundation. This workshop, then, will begin with the premise and build over eight weeks just as the breakout novel builds: with careful attention to craft and an openness to those creative leaps which will make your novel exceptional. Workshop starts Thursday, March 24th.
Hope to see you at one…or even both!
In honor of Read an Ebook Week, March 6-12
All BWLPP titles regularly priced $2.99 or higher are on sale for half price at Smashwords! Find the coupon code on each book page, and have fun shopping!
Another course I’m teaching. This is always a fun one.
Featured Workshop: Essentials of Mystery Writing
Do you read mysteries and think "I wish I could write that?" Well, you can. Work with a published mystery writer to learn about the subtleties of the mystery genre, and begin working on your own page-turning mystery. By the conclusion of the workshop, you will have written 2500 words and had critiqued up to 2500 words of your mystery novel or short story. Workshop starts Thursday, March 3rd.
Learn More!
Hope to see you there!
You’ve gotta know by now that my gripes lately are about the weather. And today is no exception. On top of the weekend snow accumulation of somewhere between 8 and 10 inches in two separate storms, today it’s sleeting and/or freezing rain. It’s switched to all rain now, but with the temperature hovering near freezing, it’s making an icy, slushy mess of everything. Just had to go pick up the car at the garage (it wouldn’t start on Saturday so had to be towed), and I could only get it halfway up the driveway on the way home. (sigh)
But! Something that happened over the weekend is still giving me a smile. We visited our daughter and grandchildren on Saturday. When we got in the car to take them out to lunch, the two grandkids were arguing about who would sit next to whom at lunch.
Our daughter said, "Everyone will be nearby, so don't worry about it. You’ll be able to see everyone."
I added, "You'll be close enough to make faces at anyone you want."
There was a brief silence, and then my seven year old grandson said, "Why would I want to do that?"
I said, "Because you're a kid."
He retorted, "Yeah, but I have manners!"
That was good for quite a laugh.
Well, the term “happies” is relative. We’re having yet another snowstorm, with sleet and freezing rain thrown in for good measure. I’m happy we “only” lost power for two hours and hope that’s the end of that issue, because you never realize how much you depend on electricity until you don’t have it.
For instance, we have oil heat—the oil burner heats up a big tank of water, which then circulates to the radiators. But it has an electric ignition, so—no electricity, no heat. No hot water, either, which means cold showers or no showers.
We have an electric stove and of course the microwave, so no power, no hot food. Or coffee. And no power to the fridge, which means you should avoid opening it if possible, so no cold food, either. How long can we live on peanut butter and raisins and chips from the cupboard?
The computer has a battery so I can work for a while offline, but no way to recharge it with no power. And of course, no Internet connection with no power.
No lights with no power, unless you’re into candles. And no TV, which doesn’t seem bad until you don’t have it!
No washer or dryer, so you better hope you’re stocked up on clean clothes.
And no telephone, since we only have cordless phones. (Well, we do have a cell phone for emergencies, but once the battery runs out, no way to recharge it.)
I guess I would never make it as a pioneer woman.
Guess what? You still have time to sign up to take “Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting” at Writer’s Digest University. The starting date has been pushed back to February 24, so if you hurry, you can sign up for it!
It’s a great course for both beginner and experienced writers, with something for everyone. If you’ve never tried a Writer’s Digest University course, this is a great one to start with as it’s not too long and at a level that works for everyone.
Workshop Length: 8 weeks
You will learn:
Who should take this course:
For more information, or to sign up for the course, go here: http://fwmedia.gosignmeup.com/dev_students.asp?action=coursedetail&id=2943&main=Online+Workshops&sub1=Show+All+Workshops&misc=337?utm_source=wdupromo&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=wdusite02032011-widget
Hope to see you there!
First of all, I’m happy it’s Friday. TGIF! Who isn’t?
And second, I’m happy it’s NOT SNOWING. This winter has been miserable, and there are still snowdrifts piled up everywhere over my head. Plus the below-freezing temps means there’s ice everywhere. I think I’ll stay in bed with the covers over my head till spring.
At least the sun is shining today and it seems possible there will be a spring, sometime. Someday. Maybe the groundhog was right?
How many of you have seen “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray? And how many of you watch it every February? I love it…so much fun. Someday I’m going to go to Punxsutawney and check it out in person.
But winter tidings aside, today I’m especially happy about what’s going on in Egypt. A peaceful demonstration (for the most part) leading to a peaceful change in government…that’s a wonderful thing to witness. That’s what democracy means, and I wish the very best to the Egyptian people with their new government. May they grow in peace, prosperity and joy.
I’m teaching a course for Writer’s Digest University beginning February 10. It’s called “Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting” and is a terrific course both for beginning writers, and for experienced writers who want to brush up on their descriptive techniques.
In this course you'll consider the importance of description and setting in creating a fully believable, fully realized fictional world. More importantly, you'll consider what makes description effective—how precise language, combined with surprising ways of looking at familiar things, creates a full experience for a reader—and how you might begin employing these techniques in your own work to create characters and settings which hum with life.
Using Ron Rozelle's Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting as your textbook, you will see how striking, yet credible, description is formed—and what such description allows you to accomplish in your own work.
For more information, or to sign up for the course, go here: http://fwmedia.gosignmeup.com/dev_students.asp?action=coursedetail&id=2943&main=Online+Workshops&sub1=Show+All+Workshops&misc=337?utm_source=wdupromo&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=wdusite02032011-widget
Hope to see you there!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…
NOT.
Oy. I am so sick of snow! Check out this picture out my front door. See that little lump there? That’s the top of the head of my three foot tall lion statue, barely poking out and wearing a snow cone cap.
And that was before it finished snowing. And before the additional inches we’re due to get tomorrow.
At least it’s not snowing TODAY, for which I’m very grateful. And I’m thankful we haven’t lost our power, and the roof hasn’t caved in! All good things.
And I’m happy the Steelers are playing in the Superbowl this weekend. Go, Steelers! I’ll be rooting for you! Wish I had a Terrible Towel to wave.
How has Mother Nature been treating you? How much snow have you had, or are you one of the lucky few who hasn’t had to deal with flakes?
I’m horrified by the shootings in Arizona. How can a man so obviously mentally disturbed be allowed to buy a gun? Changes need to be made. What will it take for us to learn that?
My thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Giffords, and the victims and their families.
