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Two weeks after rightsizing into our cozy craftsman cottage, I gave up hope of finding space for seldom used dinnerware and goblets. I turned for help to Replacements, Ltd., the world’s largest supplier of vintage and current dinnerware, crystal, silver, and collectibles, with its 12-million-piece inventory from 425,000 patterns.
Join me at Replacements' ginormous 500,000-square-foot headquarters in Greensboro, NC. (Oh, and bring Fido. Replacements is pet-friendly, too. Not as much fun for young children, though.) 
Photo: Jasmin Schreiber/Unsplash
FIRST CONTACT Replacements, Ltd., serves 8 million customers in 171 countries and territories. Attracting ordinary folk like me selling a few unused treasures, it's also a magnet for Hollywood producers buying authentic items for film shoots or customers searching for lost pieces of china remembered at Grandma’s Sunday suppers. I felt the company would offer a fair price for my beloved pieces to ease the pain of parting with them. The quest started with a sellers’ inquiry form completed on Replacements' website (which gets 2-million visitors monthly) and photos of my stash. I knew the names of most of my patterns, and Replacement’s Free Pattern Identification Service named the ones I didn’t by scouring its database and matching its inventory to my photos. (btw...you can use the free pattern ID service even if you aren't selling to Replacements. It's awesome!) Within 24 hours, I received an offer to purchase that included a range of prices contingent on inspecting each piece’s condition. While the company runs a worldwide mail order business, spouse JM and I opted for an in-person appointment, driving an hour from our new home to Replacement’s operations near Greensboro, NC. And that’s where the fun began. CHECK IN  Warehouse interior
The firm’s sprawling complex, the size of eight football fields, perches at the end of a winding country road off I-40.
Gently carrying our boxes of treasures, we checked in at the sellers’ entrance. It sits at one end of a space so cavernous that Rand Mc Nally once picked Replacements as one of its top 25 free attractions in the US (free tours still offered every hour).
Inspection can take up to an hour as experts scrutinize every miliimeter of potential merchandise to reject or write offers to purchase. We were invited to pass time in the waiting area, complete with comfy seating, snack bar, and free Wi-Fi. Instead. we opted to follow the long corridor through the warehouse to the 12,000-square-foot showroom and museum.
WAREHOUSE
It's hard to prepare for seeing rows of floor-to-ceiling shelves jammed with beauties and running tall along both sides of the immense warehouse!
We gawked, walked, and waved to some of the retailer’s 500 employees in the large center work area, who were cleaning and restoring items mailed in by customers. The warehouse corridor funneled into another long hallway ringed by scores of glass display cabinets .... a preview of what was ahead in the showroom.
Looking for dinnerware?
Check out a great wall of china containing only 500 of the most popular patterns from Replacement’s 280,000 discontinued and active china patterns created by over 5,000 manufacturers. It's a walk down memory lane as you spot pieces used at family dinners in years gone by.
How about silver patterns?
Ooooo and ahhhh over more display cabinets filled with just 150 of Replacements' most popular silver patterns out of the 56,000 discontinued and active patterns it carries from 3,000 manufacturers.
Crystal suit your fancy?
I see you squinting to locate family stemware in the top 150 crystal patterns stocked from 75,000 discontinued and active patterns from more than 1,000 manufacturers!
SHOW TIME!
Just when you think there couldn’t possibly be more,
the hallway spills into the 12,000-square-foot showroom.
Rooms of display cases
filled with collectibles like the ones you and your Aunt Tilly adore .. 
Cat in collectibles gallery
Tables filled with Active pieces selling at discounted prices you may not be able to resist ... 
Funky, fun pices for every occasion... 
Every possible color…. 
Every imaginable shape … 
And more! 
MUSEUM
The show-stopping museum
stretching along one end of the retail space housed spectacular collections of…
antique dinnerware
and old-timey retail essentials.
FINISH LINE
A text arrived to signal inspection was complete. The only way to escape buying any showroom beauties was to hustle back to the sellers' entrance to learn the results. There, the inspector accepted nearly all my pieces except for one wine glass that had a teeny chip (Mercy, our eagle-eyed inspector was good. I never noticed that crack until she pointed it out!) and a lonely saucer, whose cup I forgot to pack and left at home. My bad! 
Cat's stash - off to a new home
I accepted the purchase offer, and Replacements cut a check on the spot. With a final look at my pretties, I left smiling with money in my pocket and visions of new owners making their happy memories with my treasures.
Your Turn
How would you ease the pain of parting with sentimental items? Might you use a service like Replacements? Post online? What treasures would you absolutely want to virtual purchase from your trip to Replacements? Please share in the comment section...love to hear your thoughts! And thanks for joining me on another North Carolina virtual excursion. Disclosure: I am not in any way associated with Replacements, Ltd. My opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for writing this blog. Sources:
by Cat Michaels except where noted 
6 Comments
Maybe it’s the serenity of our mountains. The beauty of our coast. Or the vibrant flatlands in between. I don’t know which, but my home state has a deep history of authors (many of them Tar Heels, too) writing tales set in North Carolina (NC). One of the most well-known, Thomas Wolfe’s 1929 classic, Look Homeward, Angel, is drawn from childhood at his family's Asheville boarding house.
To celebrate National Book Lover's Day on August 9, I sussed out 12 NC-based stories that I finished or have on my TBR queue. It was hard to skinny down to a dozen, so you’ll find an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction for adults, plus a few bonus kid lit tales. Read on to find awesome books that will have you humming along with Sweet Baby James and going to Carolina in your mind -:D. 
general fiction
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1. Stephanie Powell Watts:
No One is Coming to Save Us Named a best book of 2017 by The Washington Post, Jay Gatsby is transported to a contemporary North Carolina town ground down by factory closings. WOW! And Watta recasts the Great Gatsby classic with a black family at its center. On my to-read list. |
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2. Margaret Maron:
Deborah Knott Series These gentle mysteries featuring a bootlegger’s-daughter-turned-judge are set in the fictional version of the county that’s south of mine. Love when Maron references real places I know, such as Wake Tech and Belk department store. Plus, you'll learn a bit about NC's moonshining heritage from back in the day. |
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3. Nicholas Sparks:
Nights in Rodanthe She: flees to the serenity of the remote village of Rodanthe on NC’s Outer Banks after a bad divorce. He: sells his medical practice and also retreats there to re-examine his life. And you know they’re destined to meet! A storm approaches one fateful weekend, setting the stage for life-changing events that ripple long after the tempest passes. Yummy film version with Diane Lane and Richard Gere. Hey, if you visit Rodanthe, you can see the house where the film was shot. |
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4. Jan Karon:
The Mitford Years Series These cozy slices of Mitford life are based on the quaint Blue Ridge Mountain village of Blowing Rock and follow the ups and downs of sexagenarian Episcopalian rector, Father Tim, and his flock. Their stone church is modeled after a stunning Blowing Rock edifice constructed from 1000s of small stones washed round and smooth by nearby mountain steams. Karon’s books bring a few tears, but they’re truly uplifting. Her Mitford also morphed into a Hallmark movie, but imho, the film didn’t live up to the books. |
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5. Ann B. Ross:
Miss Julia Weathers the Storm My sweet Mama Marg adored reading about Miss Julia, a feisty southern lady from another fictional mountain village. In this 19th novel of Ross’ feel-good series, Miss Julia and friends take a beach trip that’s interrupted by a hurricane, and trouble follows everyone home. As always, Miss Julia must rely on her quick wit and strong will to protect her friends and save the day. |
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6. Mary Kay Andrews:
The Weekenders Inspired hearing Mary Kay Andrews speak at Quail Ridge Books about writing The Weekenders staying on her fictional Belle Island, my friends and I brainstormed names for my beachy Turtle Team setting afterward on the ride home. Yep. That’s how I found on Gull Island. Andrew’s beach read immerses you on the Carolina coast as her protagonist investigates secrets of a summer that might change everything for her family who weekends on Belle Island. |
historical fiction
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7. Lee Smith:
On Agate Hill I loved Smith’s use of letters and diaries about Agate Hill plantation to see-saw between centuries that span Reconstruction years to 1927 and into the present. Both 19th- and 21st-ccentury female protagonists are spunky and determined as their stories unfurl to reveal authentic struggles of their era. Smith injects whip-smart humor, too. |
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8. Wiley Cash:
The Last Ballad Another on my to-read list: Set in the Appalachian foothills in 1929 and inspired by actual events, Ballad chronicles an ordinary woman’s struggle for dignity and her rights during a textile mill strike. In addition to the protagonist, Ella, “...the story is told from alternating perspectives, including that of a black train porter, a mill owner and a mill owner’s wife.... In the only contemporary and first-person passages, Ella’s now elderly daughter fills in her nephew, and the novel’s readers, on the tragic details of her mother’s life” [The New York Times]. |
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9. Jonathan Frazier:
Cold Mountain Frazier follows a wounded Civil War soldier making the long journey home from his Raleigh hospital bed, while his faraway love in the Blue Ridge Mountains fights for survival on her deceased father's farm. Did you catch the film with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman? Awesome! |
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10. Diane Chamberlain:
Necessary Lies So many levels of dark, twisty fate and injustice here had my heart lurching. Set against unimaginable truths in the segregated south of the 1960s, the author introduces a young girl working on a tobacco farm to support her family and “…an idealistic North Carolina social worker [who] defies her employers to save impoverished children from overzealous social engineering in Chamberlain's well-researched page-turner” [Kirkus Reviews]. |
non fiction
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11. Chef Vivian Howard:
Deep Run Roots Fans of PBS’s award-winning reality series, A Chef’s Life, and foodies, who flock to rural eastern North Carolina to savor regional fare at The Chef and the Farmer, are lining up for Vivian Howard’s beautifully photographed book. Part recipes and part stories from eastern NC, Howard “…Sandwiched amid the fine culinary writing many delicious recipes" [The Washington Post]. I’m not a cook, but I appreciate Howard’s humor in a recipe like Hoarded Corn that require an afternoon, trash bags, the biggest pot you have, and at least 200 ears of sweet corn to yield 20 quarts of corn kernels to have on hand for winter. |
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12. David Sedaris:
Me Talk Pretty One Day This two-part collection of essays by humorist David Sedaris first portrays a young Sedaris and his boyhood days in Raleigh before living in New York City. The second section, "Deux," tells of moving to Normandy and the author's outlandish efforts to live in France without speaking the French language. Sedaris’ narration of his audiobook is pure aural pleasure. |
bonus section: children's books
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Cat Michaels:
Sweet T and the Turtle Team Yep. Mine. The third book in my Sweet T Tales Series for early and reluctant readers is set on Gull Island, a joyful mishmash of my fave North Carolina beaches. Turtle Team spins a kid-sized yarn of friendship, acceptance and courage, with subtle messages about marine conservation. Over the moon it scored two awards in the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Award for children's books: first place for eBooks AND honorable mention for environmental print books. |
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Robert Beatty:
Serafina and the Black Cloak For older kids, this thriller about supernatural evil takes place in 1899 at Asheville’s historic Biltmore House. Beatty introduces the titular spunky heroine, Serafina, who secretly lives in the bowels of the estate with her father, where she specializes in catching rats roaming dark corridors at night. History mixes with mystery but definitely scary for sensitive readers …. especially the Man in the Black Cloak, who steals children away in the dead of night by catching them in his coat with “decaying, blood-dripping hands.” |
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Tony Earley:
Jim the Boy This gentle read for adults and spot-on coming of age tale for middle graders takes you on a sweet journey to a year in the life of 10-year old Jim Glass, who lives with his mother and three uncles in a rural mountain village. There is not one whit of dysfunction, scandal or evil doing, yet Earley’s powerful descriptions of everyday life and beautifully crafted characters will hold your attention on every page. |
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Rhonda Paglia:
Doonsey's Beach Adventure: the Great Rescue For youngest readers by a former kindergarten teacher, the author takes children to the shore to meet Doonsey, a talking crab, and his mysterious Beach Buddies. Inspired after exploring Kure Beach with her grandchildren, Paglia offers whimsy. learning and extension activities that will keep keep your young ones engaged. |
Your Turn
Any of my fave NC books strike your fancy? What favorite books, of any setting, would you share for National Book Lover’s Day? Please join the conversation in the comment section ...
AND
...find more book love and great bookish ideas for National Book Lover’s day from my writerly pals:
Kristen Lamb
4 Ways to Celebrate NBLD with your Kids
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Carmela Dutra
Fun New Ways to Celebrate NBLD
Thanks for your company on National Book Lover's Day and every day!
Any of my fave NC books strike your fancy? What favorite books, of any setting, would you share for National Book Lover’s Day? Please join the conversation in the comment section ...
AND
...find more book love and great bookish ideas for National Book Lover’s day from my writerly pals:
Kristen Lamb
4 Ways to Celebrate NBLD with your Kids
~~~~~~
Carmela Dutra
Fun New Ways to Celebrate NBLD
Thanks for your company on National Book Lover's Day and every day!
Power up your GPS. We’re off on a virtual family-friendly road trip across the U.S and Australia in the #Gr8Blogs Summer Road Trips 2018. My writerly pals and I are sharing insider touring tips for your summertime fun. I’m excited to show you around my home in central North Carolina,
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My once quiet corner has morphed into a bustling metro area after topping many “best” lists. Best place to live. Best area to retire. Be single. Start a business. Ride a bike. Etc.! With more than 2,156,253 people (and my Apex home town identified by Realtor.com as the fastest-growing town in America, with 307% growth in new construction!), something is always jumping.
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Photo: higgins-spoooner @unsplash.com
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Read on for my top five family-friendly stops AND find insider tips from me and my NC pals to have you living like a local.
Then discover more summer road trip fun from the US coast to coast and Australia as you join my #Gr8Blogs pals linked at the bottom of this page.
welcome to North carolina!
Picture a triangle stretching long on one side. Tip that length downward, plop it onto the center of a North Carolina map, and it points to my corner of the world.
This summer, JM and I moved to Apex, NC, a suburb of 51,000. We decided to RIGHTsize to first-floor living living there, moving just three miles down the road from our beloved home of 20 years in Cary and another great place to live.
Central North Carolina is defined by three unique cities nestled in the corner of that triangle you imagined. Each boasts a major university, which further defines who are (especially during fevered college basketball tournaments!): Raleigh and NC State University; Durham with Duke University; and the University of NC flagship’s campus at Chapel Hill.
This summer, JM and I moved to Apex, NC, a suburb of 51,000. We decided to RIGHTsize to first-floor living living there, moving just three miles down the road from our beloved home of 20 years in Cary and another great place to live.
Central North Carolina is defined by three unique cities nestled in the corner of that triangle you imagined. Each boasts a major university, which further defines who are (especially during fevered college basketball tournaments!): Raleigh and NC State University; Durham with Duke University; and the University of NC flagship’s campus at Chapel Hill.
Photo: qsl.net - Central North Carolina's RTP region
Now draw a big X in the middle of this trio to find the Research Triangle Park (we call it RTP). One of the largest high-tech corridors in the world, it covers 7,000 acres and employs more than 50,000 people in 260 companies focused on computers, artificial intelligence, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and a gazillion techy things I never knew existed. (In fact, RTP lured me to the Triangle decades ago from my Connecticut home, with dreams of landing a high-tech career -Score!)
Insider tip:
Don't be startled when strangers smile at you and passers-by toss a cheery, "Hey!" your way. We're friendly here -:D.
Insider tip:
Don't be startled when strangers smile at you and passers-by toss a cheery, "Hey!" your way. We're friendly here -:D.
YOUR TOP 5 ROAD TRIP STOPS
1. Get Outside, Y’all!
Blessed with four seasons, we spend tons of time outdoors. Bask in perfect autumns and springs. Embrace mild winters (Sure, there's snow, but it melts in a day or two,) In summer’s sizzling humidity, you should drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and take things slow. Hey, you can always head inside and crank up the AC.
Hit the Greenways (all over the Triangle)
Greenway Cat
Tie up your trainers.
Head for one of the 80 greenways (walking trails) linking neighborhood and parks in Cary alone.
Jog for miles,
or take short strolls.
Ride your bike.
Leash up Rover or....
pamper your pooch at one of our dog parks.
Head for one of the 80 greenways (walking trails) linking neighborhood and parks in Cary alone.
Jog for miles,
or take short strolls.
Ride your bike.
Leash up Rover or....
pamper your pooch at one of our dog parks.
Go Green at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Stevens Nature Center (Cary)
Woodland trails in this park’s 140 acres and 3,700 square foot nature center make you forget you’re in a metro area. North-facing bluffs produce a cooler microclimate, allowing tall mountainous evergreen Hemlocks to thrive in our hot summer flatlands. The park's environmental, nature, and children's programs will have you and the kids going green.
Bring bug spray for spring and summer walks across the marshland. Free park admission.
Woodland trails in this park’s 140 acres and 3,700 square foot nature center make you forget you’re in a metro area. North-facing bluffs produce a cooler microclimate, allowing tall mountainous evergreen Hemlocks to thrive in our hot summer flatlands. The park's environmental, nature, and children's programs will have you and the kids going green.
Bring bug spray for spring and summer walks across the marshland. Free park admission.
Ride a Train and Old-Timey Carousel at Pullen Park (Raleigh)
NC Pal Thu W. and her three kids adore historic Pullen Park. This 66-acre gem was the first public park in North Carolina, 5th oldest operating amusement park in the US, and 16th oldest in the world. Its grassy spaces, swings, picnic shelters, and rental pedal boats for the lake are devine. But the real draw is riding the park’s stunning old-timey carousel and kid train.
Insider Tip:
- Great kid zone in Waverly Place Park: Tucked behind the lower level of this shopping center, you can join the fun or watch from nearby benches. Waverly also offers places for good eats and cool drinks. Arrive on a Wednesday evening to catch Wind Down Wednesday, a free family-friendly outdoor concert series.
Photo:waverlycary.com_Waverly Park
2. Explore World-Class Gardens
White Garden Gazebo at the JCRA
As a southern gardener, I hope you'll wander our luscious landscapes.
Discover a 10-acre gem at the NC State University’s JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. As an arb volunteer, it's been a joy leading tours through the 18 display gardens and 6,000 unique plants collected from all over the world.
I also LOVE its adult workshops and children’s programs (nature, arts and crafts, interactive learning stations for school tours, junior chef cooking classes in a yurt, and more). If you're lucky, you'll spot a glowing bride and groom at an outdoor wedding ceremony in the White Garden gazebo.
The JCRA is open to the public and free, except for special events, and operates free Sunday afternoon tours.
Discover a 10-acre gem at the NC State University’s JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. As an arb volunteer, it's been a joy leading tours through the 18 display gardens and 6,000 unique plants collected from all over the world.
I also LOVE its adult workshops and children’s programs (nature, arts and crafts, interactive learning stations for school tours, junior chef cooking classes in a yurt, and more). If you're lucky, you'll spot a glowing bride and groom at an outdoor wedding ceremony in the White Garden gazebo.
The JCRA is open to the public and free, except for special events, and operates free Sunday afternoon tours.
Insider Tips:
- NC Pal Sam I. suggests the 19th-century kitchen garden behind Raleigh’s oldest home, the Mordecai House. Built in 1785, the garden is based on memoir and letters left by former occupant Ellen Mordecai. Some say ghosts haunt here at night, but I'm sure they're friendly southern spirits -:D.
- NC Pal Jane T. gives a shout out to Duke Gardens on the university’s campus in Durham. Small admission fee, but worth it to see its stunning display gardens.
- Plants Delight at Juniper Level Botanic Gardens operates as a garden catalogue company, specializing in exotic perennials that grow in our zone 7 climate. However, its amazing 28-acre display garden and 21,600 unique plants open to the public several times yearly.
3. Chill at an Outdoor Concert
We love summertime concerts, Headliners, like Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and the Pentatonix, perform at large venues like Raleigh's Walnut Creek and Red Hat Amphitheaters.
We love summertime concerts, Headliners, like Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and the Pentatonix, perform at large venues like Raleigh's Walnut Creek and Red Hat Amphitheaters.
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North Carolina Symphony Summerfest at Booth Amphitheater (Cary)
Classical, jazz, or pop float your boat? NC Symphony's Summerfest, a 6-week concert series offers fantastic music, contests, instrument zoos, and more. Bring lawn chairs and goodies to picnic under the stars. Kids under 12 get free admission with lawn seating. |
Photo: Laura on Unsplash
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Wide Open Blue Grass (Raleigh)
Visit during summer’s last hurrah in September for a Bluegrass street spectacular with foot-tapping tunes as more than 100 bands perform on 7 outdoor stages (all free!) and headliners, like Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, fill nearby Red Hat stadium. I love the informal jamming sessions that are everywhere. It's a good mix of local, national, and international talent, plus food trucks, musical instruments for sale, and all manner of NC-made wares. Hey, check out the dance tent to watch clogging performances. You can also join the square dancers and late-night open dancing.
Insider tip:
- Cary Town Band offers rousing-good free concerts for the whole family to have you marching and clapping along.
4. Yum Down Regional Treats
We have tons of restaurants serving food from around the world, but you gotta try southern eats.
We’re all about fried everything.
And ‘cue - barbeque that is.
Pork laced with vinegar in eastern NC
Whatever you decide,
be
sure
to try
iced tea.
Insider tip: Sound like a native!
Specify 'sweet' or 'unsweet' iced tea when ordering.
We’re all about fried everything.
And ‘cue - barbeque that is.
Pork laced with vinegar in eastern NC
Whatever you decide,
be
sure
to try
iced tea.
Insider tip: Sound like a native!
Specify 'sweet' or 'unsweet' iced tea when ordering.
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen (Cary)
This farm-to-table restaurant rotates seasonal fare, like buttermilk-fried green tomatoes, pulled pork with voodoo sauce, and bacon-wrapped meatloaf with pig and whistle sauce. Its patio seating is yummy, too.
Salem Street Pub (SSP) (Apex)
A laid-back eatery in an 1800s brick building in downtown historic Apex, SSP offers good food and family fun. Grab the chalk provided at every table to write or draw on the blackboard-like tablecloth. I have not tried it, but Spouse JM gives thumbs up to My Wife Said It Would Never Sell, the house specialty featuring a beef burger topped with peanut butter, honey, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Somehow, it works! Grownups, try local brews on tap.
This farm-to-table restaurant rotates seasonal fare, like buttermilk-fried green tomatoes, pulled pork with voodoo sauce, and bacon-wrapped meatloaf with pig and whistle sauce. Its patio seating is yummy, too.
Salem Street Pub (SSP) (Apex)
A laid-back eatery in an 1800s brick building in downtown historic Apex, SSP offers good food and family fun. Grab the chalk provided at every table to write or draw on the blackboard-like tablecloth. I have not tried it, but Spouse JM gives thumbs up to My Wife Said It Would Never Sell, the house specialty featuring a beef burger topped with peanut butter, honey, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Somehow, it works! Grownups, try local brews on tap.
Insider tips:
- Road-side stands and farmer’s markets are everywhere, but the 75-acre indoor/outdoor State Farmers Market in Raleigh is easiest to find. Try free samples and talk directly with the people who grow your food. They’ll explain, in the most authentic southern accent you'll hear, the best way to fry okra or store fresh peaches. In addition to produce, vendors offer NC products like plants, honey, and sides of pork; crafters sell NC-made wares.
- Give our food trucks a try. NC Pal Donna B., originally from New Orleans, got me hooked on Mr. A's beignets.
5. Take in a Festival
Peak City Pig Fest (Apex)
Yippy! My new home mixes a traditional southern barbecue cook-off with free music and fun. (Locals know Apex got its name in the mid 1800s by being a water stop for the railroad and highest point, or apex, along a 30-mile stretch of the Chatham Railroad.)
Yippy! My new home mixes a traditional southern barbecue cook-off with free music and fun. (Locals know Apex got its name in the mid 1800s by being a water stop for the railroad and highest point, or apex, along a 30-mile stretch of the Chatham Railroad.)
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival (Cary)
Full disclosure:
As a longtime Cary resident, Lazy Daze tops my list of summertime fun.
Full disclosure:
As a longtime Cary resident, Lazy Daze tops my list of summertime fun.
Catly festival goer
Nearly 330 artisans, 35 bands/entertainers spill over downtown sidewalks over this two-day festival, one of the largest juried events of its kind in the southeast US. I often snag garden art and one-of-a-kind jewelry here.
Dress for hot weather, wear comfy shoes, bring water and a big bag to carry one-of-a-kind crafted treasures you'll find. |
 Lazy Daze
I grab a free shuttle running every 20 minutes from nearby parking lots. It drops me off at the entrance and back to my car when afterward.
Check out Kids World, with games, storytelling, faceprinting, and crafts. Oh, find the Beer Garden for big peeps. |
Insider tip:
- NC Pal Benita B. takes in the NC Japan Festival with her daughter to experience Japanese culture, music, art, and dance.
your turn
I LOVE having you virtual visit North Carolina! What was your fave stop? What must-sees are in your corner of the world? Please share in the comment section.
Before you go, I’m blogging more about North Carolina over the next weeks. For National Book Lovers’ Day on 9 August, I’m featuring my pick of books for adults and kids that are set in North Carolina and written by NC authors. Y’all come back!
Don't go yet .....
There's more tons of fun ahead with the #Gr8blogs Summer Road Trips! Click over to your next destination and join my pals below. (And if you blog and want to hop with us, add a live hyperlink to your family-friendly road trip post in the comment section. My #Gr8blog pals and I will swing by and give you some blog love!)
Thanks a ton! Beyond grateful for your company.
Photos: by Cat Michaels unless credited
Before you go, I’m blogging more about North Carolina over the next weeks. For National Book Lovers’ Day on 9 August, I’m featuring my pick of books for adults and kids that are set in North Carolina and written by NC authors. Y’all come back!
Don't go yet .....
There's more tons of fun ahead with the #Gr8blogs Summer Road Trips! Click over to your next destination and join my pals below. (And if you blog and want to hop with us, add a live hyperlink to your family-friendly road trip post in the comment section. My #Gr8blog pals and I will swing by and give you some blog love!)
Thanks a ton! Beyond grateful for your company.
Photos: by Cat Michaels unless credited
Visit More #Gr8Blogs
Summer Road Trips
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North America
Carmela Dutra - Take a tour of family-friendly places in California’s San Jose Bay Area. Julie Gorges - Julie shows you the best Southern California has to offer. K. Lamb - Buckle up as Kristen takes you through historical sites in California. |
Rebecca Lindsey - Check your tire pressure and take off on a virtual road trip through West Virginia . Rosie Russell - Dust off your maps as Rosie guides you through her home home town, Kansas City, Missouri Rhonda Paglia - Power up your GPS as Rhonda rocks you around Western Pennsylvania. |
Australia
Sandra Bennett - Transfer to a sea plane to find Sandra Down Under in Canberra. Hey, it's winter in Australia, so bring cold-weather clothes! |
I’m pleased to partner with BeachBoundBooks in coordinating a Book Blast for Lisa & Michael Cohn's newest children's book, Bash and Lucy: Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts. Their book speaks to me as a former special educator as the authors address challenges faced by kids for whom certain sights and sounds send them into sensory overload.
I've worked with many children and parents to address this unique style, so I'm over the moon to see more authors tackle the issue. tbh, I only had time to skim the book as I'm consumed with RIGHTsizing, but I loved my first glimpse. With its kid-friendly layout and font (no visual distractions here!) and bright pictures providing context clues for each chapter, it's perfect for beginning readers or reading aloud. Plus, Bash and Lucy offer tons of discussion possibilities about inclusion and bullying.
Please read on to:
The Book Blast runs May 21 - May 23, 2018.
Giveaway ends 4 June.
Happy tales and good luck!
I've worked with many children and parents to address this unique style, so I'm over the moon to see more authors tackle the issue. tbh, I only had time to skim the book as I'm consumed with RIGHTsizing, but I loved my first glimpse. With its kid-friendly layout and font (no visual distractions here!) and bright pictures providing context clues for each chapter, it's perfect for beginning readers or reading aloud. Plus, Bash and Lucy offer tons of discussion possibilities about inclusion and bullying.
Please read on to:
- Meet the authors, an award-winning mom/young son duo
- Watch a video interview with sensory sensitive kids
- Preview the Cohn's book
- Enter to win a $25 gift card/Pay Pal cash giveaway (details at the end)
The Book Blast runs May 21 - May 23, 2018.
Giveaway ends 4 June.
Happy tales and good luck!
About the Book
Title: Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts Authors: Lisa and Michael Cohn Genre: Children's Book Number of Pages: 86 Publisher: Canines and Kids Publishing Publication Date: May 15, 2018 Summary: Sensitive Bash gets grumpy and disruptive when his life is too bright, too loud, too smelly, or too busy. He counts on his dog, Lucy, to help keep him calm. But Paula, Bash's girl-power cousin, is causing all sorts of trouble. Paula says her soccer team has the right to take Lucy away from Bash because girls deserve the very best canine coaches. And superstar Lucy is the most successful coach around! How can Bash show he respects the girls' rights while keeping dear Lucy by his side? Award-winning mom-son authors Lisa and Michael Cohn have appeared on the Today Show, AM Northwest, and SiriusXM Radio, and in Disney's Babble, as well as other media.
About the Author
Award-winning mom-son authors Lisa and Michael Cohn have appeared on the Today Show, SiriusXM Radio, AM Northwest, and in Disney's Babble, the Oregonian, and other media outlets. They are founders of the Roving Reader Leaders. Michael and Lisa have "traveled" 540,000 miles and visited students in 15 countries around the world via Skype in the classroom to discuss their books.
Bash and Lucy Website | Roving Reader Leaders Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ Goodreads | Bash and Lucy YouTube | Roving Readers Leaders YouTube
Book Blast Giveaway
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: June 4, 11:59 pm, 2018 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Lisa Cohn and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.
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Have you lost socks doing laundry and wondered where they went?
Author Michael Sullivan solves this mystery (Hint: time travel!) in his delightful picture book series, The SockKids. His books and merch also support the non-profit Friends of Kids with Cancer. Meet Michael and his gang of hose, PLUS enter for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card or Pay Pal cash OR a pair of SockKids socks. Offer ends on 14 May, 2018. Good luck!
Author Michael Sullivan solves this mystery (Hint: time travel!) in his delightful picture book series, The SockKids. His books and merch also support the non-profit Friends of Kids with Cancer. Meet Michael and his gang of hose, PLUS enter for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card or Pay Pal cash OR a pair of SockKids socks. Offer ends on 14 May, 2018. Good luck!
I’m pleased to partner with BeachBoundBooks in coordinating a Book Blast for Author Michael John Sullivan and the SockKids. The SockKids are partners with Friends of Kids With Cancer, a non-profit organization that helps kids be kids during their cancer treatments. We are honored to help out with YOUR help too. The blast will run from April 30 - May 14, 2018.
The SockKids focus on educating children and adults how bullying affects us all and what we can do about it.
Do you know where your socks go when they go missing in the washing machine? Well, the SockKids know! The SockKids are a mismatched family of socks that sometimes time travel through the spin cycle, teaching universal lessons of love and kindness, and focusing on creating a greater awareness of the many social issues that children are faced with today. The SockKids help to educate and encourage children from 2 to 92 to find solutions in helping to make this a better world.
In this story, Sudsy and Wooly discover their human is being bullied at school and team up against bullies with Ethan’s newest friend, Olivia. They discover bullying hurts everyone and staying silent is not an option.
More Inside! Children’s counselor and licensed therapist, Jamie Ross, gives adults and children guidelines on how to handle bullies.
Michael John Sullivan is the creator of the SockKids. Constantly searching for his socks, he wondered whether the missing foot comforters had found another pair of feet to warm. So he searched and searched, until he discovered these elusive socks likely time traveled. Before his interest in socks, Michael started writing his first novel while homeless, riding a NYC subway train at night. After being rescued off the train, he spent much of the past two decades helping raise two daughters while working at home in New York.
Michael eventually returned to his subway notes in 2007 and began writing Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness (Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books imprint). Library Journal named Necessary Heartbreakone of the year’s best in 2010. His second novel, Everybody’s Daughter (Fiction Studio Books, 2012) was named one of the best books of 2012 by TheExaminer.com. He completed the trilogy by having The Greatest Gift published by The Story Plant in 2015.
Michael has written articles about the plight of homelessness for CNN.com, The Washington Post.com, Beliefnet.com, the Huffington Post, and America Online’s Patch.com service. He is a former board member of the Long Island Coalition For the Homeless.
Shelley Larkin performs many tasks for the SockKids. She develops ideas, co-writes books, and is the marketing and promotions director. She has spent a lifetime of wondering where her missing socks go. The SockKids are grateful to finally solve this mystery for her.
She loves that children and their parents are drawn to the diversity of the SockKids family and the universal and timeless lessons they teach: don’t be afraid of new experiences; treat others as you would like to be treated, and of course, beware of the spin cycle! In addition, she is dedicated to finding the right soap for Sudsy.
Shelley is also a passionate child advocate, working with a variety of cause-driven organizations such as Destination Imagination, Up & At It!, Child Abuse Prevention Council, 3 Strands, the International Bullying Prevention Center, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters Youth Organization. Shelley has developed a keen sense of awareness of what children experience today in dealing with such important issues including bullying and recognizes the importance of putting into place the type of value-added programs that will effectively strike a nerve in preventing our youth from losing their way to a safe and productive future.
In her spare time, she is an event planner and resides in California.
Susan Petrone lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband, her daughter, and two silly dogs. When she isn’t writing SockKids stories, she writes novels and short stories (her work has been published in Glimmer Train, Featherproof Books, The Cleveland Review, Muse, Conclave, and Whiskey Island) writes about her beloved Cleveland Indians at ItsPronouncedLajaway.com for ESPN.com’s SweetSpot network. Her most recently, Throw Like A Woman, was published by The Story Plant in 2015.
Alexandra /SugarSnail dreamed of becoming an illustrator since childhood, even though she didn’t know the profession actually existed. She later graduated from college with an MFA in graphic design.
She never gave up on her dream, so she decided to do what she loved best – become a children’s illustrator. SugarSnail’s beautiful artwork can be seen in many children’s books.
To reach Alexandra Gold/SugarSnail, follow her on Facebook.
Giveaway ends: May 14, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Michael John Sullivan and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.
The Socks
The Socks are available for purchase at http://thesockkids.storenvy.com/.
Sale of the Socks will benefit Friends of Kids with Cancer.
About the Book
The SockKids – Solving The Mystery Of Your Missing Socks! Where do our missing socks go? Readers find out in our children’s series, The SOCKKIDS. We follow the Socker family through many adventures; from encountering the slobbery mouth of the family dog to meeting Santa as he comes down the chimney on Christmas Eve to helping a fireman save a baby to the most shy Socker going to the school dance for the first time. Thanks to the time-travel opportunities afforded by the spin cycle of the washer, they learn about some of the most important humans in the world. Children two and up and their parents will be drawn to the diversity of the family and the universal and timeless lessons they teach: don’t be afraid of new experiences, treat others as you would like to be treated, and of course, beware of the spin cycle!
Where Do Our Missing Socks Go? We tell you! Readers find out in our children’s series -- The SOCKKIDS. We follow the Socker family through many adventures, from encountering the slobbery mouth of the family dog to meeting Santa as he comes down the chimney to helping a fireman save a baby to the most sky sock going to the school dance for the first time. Thanks to the time-travel opportunities afforded by the spin cycle of the washer, the Sockers learn about some of the most important humans in the world. Children two and up and their parents will be drawn to the journeys of the family and the universal and timeless lessons they teach: don’t be afraid of new experiences, treat others as you would like to be treated, and of course beware of the spin cycle! In this book’s story, we read about Sudsy landing on the foot of inventor Ben Franklin. Sudsy, the bug-playing boy sock, discovers with Ben Franklin the wonders and dangers of electricity. The book includes safety rules and discussion questions put together by an experienced classroom teacher in helping parents and children respect the power of electricity.
Do you know where your socks go when they go missing in the washing machine? Well, the SockKids know! The SockKids are a mismatched family of socks that sometimes time travel through the spin cycle, teaching universal lessons of love and kindness, and focusing on creating a greater awareness of the many social issues that children are faced with today. The SockKids help to educate and encourage children from 2 to 92 to find solutions in helping to make this a better world.
In this story, Sudsy and Wooly discover their human is being bullied at school and team up against bullies with Ethan’s newest friend, Olivia. They discover bullying hurts everyone and staying silent is not an option.
More Inside! Children’s counselor and licensed therapist, Jamie Ross, gives adults and children guidelines on how to handle bullies.
Book available at http://thesockkids.storenvy.com
About the Author
Michael eventually returned to his subway notes in 2007 and began writing Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness (Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books imprint). Library Journal named Necessary Heartbreakone of the year’s best in 2010. His second novel, Everybody’s Daughter (Fiction Studio Books, 2012) was named one of the best books of 2012 by TheExaminer.com. He completed the trilogy by having The Greatest Gift published by The Story Plant in 2015.
Michael has written articles about the plight of homelessness for CNN.com, The Washington Post.com, Beliefnet.com, the Huffington Post, and America Online’s Patch.com service. He is a former board member of the Long Island Coalition For the Homeless.
About the Illustrators
She loves that children and their parents are drawn to the diversity of the SockKids family and the universal and timeless lessons they teach: don’t be afraid of new experiences; treat others as you would like to be treated, and of course, beware of the spin cycle! In addition, she is dedicated to finding the right soap for Sudsy.
Shelley is also a passionate child advocate, working with a variety of cause-driven organizations such as Destination Imagination, Up & At It!, Child Abuse Prevention Council, 3 Strands, the International Bullying Prevention Center, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters Youth Organization. Shelley has developed a keen sense of awareness of what children experience today in dealing with such important issues including bullying and recognizes the importance of putting into place the type of value-added programs that will effectively strike a nerve in preventing our youth from losing their way to a safe and productive future.
In her spare time, she is an event planner and resides in California.
Alexandra /SugarSnail dreamed of becoming an illustrator since childhood, even though she didn’t know the profession actually existed. She later graduated from college with an MFA in graphic design.
She never gave up on her dream, so she decided to do what she loved best – become a children’s illustrator. SugarSnail’s beautiful artwork can be seen in many children’s books.
To reach Alexandra Gold/SugarSnail, follow her on Facebook.
Book Blast Giveaways
Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or $50 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice and a second winner will receive One pair of SockKids SocksGiveaway ends: May 14, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Michael John Sullivan and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.
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Cannon atop Fort Macon still point protectively toward Bogue Sound. Grassy knolls covering this five-sided garrison stretch to tidal marshes, a strange mash-up of military and maritime. During the Civil War, Fort Macon guarded the Confederacy’s deep-water port access until Union troops pummeled its 4.5-feet thick walls 560 times in 1862 with new rifled cannon. After the war, the fort was occupied by the US Army and served as a military prison until 1877. Today, the site is the second most-visited state park in North Carolina.
I can understand why. From a lonely perch over tidal estuaries, dark corridors gouged from the earth connect 26 vaulted brick-and-stone rooms, encircling a huge central parade ground. This place oozes with history and tales to be discovered. Camera strapped to my neck, I set out to capture Fort Macon’s spirit (and spirits!) in a fanciful short-story that came to me one spring afternoon. Hope you enjoy my photo tale as much as I enjoyed creating it for you.
Winds rip off the Atlantic and scream across Bogue Banks.
Grains of sand attack my eyes like shards of glass,
destroying my peaceful beach stroll.
I escape by trekking inland over the dunes to the old fort.
Locals warned me not to go there, but I must find shelter.
Grains of sand attack my eyes like shards of glass,
destroying my peaceful beach stroll.
I escape by trekking inland over the dunes to the old fort.
Locals warned me not to go there, but I must find shelter.
Reaching the deserted stronghold, I hurry inside.
Despite sitting vacant for decades, it stands solid and imposing.
Despite sitting vacant for decades, it stands solid and imposing.
Descending through the old stone entry, it’s easy to imagine soldiers once garrisoned here. Were they fearful of battles to come? ...
Suffering under harsh sea winds? ...
Unrelenting heat? ...
Loneliness?
Suffering under harsh sea winds? ...
Unrelenting heat? ...
Loneliness?
Families and children also lived at the fort throughout its 100-year history.
And surely the good citizens from nearby Beaufort and Moorehead City
crossed the sound to visit or sell their wares.
And surely the good citizens from nearby Beaufort and Moorehead City
crossed the sound to visit or sell their wares.
A deafening Crack! slashes the quiet,
like a lightning strike coming too close on a summer evening.
I peer out a window to the ditch and moat.
That green lawn atop the fortress is bathed in brightest sunshine.
Not a storm cloud to be seen.
Bah! Must be wind knocking something that jangles my nerves.
Wait!
Here it comes again. And louder!
CRACK! CRACK!
like a lightning strike coming too close on a summer evening.
I peer out a window to the ditch and moat.
That green lawn atop the fortress is bathed in brightest sunshine.
Not a storm cloud to be seen.
Bah! Must be wind knocking something that jangles my nerves.
Wait!
Here it comes again. And louder!
CRACK! CRACK!
Curiosity overcomes my trepidations.
Scurrying outside to find the source of the noise,
I rub my eyes and stare.
Summer’s sun must be spinning my noggin because ...
--- Can it be!?! ---
... Union soldiers steadily advance
toward the entry gate I passed through seconds ago.
Scurrying outside to find the source of the noise,
I rub my eyes and stare.
Summer’s sun must be spinning my noggin because ...
--- Can it be!?! ---
... Union soldiers steadily advance
toward the entry gate I passed through seconds ago.
At the other end of the long field,
Confederate soldiers return fire.
Rifle blasts are daggers to my ears.
Smoke curling from muzzles presses against my face like a wet cloth.
I watch war’s true horror play out before me.
Soldiers on both sides fall mortally wounded.
This is not the stuff of video games or toy play figures.
Confederate soldiers return fire.
Rifle blasts are daggers to my ears.
Smoke curling from muzzles presses against my face like a wet cloth.
I watch war’s true horror play out before me.
Soldiers on both sides fall mortally wounded.
This is not the stuff of video games or toy play figures.
Get a grip, I steel myself.
This cannot be.
CanNOT be!
I blink again, and when I open my eyes…..
Nothing.
Soldiers disappear. Rifles gone.
Only silence and stretches of wind-whipped grass.
I laugh it off. Just shore breezes and sun playing tricks.
Time to head back to the beach and make my way home.
What's that?!?
The persistent beat of a drum wafts up from the corridors below.
Daaaaa dum-de-dum-dee-dum
An old-timey fife lightly pipes a wistful melody.
Tweee-deet Da-dee-tweee
I hear you warning me:
Noooooo, don't go!
Nothing good ever comes of investigating weird, inky places alone.
But the music is a siren's call,
luring me to twisty passageways once again.
This cannot be.
CanNOT be!
I blink again, and when I open my eyes…..
Nothing.
Soldiers disappear. Rifles gone.
Only silence and stretches of wind-whipped grass.
I laugh it off. Just shore breezes and sun playing tricks.
Time to head back to the beach and make my way home.
What's that?!?
The persistent beat of a drum wafts up from the corridors below.
Daaaaa dum-de-dum-dee-dum
An old-timey fife lightly pipes a wistful melody.
Tweee-deet Da-dee-tweee
I hear you warning me:
Noooooo, don't go!
Nothing good ever comes of investigating weird, inky places alone.
But the music is a siren's call,
luring me to twisty passageways once again.
When the concert ends, I can't help myself.
I applaud the performers.
They nod and beckon me
to join their eternal music series.
That’s it!
Last night’s feast of fried bay scallops and biscuits,
with a side or two of local brew,
obviously are taking a toll on my senses!
I sprint from the fort.
Stumble across the dunes, running hard and out of breath.
Collapse in the safety of the beach, where shore winds are strangely quiet.
Whew!
My imagination must be working overtime.
Nobody roams the old fort, I assure myself.
A whisper carries on a gentle breeze and tickles my ears ….
Are you SURE?
I applaud the performers.
They nod and beckon me
to join their eternal music series.
That’s it!
Last night’s feast of fried bay scallops and biscuits,
with a side or two of local brew,
obviously are taking a toll on my senses!
I sprint from the fort.
Stumble across the dunes, running hard and out of breath.
Collapse in the safety of the beach, where shore winds are strangely quiet.
Whew!
My imagination must be working overtime.
Nobody roams the old fort, I assure myself.
A whisper carries on a gentle breeze and tickles my ears ….
Are you SURE?
The End
Your Turn
What old or historic places have you visited? Could you imagine what is was like for the people who lived there? Please share your experience in the comments section.
What old or historic places have you visited? Could you imagine what is was like for the people who lived there? Please share your experience in the comments section.
Credits
Title Photo: Kevinbercaw, CC BY-SA 3.0
Story and Photos: Cat Michaels
Grateful to my writerly/photographer pal, Auden Johnson, for showing me how photo tales can be creative and fun.
Thanks to Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach, NC, and local history re-enactors for my images and inspiration.
Learn more @ https://www.ncparks.gov/fort-macon-state-park
Title Photo: Kevinbercaw, CC BY-SA 3.0
Story and Photos: Cat Michaels
Grateful to my writerly/photographer pal, Auden Johnson, for showing me how photo tales can be creative and fun.
Thanks to Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach, NC, and local history re-enactors for my images and inspiration.
Learn more @ https://www.ncparks.gov/fort-macon-state-park
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Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.
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Lots of goodies to be found on the blog this week! YA and mystery fans can learn about Ben Woodard's crackling-good new release, "The Staircase of Fire." Plus, everyone can enter a for a chance to win an Amazon gift card or PayPal cash in a Rafflecopter giveaway. Good luck and happy tales!
I’m pleased to partner with BeachBoundBooks in coordinating a $25 Rafflecopter giveaway and Book Blast for Ben Woodard's newest young adult mystery, “The Staircase of Fire.” The blast runs April 24 - 26, 2018, and the giveaway extends through May 8.
Title: The Staircase of Fire (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 3)
Author: Ben Woodard
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
Number of Pages: 276
Publisher: Miller-Martin Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2018
Summary: A quiet town in Kentucky explodes from a racial incident and fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is in the thick of it. His past haunts him and now he’s witness to a horrific event leaving him devastated and afraid. He must escape his town and its memories. But leaving has consequences, too. He will have to betray his friends and his new love.
Nothing stops his nightmares. Not high risk activities or running away. But when his past returns, Tom is forced to confront his greatest fear and finally realizes he cannot escape himself. Now he has to take a stand that could change his life—or end it.
“…a highly recommended pick for teens looking for something different…”
A Stairway to Danger (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 1)
An eyeless body. A menacing stranger. And a tangled mystery.
It’s the summer of 1923 and two cousins hunting for hidden gold stumble on an decayed body. Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is convinced the death was murder and drags his older cousin into a harrowing struggle against a shadowy group. Not even attempts on their lives can stop the boys from relentlessly pursuing the mystery. But when their curiosity leads them to investigate a derelict barge, what they find is bigger and more dangerous than anything they could have imagined.
A STAIRWAY TO DANGER is a fun-filled thriller with humor and adventure in a Twain-like setting.
Winner! Orangeberry Hall of Fame Best Young Adult novel for 2013
Steps Into Darkness (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 2)
Explosions, sabotage, deadly warnings, and a dangerous red-haired man. Imagine The Hardy Boys meet Tom Sawyer. Add a layer of teen angst and excitement plus a mysterious group stirring up racial tensions.
That’s STEPS INTO DARKNESS, the second book in the Shakertown Adventure Series by Ben Woodard.
Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace again makes plans to escape the small town in the 1923 Kentucky countryside—the town that won’t let him forget his past, when a horrific event changes his mind. He teams with his cousin, Will, and young FBI agent Rick Sweeney to solve a perplexing mystery. Attempts on the boys’ lives and a bewildering list of suspects keep them on edge and confused until they discover the real villain—and then wish they hadn’t.
Ben is a (mostly) retired amateur adventurer who has traveled across Tibet, climbed to 18,000 feet on Mt. Everest, and solo backpacked wilderness areas. Now his adventures come in the form of imagining stories, writing and telling them to kids and teens. He works with teachers, schools and literacy organizations spreading the word that books are vital—and fun.
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice
Giveaway ends: May 8, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Ben Woodard and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.
About the Book
Author: Ben Woodard
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
Number of Pages: 276
Publisher: Miller-Martin Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2018
Summary: A quiet town in Kentucky explodes from a racial incident and fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is in the thick of it. His past haunts him and now he’s witness to a horrific event leaving him devastated and afraid. He must escape his town and its memories. But leaving has consequences, too. He will have to betray his friends and his new love.
Nothing stops his nightmares. Not high risk activities or running away. But when his past returns, Tom is forced to confront his greatest fear and finally realizes he cannot escape himself. Now he has to take a stand that could change his life—or end it.
“…a highly recommended pick for teens looking for something different…”
D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Other books in the series...
A Stairway to Danger (A Shakertown Adventure, Book 1)An eyeless body. A menacing stranger. And a tangled mystery.
It’s the summer of 1923 and two cousins hunting for hidden gold stumble on an decayed body. Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace is convinced the death was murder and drags his older cousin into a harrowing struggle against a shadowy group. Not even attempts on their lives can stop the boys from relentlessly pursuing the mystery. But when their curiosity leads them to investigate a derelict barge, what they find is bigger and more dangerous than anything they could have imagined.
A STAIRWAY TO DANGER is a fun-filled thriller with humor and adventure in a Twain-like setting.
Winner! Orangeberry Hall of Fame Best Young Adult novel for 2013
Explosions, sabotage, deadly warnings, and a dangerous red-haired man. Imagine The Hardy Boys meet Tom Sawyer. Add a layer of teen angst and excitement plus a mysterious group stirring up racial tensions.
That’s STEPS INTO DARKNESS, the second book in the Shakertown Adventure Series by Ben Woodard.
Fourteen-year-old Tom Wallace again makes plans to escape the small town in the 1923 Kentucky countryside—the town that won’t let him forget his past, when a horrific event changes his mind. He teams with his cousin, Will, and young FBI agent Rick Sweeney to solve a perplexing mystery. Attempts on the boys’ lives and a bewildering list of suspects keep them on edge and confused until they discover the real villain—and then wish they hadn’t.
STEPS INTO DARKNESS is a fun, page-turning thriller with a hint of romance that delivers adventure and mystery while exploring the fears of a teen living with a frightful memory.
About the Author
Ben is a (mostly) retired amateur adventurer who has traveled across Tibet, climbed to 18,000 feet on Mt. Everest, and solo backpacked wilderness areas. Now his adventures come in the form of imagining stories, writing and telling them to kids and teens. He works with teachers, schools and literacy organizations spreading the word that books are vital—and fun.
Book Blast Giveaway
Giveaway ends: May 8, 11:59 pm, 2018
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Ben Woodard and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.
Thanks for stopping by. Like what you see?
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.
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join cat's tribe of readers
Ah, springtime! Chirping robins. Tender blossoms, AND ... cue the collective moan ... spring ahead clocks one hour.
This weekend signals the annual time shift (in the US). An inescapable event. Like needing a root canal. When possible, I take vacation on the Monday following the switch. Cannot face springing ahead to the office minus 60 minutes of sleep.
To ease your transition, read on to find four literary and entertainment classics that will help you feel more kindly about time.
For Middle-Grade, YA Readers
A Wrinkle in Time
By Madeleine L’Engle
Timey-Wimey
Three supernatural beings transport teen Meg Murry and friends through the universe by tessering or folding back the universe to create a wrinkle in time and space.
About the Book
The first of four books about Meg and friends, this children’s sy-fy classic published in 1963 immerses readers in brilliant adventures and imaginative worlds.
Meg, a bright high-schooler, struggles at school and doesn’t fit in with the crowd. Her brother, Charles Wallace, has the same challenges. Everyone thinks Charles Wallace is dumb, but he’s actually a genius with the unique gift of reading people’s minds. He befriends three aliens, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who whisk away the siblings and Meg’s friend, Calvin O’Keefe, to new worlds.
This is more than a jolly jaunt. The children are on a mission to save Meg’s gifted scientist father held captive by aliens on a distant planet. They must also find a way to destroy the Dark Thing, an evil force threatening to take over the universe.
Three supernatural beings transport teen Meg Murry and friends through the universe by tessering or folding back the universe to create a wrinkle in time and space.
About the Book
The first of four books about Meg and friends, this children’s sy-fy classic published in 1963 immerses readers in brilliant adventures and imaginative worlds.
Meg, a bright high-schooler, struggles at school and doesn’t fit in with the crowd. Her brother, Charles Wallace, has the same challenges. Everyone thinks Charles Wallace is dumb, but he’s actually a genius with the unique gift of reading people’s minds. He befriends three aliens, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who whisk away the siblings and Meg’s friend, Calvin O’Keefe, to new worlds.
This is more than a jolly jaunt. The children are on a mission to save Meg’s gifted scientist father held captive by aliens on a distant planet. They must also find a way to destroy the Dark Thing, an evil force threatening to take over the universe.
What You'll Love About Wrinkle in Time
This book cemented my love of fantasy and science-fiction when I read it as a teen. But there was a depth to this tale Teen Cat didn’t realize.
Like Meg, I didn’t fit with the high school crowd. My adolescences felt lonely and unhappy. Engle delivers subtle messages I now recognize about inclusivity, courage and friendship. Her writing shows that everyone deserves to be loved; everyone can find courage to break from the pack and embrace his or her unique path. The author crafts gems like:
This book cemented my love of fantasy and science-fiction when I read it as a teen. But there was a depth to this tale Teen Cat didn’t realize.
Like Meg, I didn’t fit with the high school crowd. My adolescences felt lonely and unhappy. Engle delivers subtle messages I now recognize about inclusivity, courage and friendship. Her writing shows that everyone deserves to be loved; everyone can find courage to break from the pack and embrace his or her unique path. The author crafts gems like:
"If you aren’t unhappy sometimes you don’t know how to be happy."
"I’m different, and I like being different."
"There’s nothing the matter with his mind.
He just does things in his own way and his own time."
"I’m different, and I like being different."
"There’s nothing the matter with his mind.
He just does things in his own way and his own time."
When Ava Duverny’s film, starring Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling and Reese Witherspoon as the three Misses, opens in March 2018, a new generation of young readers will find their wrinkle in time. And you'll be lining up at the Cineplex alongside them to rediscover L’Engle’s wonders.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
Timey-Wimey
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lovingly tends to 27 clocks in the great Paris train station of 1931. Author Brian Selznick also turns clocks back metaphorically in a charming scene about the early days of the cinema and one of the first motion pictures made, Georges Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon.
About the Book
Hugo lives hidden in the walls of the busy train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world collides with an eccentric bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secret are in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, treasured notebook, stolen key, mechanical man, and hidden message from Hugo's dead father drive this intricate and tender mystery.
What You'll Love About Hugo
The book’s 500 pages won’t put kids off because text is padded with drop-dead illustrations that earned the author/artist a 2008 Caldecott Medal. Hugo is more like a graphic novel, and that’s a kid magnet right there, especially for reluctant readers, who use drawings for content clues. Hey, you'll be dazzled by Selznick's glorious illustrations, too.
Like Wrinkle in Time, 2011's charming film retelling of this tale will have you and the kids wanting a closer look at the book.
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lovingly tends to 27 clocks in the great Paris train station of 1931. Author Brian Selznick also turns clocks back metaphorically in a charming scene about the early days of the cinema and one of the first motion pictures made, Georges Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon.
About the Book
Hugo lives hidden in the walls of the busy train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world collides with an eccentric bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secret are in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, treasured notebook, stolen key, mechanical man, and hidden message from Hugo's dead father drive this intricate and tender mystery.
What You'll Love About Hugo
The book’s 500 pages won’t put kids off because text is padded with drop-dead illustrations that earned the author/artist a 2008 Caldecott Medal. Hugo is more like a graphic novel, and that’s a kid magnet right there, especially for reluctant readers, who use drawings for content clues. Hey, you'll be dazzled by Selznick's glorious illustrations, too.
Like Wrinkle in Time, 2011's charming film retelling of this tale will have you and the kids wanting a closer look at the book.
For Grown-ups
The Time Keeper
By Mitch Albom
Timey-Wimey
In this short fable, the first man on earth to count hours on a clock morphs into Father Time.
About the Book
The inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift, time. The mortal is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years, more TIME.
Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a chance to redeem himself IF he can teach two earthly people the true meaning of time.
What You’ll Love about The Time Keeper
In the mood for a gentle, quick read? This one nails it. Like his Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven, Albom crafts another feel-good read
The plot unfolds between three main characters: Father Time, a dying elderly businessman, and a heart-broken teenage girl. Though the author’s non-linear plot shifts between time periods (think moving from the Tower of Babel to 21st-century iPhones) and from multiple perspective of its diverse trio of protagonists, Albom ties the pieces together perfectly. Best, he delivers that happy ending.
Timey-Wimey
In this short fable, the first man on earth to count hours on a clock morphs into Father Time.
About the Book
The inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift, time. The mortal is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who come after him seeking more days, more years, more TIME.
Eventually, with his soul nearly broken, Father Time is granted his freedom, along with a magical hourglass and a chance to redeem himself IF he can teach two earthly people the true meaning of time.
What You’ll Love about The Time Keeper
In the mood for a gentle, quick read? This one nails it. Like his Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven, Albom crafts another feel-good read
The plot unfolds between three main characters: Father Time, a dying elderly businessman, and a heart-broken teenage girl. Though the author’s non-linear plot shifts between time periods (think moving from the Tower of Babel to 21st-century iPhones) and from multiple perspective of its diverse trio of protagonists, Albom ties the pieces together perfectly. Best, he delivers that happy ending.
From "The Timekeeper"
For Geeks and Sci-Fi Fans Ages 9 and Up
Blink
Doctor Who
Season 3, Episode 10
Timey-Wimey
From the Doctor himself: Best. Description. Ever!
People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly ... time-y wimey ... stuff.
About Blink
Blink is one of my all-time fave Dr. Who episodes. Featuring David Tennant’s Doctor #10 and a young Carey Mulligan as heroine Sally Sparrow, the Doctor travels across time to save the world from the demonic Weeping Angels.
These creepy statues remain rooted in place and look innocent ... until you blink. Then they stalk you, coming nearer with each closed eyelid, and turn you to stone. Super-scary! First time I saw this episode, I covered my eyes with a pillow in every shot where the Angels menaced and tried not to blink.
In a now-classic scene, Sally Sparrow plays a recorded message the Doctor made in the future for her. He offers Sally a brilliant explanation of time travel, so that she will believe him and take necessary action to ward off Weeping Angels in her time. Here’s the priceless 15-second snippet:
What You’ll Love About The Weeping Angels
Director Stephen Moffat excels at making ordinary things scary. You will never look at a statue the same way again! Delightfully frightful, but not gory or sensationalized, Blink is a perfect boo-fest for kids 9 years and older.
Your Turn
I hope these four gems help lessen your time change chaos. What do you do to cope with losing an hour or traveling across time zones? Or are you among the lucky ones not bothered by time shifts? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
I hope these four gems help lessen your time change chaos. What do you do to cope with losing an hour or traveling across time zones? Or are you among the lucky ones not bothered by time shifts? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
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I love meeting authors and learning about new books. That's why I'm pleased to partner with BeachBoundBooks on our Blog Tour for a new children's middle grade adventure, "Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper," by Fiona Ingram. Fiona pens a crackling tale of treasure, ghosts, and mystery in this third book from her "The Chronicles of the Stone" series.
Read on to ...
And before you go, please scroll to the end to enter for your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card/PayPal cash in a Rafflecopter giveaway (must enter by 19 March!)
Read on to ...
- learn about the book
- meet the author
- watch a video preview
- read an excerpt
And before you go, please scroll to the end to enter for your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card/PayPal cash in a Rafflecopter giveaway (must enter by 19 March!)
About the Book
Description: Continuing the adventure that ended in Britain just a short while ago, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair, with their friend Kim Maleka, are now hunting for the third Stone of Power, one of seven mysterious stones lost centuries ago. The third stone might be located in an ancient city, hidden in the depths of the Mexican jungle. When their small plane crashes in the jungle, Adam, Justin, Kim, and James are rescued by an uncontacted tribe. James, who is wounded, must stay behind as the kids, with only their young guide, Tukum, make their way through the dangerous jungle to find the city. River rafting on a crocodile-infested river and evading predators are just part of this hazardous task.
Of course, their old adversary Dr. Khalid is close behind as the kids press on. But he is not the worst of their problems. This time Adam will clash with a terrible enemy who adopts the persona of an evil Aztec god, Tezcatlipoca, and is keen to revive ancient tradition of human sacrifice. Adam, Justin, and Tukum must play a dreadful game of life and death. Will they survive? Will Dr. Khalid find the third Stone of Power before they do?
Watch the Book Video
About the Author
Enjoy an Excerpt
The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper
by Fiona Ingram
The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper
by Fiona Ingram
They squelched through the soggy undergrowth, following Tukum as he headed away from the river. Hours seemed to pass as they wound their way back into the hot, green, endless tunnel that was the jungle. Just trees, ferns, more trees and more ferns, more insects buzzing and hovering, more birds screeching and monkeys constantly screaming as they leaped from branch to branch. Adam grew tired of the racket. Who would have thought the jungle was so noisy?
One good thing about the disgusting dye they wore was that it kept the insects away, even after their dunking in the river. Adam swatted the air in front of his face to chase away the occasional gnat, but no mosquitos had attacked. Back home, the “mozzies,” as they called mosquitoes, seemed to go for Adam. Gran always said they must like the taste of his blood.
Perspiration beaded on his forehead and trickled down his face. His feet felt like lead, making his legs ache as he mechanically lifted each foot and plonked it down in front of the other. The scarab in his pocket knocked against his leg each time he moved. It also seemed to weigh a ton now, but just having it was reassuring. Sweat coated his body, and his tunic, still damp from being in the river, felt coarse and scratchy. He wasn’t alone. Even Justin appeared to be tiring, his usual bold stride slackening with every step. Adam could hear him panting. Kim stumbled along next to Adam, looking exhausted. Once, she almost fell. When he reached out to help her, Kim shook her head.
“I’m okay. I must keep up. I’ve got to do this by myself.”
Only Tukum maintained the grueling pace without any signs of fatigue. He sped ahead, a slim shadow dodging through the trees and undergrowth. At one point, Adam imagined that Tukum had disappeared altogether. Panic rose inside him and he almost threw up out of sheer terror—the terror of now being so far off any beaten track, with no hope of rescue. Then Tukum reappeared. Kim and Justin, plodding along with lowered heads, didn’t even notice he had been gone from view for those few moments. Tukum waved to them.
Adam waved back and tried to move faster, but every step was agony. A cramp stabbed in his side and his lungs were on fire as each breath came with a huge, burning gasp.
One good thing about the disgusting dye they wore was that it kept the insects away, even after their dunking in the river. Adam swatted the air in front of his face to chase away the occasional gnat, but no mosquitos had attacked. Back home, the “mozzies,” as they called mosquitoes, seemed to go for Adam. Gran always said they must like the taste of his blood.
Perspiration beaded on his forehead and trickled down his face. His feet felt like lead, making his legs ache as he mechanically lifted each foot and plonked it down in front of the other. The scarab in his pocket knocked against his leg each time he moved. It also seemed to weigh a ton now, but just having it was reassuring. Sweat coated his body, and his tunic, still damp from being in the river, felt coarse and scratchy. He wasn’t alone. Even Justin appeared to be tiring, his usual bold stride slackening with every step. Adam could hear him panting. Kim stumbled along next to Adam, looking exhausted. Once, she almost fell. When he reached out to help her, Kim shook her head.
“I’m okay. I must keep up. I’ve got to do this by myself.”
Only Tukum maintained the grueling pace without any signs of fatigue. He sped ahead, a slim shadow dodging through the trees and undergrowth. At one point, Adam imagined that Tukum had disappeared altogether. Panic rose inside him and he almost threw up out of sheer terror—the terror of now being so far off any beaten track, with no hope of rescue. Then Tukum reappeared. Kim and Justin, plodding along with lowered heads, didn’t even notice he had been gone from view for those few moments. Tukum waved to them.
Adam waved back and tried to move faster, but every step was agony. A cramp stabbed in his side and his lungs were on fire as each breath came with a huge, burning gasp.
Blog Tour Giveaway
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: March 19, 11:59 pm, 2018 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Fiona Ingram and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Great-Aunt Hazel’s letter written to Mama in 1945 nested in an ancient steamer trunk in the dusty basement of my 100-year old childhood home. It was atop a flurry of yellowing envelopes with old-timey air mail stamps and addresses embellished with exquisite cursive writing. Tucked away (but I suspect not forgotten by Mama!) for seven decades, my great-aunt’s letter called to me from its hiding place … almost as if Mama left it there for me to find.
Clearing my parents' estate was difficult enough, and the discovery of my mother’s stash made it bittersweet. Aunt Hazel's missive revealed secrets my parents kept concealed. I had no clue about their turmoil as young sweethearts.
Aunt Hazel's letter was a gift to me about my parents and timeless love. I don’t share her words easily outside the family. They are beyond precious to me. I hope you find them meaningful, too.
Clearing my parents' estate was difficult enough, and the discovery of my mother’s stash made it bittersweet. Aunt Hazel's missive revealed secrets my parents kept concealed. I had no clue about their turmoil as young sweethearts.
Aunt Hazel's letter was a gift to me about my parents and timeless love. I don’t share her words easily outside the family. They are beyond precious to me. I hope you find them meaningful, too.
Mama's trunk top: letters, cards, ribbons from my baby shower
True Story
During WWII, a handsome young sailor from New Haven, Ct.,
met and fell in love
with the beautiful USO Queen
when he was stationed in Everett, Wa., on the USS Elmore.
Her family didn't want their youngest to leave home
with a stranger of a different-to-them culture and religion.
They did their best break up the young couple.
Handsome sailor and USO Queen: circa 1946
However, one person,
the USO Queen's Aunt Hazel,
wrote to her niece
with compassion and wisdom
about finding lasting love:
the USO Queen's Aunt Hazel,
wrote to her niece
with compassion and wisdom
about finding lasting love:
I'm grateful
the handsome sailor and the USO Queen
listened to Aunt Hazel.
My parents
remained deeply in love
for their 65 years together
on this earth.
Great-Aunt Hazel's letter
Your Turn
Have you discovered letters from your past that helped you better understand yourself and your family? What do you believe are the secrets to lasting love? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
Have you discovered letters from your past that helped you better understand yourself and your family? What do you believe are the secrets to lasting love? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
Cat Michaels
Writing about family, books, writing, life, movies, a bit of travel and more.
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