sometimes they just don’t listen, don’t want to know the truth, or are just too dumb. Oh well, what ya gonna do about it. Here’s an excerpt from Shark’s Breath:
Happy with his purchase, Morgan Simpers ground the gears into second, third and then fourth as he moved northward along the long winding road. Slowing with the long curves, he scanned the side of the road for the little driveway to his rental apartment. Lit only by sky lights, it was difficult to tell what was a small clearing and where an entrance began. Then, there it was, his entrance. Or at least he thought.
He pulled in slowly, noticing as soon as he had, that it was not his entrance at all. A shadowy figure came from the far side, or had it been there all along? Morgan wasn’t sure. He backed from the drive and slowed as he approached the man, now walking roadside. “Hey, need a ride buddy?” He called from the window.
For a moment he thought he recognized the face, somewhat obscured by the loosely fitting knit cap covering his head –or was it the lingering buzz from the weed that made him think everyone was a friend. He strained a bit farther, but the man abruptly turned.
“No,” the man stuffed his hands into the pockets of his light jacket and walked away.
The Meet the Author Luncheon was a success!!! We sold out of tickets and I heard nothing but good things about the food! Thank you so much to all who attended. I truly hope you enjoyed yourself and learned a little about the wonderful authors we have surrounding us. Sales were great, all authors sold books. This says a lot about the quality of our authors.
This was our first author luncheon and we are learning too. Though things went rather smoothly, I know we can improve. Next year will be better!
Thank you to Cathy Teoste, Joe DeCicco, Joey Jones, Beverly Heyde, Bonnie Griffin, and Leslie Tall Manning. YOu are all wonderful writers and I’m so happy to have you as part of our shop. There is more to come.
Thank you to Stretch. Barbara, Pat, Bonnie, Bernice and Elizabeth. YOu are God sends. Thank you, thank you, thank you. CArol Ann Ross
A couple of weeks ago this is what was happening out there where the mermaids play. Feels mighty safe being on shore and I don’t envy those who have been on waters like this. Long ago, with my father we rode some rough water–upchucked a lot.
Speaking of mermaids playing–The Mermaid’s Book Corner located at the Mermaids Purse in Surf City is having their annual MEET THE AUTHOR LUNCHEON. Wow! 6 authors will be circulating after a lunch of either shrimp creole or turkey chowder. This is a closed event with only a certain amount of seating available. we have only 4 tickets left, so if you’re interested please come by The Mermaids Purse and purchase one.
Also, so proud to say that I will be teaching a writing class at CCCF starting this Monday. Last check, there is one seat left. Come join. We have lots of fun and learn a few things too.
quote: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Oh fishy, fishy, fishy, fish, poor little fish. Must have flopped up into my yard during one of the last storms we had. Well, daggone it, he’s mine now-been there 3 and a half months. I guess his family doesn’t give a flying fig or they would have picked him up by now. Called around but nobody seems to want him or even know what I’m talking about. Think I’ll offer a few body improvements and take care of this little guy who tax payers paid for.
QUOTE: “To be able to destroy with good conscience, to be able to behave badly and call your bad behavior righteous indignation-this is the height of psychological luxury, the most delicious of moral treats.” Aldous Huxley
WRITERS TIP (COMMENT): Hmmm. The above quote reminds me of—-local government!!!!!!!
MEET THE AUTHOR LUNCHEON
February 10 1:30 to 3:30
114 N. Topsail Dr.
The Mermaid’s Purse
Meet some of the areas finest authors
And enjoy
Lunch and a beverage
$10
For more information go to the Mermaids Purse on Facebook or the Mermaid’s Book Corner.
It’s a beautiful morning!
Don’t you just love days like this–the peace, the wonder of that great big ocean and all that goes along with it. Geez, makes one so glad to be alive.
But nefarious forces are fast at work here at Topsail Island. Ah Ha! That wascally wascal from SHARK’S BREATH, Eleanor, is about to be exposed for the horrible parent she is. Here’s a little snippet from the book:
Jimmying a trailer door was the easiest thing in the world. Making it up the shaky steps of the back entrance was harder. Twice Don nearly slipped on the slime and mold that had grown there.
The term trailer trash came to mind as he opened the door and stepped inside to the overwhelming stench of cigarettes and pee. Shaking his head, Don noticed the stack of soiled sheets piled on the washing machine in front of him; he was tempted to open the washer door and throw them in. But he didn’t. Rather, he moved stealthily down the hallway to the living area.
From the picture Lev had painted of Eleanor, Don could only imagine the punishment her daughter Tiffany had received from her mother for wetting the bed. If I had a mother like that I’d probably piss my pants too, he thought.
Still working on the book, going kinda slow–may as well blame the hurricane–but SHARK’S BREATH should be on time for Spring. Thank you readers!
Changes, we all live through them. We all have to deal with them, accept, complain–whatever. The next generation won’t give a damn about the way WE lived, they are concerned with their own way of life–hey, that’s just the way it is. But I like to think when it comes to Surf City and Topsail Island, that I got the best. The above photo is of myself and my sister, Mary Ellen, when the sand dunes where everywhere-that’s where we played if we weren’t running through the marshes, climbing old water oaks and the bumble bee towers. If you wanted a treat you could walk up to the Cooler and get a fancy soft serve ice cream from Miss Inez. You didn’t need a license to surf fish, so I did lots of that, and then Lewis Williamson always had a lower price for kids to fish on Barnacle Bills Fishing Pier. If you wanted an inexpensive floating device for the ocean, my father would sell you an inner tube at the Surf City Texaco station.Those of us who were military brats got to go to the VFW with our parents and listen to music, dance, and play outside on trees and tire swings, fish in the marsh and catch frogs. Weekends we went to South Topsail and the skating rink, then we played putt putt. One thing about Topsail Beach, they have kept the place looking much as it did back in the day. (Thank you Topsail Beach please don’t sell out).
Yes, change happens. I guess priorities factor into that change. Who is calling the shots and their agenda is what determines it. I’ve lived enough places to know that greed should never be the determining factor. The island itself should be that. Oh well, I could go on and on, but will save that for later, or you could read the Topsail Island Trilogy and find out what it was like once upon a time. Thank you for reading.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
A long time ago there was a town called Surf City, where the land was such, beneath the ocean, that it made the fishing plentiful for all who cast a line into the water. There was a little swing bridge that opened to residents and visitors alike; it made a welcoming sound as the cars passed over it. The small, little, town was friendly and peaceful and welcoming to all who came there. Children played in the sand dunes and the marshes and life was pleasant. God looked at it and said it was good. The city planners agreed with God and said that Surf City was Everyman’s island, where anybody could afford to visit.
Fast forward thirty years: there is only one fishing pier in Surf City left from the time when it was known as the Fisherman’s Paradise. The sand dunes have been destroyed to make way for houses that have people in them only 8 months of the year. The marshes are not protected and many have been destroyed to make room for even more houses. Much of the shell fishing has been destroyed too, because of the houses and roads built and some groups are even fighting the rights of fishermen to fish. Gone is the little old bridge that ushered folks into a certain way of life. Rather, there is a newer bridge–bigger and better and more conducive to the ever growing population.
God looked at this and…well, let’s keep God out of this since when it comes to the development of Surf City it is evident that He wasn’t even considered.
I never get tired of seeing this. There’s nothing better than shrimp right off the boat. And now a recipe for Shrimp Creole.
sauté onion, garlic and celery in a saucepan for a few minutes until tender, add chopped bell pepper (just a little). add diced tomatoes and one small can of tomato sauce, heat and stir for awhile, then add shrimp and continue to cook for about 5 minutes. Serve over your favorite rice.
Okay, so I don’t give amounts, but then I usually play that by ear. Besides amounts depend upon how much you want. Whatever the amount, it is yummy.
February 10, The Mermaid’s Book Corner, located at the Mermaids Purse in Surf City is having a meet the author luncheon – shrimp creole will be on the menu along with turkey chowder. Looks like we have around 7 authors. More to come on this after Christmas.
QUOTE: “I never talk about books in progress. I could decide to change it to a series of seafood recipes, after all.” Guy Gavriel Kay
Writer’s Tip: Well, I do talk about books in progress, but Mr. Kay has a great idea. As a writer, you can always change your mind.
