Yooza, Yooza, Yooza. Finally made it in to this, been trying for a while. The 21st and 22nd…y’all come now. Lots of vendors from all over our area, many you’ve never seen before. All kinds of stuff by artisans talented beyond belief. Make a day of it in downtown Wilmington!

  The above picture is of the CLOUD NINE, my father’s fishing boat. The one I worked on for a few years..great times! I use those times often in my writing, they take me to a place I’ll never forget. Yes, the past was a great place-a place I personally like to visit but not live.

I’m presently finishing the last (at least for a while) book in my murder mystery series-ALL THESE LITTLE THINGS, and have been doing some research into my  next novel. It will be set in the 60s and so that’s where my head will be for a while. I sort of dread it because though I think I had an extremely cool childhood, I do not want to live there. I’m a little scared about going in that direction, but am compelled to do so. Drat and damn the life of a writer…these feelings of being compelled to do something drive me nuts.

QUOTES:  I realize there’s something incredibly honest about trees in winter, how they’re experts at letting things go..Jeffrey McDaniel

The past is a great place and I don’t want to erase it or to regret it, but I don’t want to be its prisoner either..Mick Jagger

WRITING TIP: Everything is fodder. Do not be afraid to explore and use it.

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tvyeh-d4ec8f Check out this site to hear my podcast with Dr. Tonya Nagle. It was fun despite wishing I could have done a better job – do I really sound like that?

Every year around this time I pay homage to the daffodil, my favorite flower. So once again, here is a pic of ‘a host of golden daffodils.’ These jocund flora offer such promise and hope as they burst forth from still cold ground-(the reason I love them). There is always hope even in the darkest hour.

Trying to get through the dreary winter, the daffodil reminds us that spring is coming. And for me, that other wonderful things are just around the corner too-new friends, old friends, things we have no idea will come.

Wordsworth said it best:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

To the people I love and to those whose lives have been difficult this winter, I wish you the joy and promise of the daffodil.

J. Manning presenting his newest book at the luncheon.  And it was a great MEET THE AUTHOR LUNCHEON! Thanks to everyone who came and listened to our local writers. The food was great and venue perfect. Thanks to all who helped out.

Cathy Teoste Richard AndrascikJoey Jones Beverly HeydeCarol Ann Ross Leslie Tall ManningJ. ManningJoe Decicco

This year the MEET THE AUTHOR LUNCHEON will be held at Surf City Gifts, the little shop next to IGA. Surf City gifts has been around since the 50s, so you know it’s stood the test of time. It’s year three for our MEET THE AUTHOR. The first year there was no luncheon and it pretty much stunk-hardly anyone showed up. The second year was a great success, even with all the confusion. This year it will be perfect, or at least, that’s what we’re aiming for. Authors will move from table to table rather than guests. (what chaos last year!-my bad) The menu will once again be shrimp creole or turkey chowder-with roll or corn bread and tea or water. It’s a simple menu but a yummy one, and the price is right-$12.50. These dishes went over well last year, empty bowls were all that was left.

We truly have some great Indie authors in our area. I hope you will check them out. Tickets go on sale the 23rd of this month at Surf City Gifts and Surf City Coffee (the shop around the corner next to PEAK). There are only 40 seats available so get them quickly. C U there. Carol Ann Ross

I love this photo of myself and my best friend. He’s been there through thick and thin and has put up with my BS. (of course he doesn’t have a lot of choice, I feed him) over the years. Thank you God for my little dog Joey. Thank you my friends who have truly been friends and thanks to all of you who have purchased my books. Your kind words keep me going and give me incentive to try harder and be better, not only as a writer but as a person. I am truly blessed (and I know it) I pray that each of you has a wonderful Christmas and that the coming year brings prosperity of heart, kindness, joy and peace when the going gets rough. Thank you and Merry Merry Christmas!

Those Were the Days, great song if you remember it. Geez I was so shy back then–well, sort of. This photo is of myself and Roger Hanson in 1967-he was in the Marines. I was working at Barnacle Bills as a waitress; he as a waiter and cook. We had great mustard and ketchup fights with the squeeze bottles. I was terribly in love with him; I was his little sister-yep, that’s how he treated me-as he should have. Thank you Roger. Wish I knew how to find him and thank  him for all the guidance (I was going through a rough time at home). He was a Godsend. I hope that over the decades he has found great happiness.

People come and go in a blink but leave profound impressions on us.  Christmas is just around the corner-the time for giving. Give your time, it goes so quickly, but leaves everlasting memories.

The Coral Cottage is having a great sale Black Friday. Nov. 29. Saturday, Nov. 30 is the Kris Kringle Christmas Craft Show at the Missiles and More Museum at Topsail Beach from 9:30 to 4:30. Please, everybody come and support your local merchants. Both venues offer some of the most unique items around-and by local artists and crafters. Hope everyone has a wonder Thanksgiving with friends and family.