Hop, skip and leap

I'm sure you all know 2008 is a Leap Year. And today is, officially, Leap Day. Every four years there's a February 29th on the calendar, just to keep the calendar coordinated with the sun's position. Every year is actually 365 days and 6 hours long, so every four years an additional twenty-four hours accumulates. So, you see, the need for the Leap Day.

Hmm...I should have an extra day, then. Right? I mean, it's got its own calendar day and all, so the twenty-four hours is sort of like a little time gift, don't you think?

I don't know about you, but I'm tickled to have an extra day. And since I didn't plan on having it, not really, I think I'm going to use it wisely. Very wisely.

Hmm? What am I doing with my extra day? Let's just say I've got an adventure in mind, one that involves me and my husband, snow and hiking boots. And a thermos of hot chocolate. And maybe a camera. How better to spend a "found" day than on an adventure with the man of your dreams?

What are you going to do with your Leap Day? However you decide to spend it, I hope you enjoy it. Remember, it's going to be another four years before we get the next one. Let's use this Leap Day well. :)

Along for the ride

Do you recognize this guy? Or the vehicle he's leaning against? If you do, you and I (and about a million other people, probably!) have a common interest. We watch Cash Cab.

I've got to be straight with you. I hardly watch any television at all. I know that sounds weird but I just don't like it. Really. It doesn't thrill me. There are loads of other things I'd rather do than watch tv. I generally pop the weather channel on for a couple minutes here and there during the day, just to see when the next big snowstorm's scheduled to hit. Or, during the summer, when the next round of blackout-causing storms are due. And I peek at CNN in the morning, and for a few minutes around the time the market closes. Otherwise, it's a no-telly zone around me.

That is, unless it's Cash Cab time. Then, all bets are off.

For those who haven't seen the show and don't smile at the sound of the cab's music and Ben Bailey's laughter, I'll explain.

The Cash Cab is a Toyota cab that drives around New York City and picks up passengers. Just like a normal cab, right? I know, you're wondering what the big deal is to that, aren't you? Wondering, too, if I'm not a little more cracked than you first imagined, eh? Well sit tight, I'm getting to the fun part. The spice, as one of my characters is known to say.

When Ben and his light-and-music-enhanced vehicle picks up a fare, the unsuspecting passengers are given the chance to play for money in the Cash Cab. As they're driven to their destination they're asked a series of trivia questions. They've got two chances to ask for help. The first is a mobile shout-out, where they can call anyone and pose the question that's stumped them, hoping to get a correct answer from the other end of the phone line. The other, and my personal favorite, is a street shout-out. Just writing that makes me smile! The street shout-out involves hanging out the cab's window, yelling to some passerby and asking for help, then hollering the question to the person on the street. Only in New York, right?

I love this show for so many reasons.

Ben (yeah, we're on a first-name basis) seems to be a down-to-earth kind of guy. He's funny, and I like that in people. I don't know how he manages to keep a straight face sometimes -- some of those passengers give amazing answers. I know I'd be cracking up a lot. Probably driving into mailboxes and parked cars too because, really, who can drive while they're doubled up laughing?

I like the money part. It's not a ridiculous amount of money so there's a no-pressure atmosphere in the cab. I think if passengers' answers impacted their getting sums with big zeroes attached to them there would be tension. With the potential winnings being modest there's no anxiety. So many times people say, "We got in with nothing, so if we get out with nothing? Hey, at least we've had fun." I like that. A lot.

The fact that the cab's driving around in NYC appeals to me. I'm not sure I'd be as amused if it was on the streets of a different city. But driving past the UN or Radio City Music Hall, places I've been over and over again, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Really, it does. I get a kick out of taking a ride to Central Park or another familiar destination.

Cash Cab is on the Discovery Channel. Apparently it originated in England but now it's a New York kind of thing and I hope it stays that way.

If you haven't seen it I recommend taking a ride in the Cash Cab. It's fun, and fast, and you never really know where you're going to end up. Kind of like life, don't you think?

Admission of guilt

Just a little something. That's all it was, really.

Nothing big. Not earth-shattering.

I certainly didn't do anything that would,

um, bring undue attention on myself.

Nothing that would be considered,

you know, less than socially correct.

Really.

Fine.

I'll tell the truth.

So I had a little slip, a small moment.

I mean, don't we all have them from time to time?

An instant in time when you might --

just might, I say --

well,

forget yourself?

Do something crazy? Impulsive?

Out of character?

Right.

So, I did.

I admit it, okay?

I did it.

There.

Are you happy now?

I squea-

no, I screa-

no, it wasn't that, either.

*Sigh*

I screeched, okay?

There, I've said it.

I screeched when I saw this.

Now, going in search of coffee.

With a big -- and I mean big -- grin on my face.

Snowbound

Yes, we did get a huge snowstorm yesterday! It is gorgeous outside!
I'm still in my jammies but I'm grinning from ear to ear. I can see it all...

I see snowpeople, snowball fights, sledding and snow-shoeing. I see snow angels and head-back-mouth-open snow tasting. Yes, it's still snowing here. I see...

I see a cleared driveway. Maybe a path to the barn. Yeah, that'll take all day. I guess I'll have to see most of the rest of it only in my mind. It appears I've got an appointment with a snowblower. Still...

Yeah, I'm sure there'll be time for an angel or two. Or a dozen!

Have you noticed?

When I check my email there are little link lines at the top of the page. They change depending on what type of mail I'm opening but the first one of the morning is usually random, or news related. I never click onto them but I do notice them. How could I not? Like I said, they're right there, at the top of the page.

When I peek into my spam folder the top links lead to recipes using spam. Ugh.

This morning's initial link? It was --I kid you not-- a link that led to "directions" for the proper way to wear an article of clothing. Now if the item in question was something that someone might need coaching in I could understand the little link being useful.

Scarves. Scarves come to mind. I mean, those things can be wrapped or pinned a gazillion ways. Directions on wearing scarves? I could see that. Or...hmm, I don't know. There must be other clothing items which could, by some stretch of the imagination, warrant directing. Off the top of my caffeine-deprived head I can't think of any but I know there must be some.

But this? I know for sure the featured item doesn't require directions. Or if it does, the woman who clicks onto the link might do better if she rethinks her choices. Maybe switch to something that she can wear without getting instructions?

All I know is, no woman should need directions on wearing a thong. I've always thought they were pretty self-explanatory.

Off to find coffee...

Happy Saturday

Yesterday I wanted this. Really, I did.

Nice, fat, fluffy clouds. Warm breezes. Bright light.

Sounds good, doesn't it?








Instead, I got this. Notice, no fluffy cloud or bright sky in sight.

And just for the record, the breezes were definitely not warm.






It was so snowy even the turkeys decided to trot away.

Have a nice weekend!

Color me thrilled!

Mambo. Merlot. Murder.

Who killed Milton Falls’ nastiest neighbor? And why? Anna Romeo, vineyard owner and librarian, wants to know.

Used to be doors went unlocked, neighbors visited on porches and gossip centered around who had the biggest zucchini. Now that murder’s come calling all bets are off. Arson, burglary and cryptic tea leaf messages fill Anna’s days—and nights—with love, mystery and adventure.

Can Anna unlock the key to the murder that’s got everyone on edge? And, more importantly, can she do it quickly enough for the annual Zucchini Festival to go on as planned?

Only time—and a bit of luck—will tell.

Moonstruck

Numbers are pressed by memory rather than sight. Eyes turned to the sky, the phone rings once...twice...

"Hello?"

"Dad-"

"It started early!"

"I know. I thought I'd look outside and-"

"Me, too. I went to check and-"

"It started."

"Early."

Silence. Several heartbeats' worth.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"Gorgeous."

"Cold there?"

Shivering, "Yeah."

"Here, too. Must be about sixty, sixty-five. There?"

"Six, seven maybe."

"But clear. The sky is clear, isn't it?"

"As a bell."

Silence. Breathing slows. Synchronizes.

"Go inside."

"You, too."

"Don't want you to get sick."

"You, either."

"But it's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Perfect."

"'Night, then."

"'Night, Dad."

Between Florida and New York there's less distance than one might expect. Especially during a lunar eclipse. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Frosted

Outside our window the world is frosted. It is gorgeous, all shimmery and pristine, but I'll bet the road is treacherous. Yes, a good day to stay indoors. Read. Write. Sew. Eat.

Um, did I actually say that out loud? Eat? I guess I did. Silly me. But here's the deal: I'm just finishing up work on a new cookbook and some of the recipes just make me hungry. I sit and type and remember the crumble of a particular cookie or the tenderness of a scone. Get it? The whole project makes me want to eat.

I'll be glad when I'm done and can send it off to my wonderful proof reader. Then, there'll be someone consumed by the idea of eating all the way on the other side of the world but at least I won't be dreaming of bread, biscuits or baklava. Hmm? Oh, the proof reading is taking place in Australia. Isn't the Internet grand? (Thanks Jude!)

If you're interested (and I hope you are) in reading the first excerpt from Vineyard Mambo, it's posted over on the From the Pages page. I let Anna have the honor of sharing the first bit with you. We both hope you enjoy it. :)

On Monday she rested...

and it was good. Very good.

Yesterday morning I sent a file off to my wonderful (I love her!) editor. Oh, it felt so good to send it zooming off into cyberspace! (The file, not the editor.)

Then, I did...nothing. Well, I did as much nothing as I can stand to do.

I cleaned our bedroom from top to bottom, and the bathroom too. Washed the wood floors and staircase, and was shocked by the dust bunnies I captured. Ugh. Then, I did some laundry. Had to. It was either do laundry or buy underwear. Wrote out birthday cards, a few letters and a bill.

I did fiddle around with an old book file for a while but it was more fun than work. I wrote the story quite a while back and am now changing, um, well -- let's just say it's barely going to resemble the original when I'm through with it. Same characters and basic plot, but POV changes and quite a few other big shifts too. It's sort of like reworking a puzzle. You just find a new way to put the pieces together, one that's, hopefully, better than the first method.

But then I spent the rest of the afternoon sewing and it was fabulous! Perfectly relaxing and productive. I usually keep a few baby quilts on hand for gifts but my current stash is -- well, the stash was plundered at Christmastime so I'm working on restocking. Yesterday I pieced the top for a pink patchwork quilt. Then, since I was having so much fun, I began cutting the pieces for a blue and yellow applique quilt.

Yes, on Monday the blister-fingered writer rested. Say that five times fast. :)

1-2-3 Meme

Last Saturday Marianne tagged me to do this book meme.

The rules?
1). Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages)
2). Open the book to page 123
3). Find the fifth sentence
4). Post the next three sentences
5). Tag five people

Umm...I don't usually do these but since I've been up to my nose in edits I thought it might be fun. The book? The one I've got right here on my desk, Vineyard Mambo.

A first peek...

Let's see, page 123...

Okay, here it is:

“Morning, Martha. How’s it going?”

“Fine I suppose. I can’t believe we have a murderer in our midst. Isn’t there a book by that name?”

I found the third sentence, and posted the next five. So? I changed the rules a tad, what can I say? And I'm not going to tag anyone. Feel free to play along if you'd like! But please, let us know you're playing so we can come read your snippet too.

Let's Mambo!

Are you wondering what Vineyard Mambo is about? With its release date closing in, I thought it was time to finally share the secret...

Mambo. Merlot. Murder.

Who killed Milton Falls’ nastiest neighbor? And why? Anna Romeo, vineyard owner and librarian, wants to know.

Used to be doors went unlocked, neighbors visited on porches and gossip centered around who had the biggest zucchini. Now that murder’s come calling all bets are off. Arson, burglary and cryptic tea leaf messages fill Anna’s days—and nights—with love, mystery and adventure.

Can Anna unlock the key to the murder that’s got everyone on edge? And, more importantly, can she do it quickly enough for the annual Zucchini Festival to go on as planned?

Only time—and a bit of luck—will tell.