Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Ahhhh!  Snow at the Lake!  From my writer's loft the panorama of winter in all her glory is dazzling.  The Lake glows grey-green against the snowy shoreline.  White-trimmed tree branches frame the picture-perfect scene.  A magnificent lead-up to Christmas.  May you all enjoy a peaceful, blessed holiday as we march into the New Year.  Happy Holidays!

Visions of sugarplums...

Smith Mountain Lake is one festive place to celebrate the holidays--everything from a boats-decorated-for- Christmas parade to programs and pageants and concerts everywhere you look.  So far, we've attended three stellar performances.  First, the Bedford Symphony.  Unbelievable talent and dedication from the musicians and director and an awesome, unique hoiday presentation.  Then, our church cantata with 29 voices blending and soaring to double or triple the expected sound.  Last night it was Lessons and Carols at Ferrum College--student performances that dazzled and inspired.  We hope to attend the musical presentation at the Old Meeting House in Bedford again this year.  In past years we've been mesmerized by the acapella renderings of 17th and 18th century carols by a small, but talented ensemble.  In the candle-lit 1830's meeting house, I am immediately transported to Christmas past. Happy holidays to all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

     We'll be celebrating a "Homeless Thanksgiving," for our neighbors and friends who, for whatever reason, cannot be with family.  So far, we've gathered nine guests and have a communal feast planned at our Lake cottage.  Enjoying mild autumn days, I kayak with friends whenever I get a chance.  The Lake is very quiet and beautiful this time of year.  We've spotted deer swimming across the cove, a loon, and a huge blue heron who flies away at the oh-so-slight sound of our kayak paddles hitting the water.
     On another note, have you noticed every time you pick up a paper or magazine, you find something about bullying, especially in schools?  Since bullying just happens to be the topic of my YA novel EAGLEBAIT, I am working to have it reprinted.  I'd love to see it as a paperback or as an e-book.  I'm learning a lot about e-publishing!
     If Thanksgiving is upon us, Christmas will surely follow at the speed of light.  Happy holidays, everyone!

Fall at the Lake

What a gorgeous fall we are having here at Smith Mt. Lake!  Only one frost warning so far and lovely, crisp autumn days great for golf, kayaking, and leaf-peeping.  Kayaked with friends for 2 hours today.  Saw a loon, a few other kayackers and one, just one boat.  This is our lake at its best.  Golf tomorrow--and who cares about the score? 

The joys of blogging

Today I received a Face Book posting from a fellow who was in an elementary school audience many years ago when I spoke about EAGLEBAIT.  He remembered my talking about the title and thinking the cover was "creepy" with the lighted-up face of the protagonist.  And now he wants to find and read the book!  I directed him to Amazon where I know others have found my book.  What fun!!  Thanks, Paul, for making my day!

Summer is escaping!

Lots of family visits this summer and only one left at the end of August.  We will have hosted all the kids and grands except for the Hawaiians.  All our groupshere at the Lake are gearing up for the new season with parties, lunches, dinners, and other get-togethers.  I'm working to get my YA novel A RED, RED ROSE published and published well.

4th of July at Smith Mt. Lake rocks

What a sensory experience we had last night viewing the fireworks by boat.  A gang of 7, toting wine and snacks, ventured out on the lake to enjoy the Saunders Marina display in duplicate--make that triplicate:  sky, reflection in lake, echo off the mountain.  Awesome!

Home from Hawaii, tanned and tired

Back to reality after 2 weeks of family, fun, and Hawaiian hospitality....it was all good!  With 14 of us in one place at the same time, we managed to cram in 3 parties, 2 picnics, 2 all-family dinners out and a lot of surf, sand, and sushi.  We returned to our Lake jet-lagged and loaded with over 700 pictures to sort out on the computer.  Will post some of the best ones soon.  Aloha, everyone. 

Hawaii, here we come!

Well, we're getting packed and organized for our trip to Hawaii to celebrate our Grand daughter's first birthday.  The whole family will be there--all three of our kids and all 6 of our grands.  Honolulu may never be the same!  For most, it's the first time visit, so there are many exciting sites to see:  The Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay, Waikiki Beach, the Polynesian Cultural Center and much more.  I expect the gorgeous Hawaii beaches will be the biggest hit with everyone.  Wish us luck on this extended family gig.  Can't wait to see our little Hawaiian grand kiki.

Lakeside Singers Concert was a GREAT Success!

The first of the weekend's two concerts by Lakeside Singers was performed brilliantly before a full house.  "Kidz @ Heart," is the theme, and it's a rockin' good time with lots of Disney, Oz, Seussical, and even West Side Story pieces.  The 60+ performers did a stellar job and the audience left floating on a cloud of happy, upbeat, nostalgic tunes.

Yoga, golf, life....

Enjoying my Hatha Yoga.  Today's class should help the hula-hoo-hip I developed after the 60's sock hop we went to Saturday night.  OK, so I didn't win, the hula hoop contest, but, by golly, I hung in there, spinning and spinning.  Oh, my aching glutious muscles!  Tomorrow it's 18 holes of golf with the ladies.  I am absolutely the WORST of the lot, but they humor me.  At least I don't slow anybody down as I chase after lost balls at the speed of light.  I get more exercise than most golfers, believe me.  Looking forward to Memorial Day weekend and some company for a cookout.  The lake will be humming with boats, jetskis, and skiers.  It's the official opening of life on the Lake.

Agent alert

I just got an email from a NY literary agent asking to see my ms.  Very excited!!  Though the setting of my YA novel is SW Virginia, the theme is universal:  Young girl looking to find family and historic roots discovers many layers of life built into the foundation of her heritage.  It was fun to research and write; publication would be a bonus!  I know the whole process takes forever, but I'm willing to work through it if somebody will just take me on.  Wish me luck!

Life is popping at Smith Mountain Lake

So much going on in these parts.  The annual Lakeside Singers concert will be first weekend in June and it's gonna be wonderful!  "Kitz @ Heart," is the theme--great songs from Disney, Oz, Seussical, and much more.  Lakeside Singers is a part of the Smith Mt. Arts Council, which provides a huge variety of activities related to the arts.  We have coffee houses featuring singers and instrumentalists and comedians; we have an art contest and a photo contest and this year a novel-writing contest; we have play-readers and stained-glass groups, and writers groups and a zillion other special interest venues.  There's a program in the schools which brings writers and actors  and musicians into the classrooms and each year scholarships are awarded for students who will study the arts.  I wrote press/publicity for them for 3 years; it was a year-round job. It's nice to be able to retire in a location that values the arts in such an intense way.  I'm a long-time fan of the Smith Mountain Arts Council.

Working to get my novel published

which is no easy task these days, despite electronic submissions.  I have sent queries, synopses, chapters, and the full ms. in various combinations as requested to five small publishers.  Also have in 4 e-queries for agents.  So far.....nada.  If I had a cutting-edge book needing quick publication I'd be outta luck.  Of course, if I had a cutting-edge book, instead of young adult fiction, I might have had more responses....hmmmm.  Will try to add several agent queries each week until I hear SOMETHING from SOMEBODY.  Sigh

Getting to Know Me

I am an author who lives on Smith Mountain Lake, VA. I belong to Lake Writers and do press for several local organizations. I've done a lot of free-lance writing since I've moved here and am currently trying to peddle a Young Adult novel based at the lake.

 My first book, Eaglebait, was published by Harcourt. It won two major awards, NY Public Library's "Books for the Teenage," and the International Reading Association's "Young Adult Choice."

I have just finished a YA novel based on Smith Mountain Lake.