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History Day............
-thumb2501646.jpg) So here we are on history day again... surprising how little was going on today in history....Someone should do something enterprising today so I can write about it next year!!The reason for the prison bars?? In 1831, the first indicted bank robber in the US, Edward Smith, was sentenced to 5 years hard labor on the rock pile at Sing Sing prison. Now THAT'S rehabilitation!! Teaching a crook to make gravel....1955, Sam Jones of the Chicago Cubs pitched a no hitter against the Pirates, winning the game 4-0. Jones was the FIRST black pitcher to throw a major league no hitter! Woo Hoo Sam!!1970, Ernie Banks of the Cubs hit home run number 500! (apparently this is a very good day historically for the Cubbies!)1977, the Eagles (LOVE them) earned a gold record for Hotel California...but did you know that Desperado didn't earn one?? Odd, yes??In 1978, the Powers That Be succumbed to feminist outrage and started alternating using men's and women's names in naming hurricanes. Seems this was an attempt at fair play since women didn't want all the credit for damage and destruction. And let's face it....men have done plenty of that, too! So it's only fair that hurricanes like David, Allen, Hugo and Andrew get to be as well known as say, Camelia.
Oh a big day..........
 So you remember when I was talking about how things all go downhill at once??
Well, my poor car, (her name is Casey) had to go to the car doctor. Now my car NEVER has to go to the shop. She's very good. A hard worker who never complains. (Much like her owner, but I digress...)
Anyway, it was a very tidy fortune to pick her up, but her insides were now so pretty and new, I decided Casey needed to be pretty on the outside, too! So off to the carwash....it's been awhile, okay? Poor Casey needed a bath and some vacuuming BAD.......
Like a nervous mommy, I stood at the windows, watching as my poor, dirty baby started down the track through the car wash and I swear....the minute that warm, soapy water hit Casey....her metal shivered. I like to think she was excited--but to be honest, she might have been scared. It's been awhile.........But now Casey's home, all clean and shiny and snuggled up in the garage next to her brother--the dh's car. And all is right with the world...........for now.
History day again........
 Happy Cinco de Mayo! Yep, the traditional day for Margaritas and good friends is here again...and why, do you ask? Good question. Here's the answer--It's the anniversary of the battle of the Puebla. In 1862, General Ignacio Zaragoza's troops were outnumbered three to one as they battled the invading French army. They were way outnumbered, but they had the will to win. The Mexican army defeated Napoleon III's troops and once the French had hightailed it outta there, the General's soldiers relaxed with a well deserved party. So when you're hoisting that frosty margarita today, give a thought to the reason why.........But before the General's sweeping victory, in 1809, Mary Kies was the first woman awarded a patent--what for? For her technique of weaving straw with silk and thread. What was she thinking??In 1891, New York City dedicated its new Music Hall. Of course now, they call it Carnegie Hall...same diff.In 1936 Edward Ravenscroft received the patent for a screw on bottle cap with a pour spout.....Now that guy was on to something!In 1956, Jim Bailey was the first man to break the four minute mile (in the United States).....what was HE thinking??Oh, and in 1867, Nelly Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman), courageous and way ahead of her time journalist was born! Happy Birthday Nelly.......from one woman writer to another..................
A Virtual 'Anywhere But Here' Game.......
 So why is it things go wrong in BUNCHES?? Appliances go belly up, screen doors break, tires need to be replaced, mom's still in a cast and assorted other worries and or problems that you can't necessarily fix start piling up all at once.
What's a writer to do??? Well, for me, I play a quick game of Anywhere But Here. And where do I go when I'm playing this game? I take a soothing mental trip back to Scotland.
There's a small town, a village, really, that I fell in love with the last time we were there. Crail, Scotland is not far from Edinburgh, only ten miles from St. Andrews and has the most gorgeous harbor and lighthouse I've ever seen. My dh and I sat on the sea wall for an hour, just staring out at the waves crashing over the spit of land that leads to the lighthouse. Boats rock in the harbor, old wood creaking. Wind so cold and so fierce that the mailslots on the nearby houses have cloth stuffed in them to cut down on the draft, pushes at you, daring you to stay there on that sea wall. The gulls are screeching, the sun is shining and if you look straight ahead, you can stare into forever.
The picture above came from Undiscovered Scotland mainly because when I was there, I was so busy trying to become one with the scenery, none of my own photos came out well. Crail is poised on the edge of a ferocious sea, but it's stood there for centuries, holding its own against all comers.
If you're ever in Scotland, do yourself a favor and go to Crail harbor. But for now, when you play 'Anywhere But Here', where do you go??
Today in history..........
 Yes, it's history day again.......Lots going on, so to speak!
In 1788, Maryland entered the Union as the 7th state! Let's hear it for Maryland's anniversary! Interesting sidebar....it seems Maryland's state sport was ....drum roll please.....Jousting! Yep...I wonder if it still is. You know, you just don't get to see enough jousting these days.........
The very next year, in 1789, a rebel crew on board the British ship The Bounty, took over the ship and set sail for Pitcairn island. And who could blame them??? Who wouldn't rather lounge around on a beach than sit on a crowded, stinky ship run by a nutball??
Oooh, one of my mom's favorite bandleaders recorded his biggest hit today too... in 1940, Glenn Miller and his band recorded Pennsylvania 6-5000. Hey, I've seen the movie and I LOVE that old song.
And in 1985, the tiny town of Parker, Tx, not far from Dallas, reported a 2-1 edge in the ratio of tourists to residents. Some of the 1,000 residents in town were not happy about the 2,000 tourists A DAY coming to their town to see the Southfork Ranch--the Ewing family home on CBS-TV's Dallas. Hmm. If I'd been living in town, I think I'd have found a way to make some money off of all those tourists. I mean they were going to be there anyway....Lemonade stand? Sandwiches?
What would YOU mutiny against today if you had the chance??
National Reader's Choice Award Nominee..........
 So it's pretty exciting! MORE THAN FIENDS is a finalist in the paranormal category for the National Reader's Choice Award!This award is voted on by readers, so it means a lot to me. I was a finalist once before, but the only time I carried the trophy home was when I picked it up for my friend, Susan Mallery --Yep, she won. Beat me in MY category and still I was fabulous enough to pick it up for her and haul it home!No small feat, since the Reader's Choice award is pretty much a slab of concrete, carved with the winner's name and book title! I was happy to haul that puppy back home for Susan and handed it over as soon as she paid a small ransom in candy....So I think I'm due for one of my own!
Two Weeks at NUMBER ONE!!
Thanks to you, the book has been number One on the Walden's Bestseller list for two weeks straight! Dare we hope to make it three???
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