tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374824872211377392024-03-13T10:18:02.943-07:00Audrey Frank, My WaySink or Swim, I'm Writing AgainAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-52021282035434014952016-09-17T06:36:00.005-07:002016-09-17T06:37:42.793-07:00A Farewell To Audrey<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>It is with a sad heart the family of Audrey Frank is posting her obituary here to let her readers know she passed away on August 25, 2016, after a brief stay in hospice. She had a wonderful life and accomplished all she set out to do. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved forever by her children and grandchildren. As mother would love, a final plug for her books. They will remain for sale on Amazon. Her obituary from The St. Augustine Record is below including a link to the actual online site and her guestbook.</strong></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>Thank you all for being part of her life by following her blog.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>Link to the online site:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong> </strong></span><a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/staugustine/obituary.aspx?n=audrey-frank&pid=181309439"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/staugustine/obituary.aspx?n=audrey-frank&pid=181309439</strong></span></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-70166256748076196262016-03-20T18:09:00.000-07:002016-03-20T18:09:42.826-07:00Memories of Cuba<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijf_JpUVfHs/Vu9Jk_WbqgI/AAAAAAAAAqo/zkvG1IL0aVQlsDvx_p2XG86EJQjZhY_fQ/s1600/havana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijf_JpUVfHs/Vu9Jk_WbqgI/AAAAAAAAAqo/zkvG1IL0aVQlsDvx_p2XG86EJQjZhY_fQ/s400/havana.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal;">I've been
watching with interest our president's visit to Cuba. I don't really have an
opinion one way of the other. It simply brought back memories of a gentler time.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal;">Seventy years
ago, as a graduation present, my father took us all to Cuba. I had a ball. Just
fresh from Spanish classes. I was able to understand most of what the Cubans
said. I had been taught Castillian Spanish and had some trouble with the Cuban
"slang". But it was so much fun.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal;">To top it off,
my father invited my boyfriend Winks to come along. I guess at that age I
wasn't aware of the poverty and domination of the Cuban people. All I knew was
that Havana was a beautiful city. We spent three days in Cuba, taking side
trips into the countryside. It is a beautiful country. </span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: normal;">Unfortunately,
that was the first and last time I spoke Spanish. If you don't use it you lose
it</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-59835167020404574342016-02-05T11:39:00.002-08:002016-02-05T11:39:28.106-08:00Goodbye Floral City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RyEK5TsqxF4/VrT3Y-CSclI/AAAAAAAAAqA/9Bmbwl4zxNQ/s1600/12647716_10208099318182492_911292805_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RyEK5TsqxF4/VrT3Y-CSclI/AAAAAAAAAqA/9Bmbwl4zxNQ/s320/12647716_10208099318182492_911292805_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Actually, it's been fun being
here surrounded by nature in all its glory. Things I've learned? <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>First. Have patience. Boy, do you
need it when the twenty-fifth squirrel hops up on the window ledge and sticks
its tongue out at you. Fifty Cardinals are a beautiful sight, but I would
rather see fifty tourists groping for a seat on the downtown bus. In all
seriousness, the care my daughter Pam has given me has been priceless. Her
patience with a grumpy old mom deserves a medal. In many ways, the stay here
has been fun. I got to know my daughter Pam more intimately than before. She's
quite the woman. Not only a great book cover designer, but a caring and
compassionate person. <o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I will be here through the
weekend. Couldn't find anyone who would give up Super Bowl Sunday to take me
home. Love doesn't include missing the biggest football game of the season. So
I'll party with her friends, overstuff myself with food and drink, and probably
root for the wrong team. Then Monday morning back to St. Augustine and a slew
of doctor visits to be sure I'm capable of living on my own again. I am. <o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>This will simply be another
adjustment I will have to make. If I've learned nothing else since this illness
began, it has been you must be able to ride with the punches and pray for the
best.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Thanks to all my friends who have
kept in touch and boosted my moral when it began to sink. Not sure what I would
have done without you. <o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>It's a little late, but for me a New Year has started. I intend to make the most of it that I can.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p> Love, </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p> <em> Audrey</em></o:p></strong></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-47610977174376155872016-01-31T18:36:00.004-08:002016-01-31T18:36:47.735-08:00Greetings From Floral City, Florida
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<em>Being stranded has its rewards. </em></div>
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<em>On my better days with Pam and kids visiting right after I got out of the hospital.</em></div>
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Remember Me? Probably not. I'm
still trying to forget what happened to me during the month of January. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came to see Pam in Floral City, Florida.
What was supposed to be a short, happy visit turned into a nightmare of pain
and hospital stays in Inverness, Florida for the whole month. I fell and
fractured several bones in my back. I was in and out of the hospital all month,
much to my consternation. I'm still recovering at Pam's and don't know when
I'll finally get back to St. Augustine. But get back I will eventually, and
start living a normal life again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, I'm getting caught up on
nature studies. Squirrels abound. Scooting up bird feeder poles that were meant
to keep them at bay, these wily creatures flaunt their unique talent to go
where no squirrel has gone before. Cardinals and doves, disturbed by their
presence, squawk their discontent. Yes, the country is enchanting, but to this city-bred
gal, give me St. Augustine with its Churches and tourists spots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With luck, I'll be back in St. Augustine
for next month's column. How about helping me out with some new feedback about
your pets and interests?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I'll be back with you in time
for new facts and fun by February's column.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Love you all. Audrey <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-68632512359162555172015-12-06T12:11:00.003-08:002015-12-06T12:16:29.586-08:00Turtle Tales Guest Post Designer Pam King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARBPkrGPtUA/VmSUg5jmQuI/AAAAAAAAAow/VJxdZONsyLc/s1600/Turtle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARBPkrGPtUA/VmSUg5jmQuI/AAAAAAAAAow/VJxdZONsyLc/s320/Turtle2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>Well let me be the first to join your blog. I have 8
baby yellow belly slider turtles. A few months ago my husband and I saw a large
female turtle laying her eggs in our yard. Since we have often seen broken
turtle eggs we know that the raccoons love to eat them. We covered the area
with a large piece of plywood to keep them safe.</strong></span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">About 3 months later I
decided to check on the nest. I very carefully dug into the dirt and there was
a little face looking up at me, still in his egg! We put him in a small
container with water and out he came with yolk sack still attached.
I didn't know if he would live, but in seconds another one came out.</span> </span></span></span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> I started digging again
and found whole eggs. Some were shriveled up, some felt empty, but by the time
I finished I had found 6 more viable eggs. To better keep an eye on them I put
them in a bucket with enough dirt to keep them covered and moved them to our
screened in porch.</span></span> </span></span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">For the next week, every
morning I was greeted with another little turtle sitting on top of the dirt. It
was great fun to wake up and wonder if another little turtle had joined the
world! They all made it and I am a proud mother of eight ravenous baby
turtles.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Another three months
have passed and I can’t believe how they have grown. Feeding time is the
proverbial frenzy. They have learned to come to one end of the thirty gallon
tank when I approach at our regular feeding time. They climb all over each
other and have a contest to see who can eat the most and the fastest. In the
beginning I had to place them in shallow water and put the food right in front
of them to get them to eat. Now they can swim all over the tank to catch
floating tidbits that swirl in the current created by the filter. Their menu
consists of shrimp, mealy worms and kale.</span> </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I don’t know how long I
will be able to keep them. I will have to release them back to nature because
they will grow to large to keep. But for now, they are great fun to
watch</span></span></span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pam King</span></span></span></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.pdkingdesign.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">www.pdkingdesign.com</span></a></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y43PTuU3Xik/VmSWObNFr_I/AAAAAAAAApI/bQ7lnQUVl_c/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y43PTuU3Xik/VmSWObNFr_I/AAAAAAAAApI/bQ7lnQUVl_c/s400/IMG_1684.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"></span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-67941579951168757942015-12-01T12:21:00.003-08:002015-12-01T12:21:43.039-08:00Pearl's New Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IM-acE1Gnvs/Vl4AvcOetLI/AAAAAAAAAoc/XYmOYlEK0ls/s1600/Cockatiel%2BNov%2B015newhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IM-acE1Gnvs/Vl4AvcOetLI/AAAAAAAAAoc/XYmOYlEK0ls/s400/Cockatiel%2BNov%2B015newhome.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>When this house
was built back in the twenties, it had open porches surrounding the entire
front, including the upstairs. Over the years, one owner must have decided to
close them in, which made the perfect setting for my plans as my hobbies
changed.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is now
Pearl’s room was once my artistic rubber stamp room. For years, stamping was my
passion and I owned a shop in the historic area of St. Augustine, called Stamp
Augustine. As time changed, I decided to write romantic fiction novellas, which
are available on Amazon and Kindle. This was my writing area.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the room
houses around three thousand boxed stamps and Pearl. My writing takes place now
in a different upstairs.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you see
through the open window to my bedroom is a white cage to house Pearl. Next to
it, although not so visible, is a red play gym with a second swing, a ladder to
climb, and several small play toys.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first
week, this satisfied Pearl and she would sit on the ladder and chirp at me. I
would sit on the edge of the bed and talk to her, hoping she might learn a word
or two. She has learned the "Up" command when I hold my finger
against her chest. She has become quite good at doing that and seems to like it
even more than just chirping at me.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One evening there
was a television movie I wanted to watch, so I left Pearl <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>on her swing and moved to the sitting area off my bedroom. All
of a sudden I was aware of wings slightly flapping. There was Pearl, walking
across the bedroom floor headed in my direction. I put her on my shoulder and
"movie" night has become one of Pearl's favorite activities. As long
as she can sit on my shoulder and nibble gently at my ear she's content.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I write this
column, it has dawned on me that not everyone is as passionate about birds as I
am. The last thing I want my blog to do is bore you. With that in mind, I have
decided to make this blog into one where everyone can share his/her stories
about their favorite pet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with
cats and dogs, do any of you have some type of pet that could be classified as <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>"weird"? An iguana for example? That would be fun
for anyone to read.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I once
owned a twelve-inch iguana that eventually grew to ten or more feet. I had
built a large cage on my balcony, but it was starting to outgrow that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to sell him to a man for three
hundred dollars. I know I lost money because that iguana had eaten through tons
of fresh vegetables and so many heads of cabbage I lost count.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there was
the time I purchased an untrained monkey who almost wrecked - ah, but that is
another story.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you seeing the
real reason for opening up this column to new ideas? Because people need people
in their lives. Too much texting is going on. Real honest communication has
almost been obliterated from conversation. Even e-mail, as easy as it is to
send, doesn't promise too much enlightenment. My own children send me a quickie
- Hi, Mom, Love you! - then zip-zap they're gone.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, a column
that takes the time to write about your interests, would at least keep a
conversation going. How about your friends? Invite them to join us. We are
becoming a world unto ourselves. With all the hate and horror in the world
today, wouldn't it be nice to hear happy thoughts about a special pet or
activity?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me know what
you think. You can send an e-mail or send a story and your pet's photo. See the tab at the top of this blog header for contact info.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> Audrey<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>And may God still be there, holding our magnificent country
in the palm of His hands.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-36348068400398703562015-11-22T06:51:00.001-08:002015-11-23T21:01:40.669-08:00Pearl's Favorite Spot To Nibble On Millet Strips <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6M7N_Q01LY/VlHVnBUzDRI/AAAAAAAAAoI/Kc6qYFIQX7I/s1600/Cockatiel%2BNov%2B012mullet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x6M7N_Q01LY/VlHVnBUzDRI/AAAAAAAAAoI/Kc6qYFIQX7I/s400/Cockatiel%2BNov%2B012mullet.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong> It was dark, about 3AM. I heard a thud first, then a thrashing of wings that pulled me out of bed fast. I grabbed Pearl, held her close to calm her down. Evidently the perch she had been sleeping on worked its way loose and had toppled Pearl with it.<br /> Once she felt safe on my shoulder she calmed down
and started pecking on my ear. The only thing she likes better is nibbling
at a long strand of millet strips. I always place it on the top of the cage,
so I can quickly scoop it away when I think she's had enough.<br /> Seeds
aren't the best things for birds to eat. They need nutricious pelleted food.
I bought what they had at Pet World, but Pearl doesn't seem to like it.
Sometime this weekend, I'll head to Pet Smart and see what they have. Also
need to buy some toys for her - right now she likes searching for my hearing aids and that's a no-no.<br /> Although I haven't had her but a few days - and the
first day wasn't too great - life is changing for me and Pearl. I can sense
the subtle bonding. If I let her, she'd perch happily on my shoulder all
day.<br /> In my next blog post, I'll tell you about the strange cage arrangement I
have. It's pretty neat and Pearl can look through an open window at all
times.<br /> I do hope you will come back to this blog and enjoy what I'm writing.
I'd like this to be a place where you ask questions and even offer
advice.<br /> Until next time, live happily. It's the only way to go. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong> <em> Audrey </em></strong></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-69611377324333227272015-11-19T18:47:00.004-08:002015-11-19T18:47:33.149-08:00Pearl Has Come Home And The Adventure Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8DKx-6yp6w/Vk6I1HNn_EI/AAAAAAAAAn0/RJxOB1g5GMs/s1600/Cockatiel%2BNov%2B006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8DKx-6yp6w/Vk6I1HNn_EI/AAAAAAAAAn0/RJxOB1g5GMs/s400/Cockatiel%2BNov%2B006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> Pearl on her swing!</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Pearl finally got to come home with me. She can eat on her own now - a grown up gal. She spent the afternoon on my shoulder.</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I just wanted to share her photo sitting on the swing she loves. </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The adventures of Audrey and Pearl have begun. Stay tuned for our continuing story!</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-61495252372635860182015-11-10T16:32:00.001-08:002015-11-10T16:32:25.977-08:00It's Almost Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERfEmL_-jOA/VkKLiveo_-I/AAAAAAAAAng/BYfKHX-3SAM/s1600/pearl.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERfEmL_-jOA/VkKLiveo_-I/AAAAAAAAAng/BYfKHX-3SAM/s400/pearl.tiff" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Pearl still being hand fed at the pet shop.</em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Pearl
is about ready to be weaned! I'm very excited to take you on Pearl's journey to
becoming a full-fledged adult. I expect to bring her home next Monday. We’ll
share our ups and down with you. We'll share pictures. Our stories will be put
on the blog about once each week. You will become part of our family. It
will be a fun journey and I look forward to meeting you here.</strong></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>See
you again soon.</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em> </em> Audrey</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>May
God bless our country </em></strong></span></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>and the magnificent stars and stripes that wave above her.</em></strong></span></span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-30137213156835473602015-10-10T16:51:00.002-07:002015-10-10T16:51:28.060-07:00A Bird Named Pearl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRbviHUm3Fg/VhmkFJ3TCuI/AAAAAAAAAnM/R7jJ5kuPssU/s1600/Cockatiel%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRbviHUm3Fg/VhmkFJ3TCuI/AAAAAAAAAnM/R7jJ5kuPssU/s320/Cockatiel%2B001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>See that happy face? I finally
realized I needed more than a plant to keep me happy. (Besides, my neighbors
were giving me odd looks when they caught me talking to a plant. I could almost
feel they had decided I had gone daft in my old age.)<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I went to several pet shops
beforehand looking for a baby Cockatiel. I have named the baby in the photo
above “Pearl” after the first Cockatiel I ever owned.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>While she is too young to bring
home yet, in a few weeks she will be home with me. I think she senses I already
love her because she kept crawling out of the box onto my hand. I looked long
and hard for a baby bird – they are much easier to train than an adult.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Hopefully, I’ll spend more time
blogging my experience with “Pearl” as she grows.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I can’t explain how happy I am.
My health is improving and that’s a blessing. Each day I thank God. He allows
me to continue enjoying the life He has given me.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>My mantra is “Live each day to
its fullest.” That’s not to say every day is great. At 87 aches and pains have
a way of creeping in. Still, you are never too old to feel love and joy in
everyday experiences.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Today is the youngest I’ll ever
be. I’m going to make the most of it.</strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-41737479871630081302015-08-18T08:37:00.002-07:002015-08-18T08:37:14.717-07:00The Avocado Plant
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0NIfCuMchI/VdNQ_jt_gcI/AAAAAAAAAmY/YpiDHorRwwY/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0NIfCuMchI/VdNQ_jt_gcI/AAAAAAAAAmY/YpiDHorRwwY/s320/IMG_1479.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> It's only a plant, but to me it's a miracle. For more years
than I can count, I tried to root an avocado pit with no luck. It would
disintegrate after about two weeks. For a while, I gave up. Then recently I
purchased a plump avocado to mix in with a salad I was making. That pit dared
me to try again.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Okay, one more try.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>To my amazement little roots started to
appear. Then a green stem sprouted from the top. Small at first, it kept growing.
I transplanted it to a large pot of dirt. Leaves began to sprout. I went on the
internet to see how to care for an avocado plant. Water only when dry, give it
plenty of sunshine, and protect it from the wind. I could do that.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>The plant
continued to grow. I even named it Gabby and talked to it every day. Gabby is
the only pet I can have now since, at 87, I'm too weak to have animals running
underfoot. Still she delights my days and gives me inspiration.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>In life,
perseverance is the goal that keeps me moving and looking forward to each day.
Try growing an avocado pit. It's a difficult task and at first you might not
succeed but keep trying. My motto has become “Never give up and you will
succeed.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>If you have
success, be sure to let me know.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May your days be
as blessed as mine are.</strong></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> <em>Audrey<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-6467045104413814692015-07-09T17:24:00.000-07:002015-07-09T17:28:09.766-07:00An Angel Named Joe<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> My day didn't start off well yesterday. I had to meet with my
lawyer to sign papers and thought I knew how to find him. I suddenly couldn't
remember where he was located. My mind was a complete blank. I was so sure his
office was on Cordova Street (and it was at one time). I didn’t know he had
moved to Riberia Street. I kept driving back and forth getting more confused and upset by
the moment. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At least I had my cell
phone with me. I called his office and told them I had somehow gotten lost. The
secretary asked where I was and said she would send someone to guide me
there. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Expecting a staff member, to my
amazement, the person who came out to find me was my attorney, Joe Boles, Jr,
our ex-mayor, who is now an attorney for the elderly.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When our business was finished,
I was still shaken up by the experience. Joe followed me to my car, got in his
car, and told me to stay behind him on the drive. He would show me the easy way
to get home. He even drew me a map so I would know how to go next time.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are some really nice people in our
world. Once again, an angel came to my rescue. This one named Joe. I am
convinced there are angels all around us, just</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">waiting for us to need them.
They are ready to help. Don't be shy or you might miss meeting a special angel
yourself.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> May God bless us all and this wonderful country where the stars and stripes still fly proudly.</span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> See you soon again.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> Audrey</em></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-54060468818274484782015-06-06T16:20:00.003-07:002015-06-06T16:22:09.072-07:00'Love's Last Laugh ' A Perfect Summer Beach Read Now Available On Kindle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_R-18tO3EWc/VXN8njw_ukI/AAAAAAAAAlo/LJSDPfpC6-E/s1600/kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_R-18tO3EWc/VXN8njw_ukI/AAAAAAAAAlo/LJSDPfpC6-E/s400/kindle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I am excited that my latest novella is now available on Kindle. Want to read a sneak peek? <a href="http://amzn.com/B00YZ7TS2K" target="_blank">Click here</a> and go to Amazon to use their look inside feature! On Kindle for only $2.99.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>A perfect beach read for those lazy summer days!</em></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Regina Osborn had lost the love of her life to cancer. To get away from painful memories, she leaves New York and moves to St. Augustine, Florida with her son Lance. Finding love again was the last thing on her mind. Loving someone and losing them hurt too much. Donna Reilly, Regina's best friend, decides to move south with her. At a hefty 130 pounds, she wasn't looking for love, just fun in the sun. Little did she know what she would encounter in her journey. Trudy Walker had suffered statuary rape in her early teens. Now, at twenty-four, she vowed never to let a man hurt her again. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle"><em>Love's Last Laugh: You can protest loud and clear, but in the end...three women learn you can't hide from love.</em></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"><em></em></span></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"><em><a href="http://amzn.com/B00YZ7TS2K" target="_blank">Buy It Now!</a></em></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"><em></em></span></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"><em>And visit my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Audrey-Frank/e/B00DC7DFGE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1433632334&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> for the latest news!</em></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"><em></em></span></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"><em>Warm wishes, Audrey</em></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"><em></em></span></span></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RGGcogyu238/VXN_XrpH7uI/AAAAAAAAAl8/SfDtqqAl4L8/s1600/befunkyauthorpage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RGGcogyu238/VXN_XrpH7uI/AAAAAAAAAl8/SfDtqqAl4L8/s400/befunkyauthorpage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="a-size-large"></span></span></strong> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-13558968785667539172015-05-04T17:06:00.006-07:002015-05-04T17:09:37.936-07:00Where Did The Year Go?<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As I approach my eighty-seventh birthday, I find myself asking, have I learned anything this past year?<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Yes, I have – patience. Patience to endure pain and not feel sorry for myself. Humility and gratitude for the friends who have had the guts to stick by me even when I knew they didn't want to listen to another gripe. My best friend, Claire (my adopted sister), should get a medal for bravery in the face of turmoil.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I have also reached that point in my life when I realize: who matters, who never did.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I have stopped worrying about people from my past. There's a reason they aren't in my future.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I can never be the person I was, but I can make the effort to be the best I am at this point in my life.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Thanks to my daughters Barbara and Pam. They are the joy of my life.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Thank you, Lord, for carrying me through the worst of times.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>If I'm lucky, I'll still be around to celebrate next year. And you will be here to join me!</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Audrey</span></em></strong></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ja7gUKzfifc/VUgJMpWuDPI/AAAAAAAAAlI/sZQIRa_VTkE/s1600/87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ja7gUKzfifc/VUgJMpWuDPI/AAAAAAAAAlI/sZQIRa_VTkE/s400/87.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> </strong></span></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-23105290384236163552015-03-30T19:25:00.001-07:002015-03-30T19:26:36.924-07:00Love's Last Laugh - My New Novella Is Now On Amazon!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YbMFqRecSk/VRoCDmRpMII/AAAAAAAAAkY/coO264hJ9Ow/s1600/ulaugh.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YbMFqRecSk/VRoCDmRpMII/AAAAAAAAAkY/coO264hJ9Ow/s1600/ulaugh.png" height="400" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Last-Laugh-protest-clear/dp/1508943656/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1427758183&sr=8-3&keywords=Love%27s+Last+Laugh" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. Kindle coming soon!</span></em></strong></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>You can protest loud and clear, but in the end...three women learn you can't hide from love.</strong></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Regina Osborn had lost the love of her life to cancer. To get away from painful memories, she leaves New York and moves to St. Augustine, Florida with her son Lance. Finding love again was the last thing on her mind. Loving someone and losing them hurt too much. Donna Reilly, Regina's best friend, decides to move south with her. At a hefty 130 pounds, she wasn't looking for love, just fun in the sun. Little did she know what she would encounter in her journey. Trudy Walker had suffered statuary rape in her early teens. Now, at twenty-four, she vowed never to let a man hurt her again.</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> * * * * * * </span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am excited to have my new release available on Amazon. A novella full of the type of characters I love to write about. A long holiday and winter season with more health issues slowed me down, but not for long. My cure for everything, new characters, new plots, and a great time writing something I enjoy sharing with you. The Kindle version will be coming soon! </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Wishing you a happy spring and a touch of love!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <em>Audrey</em></span></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-72407258569385712782014-12-26T15:31:00.001-08:002014-12-26T15:31:10.821-08:00An Afternoon Surprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiZ1QrHstDI/VJ3t2z4JdVI/AAAAAAAAAjo/nqRQKnr3EsM/s1600/anafternoonsurprise.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiZ1QrHstDI/VJ3t2z4JdVI/AAAAAAAAAjo/nqRQKnr3EsM/s1600/anafternoonsurprise.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><strong><em>I had submitted this story to the Jacksonville Times
Union for their holiday stories competition, hoping it might win a spot in the top three. It didn't. Let's face it,
you can't always be a winner and I'm happy to accept that. I still thought it
was a fun story and hope you'll enjoy reading it.</em></strong></span></div>
<div>
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Wishing you a Happy New Year. It is almost here!</span></em></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></em></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Audrey</span></em></strong></div>
<div>
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>An Afternoon Surprise</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Amy Morgan dragged herself from the car
to her front door. It had been a wicked day at work. The last minute Christmas
rush was always the time a sales clerk dreaded. She was looking forward to a
cup of tea and propping her feet on the ottoman.<i> What was that mysterious
package on the front step?</i> She wasn't expecting anything. As she grew
closer, she could swear the box moved.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a scratching sound coming from the inside. Maybe an abandoned
kitten? The girls would like that. She opened the front door and lifted the
wobbly box inside, placing it on the sofa.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Anybody home?” she called. No answer. Her guess? Libby and Carla had
met friends after school.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A flush spread over her cheeks. She should wait until the girls were
home.<i> Curiosity was getting stronger.</i> Maybe one little peek wouldn't
hurt. She lifted the cover a notch. Something black and fuzzy flew past her and
landed on an end table lamp.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A tiny spider monkey glared angrily at her. Well she couldn't leave him
there. “Come on, you little monster.” She held out her right arm, enticing him
to jump on. He jumped, but not to her arm. He was sitting jauntily on top of
the drapes. Okay, she'd think of something to bring him down.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She found a banana on the kitchen sink. That ought to do it. She hurried
back to the living room.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Where had he gone? A screech from
the top of the stairs startled her. “Okay, Monster, this nonsense has to
stop.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She held out the banana as she
raced up the steps, her breathing growing heavier.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tiny black eyes looked dangerously menacing as he screeched again and
slid down the bannister like butter off a hot knife.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amy plopped down on the top step. The monkey cocked his head from the
bottom one. His screech became a chatter as his lips widened, showing tiny
white teeth. Was he laughing at her? She stuck her tongue out in return and
wagged the banana in front of him. Slowly, Monster started climbing each step,
his nose sniffing the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was almost
within her grasp, when the front door slammed open.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hey, Mom, we're home!”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Monster took off like a stone hurled from a sling shot. He sped past Amy
and disappeared into a bedroom. He sounded like a banshee screaming his lungs
out.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What's that noise, Mom?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Someone who hates me sent me a gift.” She pushed a stray lock of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sable hair off her forehead. She could feel
the sweat running down the back of her neck. <i>I'm too old to chase a monkey.</i></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Libby and Carla<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sat down beside
their mother. Their eyes were questioning. “Are you all right? You look beat.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amy snorted. “You'd be too, if you had been chasing Monster around for
the past half hour.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Carla's green eyes widened. “Who's Monster?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Check out the front left bedroom. Libby, stay here with me in case I'm
having some weird nightmare.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her younger daughter quirked an eyebrow.
“What's that supposed to mean?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Carla came running back. “Take this monkey out of my hair,” she cried.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amy pushed herself to her feet. “Is he hurting you?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No, but it feels yucky.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amy's lips curled into a smile. “I think he feels secure hidden<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in your black hair. Can you manage a few more
minutes?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Carla shrugged. “I- I guess. Why?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You'll see. I'll be right back.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Libby eyed her sister. “He's kinda cute when you look closer at him.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Not to me.” Carla grimaced. “What's taking Mom so long? I hope he
doesn't mess on me. I just washed my hair this morning.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Monster peeked out from under Carla's hair. His tiny teeth glistened
from the glow of the hallway light.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Libby giggled. “I think he's smiling at me.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Then you let him hide in your hair.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He wouldn't be hiding in mine. It's too light.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their mother walked slowly toward them, a dark brown bath towel gripped
tightly in her hand. “Carla, no matter what happens, don't move.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one swift motion she caught Monster and
pulled him into the towel. “Libby, grab the box and bring it up here.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The monkey almost broke away as she dumped him into the box and slammed
the lid down. His<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>irritation at being
boxed up again could be heard loud and clear.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Carla<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>raced into the bathroom and
started brushing her hair.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Libby eyed her mother. “Now what?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We take him to a pet shop and let them figure out how to handle a wild
monkey.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally back home, Amy checked her watch. “Your father will be home any
minute now. This afternoon never happened. You got that?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Why? It was actually an adventure looking back on it.” Carla couldn't
wait to tell the kids at school.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Dad would be upset. You know how he worries about us.” For once, her
younger daughter hit the ball over the fence.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But nothing happened to make him worry;” Carla insisted.</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I wouldn't exactly say that. One of us could have been bitten.” Amy
hugged her two girls. “You can tell all your friends at school. Let's just keep
what happened here our little secret.”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Richard Morgan hugged his three women when he got home. “What kind of
mischief did you girls get into today?”</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Libby's eyes widened. “Us? We just had a quiet time watching
television.” Her father never noticed the crossed fingers behind her back.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-80887340919901455712014-12-06T10:14:00.001-08:002014-12-06T10:14:20.952-08:00River House Christmas Extravaganza December 4
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3r72tYKUSc/VINEkQej9lI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Id4LnZZ46mY/s1600/me.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3r72tYKUSc/VINEkQej9lI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Id4LnZZ46mY/s1600/me.jpg.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Ready for the adventure!</em></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Unfortunately, the Christmas Extravaganza at River House
didn't draw as many people as we had hoped. There I was, pen in hand, with a
table full of books I was hoping would sell. They didn't, but the folks who did
buy were a joy to meet. Frankly, I had a great time just mingling with the
shoppers and vendors. <o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Doris Oxford was on hand as usual. You can't hold us
old-timers down. We wiggled to some fantastic music and will keep doing these
shows as long as we have the stamina. Why? Because just getting to know the
vendors and hoping for sales, keeps us alive and happy.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GKMqHGCqHp0/VINBeMRIU9I/AAAAAAAAAic/soMapssZFJ0/s1600/BeFunky_doris.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GKMqHGCqHp0/VINBeMRIU9I/AAAAAAAAAic/soMapssZFJ0/s1600/BeFunky_doris.jpg.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em></em></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em>Doris</em></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Jean Willis and I go way back to when we had stores on
Aviles Street. Jean had an art gallery, and I pioneered art rubber stamping.
Jean's artistry is well known. When she retired, she joined our writer's group
and a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>friendship was renewed.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhNUEpJAEpw/VINB_Q8HmRI/AAAAAAAAAik/zYg8V6H7iks/s1600/BeFunky_jeane%2Bwillis.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhNUEpJAEpw/VINB_Q8HmRI/AAAAAAAAAik/zYg8V6H7iks/s1600/BeFunky_jeane%2Bwillis.jpg.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Jean</em></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Howard and Peter were there displaying the Council On
Aging's anthology of memoirs written by the members of the writer's group.
Peter heads up the group and has taught us how to tighten our stories so they
are fun to read. Howard worked above and beyond the call of duty in assembling
the book. <o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiYvd45G_ks/VINCnaGI3OI/AAAAAAAAAis/XtT66jreEN8/s1600/BeFunky_howard.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiYvd45G_ks/VINCnaGI3OI/AAAAAAAAAis/XtT66jreEN8/s1600/BeFunky_howard.jpg.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em>Howard (holding book) and Peter</em></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>To my amazement, my best friend Claire Bishop showed up to
give us her support. Weary from a hard day's work, I couldn't get her to smile,
but I loved the fact that she cared enough to come. She owns <a href="http://claires-rubberstamps.com/" target="_blank">Claire'sCollectibles</a>, the best rubber stamp store on the east coast.<o:p> (Link to her shop and see what I'm talking about!)</o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8ojQbbHyio/VINEBDcNsxI/AAAAAAAAAi4/_SjHfqBC4mE/s1600/BeFunky_claire.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8ojQbbHyio/VINEBDcNsxI/AAAAAAAAAi4/_SjHfqBC4mE/s1600/BeFunky_claire.jpg.jpg" height="314" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em>Claire</em></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Two more friends, Tony and Jean, showed up to add their
support. What would we do without good friends who love us?<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRzheASZbAE/VINFYGWMyhI/AAAAAAAAAjI/5KYMvHOIl6I/s1600/BeFunky_jean.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRzheASZbAE/VINFYGWMyhI/AAAAAAAAAjI/5KYMvHOIl6I/s1600/BeFunky_jean.jpg.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em></em></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em>Jean and Tony</em></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em></em></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Believe it or not, I got to hug Santa Clause! <o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xNDiYzhw2M/VIM_QHTm0oI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/dsN_i9Y2idk/s1600/BeFunky_santa.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xNDiYzhw2M/VIM_QHTm0oI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/dsN_i9Y2idk/s1600/BeFunky_santa.jpg.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p><em>Tried to convince Santa I've been good all year.</em></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I'm embarrassed to admit that the young woman who helped me
the most, Teri Lee, I forgot to take<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her
picture. Without her lugging my books around, handing out business cards and
even making some sales, I couldn't have made it through the day. I'm still
gimping from a broken foot that hasn't healed completely. But my spirits are
high.<o:p> </o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>So another River House extravaganza has come and gone. I'm
already thinking about the show to come<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>in July 2015. The eternal optimist, surely that show will be the best
yet.</strong></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6xb4P96EIo/VINGNRFxjII/AAAAAAAAAjQ/bfnCKKRGvEc/s1600/BeFunky_Book%2BSigning%2BDecember%2B2014%2B001.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6xb4P96EIo/VINGNRFxjII/AAAAAAAAAjQ/bfnCKKRGvEc/s1600/BeFunky_Book%2BSigning%2BDecember%2B2014%2B001.jpg.jpg" height="180" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>There's a lot of writing in all those books. You see what I've been up to.</em></strong></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeObj1Iatrk/VING1hqtbNI/AAAAAAAAAjY/CA6P6Nt29uQ/s1600/BeFunky_Riverhouse.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeObj1Iatrk/VING1hqtbNI/AAAAAAAAAjY/CA6P6Nt29uQ/s1600/BeFunky_Riverhouse.jpg.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-78605327569913655502014-12-02T15:34:00.000-08:002014-12-26T15:48:24.176-08:00"A Cup of Christmas" Kindle Anthology Launches Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pzYDKevmy0/VJ3wsgdywnI/AAAAAAAAAj0/Pt6ABwcZYcE/s1600/10676212_572932652851993_3976496767849346649_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pzYDKevmy0/VJ3wsgdywnI/AAAAAAAAAj0/Pt6ABwcZYcE/s1600/10676212_572932652851993_3976496767849346649_n.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Available on <a href="http://amzn.com/B00QB6F35E" target="_blank">Kindle</a></em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>I was excited to be included in this Christmas anthology along with thirty other authors. My story <em>Simon</em> was reconstructed to have a Christmas theme. It is one of my favorite pieces and it was fun to have it included in this book. The premise of the anthology - <em>Why send a card when you can send an e-book?</em> The book launched for free, but then priced at $1.99 with all proceeds going to </strong><a href="http://www.firstbook.org/first-book-story" target="_blank"><strong>First Book</strong></a><strong>, a national children's literacy charity. </strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>To date, First Book has distributed more than 120 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis.</strong></span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Check it out on <a href="http://amzn.com/B00QB6F35E" target="_blank">Kindle</a>. Get a copy for yourself and for a friend.</strong></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Thirty-one writers, some award winning authors, traditionally published, self-published, and first time writers sharing stories, memoirs, poems and a few tasty recipes.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas!</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <em>Audrey</em></span></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-3703515631246471052014-11-27T05:49:00.000-08:002014-11-27T05:49:35.257-08:00River House Christmas Extravanganza December 4th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ-BXFKR1tM/VHcq7kTV6KI/AAAAAAAAAiA/B_3ZDcmtQqY/s1600/Riverhouse.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ-BXFKR1tM/VHcq7kTV6KI/AAAAAAAAAiA/B_3ZDcmtQqY/s1600/Riverhouse.jpg.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Mark you calendar for December 4th if you are in St. Augustine or surrounding areas. Promises to be a wonderful event. Stop by and say hello!</strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-56116642418305424242014-10-05T20:08:00.002-07:002014-12-06T10:26:27.700-08:00My Nighttime Visitor<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>It had been a hectic day and I was
finally relaxing having my favorite rum and Coke drink before heading to bed.
Whose eyes were watching me? I looked down to see a small lizard perched on the
edge of my end table. He cocked his head and eyed me before climbing forward.
He stopped, again his tiny eyes deciding if it was safe to move further.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hello,” I said. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let's face it, when you sit alone every night, any kind of company is
acceptable. Although tiny, the lizard didn't seem afraid of me. We eyed each
other. What would happen next?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sudden explosive leap and he was
swimming in my drink. I reached over and plucked him out of the rum. Couldn't
have a tipsy creature running amok in my television room. Instead of trying to
run away, I swear I heard him hiccup.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I carefully carried him into the bathroom and washed him off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now what? I gently placed him on the floor.
Hopefully, I could release him tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I finished my drink. How much could a dunked lizard contaminate it?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My sleep was restless. I kept dreaming of lizards climbing over my bed.
I awoke early the next morning to check on my friend. <i>A pang of guilt
engulfed me. He hadn't moved. </i>I gently picked up his limp body, petted him,
then flushed him down the toilet.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The moral to this story? Well, there really isn't any. Just chase an
inquisitive lizard away.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci5MB9W8r6s/VDIGSzxOstI/AAAAAAAAAhw/NlVy6NVGhgU/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci5MB9W8r6s/VDIGSzxOstI/AAAAAAAAAhw/NlVy6NVGhgU/s1600/untitled.png" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-39154839539393618032014-09-07T17:34:00.001-07:002014-09-07T17:34:26.278-07:00New Release "The Healing Heart" Book 3 In The Heart Trilogy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hYSuYSQ9f0/VAz3lktQ--I/AAAAAAAAAgw/ahFeA9xo8GQ/s1600/healing%2Bheart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hYSuYSQ9f0/VAz3lktQ--I/AAAAAAAAAgw/ahFeA9xo8GQ/s1600/healing%2Bheart.png" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Buy on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Heart-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00N81SVE0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1410135878" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>It is always exciting and a bit sad to finish writing a book. I fall in love with my characters and they are like friends keeping me company at night while I work on the computer! Book 3 of <em>The Heart Trilogy</em> is now available on Amazon and Kindle. While I am saying goodbye to those characters - new plots and stories are at work in my head! Keep checking back to see what comes next! </strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em> Audrey</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USTQIO8zVj0/VAz5QL8mP9I/AAAAAAAAAg8/mDX99dERkXA/s1600/51FCPc26XhL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USTQIO8zVj0/VAz5QL8mP9I/AAAAAAAAAg8/mDX99dERkXA/s1600/51FCPc26XhL.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>From Amazon:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Tragedy, turmoil and triumph speed their way through the final installment of the Heart Trilogy. Audrey Frank has once again written a book that will keep you enthralled to the end. Love and loss, hurt and healing are the themes running through this romantic novella. With a no-holds-barred approach, she tackles subjects that are true to life. Love at any age, death, miscarriage, rape, and marriage all unfold. Her realistic characters and fast paced dialog capture the reader’s emotions until the end. Audrey Frank writes realistically about people that could be your neighbors. She gets you involved in the characters so you think of them as friends and you want to know what happens in their lives.</strong></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-34829969360578427722014-07-10T18:51:00.003-07:002014-07-10T18:55:47.038-07:00Annual "Christmas In July" Arts, Crafts, and Writing Festival at River House <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tr_7BINWQkY/U79AjByKUDI/AAAAAAAAAf0/S1wnWOvXvD4/s1600/mom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tr_7BINWQkY/U79AjByKUDI/AAAAAAAAAf0/S1wnWOvXvD4/s1600/mom2.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Setting up my table with all my novellas for sale. </em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Happy to be part of this event at River House second year in a row.</em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It wasn't the best day for sales. With
50 vendors, maybe 25 buyers, plus a very bad thunderstorm, what could you
expect?</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Still, after a year of sitting at home
trying to find solace nursing a broken foot, I was back in my element again. I
had a blast chatting with old friends, handing out business cards, meeting new
folks. If someone was there who didn’t have a business card, I even extolled
the virtue of Vistaprint. If you hand out a business card maybe you’ll gain a
future customer. It’s worth the small price to keep your name in your customer’s
mind.</strong></span> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Without my daughter Pam King, I don’t
know how I would have handled everything. Not only is she</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the graphic designer who
produces my beautiful book covers and book interiors, today she had to unload
them all for the show. She was by my side the whole time, which was a blessing.</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I also want to mention Renate, the
receptionist at River House. She has purchased every book I have written. Not
only is she a fan, but a close friend.</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X9mYfy6RTk/U79BgNvLuhI/AAAAAAAAAgA/hC4OfG-Goy8/s1600/Renate+Hamza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X9mYfy6RTk/U79BgNvLuhI/AAAAAAAAAgA/hC4OfG-Goy8/s1600/Renate+Hamza.jpg" height="310" width="320" /></a></div>
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group I attend were there. Howard and Doris (my neighbor up the street) and I
had a great time talking about everything and anything we could think of. Let’s
face it – if there were so few buyers, we had to pass the time some way.</strong></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Howard Johnson</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBxjPi29dBk/U79CAOZkAkI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/_WXCAvIbxNA/s1600/Doris+Oxford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jBxjPi29dBk/U79CAOZkAkI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/_WXCAvIbxNA/s1600/Doris+Oxford.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Doris Oxford</strong></span></div>
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I felt alive. Something I hadn’t felt for a long time.</strong></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-45350887116743878592014-06-29T14:28:00.001-07:002014-06-29T14:28:55.502-07:00Secrets In The Night - My Latest Novella<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-micKpQxTGsU/U7CBl8WWzkI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OjRdSx87fZY/s1600/BeFunky_51ZES7SIUIL__BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-micKpQxTGsU/U7CBl8WWzkI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OjRdSx87fZY/s1600/BeFunky_51ZES7SIUIL__BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Night-Audrey-Frank/dp/1500229504/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404075226&sr=1-1&keywords=secrets+in+the+night+audrey+frank" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=secrets%20in%20the%20night" target="_blank">Kindle</a></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Life is not always as it seems. Every family has its secrets and the darkness of night can’t hide the truths of the day. Moving between St. Augustine, Florida, and a horse ranch in Hickory Hill, Georgia, this sequel to <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wary-Heart-Audrey-Frank/dp/1499521332/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404076698&sr=1-1&keywords=the+wary+heart" target="_blank">The Wary Heart</a></em> takes place five years later. Love that blossomed earlier has faded. Families struggle to keep together in an ever changing world. Secrets threaten to tear lives apart as new beginnings take hold. Everyone will be changed forever and no one can avoid the consequences. "Secrets in the Night" is a contemporary romance, chock full of mystery, crime and love. With the fast paced dialog Audrey Frank is known for, her characters become alive. With a sexy, rebellious teenager tempting Afghanistan veterans, a hooker trying to change her life, and the murder of rancher, there is plenty of action and romance.</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>I loved writing about the characters in this new collection of novellas. Look for Book Three coming soon. The horse ranch in Hickory Hill, Georgia, brings back memories of the ranch in upstate New York where we used to take the children when they were young.</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em></em></span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>If you read my books and like them, please leave reviews on Amazon! I also answer all e-mails and would enjoy hearing from my readers!</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Audrey</span></em></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-3755869270956880832014-06-10T23:52:00.001-07:002014-06-10T23:52:03.662-07:00My Story "Simon" in The Florida Writer Magazine
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kr94BYEzbIU/U5f6J2yW8wI/AAAAAAAAAfA/oY9se1Z6AXg/s1600/COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kr94BYEzbIU/U5f6J2yW8wI/AAAAAAAAAfA/oY9se1Z6AXg/s1600/COVER.jpg" height="400" width="295" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> So pleased to have my story <em>Simon</em> published in the Spring 2014 edition of <em>The Florida Writer</em>, the quarterly magazine put out by <em>The Florida Writer's Association (FWA)</em>. For their section <em>Paragraphs</em>, writers are given a choice of three topics that play an integral part of the 600 word story. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> Sharing my story below. Hope you will enjoy it. </strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em> <span style="font-size: small;">Audrey</span></em></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Simon</strong></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>On the night of the full moon, Simon came
into Regina Osborne's life. For a year since her husband's death she had lived
aboard their thirty-six-foot cabin cruiser. She never took the boat out, but
preferred living on the water. The other boaters would give her a casual nod
and move on. Tonight was different.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt a presence close by and glanced
around. A small boy leaned against a a nearby piling. His gaze fixed on her.
His hair was scraggly, silver white like an Albino's. Dressed only in faded blue
cutoffs he was way too thin.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regina sucked in a deep breath when their
eyes met. He seemed almost ethereal, his eyes light and transparent. “What's
your name?”</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Simon.” His tone implied she should
already know.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How strange. My son's name was Simon.” A
sudden sadness brought quick tears. “He died when he was eight year's old.”</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An enigmatic smile played at the corners
of his mouth. “I have to leave now, but I'll be back soon.”</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She watched until he was out of sight.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night Regina slept fitfully, haunted
by a strange dream. Her husband and son were laughing, playing together. But
something was wrong. The boy in her dream had silver-white hair, not brown like
her son's. Yet Arthur hugged him as if he knew the child. They exploded into a
kaleidoscope of colors and reached down to grab her. The three of them laughed
as they catapulted toward luminescent clouds.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Higher and higher they flew until Regina
felt dizzy. Suddenly her grasp slipped and she plummeted down through a dark
void, unable to breathe. She tried to grab hold to stop the fall. Her fingers
only tore against the ragged walls of black night.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wake up,” a voice whispered against her
ear.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regina bolted upright.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you all right?” Simon stood staring
at her, his eyes luminous in the glow of the brass lamp. The boy reached for
her hand. “Let's go on deck.”</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regina followed, her heart beating wildly.
What was it about Simon that seemed so familiar yet distant?</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simon eased himself into an adjoining
chair. He steepled his small fingers. Brooding eyes met and held Regina's. “We
must make a journey together. Someone out there is waiting for us.”</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regina pressed her hands against her
forehead. A migraine was forming. She looked up, her eyes daring Simon. “Get
off this boat and never come back.” </strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a calmness on the boy's face. “I
can't do that. I've come too far in my journey.” He held out his hand. “Give
them to me, please.”</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As though mesmerized by his voice, Regina
reached into her pocket and drew out a set of silver keys. With glassy eyes she
watched Simon insert them into the ignition.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simon beckoned to her. “You start the
engines while I cast off.” He scrambled to untie the lines.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trance-like, Regina turned the keys. First
one engine, then the other roared to life thunderously,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then throttled down to a steady bass hum.
The cruiser pitched and rolled against the turbulence of a sudden storm that
descended from nowhere, like a great hunching beast.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simon climbed onto the bridge seat. “Are
you ready?”</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regina stiffened. “Yes.” It was barely a
whisper against the blasting wind.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simon slowly eased the throttles forward.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat moved out of the slip and headed
north toward the open sea.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37482487221137739.post-41795155737795026882014-05-27T21:21:00.001-07:002014-05-27T21:21:50.230-07:00"The Wary Heart" Available On Amazon and Kindle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylM1nFGCESs/U4Vi889ViCI/AAAAAAAAAd0/jQ1j3OzR7kQ/s1600/wary+heart+on+kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylM1nFGCESs/U4Vi889ViCI/AAAAAAAAAd0/jQ1j3OzR7kQ/s1600/wary+heart+on+kindle.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Now available on Amazon & Kindle. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wary-Heart-Audrey-Frank-ebook/dp/B00KLLFPHQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401250285&sr=1-3&keywords=the+wary+heart" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Click here</span></a> to go to Amazon and peek inside!</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So excited my latest novella is now on Amazon and Kindle. This is the first book in my new trilogy. A quick read at 142 pages. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <em>Audrey</em></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Summary:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>A wary heart can sometimes do foolish things. Amanda Jennings is about to find that out. <br /><br />She is fed up with the nomadic life she's led with her husband, Richard, and their three children. Moving seven times in sixteen years, with another move in sight, she finally gives an ultimatum. She is going home to her family in Georgia for the summer, with or without him. Richard goes his way, smug in the fact she will be there when he returns. <br /><br />Once settled in Hickory Hill, Amanda runs into her old boyfriend, Steve, and a friendship is rekindled. Steve still has feelings for Amanda and wants more than Amanda realizes. He owns a stable of horses, and works his way into Amanda’s life through the children who want to learn how to ride. <br /><br />Intrigued with Steve’s attention, but still in love with her husband, Amanda does not know her own heart. When Richard unexpectedly shows up, she has to make a decision. Will she make the right one? <br /><br />A story of family, love, and the power of growth, set within the beauty of a horse ranch. Fast paced with dialog that captures you from page one.</strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15803720590984953814noreply@blogger.com0