On the Saturday before my most recent birthday, I had a lovely adventure. Two Toastmaster friends and I went down to South Haven, to take an afternoon cruise aboard the reproduction tall ship Friends Good Will owned by the Great Lakes Maritime Museum there, and manned by volunteers.
The original Friends Good Will was a merchant sloop commissioned and purchased by a South Haven businessman. However, she passed out of private ownership into the American Navy, then by trickery from their hands into the British Navy, (and back again) in the early 1800's. Her career ended when she ran aground and was burned.
Given my handicap and lack of agility, I was thrilled with how easy the new Friends Good Will was to board. I found a seat on a sail locker, with my back to the mounted field gun, along with other passengers in that afternoon cruise. The captain and her crew members wore costumes authentic to the era as they took us out of harbor under engine power.
When we were far enough out, passengers helped set the sails, and we cruised along the lake shore. Once we got beyond the range of power boats and jet skis, it was blissfully silent. Breezes were light, and the lake placid. All too soon to suit me, it was time to return to port. On the inbound leg, the captain let me try steering.
Now, I have an inkling of what my novel hero would experience on an extremely placid day of pleasure sailing. Why did I disembark?
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Toastmaster Fun
Earlier this week, I received a phone call asking me if I'd be willing to attend a Division Contest as an alternate competitor. Today, I brought home a sparkly first place trophy for participating in Table Topics. This means I can look forward to another level of competition when the District holds its convention in two weeks.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
First Book Proposal Sent This Morning
This morning, I took a deep breath, and clicked my email send button, to deliver the first of four requested book proposals to the first agent who asked, way back in September 2009.
Friday, September 24, 2010
ACFW Indianapolis Conference 2010
I've come home from my second writer's conference with hope, and a budget-shrinking number of excellent books. I was quite surprised to be recognized by people I'd only met once, a year ago. It feels good to be able to joke about novel characters, and have one's listeners not only laugh, but truly understand.
On the second day of the conference, by foolishness of my own doing, I managed to lose the binder that held all of the business cards I'd received the previous year. I asked at the hotel front desk and at our group's lost and found, as well as retracing my steps to the mall, though the security guard and his dispatcher said the cards had not turned up there.
God was good, and I could get replacement cards from some of last year's contacts. I was prepared to continue with those, but on Sunday, just before lunch, another group member interrupted my conversation to hand me the binder again, with all the cards inside.
It's time to read, and write reviews.
On the second day of the conference, by foolishness of my own doing, I managed to lose the binder that held all of the business cards I'd received the previous year. I asked at the hotel front desk and at our group's lost and found, as well as retracing my steps to the mall, though the security guard and his dispatcher said the cards had not turned up there.
God was good, and I could get replacement cards from some of last year's contacts. I was prepared to continue with those, but on Sunday, just before lunch, another group member interrupted my conversation to hand me the binder again, with all the cards inside.
It's time to read, and write reviews.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A Substitute Computer!
It's amazing what sorts of things can be accomplished when a computer dies. Now I have another one, and my withdrawal pangs are over.
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