Saturday, March 31, 2007
Sharing Springtime
Since I know that some of my readers do not live in Virginia and they live in places where spring comes more slowly, I wanted to share a little of our spring.
This morning I walked with my new backpack filled with bubble wrap and one two-liter bottle of Coke. As I build up strength, I'll gradually increase my load until I can carry the 15 pounds that I plan to carry when we take our 221 miles trek in Spain. On my walk, I snapped a couple of pictures for you to enjoy.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Eleven Miles Yesterday
I jogged three miles yesterday and walked eight. I am in training for our trip to Spain where we will walk from Leon to Sanatiago de Compostela. This was the farthest I've trekked in one day.
Training at this time of year is special. The trees are in bud, daffodils are blooming, and every day spring seems to leap a little forward.
I have ordered a backpack and hiking boots called Waffle Stompers. What a wonderful name! Our plane tickets are on their way to our house. So our plans are moving forward with each step we take.
Training at this time of year is special. The trees are in bud, daffodils are blooming, and every day spring seems to leap a little forward.
I have ordered a backpack and hiking boots called Waffle Stompers. What a wonderful name! Our plane tickets are on their way to our house. So our plans are moving forward with each step we take.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Jamestown 1607
In talking to several of my readers, it became obvious to me that they had never heard of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World.
This year is the 4ooth anniversary of the settlement at Jamestown. Kids, if you know about this, you can wow everyone.
The English established a colony in Jamestown and it survived to be the cornerstone of our American nation. If you have heard of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas, they are part of our founding story. There is a direct link between Jamestown and today.
Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and President Bush will attend the celebration. Since we live just off Jamestown Road, it may be less fun for us as we try to navigate the crowded highways.
This year is the 4ooth anniversary of the settlement at Jamestown. Kids, if you know about this, you can wow everyone.
The English established a colony in Jamestown and it survived to be the cornerstone of our American nation. If you have heard of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas, they are part of our founding story. There is a direct link between Jamestown and today.
Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and President Bush will attend the celebration. Since we live just off Jamestown Road, it may be less fun for us as we try to navigate the crowded highways.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Follow the Yellow Arrow!
Yes, this is me with a yellow arrow stuck to my back. Pilgrims on route to Santiago de Compostela, the most famous of the medieval pilgrimages follow yellow arrows along the pilgram route, called the Camino.
The reason I am wearing one is that my husband and I are planning on a pilgrimage to Spain and the shrine of the apostle St. James. We plan to walk 221 miles from Leon to Santiago with all our gear in backpacks.
This last weekend an organization called American Pilgrims on the Camino met in Williamsburg. I learned a lot about what to expect on this great adventure.
As part of the program, the group went to Jamestown for a five mile walk. Since I knew the area, I ended up showing them the way, wearing a yellow arrow.
If you would like to learn more about this pilgrimage, take a look at either or both of these sites: http://www.ricksteves.com/news/tribune/camino_santiago.htm
Thursday, March 08, 2007
A Great Resource: Old Postcards
On a recent visit to Petersburg, the site of my forthcoming novel, Lili's Gift, A Civil War Healer's Story, Laura Willoughby, curator at the Petersburg city museums, gave me an authographed copy of her latest book. It's in the Postcard History Series and entitled Petersburg. The book is available at: http://www.amazon.ca/Petersburg-Laura-E-Willoughby/dp/0738542857
Kids often ask where I get the ideas for my books. My reply is usually "from history." As I read through this fascinating book and studied the vintage postcards, I learned a lot that I didn't know about Petersburg and I got ideas for future writing projects. Check out this series. There may be a postcard history of your town or area. http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/
It is a great source for writing ideas.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
How do kids get published?
From time to time, readers will ask how they, too, can become published writers. A good place to begin is a book called The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published by Kathy Henderson. I found a copy in my local library. It is also available from Amazon. com. The book contains information on how to prepare manuscripts for submission and over 100 markets that accept kids' writing.
Another good resource is your local library. Ask the children's librarian where you can get your writing published. Look over publications by kids to see which ones best fit your writing.
Don't overlook web sources. A good place to begin is: http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/childpublishing.html
This site lists markets for kids' writing. Also check out: http://www.stonesoup.com/
Good luck, writers!
Another good resource is your local library. Ask the children's librarian where you can get your writing published. Look over publications by kids to see which ones best fit your writing.
Don't overlook web sources. A good place to begin is: http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/childpublishing.html
This site lists markets for kids' writing. Also check out: http://www.stonesoup.com/
Good luck, writers!
