Friday, July 31, 2009
Trekking
We are again training for another pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. This year we'll start in France and go over the Pyrenees to Leon, Spain where we started our first pilgrimage in 2007.
The picture is of my husband, Otis, crossing a stream on the 14.36 miles hike we took on Tuesday around Charlottesville, VA on our 30th wedding anniversary. We both carried nearly 20 lbs. in our packs. After our hike, we joined friends for dinner at the Boar's Head Inn.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Critter Wars Continue
See these red tomatoes. They are fake!!!!The animal friendly trap hasn't been working. The squirrels take the bait and spring the trip, but don't get caught. So, I have been putting brown paper lunch bags over the tomatoes as they ripen.
Will the fake tomatoes and the brown paper bags foil the wiley squirrels? Will the Haislips ever have any tomatoes? Stay tuned!!!!Monday, July 20, 2009
Meeting Christopher
One of the real joys of being a writer is meeting readers. Today I met Christopher from New Orleans. He and his family are visiting Williamsburg from New Orleans. I look forward to hearing from Christopher after he has read Divided Loyalties.Sunday, July 12, 2009
Critter Wars
A new housing development adjoining our neighborhood has destroyed the habitats of many animals. The builders clear cut the area and the woods disappeared. As a result, we have had an invasion of critters. My flowers have never looked worse. Hungry rabbits have eaten things they never touched before, dahlias and even marigolds.
We have two fenced vegetable plots. But the fences haven't kept out the squirrels. They got our first ripe tomatoes. So we have placed an animal-friendly trap in the garden. We've caught three squirrels and relocated them. Now I've covered nearly ripe tomatoes with brown paper lunch bags. So far the score is squirrels four tomatoes, Haislips one tomato.
Our trash bin was overturned the other morning and we suspect a raccoon.
We have a wildlife camera which we have set up in the yard. It is activated by motion. Our string beans, growing up the side of one of our gardens, have been ravaged by deer.
We have two fenced vegetable plots. But the fences haven't kept out the squirrels. They got our first ripe tomatoes. So we have placed an animal-friendly trap in the garden. We've caught three squirrels and relocated them. Now I've covered nearly ripe tomatoes with brown paper lunch bags. So far the score is squirrels four tomatoes, Haislips one tomato.
Our trash bin was overturned the other morning and we suspect a raccoon.
We have a wildlife camera which we have set up in the yard. It is activated by motion. Our string beans, growing up the side of one of our gardens, have been ravaged by deer.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Why I write...
Writing is all about having readers enjoy what you have written. Today I got this email and I was thrilled!
Ms. Haislip, I am the girl who stood in front of your signing table in the Williamsburg Visitors Center and read half of the book,Divided Loyalties, before deciding to buy it. As soon as I got back home from Williamsburg I read your book. It was awesome! I'm usually not that interested in history, but I love your book. It summed up the whole idea of the struggles that people where going through at that time with the war and was appealing to me since it was not just a history textbook type of thing, but a fun story about a boy and his family. I can't wait to read more of your books soon!
-Laura
Ms. Haislip, I am the girl who stood in front of your signing table in the Williamsburg Visitors Center and read half of the book,Divided Loyalties, before deciding to buy it. As soon as I got back home from Williamsburg I read your book. It was awesome! I'm usually not that interested in history, but I love your book. It summed up the whole idea of the struggles that people where going through at that time with the war and was appealing to me since it was not just a history textbook type of thing, but a fun story about a boy and his family. I can't wait to read more of your books soon!
-Laura
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Lili's Gift
My newest book is called Lili's Gift, and it's about two kids that become orphans during the Civil War. And I've felt a bit like the book is an orphan, too since I haven't heard from many readers about it. As a result, I was delighted to get this email today:
Hello, My name is Anna Lee and I am now in 7th grade. I just read one of your books: Lily's gift. It was excellent!This book was one of the best books I have ever read. You really combined fiction and history together and created an adventurous story. I am so glad I read your book. Thank you so much, Anna Lee
What a nice note!
Hello, My name is Anna Lee and I am now in 7th grade. I just read one of your books: Lily's gift. It was excellent!This book was one of the best books I have ever read. You really combined fiction and history together and created an adventurous story. I am so glad I read your book. Thank you so much, Anna Lee
What a nice note!
