Dec 16, 2013

Catch us .. .



... on  

 





       Star of Wonder
   



Photo by Karl Marean




A Belted Galloway 
calf is born on Christmas Eve at
Aldermere Farm.



















Star of Wonder

 STAR OF WONDER on Facebook 

 Available at:


207 is a news magazine show produced by WCSH6 in Portland Maine. 
207 is hosted by Rob Caldwell and Kathleen Shannon. 



Follow 207 on twitter: www.twitter.com/207TV 

Visit the site: www.wcsh6.com

Miss the live interview?  Catch it HERE.

Nov 25, 2013

Star of Wonder



In time for Christmas, a little Beltie Magic!


Illustrated by Thomas Block


Available locally at:

and






With illustrations by Thomas Block this book is a must
for all the children on your Christmas list.    
David Mills RCN America Network






A portion of the proceeds of this story will be donated to Aldermere Farm.






                                                                STAR OF WONDER on Facebook                                                                              on Facebook


Nov 24, 2013

Now on Nook!










TheKeeper and the Alabaster Chalice 

now available on Nook! 


The Black Ledge Series
Magic, Mayhem, Murder, and Mystery on the coast of Maine
#ReadLocal



Nov 18, 2013

Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah

     Chicken.
     Scaredy Cat.
     Turkey.
     Kids crack me up.
     I'm getting ahead of myself ...

    Gone are the days when families raised food for their family's consumption, but years ago most families did. Most had some sort of garden and raised animals for meat. Even families who resided "in town" and were spatially challenged kept smaller animals such as fowl for meat and/or eggs. Chickens and turkeys were as familiar to most children, then, as cats and dogs are to children now.
     And for generations, taunts derived from this knowledge have echoed in America's school yards. Chicken. BOOOCK! BockBockBock. Superficially, a simple insult, yet when one pauses underlying complexities are apparent.
     The kid who's a chicken is a vastly different creature than the kid who's a scaredy cat and the kid who's a turkey.
     Chickens are stupid and afraid of anything unfamiliar. That makes them "flighty". It's an inherent quality and the one word is sufficient.
     Scaredy cat. Two words. Cats are smarter, more complex creatures than chickens, and  an adjective is required to accurately convey the taunter's intent. What kind of cat? A scaredy cat.
     Turkey - again, one word. A living, breathing, flesh and blood domestic turkey is possibly the dumbest animal on earth. It is apt to die at any given moment because it's too stupid to be afraid. It walks right into the danger with a skip in its step and a song in its heart. Turkey is the proper moniker to assign to the class fool oblivious of the consequences of his* actions. You know this kid's going to spend a lot of recesses with his head on his desk, but he's good with it because he's making nose prints on the desktop.  
     Kids don't need to think about any of this. They just know it. Even while taunting, they know there's more purpose in taunting the scaredy cat than the chicken because the chicken is long gone - it flew the coop. The scaredy cat is still hanging around assessing the situation before committing. And it isn't necessary to taunt the turkey cause he just went ahead and did it. He will either die or get in big trouble and as each has entertainment value to kids, the turkey has a certain bizarre social standing.  
     The most fascinating thing about all of this, though, is the staying power of these taunts. Generations later they are still used. Children who've never even driven by a farm use these with acumen. They get the subtleties. They wield the taunt with wit and precision.
     Or maybe it's come full circle. Maybe it's a chicken/egg situation. Are children calling little Johnny a turkey because they know turkeys are fools, or, do little Johnny's antics teach children that turkeys are fools? 
     Our world has evolved and the family farm has all but disappeared. Amazingly (thankfully) memories of days gone by linger on. We owe that to children, and I tip my hat.

     Enjoy your turkey without guilt or remorse. It had a happy life. Killing that bird was a kindness, really. Something would have gotten him.


Happy Thanksgiving!


* often gender specific




Oct 2, 2013

Spotlight of The Keeper and the Rune Stone by an Expatriate






   I contacted a Mr. Joshua Allen Mercier (cue theme music) this summer about reviewing Book I of The Black Ledge Series, The Keeper and the Rune Stone.  To my delight, Mr. Mercier grew up in Maine, and grabbed it enthusiastically (and then we had fun discussing the Maine we love).

   Joshua showcased The Keeper and the Rune Stone on his blog, The Bearded Scribe, with a fabulously fun post featuring Thomas Block's Magnificent Map, the trailer, and a super review!




Check out The Bearded Scribe's special features, spotlights and interviews, and services!


Jul 18, 2013

Excerpt on Beck Valley Books!



Fun Excerpt on Beck Valley Books 

Book One of The Black Ledge Series is #Free! 
(links below)





The Cavern



The cavern narrowed slightly toward the rear. They didn’t speak. The quietness of the cavern, much like an empty church, made one want to whisper. The soft light illuminated their way.

At the rear of the cavern, they discovered a large flat rock with writing carved onto its face.
Rob read the inscription slowly to the others.


KNOW ALL YE
WHO ENTER HERE
TO PASS THIS STONE
WITHOUT FEAR

YE MUST Navigate
A HUMBLE QUEST
REVEALING THY HONOR
AND TRUTH POSSESSED

IF YE PREVAIL
 YE MAY PASS
IF YE FAIL
 TAKE HEED, ALAS

THE HEAVENS WILL DARKEN
THUNDER WILL ROLL
THE BOWELS OF EARTH
WILL CLAIM YOUR SOUL

Rob swallowed as he read the final line. They stared at the stone, silent for several moments.
Eleanor found her voice first. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing. It just keeps nosy Humans away,” an amused voice answered.



  

  
Now #FREE!

Paperbacks available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or order at your favorite local bookstore.

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