Sunday Ramblings - Giving Some Thanks AND Giving Away a Great Book

Are you all still in the Thanksgiving spirit?

Still giving thanks for the blessings in your life?

Or has it already been replaced by the hustle and bustle of trying to get ready for Christmas?

If you're getting stressed about Christmas, I suggest you take a deep breath and back up from it all. Just a bit. Back up to a little over a week ago when you were giving thanks for family, friends, loved ones and the good things in your life.

Last week I did a long photo post giving thanks to Harley. That was certainly not to mean I wasn't (and still) giving thanks for the two most important people in my life.

My Mom - -




Is she not just the cutest?!

I love her to bits (and so does Harley Doodle Barley).

AND so does her son-in-law.

My mom is 83 and as feisty as she was when she was a new mom of 22 (my dad will love hearing this. He's no longer with us, but since I chat with him in my mind most days, I know he also reads my blog). Even at age 83 she remembers everything (unlike her daughter). If there's anything she might ever forget, it's that Donald is her son-in-law and not a son she gave birth to. The two of them couldn't possibly love one another any more if they really were mother/son. They're the best of buddies and are able to laugh together and tease one another unmercifully. And for that I am thankful. (notice the weaving loom in this picture? more on this in a minute.).

So.

Here we are a week later (and I'm another year older - oy! Sixty-one years old. HOW did that happen?!)

And I have a cold.

ugh.

I'm thankful I didn't have it the week of Thanksgiving.

There were just too many delightful things happening that week to slow down long enough to have a cold.

Mother and I shopped the day before Thanksgiving for Christmas gifts. We used to shop all year. Now, however, we've become more practical, AND because of the economy, don't seem to have as much disposable cash, so we've cut back on our gifting. And, again, because of the state of the economy, good sales are readily available if you have the time to look for them.

Thursday we ate and celebrated my birthday.

Friday Donald and I put up the tree (teeny tree!), and decorated the house (less than in previous years).

Saturday I wrapped gifts (fewer than in years past).

Sunday I baked -- I baked fifty-nine (59 ! !) little mini-bundt cakes for Donald and I to share with co-workers. They were adorable and why I didn't take pictures I have no idea! I used a recipe from one of my all-time favorite little cookbooks - Bibb Jordan's "The Pound Cake Cookbook." I did Bittersweet Chocolate-Orange cakes. Delish and a highly recommended recipe.

And while we were having a productive, but fun and relaxing long holiday weekend, Donald did some weaving.

Y'all.

I am SO impressed with how Donald has taken to this whole weaving thing like a duck to water. Lookie here - here's that other very important person in my life I give thanks for -


My Donald - -




and here's what he's already done as his learning piece -




unbelievable.

I'm over the moon proud of my Donald. Always.

One of the things I love most about him is his unending curiosity. About everything. And when he's curious, he'll delve into whatever is tickling his brain to learn everything there is to learn. And then - like this weaving thing; he'll just, by golly, do it. I love that.

hmmmm - - -

and now I've meandered into one of those corners I have no idea how to get myself out of other than just jump.

So.

Jumping back to my cold.

(You knew I'd have to come back and whine about my cold didn't you?!)

I have the worst cold ever. THE worst. You think YOU'VE had bad colds?! Pfft! Never as bad as this one I'm sure. (insert evil imp right here).

o.k.

I've whined about my cold - I feel better now.

And here's what I've been thankful for while battling the damn thing -




do you guys have favorite comfort foods when fighting a cold? and what might they be?

It's jello and good ol' Campbell's tomato soup for this gal.

And now I'm going to finish up my Sunday ramble with a give-away, with a brief little story behind it.

Peter Rennebohm is an author. A quite talented one. I "met" Peter at DorothyL. He is, without a doubt, one of the most gracious people on God's green earth. A few years ago, he offered DorothyL readers an opportunity that a reader just cannot resist. A free book.



But, there was a catch. He would send you a copy of his book "Blue Springs," OR a copy of his "French Creek" if you would promise to "pay it forward." Read it, send it along to someone who might enjoy it, and ask that they do the same. Greedy me asked for both. Lucky me received them. Even luckier was the friendship I received. A friend by the name of Peter Rennebohm. Who also happens to be a VERY talented writer. I passed along "Blue Springs," and I passed along "French Creek" and I kinda held my breath till they got back home where they belonged. They did and I was happy. Peter sent me an autographed ARC of "Buried Lies" when it came out last year and, not surprisingly, I loved it.

I haven't chatted with Peter in awhile, and he's not much for blogs, but I'm going to give him a little nudge in hopes he'll know that even though we don't talk often, I'm thankful for him, his talent, and his generosity.

Here's a picture of the cover of "Buried Lies" - isn't it great?!

And so is the book itself - It is terrific! An old fashioned treasure hunt, along with a puzzle mystery, AND a dash of romance. Full of interesting, well-drawn, believable characters AND one of the coolest covers ever. I enjoyed it tremendously.

And so did another of my favorite authors - William Kent Krueger - Here's what he has to say about it: "Buried Lies is one big scavenger hunt of a book. Crossing both territory and time, the story is built around a couple of engaging puzzles. One is literal, with plenty of intriguing clues. The other, quite simply, is the mystery of the human heart. Author Peter Rennebohm tackles both puzzles with great gusto. The result is a thrill ride of a read that you'd be a fool to miss."

AND another favorite writer, and very good friend, Shane Gericke (whose third crime thriller "Torn Apart" will be published in July) says this: "The X marks certain death in this very special treasure hunt. Buried Lies is a ripping good mix of hot action, cool characters, and compelling drama. Highly recommended."

I'm not giving away my signed ARC, but I'm quite proud to offer one of you a first edition copy of "Buried Lies." It was one I "paid forward," so it has been gently read. VERY gently. I doubt any of you could ever tell it's been read. The dust cover appears to have been removed each time it was read and has been very respectfully cared for.

Just leave a comment along with your email address and next weekend I'll draw a name and one of you will become the owner of this lovely book. Check back here next Sunday to see if you're the lucky winner.

Doesn't Everyone Love Getting a Book for Christmas?!

Well, of course they do!

At least, it's a darn good bet that all of you do.

And 'tis the season for all us bloggers to tell you what we recommend, right?!

And you pay very close attention to what we say, right?!

We're the experts, right?!

Well, some are - but not me.

In my case - although no expert, I am fairly opinionated (yes, yes, yes - I know you know that by now).

I've read a ton of books this year, and many of them made a strong enough impression that I'm able to easily and fondly remember them months later. For someone like me who has a hard time remembering last night's supper, this is a true test. Some of my favorites this year were by writers on my "auto-buy authors list." Some were by some new kids on the block, and some were by "new to me" authors. Here's the thing. While reading my favorite blogs over the past week or two, what I saw were recommendations for mystery/crime fiction novels that I would also recommend (which tells me all those other blogger people have terrific taste! Right?!). So. Instead of repeating what all those other ultra smart blogging friends of mine are saying, I'm going to recommend only one book.

Not a mystery.

Not a thriller.

Not even in the crime fiction genre.

Not even fiction.

But it's a book I am SO proud of I cannot shut up about it.

Have you figured it out yet?


Let me tell you what some other people are saying . . .


Julie Parker, Western North Carolina Woman Magazine - - " . . . We are so excited about this book because it is, like WNC WOMAN, a superb vehicle for collecting and sharing tales of the strength, wisdom and grace of the women of these beautiful mountains." (WNC Woman also reprinted several of the pieces from the book - including mine! What an honor, and a huge thrill. Yay, me!!!)

The Laurel of Asheville gives Clothes Lines a half page ad! "Wheeeeee" says one of our editors. And rightly so!

From Rob Neufeld, The Read on WNC - - "To see all these writers well represented in a single volume is a treat and a service."

Former North Carolina Poet Laureate and contributor to Clothes Lines - Kathryn Stripling Byer at her blog "Here, Where I Am", - - - ". . . This anthology of work about clothes and how we women get tangled up in them has just been published and its cover looks like a writer's shawl, don't you think? One she'd throw around her shoulders before heading out for the cafe, the salon, the bookstore, the poetry reading! The 75 western North Carolina women in this book would probably love to fling such a shawl round themselves and head out to make the literary scene in style."

Radine Trees Nehring, Author of the "Something to Die For" mystery series wrote this at the well known, long lived, much loved, on-line mystery forum; DorothyL - - - "Just finished CLOTHES LINES, edited by Celia H. Miles and Nancy Dillingham. WOW, every woman here on DL should read this, though it is not a mystery. It's a collection of essays, little stories (true) and poetry by 75 women from western North Carolina. Kaye Barley is one of the authors, with her "Needing a Little Something Red in My Life." I loved Kaye's thoughtful opinion piece and tell-all about wearing red (and indeed, it seems wearing red, especially red shoes, cheers many women here and in the general population). I think all female readers will find many things that cause them (sure caused me) to click their tongues, smile, and say "Yesssss!" A couple other favorites of mine were "Let's Talk Bras" by Nancy Purcell, and "Sixty-Something," a poem by Janice Townley Moore. And...oh shoot, I loved it all. Poignant, funny, REAL. Enjoy!"

And with permission from the authors, I offer you these little samples of the loveliness to be found between the covers of "Clothes Lines, from 75 western North Carolina women writers." (Catawba Publishing Company, ISBN 978-1-59712-355-6)

"Too-Tight, Just-Right Jeans"
by Gwendie Camp

It has been a long time since I tried to put on a tight pair of jeans (I value comfort way too much), but, from what I remember, here's how it's done. You start by carefully inserting each of your legs a little way into the appropriate pants leg, and then you need to immediately lie down, preferably on a soft bed, because otherwise the rest of this will hurt.

Keep one hand on the waistband so the jeans don’t fall off onto the floor, because then you’d have to start over, and once you start this, there’s no going back.

OK, now you’ve got yourself lying on the bed, holding on for dear life to these too-tight, just-right jeans. Slowly start inching the waistband up your legs, covering up more and more skin. This part should be easy, otherwise you’re never gonna get these suckers on. And I’m assuming you’ve already got your underpants on, if you wear underpants, that is. Underpants can leave a tell-tale line when you’re done, but your crotch will thank you for them.

Now, you’re lying there wiggling and tossing and turning and inching those jeans up toward your waist. Everything is going good until you get to your crotch. Here you might want to pause and reconnoiter. You need to have every inch of your legs inside those jean legs, or else this is not gonna work. In fact, if you can pull the pants legs up a little bit onto your bottom, so much the better. You’re gonna to need every inch of fabric you can get.

Here comes the hard part. You’ve got both legs in the jeans. You’re lying on your back. Now you push your heels down into the mattress and raise your fanny off the bed a few inches—if you can. If you can’t, you can’t wear these jeans.

And then, as fast as you can, you snake that fabric up as far as it will go. Then you collapse for a minute until you get your strength and your breath back. I forgot to mention that you’d probably be holding your breath through this last part, and it can get pretty tiring in a hurry.

If you are in luck, the jeans are up near your waist, but they aren’t zipped or buttoned. I hope you thought ahead and got jeans that zip, because you you're never going to get them buttoned.

So now you’ve rested up a bit. For the coup de grace, you take in a big breath, blow it out as hard as you can, and suck that belly in farther than you’ve ever done before. And AT THE SAME TIME (this is the tricky part) you pull like crazy on that little zipper tab. You may have to get some help here if you’re not real strong.

Let’s say you got the zipper most of the way to the top. Now you stand up—on the floor, not the bed - and you jump up and down a few times. Again, at the SAME TIME you suck in that gut and inch the zipper up. Whew, it’s done.

But now there’s this roll of skin at the top. Looks like you’re wearing one of those kiddie swimming rings. So to get rid of that, you bend over and try to touch your toes about a million times, attempting to stretch out the fabric. If that doesn’t work, you can do a bunch of deep knee bends. You might want to hold onto the side of the bed for that. By this time if you aren’t zipped up and mostly covered by those jeans, it's not going to happen.

The last step is to ask your beloved “Do these jeans make my butt look big?”

"Finding Our Line"
by Nancy Dillingham

Every day
we shape our clay
from the inside out
giving it cachet

But sometimes
it's the clothes we wear
that give us away
that give us away

Curves, straight lines
diagonals, in-your-face style
au courant, de rigueur
faux, retro

Similarly
we define ourselves as writers
shape our style

The curve of the plot
the turn of the phrase
the tone of the prose--
it's the pattern of patter
that matters

We preen, we pose
give color to character
and landscape
decorate and align

weaving a provocative story
stitching a tall tale
spinning a yarn
threading a thrme

piecing a poem
with precision and panache
punctuating with élan
finding our line

"Sixty-Something"
by Janice Townley Moore

As I bronze with gel
my veiny feet, slide them
into the glittery cages
of flip-flops, showing off
plum brulee polish on nails
topped with sequins -
I see my grandmother
at my age, her stockings
rolled down around her ankles
sturdy above the black oxfords
she wore through summer's swelter.
Now she stretches to pin
a basketful of clothes
on the ropey line.
Her seersucker dress
drags its hem in the red dust.
She never dreams the joy
of bending over to flaunt
a purple thong and a graceful
monarch settled forever
above the dimple
on the right buttock.



There you go. Little teasers from a terrific book. Check back, 'cause I may be adding more.




"Clothes Lines" is available from Celia Miles at celiamiles@fastmail.fm for $22.00 including postage.

When a Favorite Book Gets a New Life by Diane Chamberlain

People often ask me "Which of your books is your favorite?" That's a little like asking a parent "Which of your children do you love best?" It's impossible to answer, at least not without a good deal of explanation.

Each of my nineteen novels is my baby and each contains some of my heart and soul. I can't deny it, though: I do have favorites and my latest novel, the reissued Breaking the Silence, is one of them. I write complex stories, and this is one of my most complex. One reviewer wrote that "it has something for everyone," and that may be one reason why I love it.







It's the story of:

• a mysterious deathbed request

• an elderly woman with Alzheimer's

• a mute little girl

• the CIA mind control experiments that took place in the 1950s

• a hot air balloon pilot

• a journalist who does something really crazy!

• and the female astronomer who pulls all those threads together

Whew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

And here's a bonus: In spite of all the rough stuff I put my characters through, the story has a happy ending--or at least, a satisfying one. That's a promise I always make to my reader and to myself. Happiness is much sweeter when we have to struggle to get there. I don't mind finishing a book with a tear in my eye as long as I'm also wearing a smile on my face, however poignant that smile may be.

The idea for Breaking the Silence came to me in the stacks of the library. I love walking through the nonfiction stacks, skimming the spines of books to see what jumps out at me. One day, I spotted a book called Journey into Madness by Gordon Thomas. The former psychotherapist in me had to pull the book down from the shelf, which is when I saw the subheading: The True Story of Secret CIA Mind Control and Medical Abuse. I was living in the Washington, DC area at the time, and some of my closest friends (and, okay, my then-husband as well) worked for the CIA, so how could I resist? I found a comfortable chair in the corner of the library and lost myself in the horrific account of government sanctioned experimentation on unwitting psychiatric patients during the cold war years. I knew I had to write about this experimentation in a novel. However, my audience primarily reads women's fiction, so I needed to find a way to write about something as gritty as mind control experiments in a way that would appeal to my readership. I also was intensely fascinated by the way the staff at the Allan Memorial Institute in Montreal, Canada (the psychiatric hospital where much of the program took place and which I fictionalized in Breaking the Silence) went along with the outrageous practices.

To meet these challenges, I created a dual storyline. Laura Brandon is an acclaimed astronomer. On her father's deathbed, he asks her to take care of an elderly woman named Sarah Tolley, someone Laura has never heard him mention before. She visits Sarah, only to learn that the elderly woman has Alzheimer's and has no memory of Laura's father. She does, however, remember a great deal about her distant past, which she gradually reveals to Laura. I decided to make Sarah a nurse involved in the mind control experiments rather than a patient, so that I could explore how someone might come to believe that the maltreatment of patients was good and necessary.

Meanwhile, Laura's husband kills himself, her little daughter stops talking, and she falls in love with a hot air balloon pilot. It all ties together eventually. Honest! Here I am during the cut-and-paste outlining phase of one of my books. Writing a book as complicated as Breaking the Silence truly does require an outline . . . even if I end up throwing it away once the characters take over.

In the summer of 2008, my novel The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes was selected by Target as their BookClub pick. This was a huge honor and enabled me to reach tens of thousands of new readers. I've heard from so many of them who are hungry to find my backlist, so I was thrilled when my publisher told me they planned to reissue some of my earlier books, spiffed up with great new covers and all in trade paperback format. I love that Breaking the Silence is one of those books and will now be available to my readers. I'll be posting more about the challenges of writing and researching this book on my own blog during December (you don't want to miss the story of my harrowing hot air balloon ride!), and you can read an excerpt and find discussion questions for reading groups at my website.

Would you like to win a copy of Breaking the Silence? On December 10th, I'll randomly select one of the commenters to this post and I'll mail a personalized copy of the book to the winner in time for him or her to give it (or keep it) as a holiday gift.

Thank you, Kaye, for your entertaining blog and for giving so many writers the opportunity to share their writing journeys with your blog readers. Happy Holidays to everyone, from my two writing companions, Jet and Keeper, and me.

www.dianechamberlain.com
www.dianechamberlain.com/blog

What We're Thankful For - Well, Harley Doodle Barley for one thing!

This is the time of year we're all giving thanks for our
many blessings.


I'm thankful for many things.


Harley is right up there at the top of the list,
of course

(along with his cute dad, Donald - of course!)



And,


All of you.
For all the support you've shown
Meanderings and Muses
and me.



and, because so many of you have told me that you visit here just to see Harley pictures - well, here's my little Thanksgiving gift to you.


100 (more of less) Harley Doodle Barley (born on the 4th of July, 2005) pictures.


Enjoy!



Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

Some links where you can meet some Corgi owners who are also artists who do fun and wonderful Corgi paintings. -

Evie Anderson - http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_3851_profile.htm

Cathy Santarsiero - http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_5528_profile.htm

Tasha Tudor (1915-2008) - http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com

Help a Corgi! - http://www.corgiaid.org/index.php

Putting a Price on the Priceless - Trimper's Haunted House In Ocean City, Maryland - by Brandon Seidl

Many of you know of my love for the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and for Ocean City, Maryland. Through the magic of the internet, Mr. Brandon Seidl discovered my webpage which has a section dedicated to Ocean City - the old (which I'm hoping to expand, so anyone having any old Ocean City pictures they'd care to share, I'd love to have them!), and the new.

Brandon dropped me a note and it seems we share that love - especially for Old Ocean City. He's done two wonderful websites that I hope you'll take a look at. The preservation of the cultural history of things we loved as a child, which we continue to love as grown-ups, is important. It's important on a million different levels. Brandon talks about them beautifully - enjoy.

"Putting a Price on the Priceless -
Trimper's Haunted House
in
Ocean City, Maryland."

Brandon Seidl
Founder, Trimper's Haunted House Online
http://ochh.net
Co-Founder, The Bill Tracy Project
http://billtracy.net


There is always an abundance of fond memories that stick out in our minds as human beings; our first kiss, that crazy, unforgettable birthday party, and perhaps, the fun times we had at our favorite amusement park as a child. But, what about the amusement park made it so special and memorable? The sticky cotton candy we struggled to eat while waiting in long lines? The park’s mascot waving to us as we walked by the enormous Ferris wheel? Or, the eerie sights and sounds coming from the park’s star dark ride attraction? For those lucky enough to have lived in visiting distance to a classic amusement park, no summer was complete without a family visit and a trip through the park’s famous dark ride. The dark ride was often one of the highlights of the adventure, an attraction which was a staple at many parks around the country by the 1960s. That spooktacular experience was one that trumps our amusement park memories, and although many of us first entered on a dare by a friend or family member, it gave us memories that we are able to pass down to future generations, generations that will hopefully be able to experience the same thrilling attraction with their own families.

I'm a lifelong visitor of Ocean City, Maryland and its many amusement venues, and feel like it's my second home. I've always been fascinated with The Haunted House dark ride located at Trimper's Rides and Amusements on the boardwalk ever since my first introduction in the late 1980s. I was immediately attracted to the towering façade, unique effects, and frightening sounds, but being the inquisitive kid that I was, I didn't just beg my parents for another ride. I began to take note of the different features and learn more about dark rides in general.

After many summers visiting the Haunted House with my family, I started to talk with the ride’s manager and gained substantial knowledge from him, who witnessed the ride transform and grow throughout his three decades of employment at the park. In 1996, I was lucky enough to experience my first walk-through, hosted by the manager. Needless to say, it was an amazing experience, and I still think about that first trip behind the scenes to this day. For years, I took pictures and videos to document the ride, only later realizing that I was capturing slight changes that reflected the ongoing passion and dedication to the Haunted House by its employees and owners. Finally, I had the opportunity to work at the attraction during the summer of 2002 and was able to operate the ride, learn its inner workings, and help with problems as they occurred on busy summer nights. My experience working the ride and my ongoing passion for its unique history translated into an immediate desire to promote the attraction in an effort to preserve it as long as possible. As such, I began developing a website dedicated to all aspects of the attraction and in only two years, it has become one of the fastest-growing dark ride websites in existence with worldwide followers; Trimper’s Haunted House Online.

Trimper’s Rides and Amusements as it looked in 1996.

Trimper’s Rides and Amusements, located in Ocean City, Maryland, is the resort town’s flagship amusement venue and has been family-owned and operated since the late 1800s. It is home to one of the world’s oldest antique carousels, a boomerang coaster, dozens of games and thrill rides, but most notably the Haunted House attraction built in 1964 by dark ride designer Bill Tracy.

The façade of Trimper’s Haunted House as it looked in 2007

Bill Tracy, who at the time was president of his company entitled Outdoor Dimensional Display Co., Inc., also built upwards of 80 other attractions along the eastern seaboard and in various locations around the country. Only nine original Tracy attractions are left standing today, all of which are absolute pieces of Americana that will hopefully be preserved for years to come. More information about Tracy and his accomplishments can be found at The Bill Tracy Project.

Bill Tracy on the cover of his 1962 catalog entitled
“We WORK in the DARK”

The Haunted House at Trimper’s was originally built as a one-story ride, but was later expanded to a two-story attraction in 1988 thanks to Granville Trimper’s acquisition of Ghost Ship from OC’s defunct 65th street Ocean Playland Park. Ghost Ship, built in 1965 also by Bill Tracy, offered a nautical theme which fit perfectly into The Haunted House’s second story addition. Although I don’t remember the Haunted House prior to 1988, I have a pretty good idea of its layout based on first-hand accounts. I have not, however, been able to obtain any photographs of the ride’s façade before the expansion, prior to 1988.

Giant Bat that is mounted on the façade of
Trimper’s Haunted House

Surprisingly, Trimper’s Haunted House Online has a acquired a huge following of fans who are always eager to learn of updates about the ride and browse through numerous photo galleries of the ride’s stunts; almost as if they are obsessed with the ride itself, even in the off-season. But, what about the ride makes it so appealing and nostalgic to visitors and enthusiasts such as myself? I often sit and ponder this; it’s nothing more than an old building with some wire-frame papier-mâché figures, cheesy air-operated effects, and a few fluorescent paintings. Or is it? What is it about these attractions that make us so fascinated? Why do we pay $3 to venture through a ride year after year only to find the same old stuff? And, how can we as fans and enthusiasts put a price on a classic attraction that is, for many amusement-goers, dark ride fans, or Ocean City residents and tourists, priceless?






I distinctly remember a conversation with a former Haunted House manager that took place back in the mid-90’s regarding the current value of the Haunted House. I asked him, “what do you think the ride is worth?” After a scratch of the head and a stroke of his beard, he replied, “two or three million.”

Haunted House lobby as it appeared in 1995

It would be impossible to put a value on a historical attraction such as Trimper’s Haunted House in this day, a day when fewer and fewer such nostalgic structures exist. There are simply too many factors that come into play, and too many points of view. To the average Joe, it is simply just another carnival ride with little significance or value. To a real estate agent, the value resides solely in the property. “Who cares about what is on it,” he or she might say. “We can put a condo here and sell it for 50% inflation when finished, especially since it’s ocean-front.” The value may be two or three million, but that value is in the property, not in the ride. To an enthusiast, the value is solely what is on the property—the ride itself. An enthusiast does not care about property value, but rather, the ride and its five decades of memories. An enthusiast’s concern is that the ride is running, in good shape, and is getting the proper maintenance and attention it needs to live on. Although these points of view would not be viable for dispute in the real world, because we are a money-hungry society, they would hopefully come into play in some fashion if such a sale would ever exist.

Original Coffin Car design from 1964

Today, I do not think the manager’s “two or three million” remark is adequate, nor do I believe he understood my true question. But, I may represent only a fraction of a percent of the population who feels this way. As more and more of these gems hit the landfills, the ride is, in my opinion, growing in value. Like an antique car where only five of its kind exist, when four of the five are no longer in existence, the fifth is invaluable. The Haunted House and similar attractions should be no different.

Crooked Hallway, the second room in
Trimper’s Haunted House

The true value of Trimper’s Haunted House is the smell of grease and grim, the dust collection on an age-old stunt like the Old Mill, the scribble of someone’s initials on one of the crooked timbers up Bill Tracy’s Mine Shaft, the echoing of sound effects and looping screams and groans, the bubble gum on the re-entry door to the balcony, or the multiple coats of florescent paint on the Knit Wit’s attire. These aspects, from lifelong rider’s standpoint, are what make the ride so valuable. But, how can anyone, even an enthusiast, put a price on the priceless?

One of Bill Tracy’s most famous stunts, Old Mill

It is my hope that all amusement park-goers, and in particular, those who visit Trimpers, continue to appreciate what resides on the grounds, be it a carousel, an old carnival game, or a dark ride such as the Haunted House. Ocean City boardwalk visitors of all ages have had the pleasure of enjoying Trimper's Haunted House for nearly five decades, and thanks to the dedication of Granville Trimper and the Trimper family, they will be able to enjoy it for decades to come, and continue to celebrate the attraction's true value and historical significance.

Weaving and Writing in Asheville

Any weavers out there?

Donald and I were the lucky recipients of a wonderful loom a year or so back. It's gorgeous!




I took weaving lessons many many years ago while we were still in Atlanta. At the Chastain Arts Center (a place I really love), Dream Weaver Studio (sadly - no longer in business), and from master weaver and lovely lady Betty Smith who was a long time instructor at the John C. Campbell Folk School (another place I really love). While I was taking a class with Betty, she introduced me to her friend and neighbor - another Betty Smith. Betty Smith, Musician. This is from her webpage:

Betty Smith has performed, taught and shared traditional music of the South for over thirty years in concert halls, festivals, workshops and classrooms. She combines her musical roots and talents with her skills as a communicator to present musical experiences which have been described as 'unique' and 'magical'. With her extensive collection of Southern, Appalachian and British ballads, folk songs and hymms - she takes her audience on a cultural voyage.





While trying her best to teach me to weave, we would listen to recordings of Ms. Smith's music. One of my favorites was a poem by Byron Herbert Reece, Georgia's Appalachian Poet, which Ms. Smith had put to music. The Ballad of the Weaver. These weaving lessons will remain dear to my heart for a number of reasons - Betty and her husband were lovely people to spend time with. Interesting and wonderful story tellers. I will always remember them with great fondness and be thankful for the things I learned from them - sadly, weaving didn't seem to be one of them. Oh, I tried. And I tried. Once the loom was dressed, I loved throwing the shuttle and watching fabric appear like magic. But I just never got it.

Just. Never. Did. Get. It.

I rented a small loom from Betty and brought it home. After much head scratching, reading Betty's notes, reading Deborah Chandler's wonderful LEARNING TO WEAVE book, I had my loom dressed and settled in with a smile to begin the, to me, fun part of weaving. I threw the shuttle a few times and oddly, I was done. What I thought was going to be a nice long scarf, was instead a piece perhaps long enough to wear as a headband. That was it for me. But the weaving bug had grabbed Donald along the way.

The loom went back to Betty's house. My fascination with the process continued and I did manage to do a scrumptious silk boucle shawl which I still love and cherish. But this was done in the Dream Weaver's Studio with more help from the resident weavers than I should admit to. Dressing the loom just makes no sense to me. There's a good deal of math involved. NOT, by any means, a strong point for me. There's a lot, I think, mechanical aptitude needed. Certainly not a strong point of mine, but absolutely one for Donald.

Years went by and whenever the occasion might present itself at which I was able to watch someone weave, I would be totally entranced with it all.

As we all know, God works in mysterious ways. Right? And this wonderful loom found its way to us.

And it sat.

and it sat.

and it sat in our sunroom for over a year.

and it takes up a huge amount of room.



but, it's also beautiful.

Then as luck would have it, at one of our neighborhood get-togethers, the subject of weaving came up. Seems one of our neighbors also has a loom and has done some weaving in the past. He and Donald got to talking and next thing I knew a little spark found its way into Donald's always curious self and he's reading about the loom. Asking questions. Searching out things on-line.

And so we made a little trip to Asheville, NC last week.

Asheville is wonderful. There's more to Asheville than just the Biltmore Estate; although that's pretty awesome, indeed.



The downtown area, unlike many cities, is vibrant and full of lovely little restaurants with outdoor seating, funky shops and galleries and a fascinating mix of architectural styles which the city embraces and honors.

There's a great little well-known bookstore/cafe; Malaprop's, which has this fun piece of sculpture in front.



And right down the street from Malaprop's, is EarthGuild - ta DA! A place to buy missing, needed and wanted parts and supplies for The Loom. We spent a fun hour or more here. Donald found everything he needed, including knowledgeable folks to answer all his weaving questions.

And being surrounded by all the gorgeous fibers was more than I could stand.

I don't knit very often, but every once in awhile the urge will hit. How could it not in a place like this?!

Here's what I got. Won't this make a fun and sassy scarf?


And before we know it, Donald will be weaving beautiful pieces like these -






O.K. - Next stop.

Accent on Books. Artisan booksellers since 1983.

This is where the Official "Clothes Lines" Launch Party was held. And a lovely event it was. And a fine time was had by all!

Huge thanks to Byron Ballard and the entire staff for a wonderful evening.

Byron tells us about 50 people attended the launch.

Me, Celia Miles and Byron Ballard

(What's more fun than cuddlin' with your honey in a bookstore?!
Not much!!!)

This was a lovely, lovely day.

Topped off with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants - The Italian Restaurant in Pineola, NC

life is good.