book review, New book release, Uncategorized

CASSANDRA AND THE GI P.I. vol. 3 by Meriwether Shipley

DSCF4228 The saga moves along in this Dupont Circle mystery, as does the Cassandra/Harry relationship. We learn a bit more about Harry’s background, the youth and childhood that gives him the foundation he thrives on now, as they continue to prepare for the Big Day. . .the wedding.

In the meantime, we step back into the Civil War period as Cassandra, Harry, and best buds, Chris and Mother, drive to Cinque Terra to help a wounded warrior. The mental wounds seem to be more difficult to heal. This is what Harry does, helping to heal those who suffer like he does.

Harry is a busy man. He also has this new interest in the theatre he bought. Cousin Bill is helping him with that, along the way of falling in love. There is a possibility of an explosion in that area, since an art expert has stepped into the arena.

Really, what’s all this about Panama? It’s connection to Washington, D.C.? I anxiously await for Volume 4.

books, booksigning, Bordentown, hauntings, living with ghosts, New Jersey history, paranormal, Uncategorized, writing

FUN TALKING ABOUT GHOSTS, BOOKS ‘N STUFF & MORE

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It was a great morning last Saturday, when Sandra Martin hosted a talk, reading, and book signing for me at BackYard Birds ‘n Books-Sandra being the books, in Bracey, VA. Anyone can read the book, so I enjoy talking about the “back story” that doesn’t get into the books. That’s fun.

Since one story about ghosts leads to other stories, I wound up talking a lot about Bordentown (NJ) and spirits that have visited me during the night. They were, among others, the Fraser family, coming one at a time to help me in locating information about them. This was when I was writing Major Fraser’s, the history of a particular house in Bordentown and all its inhabitants from Day One. Actually, before there was a building on the property. I enjoyed writing this book, so I love talking about the writing of it. The book is now out-of-print, but there are still a few copies floating around.

Interesting family.

Even more interesting: since I brought my copy of The Munich Girl by Phyllis Edgerly Ring along with my passion for the story, and my discussing it, brought me being connected to the author through Lisa Hagan. We have both been long-time members of the IWWG. . . . hmmm. The more I think of this, the more I remember having a conversation or two with her during those years. WOW! Synchronicity. Ya gotta luv it!

A review on The Munich Girl will be coming up soon. You don’t want to miss it.

Mucho thanks to Sandra Martin for this wonderful moment in my life, shared with the best audience ever. They took part and shared some of their stories, too. How cool is that.

 

 

Uncategorized, women, WOMEN'S OPEN FORUM, WORKSHOP

FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC STYLE WITHIN

WOF Women’s Open Forum Event * FEATURING: Linda Smith

FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC STYLE:  WORKSHOP

    30 April 2016 * Saturday * 11:00 to 3:00 pm Reserve Now / Pay $35.00 at the door

Bring Your Lunch   Give yourself permission to dress for the Ageless Goddess you are.

There will be A CLOSET AUDIT, everyone bring an item from your closet that you are willing to part with. We will put them all together so everyone will go home with a new treasure for their wardrobe.

We’ll have demonstrations on wearing your clothes differently, how to accessorize and how to have FUN doing it.

Talking about our clothes in a whole new light will reveal secrets I’ve learned, that will give you joy. Open discussion is interwoven. Held at: “The Gathering Place”

115 Magnolia Court * Wildwood Point * On Lake Gaston * Littleton, NC 27850

For further info:  ellienewbauer@gmail.com

 

 

Uncategorized

Thanks to all

Moon full Linda best   who came to the Tribute to Robert (Bob) Bice last Saturday night. Super thanks to host Thomas, who kept things rolling, doing the fine job of emcee, as he always does, encouraging all to stand up and be heard. Thanks also to everyone who read a poem, talked about a memory moment with Bob, and to those who came to listen. We had a great time and sent these moments about Bob off into the Universe with joy (and wine) and an evening shared with friends and warm wishes all around. Thanks to Victoria Lehman and to the Warren FoodWorks for supporting the night. I’m sure my brother was watching and enjoying it all from the Afterlife.  Arlene

dreams, Uncategorized, WOMEN'S OPEN FORUM, women's stories, WORKSHOP

DREAM INTERPRETATION WORKSHOP

ellie prof 2

Women’s Open Forum

FEATURING: Ellie Newbauer

DREAM INTERPRETATION WORKSHOP

12 March 2016 * * * 11:00 to 3:00 pm

Pay $35.00 at the door
Bring Your Lunch * Coffee, tea, & water are provided

“The Gathering Place”
115 Magnolia Court
Wildwood Point
On Lake Gaston
Littleton, NC 27850
We will launch the day with an open class discussion followed by a group participation session.
You’ll learn how to work with dream symbols, find the theme or story line in a dream, and how feelings in the dream are an important part of the message being given.
Please bring a short dream to work on. If you don’t have a recalled dream of your own, there will be samples to work with. We will end with a group sharing.

Bring a journal, pen/pencil * A bag lunch * An open mind & your curiosity
For further info:
ellienewbauer@gmail.com

book review, books, general, Uncategorized, women, women's stories, writing

CONSULTATION WITH CHRIS HEIVLY COMPLIMENTS OF LISA HAGAN BOOKS. . . . GIVEAWAY WIN!

me, chrisDSCF4111   What’s more exciting than winning a 2-hour consultation with Build the Fort author Chris Heivly? Actually having my consultation with him, at his headquarters on W. Main Street in Durham! That’s what.
Always aware of my surroundings, I was especially delighted in the set-up laid out before me. It is like a bee hive with all the different pockets of work spaces filled and everyone in them happily busy at work. This is a cheerful place, full of bright colors that instill confidence at first glance. It’s a place where dreams are confided and fulfilled. I’ve read the book (review posted already) loved it and now I am here to fill in the blank spaces. That’s with Chris’ guidance, of course.
The time has come to branch out, to make a plan to learn what avenues I need to travel in order to offer my talents and services to those who will benefit from them on a business level. I’ve been volunteering for many, many years now and it’s time to spread my wings and fly.
Chris is fabulous! He’s easy to talk to, immediately understands all my inadequate feelings of not knowing, how and where, to proceed next. We talked with comfort like I’d known him since he was born. That is very cool. He was also very helpful in getting me on my feet. I came home with a notebook loaded with ideas and scribbles that will direct me with confidence. I’m ready to set out and set the world aglow!
Thanks to LISA HAGAN BOOKS! For this great opportunity in winning this champion of wins!
A bunch of thanks to Chris Heivly, instructing me on how to Build the Fort! I’m on my way!

book review, Uncategorized, women

BUILD THE FORT by Chris Heivly (book review)

DSCF4111   Well, really, don’t you remember building forts when you were a kid? We were lucky enough to have a small wooded area that we neighborhood kids converged on (and later my own four sons). Actually we built a tree house with connecting logs running to other trees. I cannot imagine how one of us didn’t break a bone in the process.
On rainy days, my brother and I built forts inside, using sheets and blankets incorporating the dining room table and chairs. It was great fun that left me with fond memories of building a fort. Thinking of those days pulled at me with interest to read Build the Fort by Chris Heivly.
This book came to me just in time. I’ve been wanting to spread my wings and help guide readers who want to become writers. I know what I want to do, but need to know how to go about it. This book is all about ‘how to’ in an easy way to follow.
Chris is the co-founder of MapQuest and The Startup Factory, sharing his knowledge with passion, about facing fear, overcoming it, and how to handle building your business with confidence. He breaks it down to five easy steps that he uses building a fort as a metaphor to make the task simple for the reader to understand.
He tells us how to socialize our ideas, choosing who to socialize it to. While he encourages us, he guides us to miss the pitfalls, laying it all out before us so it is clear. He isn’t shy about revealing his weak spots-the ones he doesn’t want to deal with and tells us how to do that, too.
In reading the book, learning about bartering is included, along with giving something back. Really, Chris covers it all. It’s a great little book, one the reader doesn’t get lost in, but finds her way to exactly where she wants to be. Get a copy. Today, if possible.
Oh, and yes, I love the way he lays out the plans for Building the Fort. It brings back memories.

 

 

Poetry, reflection, snow, Uncategorized

A LONELY LEAF IN SNOW

DSCF4089 Arlene Sandra Bice 2016.1.26

How is it, when I step out the day after
when everything is still covered by 6 inches
of snow
this solitary leaf
dressed in autumn colors
lays above it all

How does that happen on this day
it sinks into the wet stuff uncovered
by snow
where has it come from
this lonely leaf
bold to be alone

How is it making a mark in this life
leaving an imprint when I pick it up
the snow
doesn’t touch the veins or the tips
yet lays everywhere else
I cannot put it down

the leaf comes inside with me.

 

 

American History, books, historical taverns, New Jersey history, poetic narrative, Poetry, snow, Uncategorized

SNOW & READING. . .

The_Afternoon_Crowd_Cover_for_Kindlejpg If you are planning to cozy up with a good book after a day of creating snow sculptures, here is a brief excerpt from THE AFTERNOON CROWD.

THE HORSEY SET
Arlene S. Bice © 2016.1.24.

they came with bruised, calloused hands coarser than sandpaper
to lift a shot of whiskey chased by a cold mug of beer, a reward
for hard work done out in the elements, thanks not given, except
what they gave themselves; not a lot of time to linger; even on
Christmas Day horses had regular schedules to keep and these
workers were there to keep ‘em

they came from all parts of the country, from Canada, and the
Caribbean, landed here in the center of New Jersey, to work on
one particular horse farm or another; how did they find us,
I wondered
some from the west or mid-west; wasn’t that a
reversal of history?

They came as owners
foremen
trainers
drivers
jockeys
walkers
water boys
stable hands

more on the list
of guys & gals
hard working
no shifting duties
either you were good
carrying your own weight or you were out

the owners came more often in the evening, for dinner
when the daytime bar folks did not; or they came for a
few celebratory drinks after the races were over

one trainer/owner
who I happened to like above others
usually a pleasant fellow
a common sense guy
never nasty or stupid
always came in alone;

this day he came in, dragging
he carried the look of the lonely on him
I knew he was married and I knew not happily
and I knew this day that his trouble was the
wife, not the horses;
a man has a certain look about him when it is
a woman that weighs on his mind; my heart
went out to him as my ears just listened, that
was all he wanted and couldn’t get anywhere
else to go along with his shot and beer

a year later, when he came in our positions were
reversed;
“good god, you look terrible!” he said, “what’s
happened to you?’ etc. etc. etc.

Poetry, reflection, snow, Uncategorized, writing prompt

SNOW, NO HYPE, JUST BEAUTY

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It’s been a few days now, that we have been snowed in. Isn’t it lovely? Once you know you can’t get to the workplace, you can relax and enjoy it. I hope you have. Here is a little poem that reflects how I learned to accept what Mother Nature sends to us, since I moved to the forests of North Carolina.

Arlene S. Bice © 2016.1.22.

It was only last year
the nine years previous, too
when I looked at the sky to know
that it was going to snow

and when I woke
the ground covered in white
peace blanketed the entire day
lovely to spend it this way

no need to run out
for eggs, bacon, and bread
the fridge is full, pantry, too
no emergencies to do

so I can use the day
with music thru the house
making biscuits, lots of butter
writing words to softly mutter

a day of staying in
enjoying it without the stress
just gazing out the window
reading, singing, about snow

without the TV hype
the day shows up different
positive, homey, no employ
a day of beauty to enjoy.