Bidding good-bye to a great Southern lady
Today I attended a funeral for a 91 and 3/4 year-old woman. I liked her. During the 15 or so years I knew her, she would always engage me in conversation making me feel welcome. She was the mother of six, grandmother of 12, great-grandmother of 25, and great-great-grandmother of two. I liked the amount of respect shown the funeral entourage as we wended our way along the streets, through the red lights, and finally to the cemetery for her final resting place. Many motorists driving in the opposite traffic lane stopped to pay their respects. Police cruisers led the cavalcade followed by the hearse. It was a cold day but motorcycled officers keeping cross-traffic at bay. As we entered the cemetery, the police officers who had been leading the procession, parked outside the graveyard and stood in front of their cruisers at attention, saluting. I felt grateful as I slowly drove past their saluting figures to the grave site. What a wonderful way to send off a grand old Southern dame! I’m going to miss her.
Continue readingPost 1,000!!!
I guess I should have something like fireworks to say in Post 1,000 but, to tell you the truth, other than the snow and the scramble to store enough drinking water for five days should the electricity go off … it didn’t … it has been a rather quiet day.
It is exciting to reach 1,000! And, I feel happy about it.
Life is good!
Carol Chapman
Continue readingGreen Tea Ceremony
My daughter Miriam Balsley shared a Tea Time Ceremony with me during her recent visit. I learned about the ceremony while in Richmond, British Columbia, which has a huge Chinese population. I’ve heard it said that in Richmond you can get the best Chinese food outside Hong Kong. We shared fresh highly antioxidant green tea.
My mom was kind enough to include me in an abbreviated Tea Time, or Green Tea Ceremony that the Chinese still use today when drinking Green Tea. Sacred Green Tea! Copyright (c) 2010 Miriam Balsley
Thank you to the people who gave their lives for us
Today is called Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada, when we honor those who gave their lives for us. We all know someone who is or has been in the military. Whether it is those in the 2nd World War or those who fought on our behalf in my recent conflicts, this is a day to honor them all.
Continue readingLoading the Canon in the Civil War Reenactment
This is a great photograph of soldiers in the Confederate army loading the canon during the Civil War Reenactment last Sunday, October 17 at Cedar Creek, near Middletown, Virginia.
Confederate Soldiers Prepare a Canon for Fire during the Civil War Reenactment at Cedar Creek on October 17, 2010
I attended the Cedar Creek reenactment, my first, with my friend Jean Keating who is the author of the Civil War romance: Love’s Enduring Bond. Check it out. It’s a tender, heart-rending story – should bring a tear or two!
The digital photograph was taken with a Nikon D50.
Continue readingCivil War Reenactment Photograph
After Book ‘Em, I went with my writer friend Jean Keating to a Civil War Reenactment at Cedar Creek, which is close to Middletown, Virginia. Jean’s latest book is a civil war romance.
Jean is writing an article for Chesapeake Style magazine. I went along to help with the photography. Jean hunkered down along the Union side of the spectator area and I took on the Confederate side as you can see from the photograph below.
Confederate Calvary Awaits the Union Charge at Cedar Creek Reenactment. The young flag bearers carry the Confederate and the 2nd Calvary flags.
Copyright (c) 2010 Carol Chapman
Continue readingMore Great Book ‘Em Speakers
As I said yesterday, I am not the only one speaking at Book ‘Em in Waynesboro, Virginia, this Saturday, October 16th. Here are some more interesting speeches:
Jonathan Queen
The Need to Read ‘Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Readers’
Author, Mentor, and Motivational Speaker Jonathan Queen presents a powerful dialogue with parents, teachers, mentors and anyone involved with today’s youth about the positive influence of reading and writing. Jonathan shares candidly about how reading ‘saved his life’ and helped him turn from a lifestyle of drugs and crime to the positive man he is today. This is an interactive discussion designed to answer some of your questions on how to inspire young people to read more.
Dirk Robertson
Title: The Art of Storytelling
Content: Characterization, plotting, things to avoid, commercial as opposed to artistic composition of stories, in print.
Sofie Couch
It’s All in the Perspective: Square Pegs in Round Holes
Whether you’re a writer, a teacher, a parent, or a young adult you will enjoy this fast paced presentation about perspective in writing, in reading, in the way we view the world, and in recognizing that sometimes a disability is actually a gift in disguise. We will look at the left-brain/right-brain writing process, the “rules”, and discuss how some writers are challenging those rules.
Barbara Stremikis
Misfits, Bullies, and Fish Out of Water
Ever had that “I don’t fit in” experience? Social isolation is particularly painful for teens. What are the causes of exclusion and what steps can be taken to ease the discomfort? Join educator, psychologist, Barbara Stremikis as she explores universal loneliness and the inspiration for change; themes incorporated into her young adult novel, March Misfit.
I’ll be speaking on 2012 and the End of the World at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
Continue readingGorgeous Full Moon Photo
Yesterday I took a fantastic photo of the full moon just in case it was clouded over today. Well, today’s full moon is even better.
Here’s yesterday’s photo. It was the equinox!
Almost Full Moon Sep 21, 2010