“It’s crazy; Federer, Sharapova and Nadal are all out now.”

This is one of my favorite times of the year with my husband. As the tennis tournament, Wimbledon, builds momentum, he and I will get up early and watch it together- a wonderful way to start my day. I like tennis, for sure, but the best part of our tradition is sharing memories of when we lived in England and had the lucky opportunity to attend Wimbledon in person. It is an iconic aspect of our time there.

Imagine… the only way to go to Wimbledon is to win a spot in the lottery (or to camp out the night before and hope you will get a released ticket.) Thus, when you get there, you already feel lucky. The day we went was a perfectly sunny, summer day. In fact, it was July 4th; our own private celebration of the American holiday while in England. We knew we had somehow scored center court seats. What we didn’t know was that our seats were about seven rows up from the court and right in the middle.

The environment at Wimbledon is one of a party. Fans are hanging out, watching matches on the big screen set up at the bottom of a grassy mound. Everyone is drinking Pimm’s or champagne and eating strawberries and cream.
Occasionally the Royal family shows up, but frequently there are famous celebrities like Richard Branson or Rupert Grint (of Harry Potter). 

It’s been over ten years since that day at Wimbledon, but no matter who is left in the tournament you will find us still, Pimms Drink in hand, watching the matches on the 4th of July. It is how we now celebrate both our own country as well as our closest ally.

How do you celebrate the 4th? Are you a tennis fan? Have you ever been to a sporting event that was so special it
became part of your ongoing life? I’d love to hear about it. Please leave a comment and let me know.

In preparation for the 4th, here’s our recipe for Pimm’s Cup.

Pimm’s is a unique British liqueur with a different kind of taste. It takes some getting used to, but the spiciness of
it is very refreshing on a hot day. The Pimm’s cocktail is apparently becoming quite popular in the U.S. as well (NY Times article) Note: the best part of this drink is its simplicity to make.

Ingredients:
2 cups - Pimm’s No. 1
6 cups - 7-Up (or ginger ale)
1 Oranges, cut into wedges
1 Lemon, cut in wedges
Other fruit to taste – I’ve added nectarine, apple, even pineapple before. Cut in wedges.
1 cucumber, sliced
Bunch of mint

Directions:
In a large pitcher use a wooden spoon to muddle the mint then add the Pimm’s, the soda, the cut fruit and 5-6 slices of the cucumber. Mix with the spoon and let sit in the fridge for ½ an hour. Serve over ice with a slice of cucumber on the edge of the cup. Enjoy!

“It won’t ring at inopportune times, doesn’t lose power, and is easy to find.”

A pretty, though hefty, day-planner was pulled out of a nearby purse and the owner proceeded to take down, using a pen, the contact information of the person she was talking with. We all laughed about how cumbersome the planner was compared to a cell phone. But on the other hand….

“It also doesn’t break if it is dropped.”
“…And doesn’t distract you with games.”
“…And best of all, is simple to use.”

We all had a reason why this low tech solution was preferable to the newer devices we had come to rely upon. But for me the best justification for unplugging was obvious: limiting distraction.

As a writer I have found technology to be super helpful. I can easily edit my work (Imagine what Jane Austen had to go through). I can immediately track ideas and even share them or get feedback on them. I can communicate easily with my editor and track her changes. And, most importantly, I can make multiple copies of my work so that I don’t lose an entire manuscript or project.

And, while I am grateful for all of these benefits to technology, the fact remains that it took me three hours to ever begin working on this blog post, even though it was my top priority. Why?

First I checked email… this led me to two blog posts I had not read yet… from whose content I was reminded I needed to follow-up with a friend about weekend plans… which I then had to discuss with my husband and daughter… which took me from my computer and found me making breakfast rather than working on my blog.

I know I can’t get rid of technology entirely. And I don’t really want to. But I can turn it off; something I plan to do just as soon as I post this blog, tweet it, respond to some comments, and search online for a new day-planner. I should be able to start working on my manuscript just in time to be called away to make dinner.

What do you use to plan your schedule and track contacts? Have you ever gotten lost in technology and found yourself at the end of your day, or worse, at the grocery store without your old fashioned list?

Leave me a comment and let me know how technology effects you, your organization and your writing. I'd love to hear from you!

“Has he rolled over yet?”

FLASH BACK - 9 years.
Setting: a Starbucks in Brookline, MA. 
 
Me as a sleepy mom, computer open, trying to type, hoping baby will sleep.
{Yawn}

Older woman with loud voice is waiting for her coffee. Rummages through the newspapers and not finding anything she wants, comes over to chat.

”Has she rolled over yet?”

{slowly raise eyes from computer screen} “Not yet.” {smile and return to typing}

“She’s a small little one, isn’t she?”

{Barely hide sigh. Close lid of laptop} “Yes. She’s a little peanut. Do you have any children?

“Two of them, all grown up now. I’m expecting my first grandchild any day now. Won’t say whether it’s a boy or girl though. How about you? Did you tell people?”

“Yes. She was the first girl in the family, so everyone was excited.”

“Yeah, I wish they’d tell me. I found the cutest little stuffed animal. But I couldn’t get it because it was pink, and Lord knows if it’s a girl.”

“I hope you find out soon.” {Yawn. Look down at baby and see her wiggle fingers}

“Looks like she’s waking up.” {said loudly, hopefully}

“Yes, yes it does.” {said softly, in resignation. Begin packing bag.}

FLASH FORWARD- the present

I tiptoe by the sleeping baby and haggard mom. Having answered the question from the matriarch near her, she begins reading on her Kindle again. For all I know she could be reading UNTANGLING THE KNOT. I leave her to it and distract the woman near her with a very soft question about her grandchildren.

“Move the bucket out of the sun or you’ll cook them.”

Huh! Good advice. My daughter and I were clambering across the rocks at the beach in Tahoe testing our skills at catching crawfish. It is an annual tradition, dating back to when I was a kid scurrying across these very same rocks. We were not alone… a dad and his two kids (the overhear was directed at them) were doing their best with nets and lunchmeat. It was time to take some drastic measures. Crawfish are far too clever for that method so I offered them the string and hot dogs we were using.

We, the father and I, watched them fish waiting for sure success. But, while they caught a bunch of little minnows, the crawfish eluded them. I was prepared to be disappointed for them until I looked into their smiling faces
and was reminded that it is not the destination, but the journey, that matters.

Journeys Inspired by Love – I have lived with this tagline for so long now that I sometimes forget why I picked it. Goals and dreams are important. They inspire and motivate. But too often in my own past I have become so caught up in pursuing them that I have forgotten to enjoy the journey getting there. 

One of my favorite bloggers, Chris Guillebeau, wrote a great post today on deciding if what you are doing is Worth it All. Part of making the decision requires visualizing your future self after having completed the goal. It sounds easy but in fact I think this is more difficult than we might imagine. If I have framed my goal of being published purely in terms of the recognition or money I might receive I am sure to feel ready to give up along the way. However, I look at what I have written…. Jessica’s journey to renew her passion for life, Gabriella’s journey to live the faith she espouses, Ryan’s journey to really, truly find love again, and I know that my goal is about much, much more than the rewards at some distant date. It is about sharing their story with my readers; real people who may be facing similar journeys and looking for their own inspiration along the way.

This is why comments and reviews are so critical to writers. They remind us that what we do matters. Thanks for being part of my journey. I promise to not forget about you and cook you along the way.

Deanne

“Mommy I don't feel well. My throat hurts.”

My brain shouted NO even as my heart felt tons of sympathy for my daughter. I could tell she was coming down with the cold my husband and I are both also fighting. 

It is the end of the school year, I thought, and I don't have time for this. 

Fast forward an hour. I am in the kitchen trying to get some food into her before dragging her to school. “Hurry up… hurry,” I call to her. 
 
She says to me, “Mommy I feel like my body is on high alert, and it’s giving me a tummy ache.”

The good news is that after the anxiety filled year she has had she can now recognize when she is getting stressed. The bad news, of course, is that I am currently the one making her that way.

I take a breath and tell myself that the end of the school year is upon us- why not get started right away? While she has her class party I run to the store and grab some popsicles. I pick her up early; we come home and sit in bed
watching a movie and enjoying our popsicles.

Welcome to summer!
* * * * * * Photo above is courtesy of a Yummy new site I have found called, www.EndlessSimmer.com * * * * * *
I didn't actually make these delicious looking popsicles, but they sound too delicious to pass up... by the way, they are obviously not for sharing in front of the TV with your daughter (unless she is over 21 and recovering from a break up or a bad grade:>)

Watermelon Mojito Popsicles
Makes 12 2.5 oz Popsicles

· 8oz. watermelon juice (2 ½ cups chopped watermelon)
· 2 oz fresh lime juice
· 1 oz. simple mint syrup (recipe follows)
· 8 oz. light rum
· 14 oz. club soda

Instructions:

1. Place chopped watermelon in a food processor or blender and process until watermelon is juiced (will be slightly pulpy).

2. Combine watermelon juice, lime juice, mint syrup and rum in a shaker and shake well. Fill popsicle mold 3/4 of the way up with mixture. Fill remaining (more....)

"Summer's the one time of year I get fun reading done."

Sadly, I jumped the gun before summer actually started, and now I am afraid I may have already finished the best book of the summer. As my blog readers know, I rarely post book reviews in my blog. I do like to read... but I have also found it is difficult to do it with an objective eye.

However, I am making an exception in this case. I can't fully explain why since I don't even understand it myself. I will say that for some reason this book reached in a took a hold of me like few books have and I want to make sure the author received my humble vote of support.

Before the review, however, I wanted to post the results of the Blogoversary contest I ran. Apparently my lovely readers and friends were either too humble to enter the contest, or, didn't understand Rafflecopter was in charge of picking a winner. And so, I will randomly select one name from the list of six commenters. Drum roll..... And the winner is - Aven Ellis! Yay Evan. Send me a note to dwilstedauthor(at)gmail(dot)etc. along with your preferred GC (amazon or B&N) and I will email it to you asap.

All right... and now, for my review of:    A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM - by Scott D. Southard.
                                                                            My rating: ---- 4 and 1/2 STARS -----

I read A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM eager for a story of romance resembling hers in tone and style. And, while I definitely found this, I ended up enjoying Mr. Southard’s story for so much more. There is a depth and perceptiveness to his writing which actually had me in tears at one point…. Not during the narration of the story,  but in one of the prologues to it.

The book is divided into three volumes, each of which weaves the story of how Jane learns about herself, about love, and about her characters through her own relationships. It was at the start of the final volume, which in story alone had its own share of emotional moments, that I found myself reaching out to Mr. Southard as if to a like soul.

For one thing, I am a writer. For another, my friends will say I am fairly philosophical. In both of these elements I found statements of truth for my life that, in my 46 years so far, have eluded me. To quote:

“It is so easy to romanticize the idea of life.

People make the mistake of doing so each day. Life is not a poem, nor is it a painting. It is not perfect. Life is harsh, and the reality of it can be so hard that even the greater souls amongst us can break into tears over the pains that lie in front of them. It is a path we have all been placed on, and it is one that none of us agreed to or asked for, but we walk it because we have nothing else to do, and no other choice to make. That fact is the one truth that ties all of us together.”

There is much, much more to this prologue… and so much more the story of Jane herself. But I won’t give it away, because, like a gift, it should be opened by the recipient… each reader who has the good fortune to land upon 
Mr. Southard’s writing.

         * * * * * * * Bio (Deanne note: Obviously my next read will be 3 Days in Rome:>) * * * * * * * *
Scott D. Southard, the author of the new A Jane Austen Daydream, swears he is not obsessed with Jane Austen.
He is, however, also the author of the award-winning novels, My Problem With Doors, Megan, and 3 Days in
Rome. His eclectic writing has also found its way into radio, being the creator of the radio comedy series The Dante Experience. The production was honored with the Golden Headset Award for Best MultiCast Audio and the Silver Ogle Award for Best Fantasy Audio Production.

Scott received his Master’s in writing from the University of Southern California. Scott can be found on the internet via this very writing blog where he writes on topics ranging from writing, art, books, TV, writing, parenting, life, movies, and writing. He even shares original fiction on the site (recently, his experimental novel Permanent Spring Showers).

Currently, Scott resides in Michigan with his very understanding wife, his patient two children, and a very opinionated dog named Bronte.

He can be reached via comments on this site, twitter (@SDSouthard) and at the e-mail AJAD.Southard@gmail.com

"Seriously? You've been nursing your coffees here for two years?"

That's right.... It is my Two Year Blogiversary today, June 6th. It was only two short years ago that this blog journey began, and now I see how far we've come.

So, to celebrate, I am holding a raffle for a $10 gift card to either Amazon or B&N. All you have to do is 1. share this post with a friend on Twitter (or click the Facebook 'like' button at the end of the post) and 2. comment about your favorite post over the last two years. (I personally love the squirrel ones.... there is no end to the amusement I get from venting about them. But then, some of my original overhears at Starbucks are pretty darn good also.)

In any case... I appreciate your sharing this marvelous journey with me and look forward to the next two years together. The contest will run until Tuesday June 11th - when it will be back to my usual posts about what I overhear while writing. Until then, enjoy this peek into my world at Starbucks, and good luck with the contest.

Warmly,
Deanne Wilsted

“If groom doesn't show up it could be for a multitude of reasons --accident, kidnapped, murder.”

So, I started a poll yesterday on Goodreads and am having a fun time watching the results. The question was; “What’s the worst thing that could happen to derail a wedding?” (you can add your vote here.) I listed a few funny option, but the truth of the matter is that I think, as long as the couple is really in love, very little would interrupt that. Of course an accident, kidnapping or murder might do the trick.

(Photo courtesy of Stephanie Gehring. Click over to her beautiful sight for amazing art and writing.)

As summer approaches my sympathies go out to all the young brides desperately trying to pull together the final details. Somehow we all survive (dare I say, even enjoy) the wedding day. Flowers may not show up, priests might
be called away to Rome at the last minute, the Maid of Honor might get lost on her way to the church, and Fathers might walk their daughters down the aisle holding the stuffed animal that belonged to the ring bearer (just saying… it could happen) and still the marriage will take place and the couple will look back later and laugh at these little
mishaps.

The problem is… there are all kinds of resources out there telling you how to create the perfect day; as if this, not the actual marriage, is the goal. There are far fewer websites and blogs geared to brides and grooms that talk about how to prepare for a perfect married life. What about finances? What about kids, and houses and job transfers and mother-in-laws. It is far easier, I wager, to derail a marriage than it is to derail a wedding. In UNTANGLING THE KNOT Gabriella, the main character is devastated to be arranging an annulment for a couple she had previously helped get
married:

Somehow processing the annulment paperwork always left her feeling both helpless and hopeless. She sighed. At least in this case they hadn’t had any children yet.

The fact that she had arranged their wedding only a year earlier, however, made this particular divorce worse than normal. Their ceremony had been really sweet, filled with excited friends, a really loving and non-control-freak mother, and a grandfather who had given the bride away.

Gabriella frowned, thinking of how something so lovely could go so wrong. She was terribly disappointed for them and wished there were a way to make them see how precious it was to find that kind of love.

She’d talked with them enough to know that they probably could have survived any one thing, but between the stress of losing his job and having to pay for the expensive house they’d bought, their honeymoon period had ended
more quickly than most.

And then, when Lisa’s grandfather had died suddenly, there had been a huge fight about being able to afford the flight to the funeral. The vicious argument was the last straw and they had given up.

Every now and then I pull out our wedding video and watch it from start to finish. I see that stuffed animal in my Dad’s hand and shake my head, amazed that even now it bugs me. At the same time, though, I am reminded that I
would not have let anything derail the enjoyment of my perfect wedding. How much more applicable, then, is that sentiment to my own married life?