...about remembering...


On Saturday, November 13, I was privileged to attend a memorial service for the Confederate soldier ancestor of a friend. Private Seaborn J. Cobb was honored by a military service conducted by Simpson Mounted Rangers UDC Chapter #2685, Milton, Florida, assisted by a re-enactment unit from Alabama.

Friends and family were in attendance at the solemn ceremony, including Pvt. Cobb’s two young great-great-great-great grandsons who were part of the re-enactment group. At the end of the ceremony, one of the two boys played taps for his great-great-great-great grandfather.


Especially moving was the Libations Ceremony. Each re-enactor knelt at the foot of Pvt. Cobb’s grave, took a sip from his canteen, then poured a bit of water at the foot of the grave, signifying the sharing of water with a fallen comrade.

Along with the playing of taps, the ceremony was concluded with a three-volley, twenty-one gun salute, fired from the muskets of the re-enactors, along with the firing of a cannon after each volley. Then the assembled group sang “Dixie.”

Private Seaborn J. Cobb, we remember....

...about another book signing.

Our local Barnes & Noble Booksellers store hosted a Local Author Reception/book signing on Saturday, October 30th.

Quite a few authors participated, and so we had scheduled times...mine, along with several other authors, was from 1 to 2:30 pm. I usually team up with a writer friend for signings, but this was the first time I'd met most of the other authors who shared the assigned time.

We had a great time getting acquainted and I learned some interesting things. I just wish I’d had a pile of money so I could have bought a book from each author...there were some very interesting-looking books available.

And now, my focus is changing from the books I’ve already written to the book that is waiting in the shadows, waiting for me to write it.

Tomorrow, NaNoWriMo begins. I have a title tentatively picked out, a character name, and some writing music (Theme from Route 66, can you believe). So, I’m forgetting about the books and characters I’m already acquainted with and turning my attention to....possibilities....

Photos by Connie Ward copyright 2010

...about awards.


I’m so happy to announce that my book trailer for ...and night falls won the REC Best Author Made Book Video for July 2010 on the New Covey Trailer Awards! Yay!

If you'd like to take a look at it, here it is:

...about Southern hospitality.

Southern hospitality is legendary. And when hubby and I went to Munford recently for my book signings and his high school reunion, we enjoyed the wonderful Southern hospitality at the home of Penny and Calvin Edmondson, hubby’s sister and her husband.

The Edmondsons live on a beautiful wooded lake. The porch built across the back of their house overlooks the lake, and on a summer morning, when the sun’s golden rays come slanting over the hills, there’s no lovelier or more peaceful sight.

As enjoyable as the surroundings are, though, it was the fellowship which made our visit special. Penny and Calvin always make guests feel at home, make them feel welcome and comfortable. It was a relaxing time, chatting over morning coffee or discussing the day’s events in the evening. A weekend at the Edmondsons' was like a mini-vacation.

Thanks, Penny and Calvin!

Image via Dreamstime free images

...about book signings.


I’ve been attending events, signing and selling my books, for about a year now. And when I went to Munford, Alabama last weekend, with the dual purpose of attending my husband’s 50th year class reunion as well as having a two-session book signing, I wasn’t prepared for what awaited me.

You see, I usually set things up myself, and I’m a rather “plain Jane” kinda gal. So when I walked into The Glass House Restaurant, I was blown away.

My dear friend, Charline Smith, and her daughter, Kay Glass, had organized and set up the event. Everything looked beautiful, elegant...a class act all the way, as the photos attest.

The refreshments were scrumptious (thanks, Kay and Earl!), the surroundings were beautifully decorated, and the warm welcome from the Smiths and the Glasses made me feel right at home.

And the icing on the cake, so to speak, was getting to reconnect with so many friends...it almost felt like a family reunion.

So, thanks, Charline, J. C., Kay and Earl...it was a fantastic weekend, thanks to you!

(By the way, we ate Sunday dinner at The Glass House after church Sunday morning...and I have to say, if you're ever traveling through Munford, try to time your trip so you'll be there at mealtime. The Glass House has some of the best eatin' around. Their Fried Green Tomatoes are out of this world, just like all their other selections!)

...about Munford, Alabama


I lived in Munford, Alabama during my four years of high school. And what a wonderful four years they were.

Munford is a small community with a big heart. The people of Munford and the surrounding area are an example of the very best America has to offer...generosity of spirit, Southern hospitality graciously extended, kindnesses shown to kith, kin and to strangers, too.

Although my family wasn’t native to the area, we were warmly accepted and made to feel at home when we lived there. And I carried a piece of Munford in my heart when I moved away. I married a native son, and that marriage tie insures I’ll always be connected to the people and the place, for which I’m grateful.

And it’s no surprise to me that my recent book signing in Munford was a great success. Thank you, family, friends, for welcoming me home in such a super way.

...about Read an Ebook Week.

March 7-13, 2010 is Read an Ebook Week at Smashwords. I'm participating by cutting the prices on my ebooks by 50% (which isn't saying a lot, since the regular price is only $1.99.....but still, it's the thought that counts, right?)

Here are the links to my books' Smashwords pages.

...and night falls

On Berryhill Road

Scribbles

Tugger's Down


If you check them out and decide you'd like to take me up on the discounted price, just let me know, and I'll give you a discount code to use.

And remember, this is for one week only...March 7-13, 2010.

Happy reading!

...about coming up for air.

Sometimes a writer can become buried by writing responsibilities (whether they are placed on said writer by someone/something external or whether they are shouldered willingly). I’ve been in such a predicament, self-induced, for some weeks now.

First, the push was to get Tugger’s Down edited. Done.

Next, the cover had to be designed. Done.

So...I got the manuscript edited and typeset, got the cover designed and uploaded....and Tugger’s was ready to meet the world of readers, and I’m ready to come up for air, right? Wrong.

Another novel has moved in to take Tugger’s place: High on a Mountain, the first novel I wrote.

So, instead of getting out from under the avalanche of self-induced work I’ve been laboring under since...um...I can’t remember when it started exactly...I’m now buried a little deeper.

And a sense of urgency is attending this novel’s lurch toward completion...a number of people with an interest in history want to know when it’s FINALLY going to be finished (I’ve been working on it for four years, after all...and my other novels haven’t taken anywhere near this much time to make it out of my computer and onto the bookshelf).

They have a point. So, the “nose to the grindstone, shoulder to the wheel” situation will continue for a while longer. (Actually, more than just “a while,” since the sequels to High on a Mountain have to be finished, too.) {Sigh}

And my hubby invited me to go on a cruise... Wonder if I’ll be done in time....