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Answering Questions & An Overview (and some hair-dos, lol)
Hi Readers! I figured I haven’t done a quick introduction and overview for some new connections here, so here it goes! I’m also sharing some throw back photos of the books I’ve published (and my many hair-dos since!) 1—Why am I holding The Postcard in the first photo? This week marks the one-year anniversary of publishing my collection of short stories that has gotten some buzz lately: a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite and a finalist award in National Indie Excellence. So thrilled for both! 2—When did I start blogging? Back in 2011 with the support of some of my students, namely Bill Ritson, who helped me name it Steph’s…
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What I’m Working On: My Summer Writing Projects
Two weeks remain until the close of the Spring 2018 semester. It’s been a very hectic, but productive one, and I’m eager to hear some final student presentations, read final papers, and complete the final curriculum of the year. I may take a few days off afterwards to smell the roses, go for a road trip, see the Blue Angels, and stroll around Annapolis and some Eastern Shore towns with my Nikon in hand—one of my favorite things to do. But I’m also looking forward to completing the writing and editing of my short story collection, tentatively titled THE POSTCARD and OTHER SHORT STORIES and POEMS. As some of you…
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A Busy Weekend Included Candles, Supper Club, Live Music, and a Graduation Party
*** It’s Monday morning, and I might need two cups of coffee. It was a busy weekend filled with socializing. And it began on Thursday, not Friday, as my friend Elizabeth invited me to dinner and candle making. That’s right. Candle making. We’ve been friends for 33 years, and we figured, why not? Let’s make some candles. We’ve done a hell of a lot of other things together, so why not add this to the list? (She says she’s now making a bucket list for us to do the next 33 years of our friendship…this will be interesting). Candles Off Main in Annapolis offers workshops on candle making, and it’s…
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Kind of Obsessed with John Mayer
Ever since I saw his concert two weeks ago, I’ve been listening to my entire John Mayer catalog of music. I own all of his CDs, and I’ve been a fan for years, and I do listen to him often. But now I think I’ve crossed a line and have become a little obsessed. You know how some artists are just so talented that when you’ve listened to all of their songs a million times, you just wish they could just keep turning out new music because you can’t get enough? That’s how I feel about John Mayer. And honestly, I am talking about his music, his lyrics, and the…
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Wednesday Wisdom From Last Night’s Paul McCartney Concert
<a href=”http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/18182611/?claim=2a25jyxpx5j”>Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> PART ONE: The Wednesday Wisdom Advice “Don’t wait—if you have something to say to somebody, say it now.” The words above were uttered by Sir Paul McCartney last night at his concert at Verizon Center in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. He was making reference to his friend, John Lennon, and regrets he had about not saying words he wanted to say to him before John’s untimely death. Regret is a tough thing to live with, for sure, and Sir Paul was sharing his own very personal account and wishing things had turned out differently. But it’s not too late for us if…
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My Precious 45 RPM Records (are in the box)
Last night my parents dropped off a box they found while cleaning out their basement. They brought it to me, and I was surprised to see what was inside. Obviously, if you either (a) follow my blog, or (b) know me personally, you know that I LOVE MUSIC and always have. As a kid, I would would listen to 8-track tapes, these babies pictured here on my record player, and I’d write down Casey Kasem’s Top 40 each week. Every song. Every week. I’ve always enjoyed the pleasure of music, play the piano a little, and spend money each year to see concerts and Broadway musicals. I love everyone from…
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Nevertheless…
I was definitely born in the wrong era; this wicked-ass hopeless romantic loves music from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. It’s the reason why I’m such a fan of Mr. Buble. He brings back all the classic standards that I love and makes them his own…with charm and sex appeal. “Nevertheless” has always been one of my favorite songs, written back in 1931, and I love the poetic lyrics so much. This song can make you swoon. Perhaps this is one of the shortest post I’ve ever written because when it comes to music, all we need to do is let the song tell us a story. Maybe it’s your…
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Once Upon A Time, There Was Stevie Wonder and 8-Track Tapes
In my room as a teen, I had a stereo. It consisted of a receiver with a turntable, two speakers, and an 8-Track tape player. I’ve always loved music, and my weekends were often spent writing down each of the songs Casey Kasem played during the American Top 40 Countdown. And when that was over, I loved listening to my 8-Track tapes. I didn’t have a ton, but I had a handful of them. Soundtracks to some of my favorite movies were in my player, including those from “My Fair Lady,” “Camelot,” and “The Sound of Music.” For funk and rock, Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” and…
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Holy Moly. Move Over Mr. Buble—This Girl’s Got Swag.
Only occasionally do I post music clips, but today I am unusually compelled to do so. With a strong affinity for Mr. Buble and Sinatra, I tend to watch something when their names are mentioned alongside a singer–especially one so young. At seven years of age when this video was shot, this girl has got some serious swag. Her name is Angelina Jordan, and you are in for a treat as you listen to her sing Sinatra’s classic, “Fly Me To The Moon,” with perfect tempo and timing. This aired on Senkveld Norwegian “The Late Show.”
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Musical Interlude…
* * * Today, I have nothing to say…I just want you to listen…and enjoy. Happy Holidays.
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Moved To Tears
I don’t know what it is about driving in a car by yourself with the ability to listen to whatever music you choose, but there are some songs that are so poetic, they move me to tears. I’m back to my old tricks–the hopeless romantic in me has returned. Full force. On my way up to Local Authors Day at the Bel Air Library (a 45-minute drive), I was listening to John Mayer. He’s one of my favorite artists, primarily because his lyrics are so incredibly moving and realistic. Back in the car on the ride home, I popped the CD back in again. Every time I listen to “Comfortable,”…
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Phillip Phillips and My Mother
As I was putting away my Christmas presents this morning and trying to organize the children’s bundle of gifts, I came across a gift that my mom gave me yesterday: the Phillip Phillips album on disc. Yes, I’m still one of those people who prefers to receive a CD; I realize most people are of the iTunes generation, but I still like the physical disc of the record. There’s something about holding it and having it that makes me feel connected to the artist. I actually enjoy reading the liner notes. To use the words a teenager might say, “My mom rocks.” I put the disc in the player and…
