Category Archives: Uncategorized

New Book Coming

Working my way toward the final production and publishing of Thirteen Spooky Stories. I am still looking for the perfect photo for the cover. I would prefer to use a local spooky photo. A foggy moment at Gardner Lake a moment on the airline trail with wispy fog or eerie light, a winter night at the Hale Homestead. The cover photo impacts if the book is picked up and looked at. Think about the books you choose and those you put back down, that cover is important. You know that saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” well it happens every day for authors.

I have had advance readers for each of my thirteen stories. I count on their feedback to find spots that need a final tweak, what they like, and what they want to know more about. If you were one of my readers thank you! Some days just a little positive feedback from someone makes my day and staying up late to work on my book is just that bit easier.

Planning a book launch comes soon. I love to have an event to kick off the first days my book is available. These being spooky stories you know I am aiming for that spooky month of October. I have a couple of ideas for locations. I plan to tell some spooky stories, read selections from the book and just have fun sharing it with my readers. I need to make this an event that is fun, so you all want to come. What would you like to see, do, or experience at a book launch celebration for Thirteen Spooky Stories? Leave your ideas in the comments.

Countdown underway, Thirteen Spooky Stories is coming soon!

Historical Exhibit

Telling and Showing the Stearns Family History in Mansfield 250 Years I am preparing a historical exhibit for the Stearns Family’s 250 years in the town of Mansfield. What a journey as I research and sift the ages. Winnowing down this collection of dates, photos, artifacts, and mementos to what will be displayed is difficult.… Continue Reading

Writer’s Journey

I’m on a writer’s journey and the view is fine! I walked a road with little to no recognition of the writer’s landscape. Finally, I am cresting the first hill. I have published my first book! That book was written part by hand in a notebook and finished on a laptop after I typed in… Continue Reading

Winter Homecoming

This post is dedicated to all who work outside in winter weather. I appreciate your dedication to animals, agriculture and essential services. Orange bottom clouds scud across the evening sky carrying the last bits of sun and first flakes of snow. The wind howls in the tree tops like angry sea waves. My breath is… Continue Reading

I like Walking in September

Why Do I like walking in September? Walking as a healthy habit is a good thing but I wane in interest as summer temperatures soar. High humidity and relentless sun drive me to the shady front porch and passive activity. September renews my love affair with walking. The sun is still warm, sometimes even hot… Continue Reading

Coping in Covid19 Times

Covid19 – Corona Virus Isolation My heart feels gray. Seems a strange day, gray outside and a snowy start.  There is so much anxiety, stress and drama in the world. It is real and it permeates even the healthy with a pending sense of doom. When will the other shoe drop… I am trying to… Continue Reading

What’s This NaNoWriMo?

What’s this NaNoWriMo?   I’m back! After a long hiatus from my blog I am returning to bring you interesting articles and a glimpse at my view of the world. If you are looking for storytelling, after-school, family fun, agriculture or animals they are lurking here within my posts old and new. You could get… Continue Reading

Ancestors at Sea

Did your ancestors work  the sea? What immigrant ship did your ancestors arrive on?  Tell family stories with accuracy to detail, with a visit to a nautical museum or website. Here are some places to begin your voyage of discovery, the family stories from the sea. The whale boat above, is an image from Mystic Seaport,… Continue Reading

A-MAZE-ING If You Give A Donkey an Ice Crea Cone

A-MAZE-ING If You Give A Donkey an Ice Crea Cone

How 2 donkeys helped me promote an event! Summer on Blue Hill had become sooooo boring, event the grass was short. Tobasco wished for an adventure. Tobasco told his friend Jassper about his wish and Jassper wished too! Could they have a DAYCATION? PLEASE! See how I used story to promote an event I was… Continue Reading

What is Wikipedia saying about your Storytelling Festival? NOTHING! Unless YOU change that!

Shared from the National Storytelling Network blog, co-authored by Norah Dooley and Carolyn Stearns   http://blog.storynet.org/what-is-wikipedia-saying-about-your-storytelling-festival-nothing-unless-you-change-that     What is Wikipedia saying about your Storytelling Festival? NOTHING! Unless YOU change that!. Continue Reading

Longears in Connecticut – Donkey News

Longears in Connecticut – Donkey News

Friday, May 4, 2012 The Day – Timely respect for the longears | News from southeastern Connecticut The Day – Timely respect for the longears | News from southeastern Connecticutwritten by: Suzanne Thompson The link takes you to a article in The Donkey and Mule Show Saturday at Bishop’s Orchard in Guilford, CT. I’ll be… Continue Reading

James Henry: media darling; Learning at 98

Too Old To Learn? NEVER! James Henry: media darling featured in People, on CNN – The Westerly Sun: Metertest: MYSTIC — James Arruda Henry’s rapid rise from humble lobster-boat captain to literary star has been tiring, said his granddaughter Marlisa McL… If this 98 year old lobster fisherman can learn to read and write in… Continue Reading

Lanes Stadium

Lanes Stadium

The seats are filled and the fans are spirited as the double header settles in to game two. Having gone extra innings to break a tie it will be interesting to see who has the staying power as the two teams return to the field of story with their lineup. First up to bat and… Continue Reading

MyLITV.com – The Island Long Riders cowboy mounted shooting club Long Islands Best Videos Politics and Local News

MyLITV.com – The Island Long Riders cowboy mounted shooting club Long Islands Best Videos Politics and Local News Here is a great look at what I do a lot of announcing for. There is a tiny segment where you can hear me. This is a great sport filled with great people. Will be back out… Continue Reading

March Roars In

March came roaring in like a lion last night. I lay in bed listeneing to the roar. I could hear trees crackle and barn doors creak in the fierce wind and thought about all the animals out in the barn listeneing. It must seem even louder to them. There is a certain comfort in knowing… Continue Reading