California Dreamin'

Over the long weekend and beyond, I got in a mini-vacation in San Francisco. It's one of my favorite places to visit because not only have all my best friends from college ended up there, but so many members of my family as well!

On top of all that, there is so much to see in the city: the architecture, the beaches, the amazing food (Did you know SF is the "tea capital" of the US?), all the cool company campuses (we visited Google, Apple and Lucasfilms!)

Had a fun lunch at Benihana--entertainment + cooking lesson + delicious food!

Teatime with my cousins--on tap...delicious oolong tea!

Some QT with Manav in gorgeous Sausalito downtown--it was chilly on the water! Brr!

Manav had a showdown with Darth Vader at the Lucasfilms office

Did a school visit in my best friend Krish's 4th grade classroom.
They were VERY interested in Stephenie Meyer!

Those were the essentials of my vaca...what did everyone else do over the long weekend?

---------------------------

Dona Sarkar-Mishra

http://donasarkarmishra.com

Were you a camper?

Unlike most kids I dreaded summer. I know, right? It's not that I didn't enjoy slathering myself with OIL and frying like a piece of bacon in the backyard, or having a break from my rigorous studies, but I had to spend my summers a thousand miles away from all my friends. Every year I was a mess wondering what I was missing. Did my boyfriend really make out with that Barbie girl?(Yeah, he totally did!) Will my friends dump me? (As if!) And I can't even tell you how envious I was of some of my friends that spent the summer at camp.
I blame it on bad 80's movies like Meatballs, but I completely romanticized summer camp. Then one summer I was able to fit in a few weeks of summer camp before being shipped off to Colorado. You should know that this wasn't my first time camping. My parents had a camper and a boat and we would spend many weekends at a local campground. So all the bad points of camping (giant mosquitos, poison ivy, completely unhygenic restrooms)I had already dealt with. I was a pro.
I was psyched to bunk down with two of my very good friends. I should explain that we were at 4-H camp and not someplace cool like Camp Wannahockaluge or somewhere. I couldn't wait to lock eyes with the guy I had fantasized being my camp hookup. My mom sent me with plenty of paper and stamps so I could write home. I tried not to roll my eyes as she dropped me off. I was going to be way too busy doing exciting camp stuff to mess with letter writing.

The first day I nearly punched a hole right through my finger by doing some stupid craft punching leather. The second day I burnt(seriously, I had smoke coming off me) off the first layer of skin on my chest and stomach by sliding on a homemade slip n' slide that someone forgot to put water on (way humilitating!). The third day I lost my nametag, which was the ultimate camper no-no. Seriously you would have thought I had stood on a table in the mess hall and mooned everyone. I am fairly certain that the lake we were swimming in was filled with toxic waste and there was zero water pressure so you couldn't even shower it off you. And there was NO ONE crushworthy. So I broke out the paper and pencil and begged my mom to come and get me.
I don't think I've ever been as happy to see someone in my whole life as the day she showed up. The counselors were not happy that I was making a break for it. To this day I'm pretty sure there is a graffiti'd picture of me posted in a musty cabin somewhere. Did you spend your summers at camp? Was it a nightmare like mine or was it the time of your life?
xo,
Stephanie
www.stephaniehale.com

A whole new world!

As a follow-up to yesterday's "Deadliest Catch" posting, I too, thought I'd take a little trip across the ocean in my post. Or should I say, a trip under the sea.

Recently, I've been going through some significant life changes the past three months. With the release of my book, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING, I, too, feel that I am going through an awakening of my own. As such, I've decided to do some things that I've always wanted to do, but somehow wasn't able to do for one reason or the other. I'm traveling more. I'm eating at restaurants I've always had a curiosity about. And...I'm pursuing adventures I've always dreamed of...starting last night.

I started SCUBA lessons!



Yes...you read that right! At 42 years young, I decided to take the plunge, literally! LOL!! I signed up for the class at the local YMCA (three blocks from my new apartment) and took my first dip in the pool last night. I have to say...it was exhilarating!



First off, did you know that SCUBA isn't a word like "scuba," rather, it's an acronym. Anyone know what it means? Well, I can tell you! It means self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. Pretty cool, eh?



Now, I don't intend to go into the massive fathoms of the deep, dark sea. Nor do I intend to go cave diving or slithering through ship wrecks. Ewww... The thought of that creeps me out to no end. However, a nice 50-70 foot decent into crystal clear waters to look at the corals, fishies and other sea life...wow...how peaceful, calm, and beautiful is that going to be?



Last night, we learned all about the mask, fins, weight belt, and snorkel. I've been snorkeling a few times, so I knew a lot of what he was talking about. But the terminology and theories behind everything is totally fascinating and there's a lot to learn. There's a lot more to the sport than just breathing underwater. There's physics and common sense, strength and endurance, a buddy-system and hand signals, paying attention, being alert, and most of all...having fun.



The funniest part of the class is my teacher (Rick) is this 63 year old guy who looks like he's about 38 and has been SCUBA diving longer than I've been alive. He talks like a drill instructor, tells us to "pay attention" and "look at him" and he could be Robert De Niro's twin brother! "Are you talking to me?" LOL!!



So there you have it...my first major adventure has begun. I have class twice a week over the next three weeks and then we go on four certification dives. I've already passed the preliminary test of treading water for ten minutes and doing six laps in the Olympic-sized pool. (There are seven people in the class and I was not last in the swimming exercise...thank heavens!!) I'll keep you posted on my progress...so wish me luck!



Have you ever had something you've longed to do, but haven't? What is it? What's kept you from doing it? Would you do it if you could? I'd love to hear all about it!

Hugs,
Marley = )

Deadliest Weekend

While normal people were out celebrating the long weekend with barbecues and softball games, I spent the last three days glued to the three day marathon of my latest obsession: Deadliest Catch.


The show chronicles the king and opilio (snow) crab fishing seasons of a handful of vessels crazy enough to attempt this work. Alaskan crab fishing is the most—the most!—dangerous job in the world. Men die every year. Sometimes many men. And yet, they go out year after year, season after season, risking their lives for the sake of a big haul and an even bigger payday. (The men can earn upwards of $50,000 in less than a month, sometimes in less than a week.)

But the huge draw to this show isn't only the phenomenal risk involved in the job, it's the character of the men who take on that risk. Their personalities range from the quiet and unassuming to the in-your-face and outrageous. The only two constants are a willingness to work hard (and I do mean HARD) and the mental toughness to withstand the weather, the unending (and somethings uninterrupted) hours of backbreaking labor, and the possibility of death looming around every minor mishap.


I admit to having favorites. I'm a Northwestern girl. The Northwestern is a fishing vessel owned and operated by the Hansen brothers; captain Sig (right), engineer Norman (left), and deck boss Edgar (second from left). These boys are the heirs of a Norwegian fishing dynasty and they are never boring. Sig is the slave-driver, pushing the guys to the breaking point (but not beyond—because I don't think they have one) from the wheel house. (He's also on Twitter.) Edgar is the loudmouth prankster who keeps everyone laughing and safely on their toes. Norman is the silent, elusive, and camera-shy one that, well, you just don't know much about.

Sigh, I just can't get enough.

I can't pick a favorite, either. If you've seen the show (or even if you haven't) which Hansen brother is more your style? The boss, the quiet guy, or the joker? (They are, incidentally, the oldest, middle, and youngest.)

If you've never watched Deadliest Catch, give it a try. Here's a quick video to get you started.

If you want to see more, the Discovery Channel is showing three back-to-back episodes tonight. You might just find yourself hooked and eager for the next weekend marathon.

Hugs,
TLC

OH. MY. GODS. (now in paperback!)
GODDESS BOOT CAMP (coming June 2009)
teralynnchilds.com

Would You Buy This Book???

Some writer-friends of mine were playing around on the internet one day, seeing what art work they could find to create make-believe covers for their upcoming books.

Ever the procrastinator, I was totally up for this diversion. My next book is When Bad Flings Happen to Good Girls (Summer, 2010, Delacorte Books), and it takes place at a lake in upstate New York. So I started out searching key words like:

Lake
Summer
Beach
Hot guy
Girl
Bikini
Lifeguard
Swim lessons
Snack bar

When that didn’t reap any rewards, I decided to throw in the word “cockroach.” Because one of those hot lifeguards lost his sense of taste in a skateboarding accident, and for the right dare or amount of money, will eat them. (Aren’t you looking forward to the scenes where the heroine kisses him? ~wink~)

And that was when I came up with this cover. I actually thought it had jump-off-the-shelf appeal, but when I showed it to my writer-friends, I almost went deaf from the collective screams of “eeewww…”

Now remember--this is a joke. (Although I understand this girl is no model, but a real live girl who likes cockroaches.) Anyway, tell us, please, would you buy a book with this cover?

Tina

How to Hook a Hottie, 2009 Rita Finalist
The ABC's of Kissing Boys
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress

Memorial Day

In observance of Memorial Day tomorrow, I'm posting a few pictures of the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. My upcoming book, The Clearing, partly takes place in 1944 -- so I made it a point to head out to the monument last month, and it really brought home to me the sacrifices of our men and women who fought in WWII and the other wars since then. Not to mention those who are serving our country here and abroad in harm's way.

The Arizona Memorial is a floating memorial that sits above the wreckage of the ship. It's a very modern, minimalistic monument that you can walk inside, and even look down into viewing wells that show pieces of the rusting ship below. Even today, gallons and gallons of oil and other debris are leaking from the ship at the bottom of the harbor.





















You take a little boat that brings you from the visitor's center to the memorial, and walk onto the monument itself. An open air design gives the feeling of being in a hallowed place, almost like a chapel. And considering the Arizona is the final resting place of many servicemen, it's fitting.

The crowd that comes out to see the monument is varied. Young and old, veterans and civilians, Americans and foregin folks -- all visiting to pay their respects and solemnly acknowledge the tragedy of war.

The wall of names is especially touching. The military used to allow brothers (and even fathers and sons) to serve on the same ship. So, this wall has many last names that are the same -- families that endured a double loss that day in 1941. It's a stark reminder of the horrible price we pay during wartime.

I hope you will find time during this fun, relaxing weekend, to thank a veteran you know, or at least to send some prayers or good thoughts out to the men and women in uniform.

I'm touched by their sacrifice.


Hugs,


Heather

http://www.heatherdavisbooks.com/

Fun things on Friday

I'm having a hard time coming up with a blog post today so I thought I'd just post some fun things this week. First off, my new pair of flip-flops.

Actually, they are called Fit-Flops. They are supposed to work out your legs and butt while you walk. I'm not buying it but they are super cute.
Night at the Museum 2 is out today! I really love the first movie and we are considering taking our boys to see the sequel this weekend. I'm really looking forward to Amy Adams playing Amelia Earhart.

I got the most adorable photos of a school project an adorable girl named MacKenzie did about my third novel, Spring Breakup. Here are a few of them. Too cute!






And, last but not least, here is an adorable video that I saw on The Bonnie Hunt show. Enjoy!


xo,
Stephanie
www.stephaniehale.com

Some fun interviews for Ghost Huntress

The winner of Tera's joke contest is Meredith F. with this joke: What's green and has wheels?Grass! I lied about the wheels!! (Isn't that hilarious?) Please email at tlc@teralynnchilds.com.

Wow...GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING has been out for a few weeks now and the feedback is so encouraging and fun. The Amazon.com reviews are wicked awesome and I've managed to snag a few interviews on paranormal radio programs here and there. Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive...from the Buzz Girls to readers alike.

I wanted to share a couple of interviews that I've done. My friends, New York Times bestseller, Gena Showalter (who will be launching Harlequin's YA line soon!!) and her fabulous critique partner...and partner in crime, Jill Monroe, were kind enough to interview me for their cult hit, Author Talk (where authors talk to other authors.) We had an absolute blast taping this! Hope you enjoy!



I just love these ladies!!

And also, here's another interview. While attending GhoStock 7 on April 18th, 2009, in historical Salem, Massachusetts, Angelique Avalon from Paranormal SPY interviewed me about my paranormal investigations as well as the release of the GHOST HUNTRESS series.



Now, I must return to the writing cave where I'm cranking out GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON. If you've read GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what you think about it!

Hugs,
Marley = )
www.ghosthuntress.com

P.S. Don't you just love our new headers that our webmistress extraordinaire, Tera, did for us? Cheers to TLC!!!!

Wanted: A New Joke

A while back, I read a magazine article (about charm or social graces or something) that said you should know one surefire joke really well. One that you know perfectly, don't forget the punchline halfway through, and end up babbling an explanation that is beyond not funny anymore. After I read that, I searched some joke sites and found this gem:

Three guys are out for breakfast with their sweethearts and they are all trying to top each other. The first guy looks at his girl and says “Pass the honey, honey.” The second guy turns to his date “Pass the sugar, sweetie.” The third guy, not wanting to be outdone but running out of options says “Pass the bacon, pig.”

I've used that joke for a while, though. I think it might be time to retire it and find a new one. That's where you come in. Tell me your favorite or funniest joke. (Clean jokes only, please.)

Whichever one tickles my fancy the most will earn the teller a shiny new copy of the OH. MY. GODS. paperback that came out last week. (Or, if you already have OMG, then a reserved copy of GODDESS BOOT CAMP, due out next month.)

Okay, now. Make me laugh. (No pressure.)

Hugs,
TLC

OH. MY. GODS. (now in paperback!)
GODDESS BOOT CAMP (coming June 2009)
teralynnchilds.com

Book Crossing!

Book crossing, n. the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. (Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 2004)

A couple of years ago, a friend told me about the Book Crossing website, a program that helps make “the whole world a library.” Intrigued, I checked it out.

They encourage readers to pass on books to promote literacy (and help clear your bookshelves) by leaving them in random places throughout the world, like coffee shops, park benches, airports. Anyone who finds the book is encouraged to read it and pass it on. The ultimate lending library!


Even more fun is to check the book on their website (ID numbers are listed on the inside cover) to see the locations where it has been logged in, and note your temporary possession.

For instance, I recently came upon a copy of a celebrity bio and I plunked its Book Crossing ID number into the site. I saw that it had started in northern California, moved once in that area, then onto the state of Washington, where it was noted one more time. I registered it as “found” in Los Angeles.

However, I do want to mention that I didn’t get this Book Crossing book in the usual way, by finding it lying around. I got this out-of-print celebrity bio through an Amazon used bookseller. Which was not cool with me at all.

I wrote to them three times, explaining that reselling a Book Crossing book is like reselling a book they’d borrowed from their public library. That the book had been donated by an owner to this program, had markings on the cover and inside to this effect, and was not for resale. But I got zero satisfaction. They maintained they could sell any book they wanted--including library books.

So what to do? The right thing. I’m going “eat” the purchase price, and after I read it, I will leave it somewhere to rejoin the vast Book Crossing world. Hey, maybe I’ll even take it to the Romance Writers of America conference in Washington, D.C., and leave it there?

So…do you know about Book Crossing? Have you ever participated in the program? And if not, does the program interest you?

Tina

How to Hook a Hottie, 2009 Rita Finalist
The ABC's of Kissing Boys
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
www.tinaferraro.com

Sleepytime

You know that old saying, 'You don't know what you've got, til it's gone'? Wait, maybe that's an old Poison song. Anyhoo, never has this a truer statement for me than when my kids came along and I didn't have the privilege of getting sleep anymore. I got 8 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep the other night, my first in over six years. It was awesome. Of course it was followed up by a night of three hours then another of five, but hey, it happened, so I thought it might make a good post. First of all, I'm not the kind of gal who can just crash out in front of the TV no matter how tired I am. Here are the things I require to drift off.

1) Noise machine- I have always slept with a white noise machine. I have to have that constant noise or I'm constantly focusing on the noises outside.

2)A pitch black room- People that can fall asleep in a brightly lit room just boggle my mind. I cannot have even the smallest bit of light peeking in or my body tells me it's daytime and I'm missing out on something.

3)To PJ or not to PJ- I know a lot of people who sleep in the buff (I sleep with one)but I'm all about the pj's. It could be two hundred degrees in my bedroom and I'd still have pajamas on. My reasoning: What if there is a fire and I have to escape. I'm certainly not showing up naked at my neighbors house in the middle of the night!
4)Covers- I'm pretty weird about covers too. It could be a million degrees and I still have to sleep with at least the sheet on. I usually have a foot sticking out though.

5)Pillow fluffiness- This is my most important requirement. I can't stand pillows that are too thick, or ones that are too thin. I will admit I'm totally psycho about my pillows. Right now I'm actually sleeping on two that I've pounded down to just the right thickness.


So how about you? Can you fall asleep anywhere or do you have some funny requirements that have to be met first?

xo,
Stephanie
www.stephaniehale.com

Big Personal Milestone for Dona :)

Last Saturday, I completed my first half marathon. Technically I'm not supposed to run anymore due to a knee issue, but two of my lovely friends and I decided to walk the entire 13.1 miles. The first five miles were a killer...they were all uphill. Steep hills!

Us cheerful at 6 am!

Checking out the competition!

Doing a good stretch and getting ready for the big hills ahead!

We're off!

The race was uphill through my hometown of Kirkland, then down to the waterfront and along the beautiful Lake Washington. When we finished, we felt like we were on top of the world!

Have you guys ever done a triathalon or a marathon? What other big personal milestones have you achieved lately?

------------------------------

Dona Sarkar

http://donasarkarmishra.com

What's in a Name?

I can tell that school year's almost over. Not just because of the calendar or the weather, but from the conversations I’m having with teen readers, both on-line and in person. They’re asking me technical questions about the craft of writing, telling me about their works-in-progress, and looking forward to getting their hands on the keyboards and around ball point pens.

More than one budding writer lately has asked about naming the main characters, how I go about it and how I know it’s right. So I thought that would be a fun thing to talk about today.

Here’s how the naming of heroine Kate DelVecchio from How to Hook a Hottie went down...

#1: I'd known I wanted a big, strong, Italian last name. My own--Ferraro--translates to "iron worker," and DelVecchio, from what pigeon Italian I speak, I knew DelVecchio meant "of old." I liked that. Old souls. Done.

#2: Now I thought about her persona, her traits…who she was. A serious girl, an honor student, budding entrepreneur. No matter what name appeared on her birth certificate, she would never allow herself to be called by a fun little nickname with a heart over the i, okay? (FYI: Tina looks very silly with a heart over the i. Take my word for it.)

#3: I got into the heads of the parents, specifically the mother, who I knew “wore the pants in the family.” I knew Mrs. DelVecchio had had big dreams of being a dynamo in the business world, and felt set-back by the birth of our heroine so early in her life. From this, I concluded she would name her daughter after some Grand Dame in society. Which I decided would be Katharine Hepburn.

#4: So, jump back to #1. I could go with the full name Katharine. Kat. Kate. Kitty. Kathy. Hmmm…

#5: By that time, I already had the hero’s name. Jason Dalrymple, but everyone called him Dal. It had come to me in a dream, and I simply loved it. The thing was…Dal was definitely unusual. (How many Dals do YOU know?) So I didn’t want the heroine’s name to be too different, either, too. I didn’t want readers struggling to remember both their names.

#6: So…in summary: Birth name Katharine, no cute nickname, looking for easy recognition for the reader. Kate! It was strong, pretty, very well-known…just right.

That’s how I do it. I’d love to hear from other writers about their processes, as well as from readers who have thoughts or questions (or just want to say hi)!

Tina

How to Hook a Hottie, 2009 Rita Finalist
The ABC's of Kissing Boys
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
www.tinaferraro.com

Seattle's Famous Ghost: Kurt Cobain

Welcome to the last days of "GHOST WEEK" here at Books, Boys, Buzz. We are celebrating the launch of Marley Gibson's GHOST HUNTRESS series...I have my copy already, do you?

*****************************
The winner of Stephanie's GHOST HUNTRESS giveaway is.....

CARA KING!

Cara, please email Marley at marley_gibson@yahoo.com for your prize!

****************************
Continuing on with my "spooky tale"....

Seattle is known for three famous ghosts: martial artist/actor Bruce Lee, musician/legend Jimi Hendix and of course Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain.

All though high school, my cousin Sean was OBSESSED with Nirvana and Kurt Cobain. It was Smells Like Teen Spirit all the time. On April 8, 1994, Kurt committed suicide in his house at the age of 27 (shudder...he was so young.) When Sean came out of visit me in 2005 in Seattle, he insisted on seeing Kurt's house. After a bit of research, I found the place and we were off.

The drive there was beautiful...gorgeous Lake Washington, lush greenery all around. I was wondering if we'd gotten the directions wrong on the twisty-turney Seattle roads.

And then, there it was.

Kurt's bench at Viretta Park and the house where he died.

Even though it had been over 10 years since Kurt had died, there were several people milling around, taking pictures and writing memorials on the tribute bench above. The outpouring of love and support from adoring fans was just...wow.

As we knelt next to the bench to read the inscriptions, I felt something very strange. A breeze, a movement, a breath on the back of my neck. Someone was behind me, watching me. I stood up, turned around, and...

NOTHING.

There was definitely something there...I knew it. My cousin knew it. That day I became a true believer in the "other side."

There have been many strange reports of ghostly faces in the window of Kurt's Viretta Park house...the current inhabitants have reportedly heard whispered voices during thunderstorms....creepy!

In fact, I learned later that Lakeview Cemetary refused to take Kurt's ashes because they had way to many visitors with Bruce and Brandon Lee buried there! So Kurt's memorial continued to be the bench in front of his house...and if you ask me, he is there and wandering around.

I'd love to hear if any of our readers have had any "Ghostly" experiences!

--------------------------------

Dona Sarkar

http://donasarkarmishra.com/

My haunted dinner party

****************Yesterday's Winner is NIKKI!!!! Nikki send your info to marley_gibson@yahoo.com****************************************************
Major congrats to Marley on the release of her first book in the Ghost Huntress series. Make sure to leave a comment today for your chance to win your own copy!
Okay, so how cool would it be to invite any ghost you wanted to a dinner party? I've given this a lot of thought and here's who would be haunting my party.
First off, this isn't going to be your typical hanging around the house in your holey sweats kind of shindig. This is going to be fancy. Just because your guests of honor are dead doesn't mean you don't still have to try and impress them. And because my sense of style seems to equal jeans and T-shirts I buy at Target, I'm gonna need some help. Who better to help me dress for my party than Jackie O? She'd whip me into shape in no time.

I sashay (Jackie gets mad when I talk like that)into a fabulous ballroom where all of my guests are waiting on me. Everyone looks divine and completely undead. Sharing a stage and singing a duet are Patsy Cline and Buddy Holly. Crazzyy! Everyone waves at me and I hardly know where to begin.



It isn't hard to decide to head immediately for the dead hottie table. River Phoenix, Brandon Lee, James Dean, and JFK Jr. practically get into a fight trying to pull my chair out for me. They tell me how pretty I am and how they wish they were alive so that they could take me out. I try to ignore Jackie but she's burning holes through me from across the room. I guess I might have forgotten to mention that her son was one of the hotties I was getting dolled up for. Like most pretty boys, they run out of conversation pretty quickly. They all kiss my cheek and I head toward roaring laughter.

I saunter over and take a seat in between John Candy and Chris Farley. They make me laugh so hard that I nearly pee in my pants. Jackie starts again with the looks. I guess I'm acting very unladylike. Next time I'm definitely requesting a stylist with less attitude. My face actually starts to hurt because these guys are so funny. I think I might never leave when someone whispers in my ear, "I don't have all night. Do you want some writing tips or not?"


I turn to see Michael Crichton, Agatha Christie, and E.B. White behind me, tapping their feet impatiently. I reluctantly excuse myself from John and Chris and follow my new critique partners to a quiet corner of the ballroom. I pull a manuscript I've been working on out of my glittery evening bag. I nervously hand a copy of the picture book I've been working on to each of them. After thirty of the longest seconds of my life Michael speaks up first.

Michael: "It's not bad, but maybe the dog could contract some mysterious illness that changes him into a T-Rex."

Me: "That's kind of been done already, Michael."

Michael: "By who?"

Me: "Um, you."

Agatha: "Ms. Hale, your manuscript lacks red herrings. It took me mere seconds to realize who the villian was."

Me: "Um, it's a picture book not a mystery."

E.B.: "Your idea is brilliant, but your rhymes really suck."

Me: "I'm out of here."

It's been a pretty fun night and I figure the ghosts are about ready to turn in for the night. I turn to go when I hear a familar voice call my name. I turn back around and run toward the voice. I don't even care that Jackie is yelling that ladies don't run in heels. When I get to the voice I can hardly believe my eyes. It's my grandpa who passed away when I was twelve years old. When I was young I used to spend my summers with my dad in Colorado. When I got back I was dying (bad choice of words) to tear up the town on my beloved ten-speed and make up for lost time with my friends. The biggest regret of my life happened one summer after I got back when I stopped by to say hi to my grandparents. I was twelve and I had hot wheels. My grandpa wanted me to stay and visit and watch All my Children with him (he loved that show!). I remember peeking around the corner to the living room and telling him that I just couldn't stay today but some other day I would. Unfortunately we lost him that very night to a heart attack.
My grandpa wraps me in his arms and we spend the rest of the night catching up on All my Kids.

(This is Jackie Gleason, not my grandpa, but the resemblance is uncanny.)
Leave a comment telling me what ghost you'd invite over to win a copy of Marley's new book!

xo,
Stephanie
www.stephaniehale.com