Invitations…

In the old days, when one had guests, they might stay anywhere from several days to indefinitely. People who practiced this usually had large enough houses (or estates) to accommodate them. Traveling was harder and took longer in those days, too, and some people traveled so far away they were never heard from, again.

Many of the working classes had long-term guests as well. But they were more along the variety of relatives that needed a place to stay (most of history actually happened without government help), or friends of friends who were down on their luck. These type of guests almost always pitched in with the family workload, making them an asset even if things were a little more crowded around the house.

These days, even though we can get places quicker, we are much more isolated. TV has helped with that, because not only is it a great babysitter, it keeps the adults pretty quiet, too. At the same time, there has never been so much freedom for individuals to do exactly as they please, without having to explain themselves to anybody. Which is why I so thoroughly enjoy living the way I do. I can be gone for months at a time, and still come back to my splendid little hideaway, here, for all the peace and quiet I need for writing my adventure stories. Oh, but I absolutely love guests, and even though it is far off the beaten track, you'd be surprised how many make it a point to come for regular visits. My dearest friends, especially.

So it is that I am inviting a very large crowd for the entire month of October, in honor of my book GOLD TRAP which is to be launched this very next Saturday. Fellow time-travelers, some of them, not to mention several interesting adventurers, and even a few of my author friends. I'll be introducing them all month long. There will be plenty of interesting discussions to join in on, delicious food and beverages, and a number of lovely spots to slip off to for anyone that simply needs to be alone with their thoughts for awhile. So, I hope you'll stop by as often as you can to join us, because you're invited, too.

Heavens, it just wouldn't be the same without you.

Now, off to work on PANDORA...

Looking for Serendipity…

Dictionaries define the word serendipity as "an unexpected pleasant experience." And do we all need more of those! Well, it just so happens one has come my way, and I have a feeling (just a feeling) that it is trailing a few others along with it, like a big kite with a long tail.

Now, if it were a kite (and it would have to be a giant kite for this scenario), I could do one of two things. First case, I could look up at it, note its size and wonder as it passes, and enjoy the moment. Second case (and I'll tell you, right now, this is the one I am choosing), I can grab onto that tail -- even if I have to chase it, first -- and hold on for an exciting adventure. Grab your hats, dear readers, because here comes the description of my kite…

I and my book are going to the FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR, October 12-16 in Germany. To meet and "hob-nob" with other industry professionals and artists from

around the world. While I have never been there before, I have ancestors who have, so I might have to do a little "time traveling" at some point along the way (think Mary Poppins jumping into a chalk drawing -- it actually happens more often than you can imagine). At any rate, I am going to be reporting all, right here on the blog, so stay tuned for some details I guarantee you won't be able to get anywhere else. And some opportunities (because I always share -- things taste better when you do) you won't find anywhere else, either.

So, while I have a million things to do before departure (like a BOOK LAUNCH, for heaven sake!), let me leave you with this…

Wherever you are today, may you look up and catch a glimpse of the many serendipities that are passing over your own head (at this very moment!), and grab hold of one of them for yourself. If you do… then we are kindred spirits.

So, now, I am off to work…

Mad Things…

OK. A little bit of a blog-writing challenge from Isis Rushdan (thank you, fellow campaigner) about "the maddest things to happen to me" over the last two days. Well, my goodness, what did we let loose here? Because -- as if right on cue -- the craziest "mad things" began flying at me, as soon as I read those words…

It all began with an electrical glitch (hmm… could there be some connection?) that effected my computer. Which in turn tangled up my responses while trying to set up a Facebook page to link up with my website. Mostly because I wanted to like so many of you out there who have become my friends. But did you know that not just anyone can push one of those "like" buttons? No, you must have a Facebook page, yourself, in order to participate in that sort of thing. But -- speaking of sorts -- it turns out they don't even allow my sort to have one of those pages.

Which rather made me mad, in another sort of way (and this kind is worse than the first, I think) because I began speaking a piece of my mind to the powers that be, over there. Having absolutely no idea that the "record" button was still on. Faith and Begorrah! Now, everything I said and did, yesterday, is plastered up all over my dear sponsor's news feed (not to mention her walls). And that after she so kindly agreed to share her space with me, under condition I would mind my manners. Now, we are stuck in a terrible quandary of whether she should sacrifice her reputation over the whole thing, or I should. Good grief, and I only just got there!

Now, I've had to call in the cavalry for help (better than waiting till they come after me), for the entire blow-up has gone way beyond both of us. Mad, indeed! Still, all this has led me to wonder just how much control one actually has over these little "mad things" that plague all our lives in the first place. So, if you've had any similar experiences, dear reader, pipe up and share some of them, will you?

Then I won't feel so alone out here.

And, now, to work for the day...