Back to school for Seminole County kids

If you noticed a lot more traffic problems during your commute today, do what I did: blame the Seminole County Public Schools.

I mean, surely all the problems on the roads today can be attributed to the big yellow busses, right?!

Don't try telling me that I live and work in Orange County and can't use that excuse!

At least one person was breathing a big sigh of relief that the kids started back to school today. Mammy Jenks up in Sanford got four hoodlums out of the house today. That's right. FOUR!

TJ is starting the 8th grade, Mike the 6th, and little Alyssa is in preschool.

Child #4, Megan, was apparently too cool to be pictured with her siblings.

I wonder if she knows how extremely uncool it is to run around with the word "Noles" on your clothing . . .

Well, at least it's not written in garnet and gold . . .

Anyway, congrats to the happy parents of Seminole County. Condolences to the kids. And, forewarning to you hoodlums here in Orange County: YOU'RE NEXT!

Truth is better than fiction

I think we've all heard that cliche' before . . . maybe, even used it from time to time. But, it's true. If you don't believe it, check out my new book . . . all TRUE!

Sorry. I know. Shameless plug.

But, anyway, along the same vein, another author is seeking to exploit true stories to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his work of fiction.

I'm talking about Warren Adler. Back in 1981, he published a book called War of the Roses.

No, it was not a history of the big conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York.

It was about a nasty divorce.

You might remember the 1989 film adaptation better than Adler's book. It starred then-A-list celebrities Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.

Well, Adler's interesting way of celebrating his old book is a contest for the "juiciest, meanest and veracious" divorce story.

The winner will receive a "top notch prize" on . . . get ready . . . Valentine's Day.

So, if the urge strikes you to follow in my own recent literary footsteps, check out the rules at Adler's website. Who knows? Maybe it'll pay off!

It's in the genes . . .

Focus back on genetic genealogy this morning, after receiving two emails last night.

The first came from Sorensen Molecular Genealogy, letting me know that they have updated their webpage to include preliminary data on mitochondrial DNA (that's the genetic material you inherit from your mother, and her mother, and her mother, and her mother, etc., etc.)

Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find that my sample was not amongst the preliminary batch. So, I'll have to keep checking back.

But, it did revive my interest in my Y-line (that's the genetic material you inherit from your father, and his father, and his father, etc., etc.)

I may have mentioned here in previous posts that my home PC crashed a couple weeks back, taking with it all my DNA data (among other things). So, the visit to SMG wasn't a complete waste, as it allowed me to download my genetic markers to the new PC.

Just when I completed that, I received the second interesting email. This one from Brett Morgan up in Baltimore, whose Y-line matches mine. We have been unable, as yet, to figure out exactly where our two lines converge. But, the genetic evidence is just too uncanny for there not to be a connection somewhere.

Anyway, Brett had a "Deep SNP" test done on his sample. Previous testing had grouped our bunch of Morgans in Haplotype "I." Now, the deep testing refines things a bit, and classifies us as part of Haplotype "I1c."

According to Brett, "The I1c lineage likely has its roots in northern France. Today it is found most frequently within Viking/Scandinavian populations in Northwest Europe and extends at low frequencies into Central and Eastern Europe."

Interesting stuff, no?

The book has pictures, too!

Even if reading isn't your thing, the new book does contain several interesting pictures.

(Thanks go out to Kristen Burden for scanning them to the publisher's nit-picky specifications.)

1. "Shady Grove," pictured here, was built as a wedding gift for the son of Patrick Henry, and became the Morgan family's plantation home in the 1830s.

2. Katherine Stith Jones, matriarch of the extended family, portrait by renowned artist George Caleb Bingham.

3. Lucy Ann Jones-Swinney, the grand dame of "Sylvan Villa," near Glasgow, Missouri, also by Bingham.

4. Capt. William Daniel Swinney, my namesake, also by Bingham.

5. Capt. James Lorenzo Morgan, my great-great-great grandfather, a central figure in the book.

6. Jennie Brown Morgan, his wife, from a photo taken during their exile days in New York City.

7. Capt. W.H. "Buck" Morgan, who led a failed charge at the Battle of Plymouth in North Carolina.

8. Yours truly during a research trip to Glasgow, Missouri, in 2001.

Table of Contents

Here's the table of contents from my new book:

• Author's forward - this is where I thank everybody for all the help, encouragement, etc.
• Prologue - gives some background on the families involved in the text.
• Pigeon Run to Glasgow, Winter 1859 - the journey from Virginia to Missouri.
• Glasgow, Missouri, February 1861 - a new life in a river town.
• Boonville, Missouri, June 1861 - opening salvo of the war.
• Blackburn's Ford, Virginia, July 1861 - things get going in the eastern theater of the war.
• Lynchburg, Virginia, August 1861 - crossing enemy lines for Kate Brown.
• Kernstown, Virginia, March 1862 - the greatest sacrifice is made.
• The Peninsula, May 1862 - defending the Old Dominion.
• Richmond, Virginia, June 1862 - the Confederate capitol.
• Second Manassas, August 1862 - Bob Morgan is wounded in action.
• Fristoe's Farm, September 1862 - the Glasgow Guards forced into service.
• Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 1862 - ending the year on a high note.
• The Low Point, Spring 1863 - death of Dixie Morgan.
• High Tide of the Confederacy, July 1863 - Battle of Gettysburg.
• Glasgow, Missouri, Christmas 1863 - death and rebirth.
• Plymouth, North Carolina, April 1864 - Uncle Buck leads the charge.
• Milford Station, Virginia, May 1864 - prisoners of war.
• Campbell County, Virginia, June 1864 - Hunter's Raid.
• Howard County, Missouri, July 1864 - bushwhacked!
• New York City, August 1864 - Southerners in exile.
• Charleston, South Carolina, September 1864 - human shields.
• Fort Pulaski, Georgia, October 1864 - in prison near Savannah.
• Glasgow, Missouri, October 1864 - Bloody Bill Anderson.
• Trading with the Enemy, Christmas 1864 - dealing with the Yankees in New York.
• Back to Fort Delaware, March 1865 - Return of the Immortal 600.
• The Cats of Kilkenny, April 1865 - Instead of two cats, there weren't any.
• Back to Old Virginia, May 1865 - the scars of war.
• Epilogue - what happened to these people after the war?
• Selected bibliography.

The book is finally available to the public!

I'm pleased to announce the publication of my new book, Like the Cats of Kilkenny: A True Story of the Civil War.

For further details, check out this link to the publisher's website:

http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=36295

Thanks to everyone for all the help, support, encouragement, etc.!

Yami the mommy

Yami got jealous, because I posted the picture of Baby James yesterday.

So, she forwarded this picture of her recent trip to Kissimmee Water Park with her son Justin.

Isn't it nice to have pictures like this to look at instead of all the stuff they're showing on CNN and FoxNews nowadays?!

Sweet Baby James

This photo just received from proud new granny Linda Kennedy.

James Brandon Kennedy arrived on Wednesday, 07/19, about 1 o'clock in the afternoon.

Cost me a dollar, he did!

I had 07/20 in the office pool . . . ah, well, at least this Kennedy isn't of the Hyannisport variety!

Lady in the Water

Let me preface this post by saying that I had been anxiously awaiting the release of Lady in the Water for quite some time.

I am a fan of M. Night Shyamalan's past projectds, and of Paul Giamatti's work in Sideways and Private Parts.

There are very, very few films that I will actually go see in a theater.

I usually wait til they come out on DVD to avoid the annoyances that come with being crowded-in anywhere with the general public.

But, I digress.

Giamatti cannot be faulted for his performance, nor can the rest of the cast in the film--with the exception of Shyamalan himself.

Yes, that's right, the director plays a very pivotal role in the film himself.

Well, perhaps pivotal isn't the right word.

There were way too many scattered points made in the convoluted narrative to designate any in particular as being pivotal.

Shyamalan is to be admired for his efforts at originality. This film is definitely an original. But, the primary reason for that is its tremendously self-serving themes. For instance, his character is assured by Story the Madame Narf (yes, I'm serious) that his social commentary will become the basis of some future president's political ambition.

Fortunately, LitW does have some light humor to distract the audience from its pointlessness, and it does savage film critics in a deliciously wicked way. But, it ultimately leaves the casual movie-goer with a lot of great big question marks by the time they leave the theater.

The biggest question mark, of course, is why did I waste the time and money on seeing this tripe?

But, even a tremendously bad impression is better than no lasting impression at all, I guess. Sadly, most of the junk generated by Hollywood nowadays is quickly dismissed from the conscious. At least this film had me thinking about it the next day, punching holes in the narrative, etc.

Maybe, that was M. Night Shyamalan's intention all along . . . genius?! I don't know. I'm so confused . . .

Road trip

Got up like a regular work day this morning, to get an early start on my road trip down to see my dad in South Florida.

He's a patient at the Nininger State Veterans' Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines. This is a picture of the entrance to the facility, taken from the parking lot.

Unfortunately, Dad's condition continues to deteriorate. He doesn't recognize me anymore. So, I don't go down there to really visit with him, just to see him, check-in, make sure they're treating him right, etc. And, they are. Things are as good as can be expected at this point, I guess.

Anyway, the impetus of this little trip was an awesome deal I received from the Marriott Rewards program via email earlier this week. They cut me a great rate at their nearby courtyard property in Miramar.

This is a picture of the front driveway.

I have to say that I am not exactly a huge fan of South Florida in general. But, based on what I've seen of the region, I have to say that Miramar is probably the most tolerable.

The coolest thing was caddy-corner to the entrance of the hotel property. There was a big open field full of LONGHORNS!

No, the UT Football team wasn't engaged in some clandestine out-of-state summer practices.

These were ACTUAL LONGHORNS . . . in the middle of Miramar, Florida!!

I guess even cattle have to retire somewhere . . .

Who said retirement was for the timid?!

This photo just in.

Laurie Whaley-Pearson reports her parents are spending at least part of their retirement white water rafting with their grandsons.

(That's Laurie's son Justin right up in front.)

So much for rocking chairs and retirement homes, huh?!

Thanks to Ron and Jean for the inspiration, gives us all something to look forward to!

Oh, and I can't let today's post go by without wishing Cathy a happy birthday!

I'm late, I'm late!

Not for a very important date, like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, though.

I succeeded in locking myself out of the house this morning.

I guess I just had too many other things in my hands when I walked out the door to pick up my keys.

Didn't stop me from remembering to lock-up, though!

Anyway, it took me 45 minutes to resolve the situation.

I do not care to recount those 45 minutes in detail, because it'll just get me going and it won't fix anything.

That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.

The thing I really hate, though, is that you can never get time like that back into your day.

My whole schedule was just "off" all day long.

Didn't stop me from missing Nakomis get evicted tonight, though. Should've been Diane. Way to go, Kaysar. Your nominations were scuds. Hopefully, James will make a more tactical strike this week as the new HoH . . . Chill Town must go.

Munich

First of all, the title of today's post has absolutely no connection whatsoever to yesterday's. That's what we call "mere coincidence." It happens some times.

Anyway, it was ironic, I believe, that I should receive the film Munich on DVD this week.

I mean, Steven Spielberg certainly dishes up some eerie parallels between the Israeli response to the 1972 Olympics massacre and what's going on in the Middle East right now.

I think his intent was to wag his finger at America for its response to 9/11.

If so, he failed miserably.

Instead, he has unwittingly provided ample evidence to the creeps in Hezbollah and Hamas, that their struggle to eradicate the Israelis is futile. Such senseless violence, really.

As a child of the 80's, I am compelled to remind everyone over there of the Thompson Twins, who taught us that fighting in the name of religion is such a senseless contradiction.

If you don't believe me, check out the lyrics to the classic "Love is the Law." It's no "King for Just One Day." But, still, it holds up to the test of time.

Until next time, rock on.

Cats that look like Hitler

As proof that cyberspace is a haven to the inane, I submit the following website:

http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com

Cracked me up when I heard about it. But, after surfing thru the pictures there, I got a little scared.

The guy pictured here was the eeriest.

OK, maybe it's not such a stupid website after all.

I'm just glad my Meezers don't have moustaches . . . much less ambitions of genocide and world domination . . . or, maybe, their docile demeanor is all just an elaborate ruse . . .

Rainy days and Mondays . . .

Well, the shuttle made it back to Earth safely. And, just in time, because Central Florida is getting POUNDED by thunderstorms today!

That got me thinking . . . like I needed any encouragement.

Nothing like talking about the weather to get overexposed to some cliche's, right?!

So, I wondered how many ways can you say, "It's raining hard"?!

How 'bout these examples:

1. It's coming down in buckets.
2. It's raining pitchforks and ____ (fill in the blank, best to put in something really soft, with extra points for messiness potential)
3. It's raining cats and dogs.
4. It's like a cow pissing on a flat rock out there (thank my Texas roots for that one).
5. It's a real toad-strangler.
6. It's a real gulley-washer.

Can you add to this list?

If not, check out this cool website I found about cliche's in general (not just stupid ones about rain). And, try to avoid them, if possible:

www.clichesite.com

Try to stay dry!

Summertime tv . . . the ugly and the not so ugly

Wow. Am I glad I don't vacation outside the good old USofA. Did you see the pictures coming out of Lebanon?

Well, I guess that's a bad example. I mean, who actually goes vacationing in Beirut, right?!

But, there are still an awful lot of Americans over there now, mostly exchange students and other scholars. But, still, way more than I expected.

And, things aren't much better in Israel, either. I mean, those Islamofascists are tossing missiles into the resort towns!

I'm not quite ready to shred my passport, and it's not like the Middle East was ever high on my must-see list, anyway. But, with the world going crazy like this, I'm not even going to Mexico or Canada anytime soon.

Gotta quit watching CNN, it's too depressing.

On a much lighter note, Janelle continues to rock the summertime airwaves. Although she had to sit-out of this week's HoH competition, her "team-mate" Kaysar won. And, that's almost as good. (Incidentally, he nominated Diane and Nakomis for eviction, which I didn't like much. I'd much rather see Chill Town demolished, first. But, that's just me . . .)

Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Willie Morgan

If that's the answer, the question has to be, "Can you name three cowboys who were in Dodge City, Kansas, back in 1880?"

Actually, Masterson and Earp would probably take offense to that. They weren't cowboys, they were . . . er . . . uh . . . "lawmen."

And, my great-great-grandfather would probably like to clarify that he wasn't just a cowboy, he was a "drag rider."

No, that doesn't mean that he rode side saddle in a dress.

In researching my next book about Willie Morgan's adventures along the Chisholm Trail, I have found that a drag rider was one of the unfortunate souls who had to follow the herd to round-up strays.

I say "unfortunate" not only because they had to ride thru a river of cow pies, but also because they pretty much sucked dust the whole time. I mean, 2,500-3,000 longhorns can sure kick up the dirt, you know?

But, the thing I never realized was that all that bovine body mass all squeezed together in a herd gave off a TREMENDOUS amount of HEAT! In fact, that was the one thing the drag riders complained most about: the infernal heat given off by those cows! They said it was as intense as a furnace at times.

You learn something new every day . . . at least, you should!

The book's been sent to the printer

Just got done signing-off on the final galley proof on the new book.

That means they're going to actually send it to the printer TODAY.

Estimated completion time is two weeks.

So, watch this space! By 7/28, I should be able to start accepting actual orders!

Life: comedy or tragedy?

Long ago, I came to the conclusion that you can look at life thru the prism of comedy or tragedy.

In considering the human condition, you can either laugh or cry.

It disturbs me how many people choose the latter option, so ready to play the victim, throw a pity party, and criticize anyone who declines their invitation to mope.

Get over yourselves, people!

Besides, you can always be much worse off than you think you are, now.

I mean, you could be like poor Alison on Big Brother All-Stars. Tonight, she became the first person evicted from the house. How do you think that makes her feel? And, how do you think it makes certain viewers feel, knowing there is one less pretty blonde to watch?!

Wah!

Stop the insanity!

Some people just really push my buttons.

For instance, I cannot stand it when someone wants to go digging up bones rather than dealing with a problem at hand.

That's just insane.

And, I don't like insanity.

My problem, dear readers, is that I need to learn to STOP THE INSANITY.

Control my reaction to it.

Don't be drawn in to the stupidity, the drama.

Unfortunately, easier said than done . . . but that's not going to stop me from working on it!

2 Literary items & a piece of fluff

Aspiring best-seller that I am, I've tried to pay more attention to the literary world and found these two items of note that I thought the blogosphere would appreciate:

Item #1:
Thomas Steinbeck, son of the legendary John Steinbeck, has FINALLY decided to follow in his father's footsteps at the age of 62. He announced recently that he is working on his first novel. He's already on page 1,059, and still typing away . . . something about brevity being the soul of wit. Anyway, he's not a total novice. He did have a book of short stories published back in 2002. This is just his first FULL LENGTH novel. And, sounds like he's a lot like me, at least in this regard: the novel ain't in print yet, and he's already planning his next book. His is going to be a new biography of his father that will highlight his humorous side . . . hmm. Anyway, if you'd like to learn more about this prodigal son, check out his website: www.thomassteinbeck.com

Item #2:
San Jose State University has awarded their 24th Annual Bulwer-Lytton Prize for the worst piece of fiction to Jim Guigli of Carmichael, California. He penned this gem of a run-on sentence:

"Detective Bart Lasiter was in his office studying the light from his one small window falling on his super burrito when the door swung open to reveal a woman whose body said you've had your last burrito for a while, whose face said angels did exist, and whose eyes said she could make you dig your own grave and lick the shovel clean."

Writing like that makes me feel better about myself, how 'bout you?!

Anyway, if you'd like to learn more about this awesome award, check out www.bulwer-lytton.com (a site that's proud to proclaim, "www means wretched writers welcome!"

Finally, the piece of fluff:
Is it just me, or is Janelle on Big Brother All-Stars the ONLY reason to be watching broadcast television this summer?! All I can say is, "WOW!"

A wierd day

Wierd for many reasons:

1. Couldn't get anyone to answer the phone. Felt like I was living in some voice mail alternate universe, or something.

2. Just about everybody called in sick to the office, meaning triple work for those of us who actually showed up.

3. Got a DVD in the mail, but found TV had better programming!

4. Valda continues to engage in custody battles.

5. I'm already making plans for Jacob to be a star quarterback for the Gators, and he hasn't even officially become a Blue Darter, yet.

6. Uncle Bill has gotten in to genealogy lately, and discovered a long-lost cousin up in Marlboro, New Jersey.

7. I went to take a nap at 6pm, and didn't wake up til 8:30!

Twilight Zone.

The Nortons continue to confound me!

Wow, what a let down!

After the big "discovery" of yesterday, I hear from Joan today that the info she has at hand states her Patrick Norton's brother John died in San Francisco in 1917 at the age of 73.

That's doubly disappointing.

For one thing, I thought he was MY John Norton who died in Jersey City.

For another thing, her John would have been born in 1844--too late to be my John, anyway!

Sigh.

Still, the similarities in our family narratives are too similar for there not to be a connection somewhere down the line!

I mean, how many Nortons from the tiny village of Ballyforan could have sojourned in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, before settling in Jersey City?! That's just too convoluted a trail for it to be mere conincidence!

Back to the digging.

In the mean time, I'm hoping Joan will forward the manuscript in question so I can comb thru it for some new clues.

Stay tuned.

New Norton family information

It's not often that I get to add some new names to my mom's side of the family tree. So, you'll have to excuse my excitement at today's genealogical discovery.

Allow me to introduce (or re-introduce?) my 4th great grandparents William and Margaret (Feeney) Norton.

They came to this country from the tiny village of Ballyforan in County Roscommon, Ireland. Arriving in New York City in June 1865, they quickly got out of there to settle in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I found them in the 1880 Census there (page 48c), and found William was still working as a miner at the age of 67. Guess Social Security wasn't around back then . . . wonder what he was mining . . . coal, perhaps? Obviously, I need to do some more follow-up research.

Anyway, William and Margaret's son Patrick Norton (1840-1908) accompanied them to America. But, instead of working in a mine shaft, he took a job with one of the steamship lines in the Port of New York. According to descendant Joan Ann Lounibos, he spent an entire year on a round-trip voyage to San Francisco. (Remember, the Panama Canal didn't exist back then, so ships had to go all the way around South America to get to the west coast.) By the time he got back, he'd had enough of life at sea and became a landlubber.

So, Patrick settled in Jersey City, New Jersey. Apparently, he must have sent some glowing reports back to his brother John in Ireland. (my direct ancestor) Because, when he decided to bring his own family to America, he chose to settle in Jersey City, too, instead of up in Massachusetts.

And, I'm glad he did, too. Otherwise, how would my Nortons and Irvings have gotten together?!?

I'll let y'all know if I turn-up any more information on these new additions.

Have bladder, will travel?!

Ok, this one just cracked me up. And, it's just more evidence of the graying of America.

There was actually a commercial on tv today, encouraging people with "overactive bladders" to check-out this website:

www.oabguide.com

I'm sure you've all seen those travel guides that tell you what to see and where to eat and how to get there, etc., etc., for various touristy destinations.

That's understandable, if you're the type of person who has to plan every little detail of your vacation in advance. (To me, though, that seems to defeat the purpose of taking a vacation.)

Anyway, these people have a new spin on the travel guide. Instead of highlighting the best restaurants and attractions, they point out where all the BATHROOMS are in popular tourist destinations!

Yep, that's right. BATHROOMS!

Too much.

Free business cards

No, really. It's true.

Sounded too good to me, too. But, I decided to live life on the edge and try it anyway.

All you have to do is go to www.vistaprint.com and enter the information you want printed on the card, select a background, etc.

Now, I will forewarn you that the site tries repeatedly to "upsell" you.

You know, they'll offer to print it on finer stock, fancier backgrounds, embossed lettering, etc.

Just keep declining all the extraneous upgrades and other nonsense until they finally tell you to wait 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.

The good news is, I put in my order last week and already got my order today!

The only "catch," if you can even call it that, is they print their web address on the back of each card. Otherwise, the cards I got look great!

And, if you don't believe this endorsement, just ask me for my card the next time you see me!

New Wiki site for genealogy

Check out this new Wiki site designed for genealogists:

www.werelate.org

That's "we relate," not "we're late!!"

Anyway, it's alot like Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that users can update/change themselves.

You can create your own homepage like mine, and hopefully hook-up with other researchers interested in the same surnames, localities, etc.

The rockets red glare

Still "babysitting" my Mom, and forgot how much closer her house is to the space coast than Apopka.

We had a great view of the shuttle launch this afternoon . . . so close, it looked like we could just reach up and pluck it right out of the sky!

Isn't it funny that the best fireworks I've seen in years were shot-off in the middle of the afternoon?!

Now, we just have to worry about the glaring red rockets that Kim Jung Il is shooting-off in North Korea . . .

For now, though, enjoy your BBQ, apple pie, Chevrolet, and fireworks!

Happy Birthday, America!!

Book update - cover art complete

More evidence that my book is just about ready for release.

I just got notice that they have finished the cover design.

What do you think?

Update on the new book, galley-proofing

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I've been spending time this holiday weekend doing some galley-proofing on my soon-to-be published book. Well, I just got done, and found quite a few more errors than I had expected:

Page 15. My fault. I took some literary license in describing someone's "pale blue eyes." That was written before my cousin Wayne Goodall sent me incontrovertible photographic evidence that the person actually had "soulful brown eyes."

Page 33. Redundant phrasing. ". . . the life-sustaining timber that fueled their lives." Should be either simply "the life-sustaining timber" or "the timber that fueled their lives." Pick one.

Page 53. The word "led" should be "lead," as in the metal.

Page 55. The word "with" was used instead of "within."

Page 60. The words "farm boy" should be replaced with "farm hand" to avoid reptition.

Page 63. The word "heals" should be "heels." We're talking feet here, not doctors!!

Pages 69-70. The captions are not at all what I sent them. I'm going to have to call Ashley about that. Also, I want one picture per page, not four. And, I thought the last one was going to be on the back cover. These pages are the biggest problem. I hope they won't cause too much of a delay.

Page 73. The word should be "Confederates," plural not singular.

Page 80. The apostrophe should come AFTER an "s" when the word is plural, like "slaves." There were more than one.

Page 101. The word should be "the" not "they!"

Page 104. Substitute the word "associates" instead of "contacts" to avoid repetition.

Page 117. The word should be "heard" not "hear." It's past-tense. This is the Civil War era we're talking about, after all!

Page 120. The correct words are "with" and "child," not "wit" and "childe."

Pages 125 & 126. Why is there such a gap in the middle of a paragraph?

Babysitting Mom

I'm spending the weekend over at my Mom's house, kinda keeping an eye on her since the doctors put her on some new medication.

Can you call it "baby" sitting when it's your mom?

Just doesn't sound right.

Anyway, I've been keeping myself busy cleaning-up what used to be my old bedroom. Since I got the new sectional sofa at my house, I have no good place for my Duncan Phyffe. It's way too nice to throw out, and I'd actually like to hang onto it for the day when I might have a bigger house.

A guy can dream, right?

I am also taking breaks to review the galley of my new book. (Yes, it finally arrived!) My goal is to submit the additions/corrections by Monday, so they can get the ball rolling right after Independence Day.

I'm going to go watch a movie with Mom, now. Hope everyone out there in blog land is having a good weekend!