Perhaps a few of you remember when I published a book through Blurb featuring the content of my grandfathers scrapbooks?  Although I cannot begin to take credit for the nearly half-century of collecting he did to create this wonderful symbol of Saint Paul, I will shamelessly boast about it again as Blurb has translated it into an eBook!

Currently the book price is as follows: hardcover book = $120.  The new eBook is being offered at $4.99!

I am so excited that his book, his story and his collection, can now be spread to a wider audience.  The book does receive many hits per day, but I'm sure with the printing costs of such an extensive, large picture book, it's just too much for people to buy.

The eBook format right now works with iPad, iTouch and iPhone.  Blurb is working on formatting for other devices such as computer, Nook and Kindle.  For now, I only have an iTouch (of those devices) but have downloaded it and it looks wonderful!!

I feel like technology is starting to become my friend.  To purchase a copy of Papa's eBook, click HERE!

I realize it's been a while since I divulged what my nook and I are paging through.  To name a few I'll give a quick book review of my current favorites.

After being highly advised by my editor to "immediately stop the use of semicolons," he followed his harsh words with a strong recommendation to read Madame Bovary.  "It's the most perfect piece ever written." 

Apparently Flaubert was such a perfectionist that he could be heard shouting each line out loud until it was flawless.  I began reading this for the editorial aspects but fell in love with the story line as well.  It transcends decades, centuries, and I find many hints of myself in Emma Bovary.

As a side note, the column I submitted to Dennis this week received this comment: "I love this column. It's my favorite you've written so far. I think it's the "ideal" column beause it's conversational, it's personal, it's gently funny, it's full of great visuals and it makes points everyone can relate to. It's also the perfect length. Love it! I can guarantee you readers will enjoy the hell out of it."

Those comments don't come free, or ever.  Let's hope the publisher feels the same way and runs it this week.  I'll send a link when possible.

A super quick read.  Man runs his car into girl on a bicycle.  Man lives to deal with the fallout.  It's very real, very "what if" and very "no turning back."  I admire this piece and the courage he has to tell it, just the way he wants, in a short but powerful memoir.

I chose this book for my new book club this month.  Gustavus, my alma mater chose it as well for their "reading in common" program this fall.  I was interested in Nerburn as a Minnesota author and for his unbelievable storytelling skills.  A beautiful read, a wonderful journey, and one you won't put down.

For good measure I threw in Jane Eyre.  It's maybe the fifth time I've read this one and have never fallen out of love with her.  Here's to the classics!

So I'm happy to announce that the Ironman is back in one piece and with just a tiny limp.  I'm also elated to say that political foolishness has subsided for now and I'm back in the local paper.

You can read my column this week HERE.

There's only one way to welcome an Ironman back, and that's with pillows.  Axel and I whipped up a couple custom creature comforts from some darling mattress ticking to perhaps elevate his ankles or cushion his undeniably sore butt (a bike seat cannot be built for 112 miles...I'm only assuming).

I received the most lovely surprise the other day in my inbox.  A customer, like many before her had purchased one of my sewing patterns.  Ok, not that unusual.  However, even though I always encourage people to send photos of the bags the make, I rarely receive any.  Most seamstresses simply leave lovely feedback about liking the pattern, and thats the end of it.  

It was so nice to hear from Diane, who had made one of my most difficult bags and sent pictures to prove it (see photo left).  She went out of her way to make my day and I completely appreciate it.  You all should visit her blog HERE.

Enough on that already.  My third column in the Sartell Newsleader can be read HERE.  I'm so happy they continue to publish me!  Hopefully positive comments are pouring in and I'll get a confirmed regular slot.  Right now I'm still fighting my way in!

Happy July to you all.  It's feast or famine weather here in Minnesota, hopefully wherever you are is a little more stable, the sunny days are steady, and the humidity non-existent!

While the "CLOSED" signs have angrily been applied to Minnesota rest stops and state parks alike, I wonder, what are the other 49 states supposed to think?  Really?  Do I live in the one state that says bah-humbug to the most important National Holiday, and our government cannot agree to the point of a shut down?  With all the passersby and the wanderlust travelers on the highways this weekend, I guess the message we're sending is, "don't stop here."  A bit sad.

On the brighter side of the road, it looks like I won't be stopping my columns either.  I was published for the second week in a row!  You can read my article in the Sartell Newsleader by clicking here!

So it looks like this week there's no rest for the weary travelers and writers alike.  We'll all just keep up the good fight, plan our fuel-ups accordingly and celebrate the 4th of July wherever we land.

Happy Independence Day!

So last week, I had prepared (and published for just a brief time) an incredibly pouty article about how I had contacted the local paper asking for a spot as a columnist.  They had seemed interested, writing samples were submitted, one head shot taken, and when the paper came last Friday, my article wasn't there.

I can totally retract my feelings about being rejected and instead report that I have officially been published (at least on a local level).  Since I take the liberty to publish writing and anecdotes quite regularly here, I decided it was time for more and longed for my name in black and white.

Well, in my ripe old age, or perhaps a ripe young age in writing terms, I was granted my wish.

You can see my very first newspaper column here, in the Sartell Newsleader.

Hopefully this is the tip of the iceberg and there will be many columns to follow.  For right now, I'm doing a little fist pump every time I think of it, and may just have a glass of long awaited champagne with some girlfriends tomorrow.

...and then I rescued a turtle.  (Literally, I rescued a turtle from sudden death on the highway today.)