New York bound! and a 70th birthday!

Today is busy! I'm finishing up some final tweaks to A Lasting Impression (more tweaks, I know...), then am packing and getting ready to head to New York City tomorrow for the 31st Annual Romance Writers of America conference. My daughter is going with me and I'm so excited. Not only for the conference but for the mother/daughter time. More on NYC and a cool "mobile barcode" here....

And did you know that Cherrios is turning 70 this year?

Here are fun facts about Cherrios:

• Cheerios are made by heating balls of dough then shooting them out of a puffing gun at 100 mph.

• It would take 3,155,524,416 Cheerios to circle the Earth.

• General Mills sold 1.8 million cases (each containing 12 boxes) in the first year, 1941.

• Four years after their debut, Cheerioats were renamed Cheerios.

• In 1979, Honey Nut Cheerios were introduced, followed by Apple Cinnamon Cheerios in 1988, MultiGrain Cheerios in 1992, Frosted Cheerios in 1995, Berry Burst Cheerios in 2001 and Chocolate Cheerios in 2010.

• Honey Nut Cheerios have outsold the originals since 2009.

Read more about the most popular American cereal brand here...

Blessings on your week and pics from NYC coming later this week!

A Smoky Mountain Getaway

Ever wonder why they're called the Smoky Mountains? The Smokies are named for the blue-gray mist that oftentimes hovers around the peaks and valleys. The Cherokee called the mountains shaconage or "place of the blue smoke."

And the Smokies are where my family and I have spent the past few days. We're packing up this morning, as we speak, and are headed back to Nashville. The idea for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park had its seed back in 1890, but people were in disagreement about whether it should be a national park or national forest. The history of how this park came to be established is interesting and worth reading.

While here, we hiked, played cards, laughed a ton, watched movies, ate some great food, played more cards, hiked again, etc... And just had a fabulous time. Here are some pics of us at Cades Cove at the historical Methodist Church within the park.

As touted by local historians, Cades Cove was once known as "Kates Cove" after an Indian chief's wife. The Cove drew the Cherokee Nation back again and again by its abundant wildlife and good hunting. Later, in the early 1800s, Cades Cove's wildlife drew European descent frontiersman to make it their home. For more history on Cades Cove history, click here. 

Here are some vistas of Cades Cove…

And here are some vistas of the Triple Mini Dessert we had at Tony Romas, which um...weren't so mini after all.

Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

Delectable Red Velvet Cake with warm Cream Cheese Frosting

Warm Apple Tore with Vanilla Ice Cream 

Next, we enjoyed the touristy––but also very interesting––tour of the Titanic. If you've ever been through the museum, you'll understand this, but all of my family "survived." Explanation...at the beginning of the tour, each member of your party is given a card telling about a passenger on the Titantic, then at the end of the tour you find out whether your individual actually lived, or died.  All of ours lived (and my person, Mary Hewlett, was an empty nester and the oldest passenger to survive in Second Class, rather apropos). But the family behind us...all of their people had died. : (

Lastly, here are some quick vistas from around our cabin… Gorgeous!

And here are some views from a hike to Abrams Falls, an easy 5-mile trek up to a waterfall. Lovely. I love path pictures so couldn't resist a "before and behind" shutter shot while on the trail.

Now back to reality. And to sweet Jack! Oh I've missed that little guy... Copy edits for A Lasting Impression should be on my doorstep sometime soon. One of the last times I'll see this book before it goes to press. Hallelujah! Meanwhile, I've started my next.

So, where did you travel (or are you traveling) this summer? Do share...

Thumbs up, everybody!

Love this kid's enthusiasm!

And if you love reading first lines of novels, join me at Writes of Passage where I share some random first lines from novels on my TBR shelf.

Costco can be dangerous

Look what jumped into my cart this morning while on a quick Costco run. But what a great way to get my "Natural Source of Flavanol Antioxidants." Yum! And growing locally at a Costco near you. (And why have I never heard of these before!)

The Reading Promise

What a great story about reading...together.

Love it! And here's a link to the book, if you're interested...

Two great ebooks…Free!

Two GREAT books are currently available free in Kindle format on amazon.com. And remember, you don't have to have a Kindle to enjoy Kindle books. Download the software and start reading books on your laptop or computer today!

No telling how long these will be available, so grab them quick (click the cover and you'll be taken to the link). And enjoy!

        

Pitching to an Agent

For all you writers out there. Oh so funny…

I hate pitching to an agent or editor. And in 30 seconds? Yikes! I know my story, but I've never been pithy. Just ask my husband. Or better yet––my agent and editor. :(