All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Maine, memories, Vacation

Maine

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2013-06-17 18.58.28

I am back from my trip to Maine. I went to check up on my mom to see how she was doing. Going back home always gives me mix emotions as any vacation might do.

The positive side

-I scored a jar of confiture. If you have never had this oh my gosh you need to try it.

-I visited with my family.

-I was able to visit my home church twice.

-I was able to visit my dad at the cemetery.

-I was able to immerse in the French culture that is part of my Acadian heritage. One that is unique too anything I have ever visited.

-The beauty and simple life that is Northern Maine is priceless.

The negative side

-My phone kept wanting to connect to the Canadian server. I was 12 miles from the border.

-The realization that my time would go by very fast and it did

-The aging of my family and knowing that all things come to pass

-I did not write a dang thing while up there.

As with all vacations they come to an end. I have been up to Maine three times in the last year and that wears on a person’s mind and body. It was a good visit and will have great memories from it. As I was leaving the Monday night before I was to leave I saw the pretty lady that is posted here. She is two years old and a big gal but kids grow up so fast. It was a great way to end my time up home in Maine.

Culture, French heritage, Maine

In My Mind I’m Going Home

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In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine
Can’t you just feel the moonshine
Ain’t it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I’m goin’ to Carolina in my mind

These are the opening words to the song “Carolina In My Mind” by James Taylor. It’s a song I play often. But this week in my mind and in my physical being I’m going to Maine. I’ll be making a short visit to see my mom to see how she is doing and all. I worry about her.

There are a lot of great things to love about the South.

1. collard greens-When I first tried them I was a happy woman I mean oh my gosh.

2. sweet ice tea- Up North I was raised on hot tea which I still love. But a nice cold glass of ice sweet tea is glorious.

3. pecan pie-This is the nectar of the South.

4. inlaws- My inlaws are near me and I do adore them dearly.

However there are great things to enjoy in the North if you have never visited. And I am not talking about New England but rather Northern Maine where you can see the borders of Canada.

Here it’s a slow pace of life. The scenery is so beautiful all you want to do is stare at it. We have moose running around feeling they own the place and in most cases they do. We have fiddleheads, boudin, and blueberries galore one of the many products of my state. Let us not forget Maine lobster that will make your mouth sing. We have valleys, mountains and a bison herd to go with it. You have my French heritage that is unlike anything I have seen since I left my county of Aroostook. It’s like Cheers where every one knowns your name. If they don’t they soon will when you’re ask which family you belong to. We still have the beautiful church that reaches for the sky. We also have the cemetery where my father is buried and who I visit every time I go up.

Maine is a beautiful place. In my mind I go there as often as I can. But this week I’ll be going up for two weeks. I’ll get to enjoy the times that I’ve played over in my mind but playing them out for real. In my mind I’m going to Maine just this time around it will be a reality.

See you when I get back.

Amazon Parrot, Book Illustrator, Publishing House

My Illustrator

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Last week the illustrator from my publishing house contacted me. I went immediately into giddy mode. For this meant the next stage to getting my book published and in the stores. I needed to confirm which spider monkey my character Charlie was. For those who don’t know this, there are quite a few. But the image I had in my mind I passed along to Kim.

It was Jasper’s turn. Not just any yellow cheek Amazon would do. I wanted the company to capture the essence of my bird on the book cover and jacket. She told me what kind of poses she was looking for. I immediately started to plan in my head to take endless pictures of him in the coming days. Why I do not know. There are more pictures of Jasper in my computer then I have of some of my family members. Yes he has made that leap. Going over the endless folders I came up with a small arrangement for her to look over. I did warn her that there were going to be a lot, it ranged between 50-60 pictures. I was not taking any chances. But in case those did not work I sent her seven videos I had of my bird. From those she should be able to come up with something that says Jasper that I am happy with. This bird inspired this book and his personality wrote it. I was just the instrument that he used.

The various emails got sent. Sitting back in my chair a smile formed on my face. This was really happening. The hard work and time put into this venture was unfolding even more. Every step getting me closer to the release of my book. It does not get old, the excitement I feel every time I get more news from the publishing house. I can’t even imagine when the release date is upon me. I am sure you will all hear me from wherever you live. Until then I continue to write. It is what we all do as authors, write.