I See the Sea!

 ...the title of my new picture book! It's the title of my life!
This has been a week of seaside adventures beginning over the week-end when our son treated us to a night at the Cliff House in Ogunquit, ME. I sat out on my little deck and wrote..the slap of the water on those ledges, the warm sun and no internet! How perfect is this for a mini me writing retreat!?!?!?
Part of this Inn is 150 years old and somehow they managed to get back old postcards that had been sent from there-enlarged and framed one for each room. Ours was from a young girl(I think)Ruth Ann who was complaining and upset about another, Dora Elizabeth who I guessed was her sister. Why she nearly fainted when DE cut off her pigtails! The PS said-send more chocolate. It calms my nerves!

...and we ventured downtown. I loved the fact that the beautiful seaside town caters to tourists, but also shows their respect for their own. The locals who make their living from the sea.

The dinghies and the lobster boats already parked for the day.... a few sailboats share this channel too...my heart sings here. What is it with me? I live here. I can walk a beach or look over a harbor much like this, anytime I want-providing I get in my car and drive about 20 miles! But I always feel the same magic.

On the way home we visited a few lighthouses.....

Now if that wasn't enough sea, Monday took me closer to home. Met up with my friend Cynthia Lord. She did two school presentations so we had plenty of time in between her events to explore. First off, we went to my "sea glass" beach. It was a perfect day and we Touched Blue!

Cindy loves the sea as much as I do. There is a piece or two of blue glass in her hand with the other colored finds. 

Yes, that's another lighthouse in the background-the Breakwater in Rockland. We didn't have time to walk along the mile long granite setting but we did have time to go to Rockport Harbor to touch Andre' the famous harbor seal.

A few of my other writer friends, Jo Knowles and Cindy Faughnan presented a writer's camp at NESCBWI conference this year that got me really appreciating writing prompts. So the sea is my prompt this week-I already told you it's the theme of my new picture book idea. Here are a few prompts and ideas for you. The smell, the feel of the gravely shore on bare feet, the slap of the waves, the seaweed that washed up from the astronomically high tide, the taste, the light breeze,the colorful glass that glistens in the sunlight just for you, the heart shaped sea washed rocks...and as I write of a few of the sea wonders, I've come up with another story idea. I hope you're inspired by these prompts too.  

Dance! Dance! Dancing!

  You know me. I love to sing and dance and cheer for my friends.  So here I go again shaking my glitzy pom poms and sending out rah, rah, rahs to ...
Christine Tricarico,   http://christinetricarico.wordpress.com/  for the release of her new picture book.

   I ordered this several months ago and forgot when it was supposed to come so it was a nice surprise that the mail lady delivered the other day!
  I'll tell you that the fun begins and all Farm breaks loose when Rooster catches a jitterbug! It's a frolicy, rolicky, dancing, prancing, singing, swinging, swaying, playing, rhyming picture book. Fun fun fun! And, again as I look at my friend's book, I'm truly amazed at how an art editor finds the perfect illustrator to add life to the author's story.  Look at this!!!!!!  The vivid colors truly enhance each colorful word that Christine carefully chose to entertain the reader. You'll want your own copy!
     Now, for other things. My calendar is full, as is my life. So full, that I had to choose between my favorite writing schmooze or a family event over the week-end. Family of course prevailed-the whole family pitched in to buy Colby a drum set that he was saving for. It was so exciting for all of us to share his excitement. There will never be another quiet day in that musical household besides the fact that there are 2 teenagers now!!!
      My other choice, the one I didn't do, was to join friends for the business of writing. I love it so much so it was hard to pass up. It's one of the few times each year that I get face to face, in person writing, critiquing, and chatter, and the after work activities, all hosted by our friend Tamra Wight (and her family) at Poland Spring Campground.   http://www.tamrawight.com/writing-notes/busy-busy-days/
I especially missed "the after school" kayaking and getting to see the triplets. Here's Tami's photo of them...Amazing, huh!

        
   There was still lots going on here at home. Between birthday party, zumbaing and helping paint the new "dance studio",  I wrote and critiqued and chatted with writer friends-online! That's all good.
    And, I know that this is way off topic, but do you know anyone that can twist a cherry stem into a knot, inside their mouth, with their tongue?  I know, sometimes I ask the weirdest things, but a few weeks ago, at zumba, no less, one of the girls demonstrated this fete to me, and it amazed me so much, I had to see it again. So this morning I got up to  the announcement of the new Miss USA, and read the news that one of her talents (I guess that's the category) is this:


Pageant officials also noted that Culpo "can tie a cherry stem with her tongue."



We're still in pouring rain mode here in Maine, but enjoy the day anyway. Have fun. Read, even if it's trivia about beauty pageant  winners, write, "call a friend". I think I'll do all of the above and simmer chicken soup on the wood stove besides.