tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364384462008-10-13T19:20:33.325-07:00Life's Beautiful PathLife's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-65694486432397187842008-10-13T19:08:00.000-07:002008-10-13T19:20:33.370-07:00Picture book manuscripts (15), 4 poems and one published book<br />I am the author of SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II ages ten and up-published November 2007.<br />NO ONE WANTED ME –DACHSHUND: THE COMEBACK DACHIE (with an editor) Outline for a series of six based on facts.<br />POLLY WANTS A CRACKER – not just any old cracker. What kind of cracker does Polly want? Does she get her cracker? (With an editor)<br />THE DAY IT SNOWED<br />SHADOW FRIENDS<br />BARN CAT<br />COUNTING FLOWERS – all four poems are with a children’s magazine editor.<br />BODOOM AND SCOOTER AND THE WILD TAIL - a story of two squirrel brothers, one with an uncontrollable tail.<br />TRAIL OF FEARS – a series of four about nature and the environment experience by a deer family - Each book will be based on a blizzard, suburban sprawl, a flash flood and the Yellowstone fire.<br />THE BATTLE OF THE SEA SERPENT AND HIS PIRATE FRIEND - The battle takes place at sea where they interact with what lives in the sea and above the sea.<br />JIMMY’S BUBBLEGUM TOOTH – Jimmy tries to keep his older sister from pulling his tooth. The questions are, will she get the chance to pull his tooth, what schemes will she pull, will the tooth fairy ever get that tooth or will it be lost?<br />TWO NAUGHTY PUPPIES AND THAT CAT – Two puppy brothers were jealous of the cat that lived in the house with them and their masters. They wanted that cat out of their sight. Who wins this fight of removal or do they become friends?<br />WHAT WOULD CHRISTMAS BE WITHOUT A TREE - is about a two children who’s mother is divorce, they move far away to a small town where they know no one and are very poor.<br />TOY BEAR CIRCUS BEAR – a story of a little girl and her best friend who wanted to become a circus bear, but he would have to leave her.<br />RAT ATTACK – a silly, funny rhyming story about an unwelcome visitor <br />BUCK THE COME BACK HORSE – a story of a large farm family and their beloved horse.<br />BARN WITCHES AND ODD FRIENDS – At Halloween odd things happen in an old neighborhood barn. Who are the creatures in the barn and how do the neighborhood kids act toward them.<br />MARSH CATTAILS: The Seasons of the Cattails. A non-fiction nature/environment<br />SQUEAKY’S ADVENTURE – a mouse wanders away from home where it meets up with a very hungry crocodile.<br />CHEEZIE DENISE – Denise is a little girl who loves cheese. One day she had too much cheese and then something strange happened. <br /><br />I finished two craft books with photographs and drawings for adults.<br />I photograph, do research on different subjects such as insects, fungi, animals and plants.<br />I love to explore my Woodland Garden and the out of doors.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-60484040187913987602008-10-07T07:01:00.000-07:002008-10-07T07:31:18.273-07:00Missouri Writers Guild newsletter published my article that is also on their website, <em>BLOGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT</em> <a href="http://www.missouriwritersguild.org/">http://www.missouriwritersguild.org/</a>.<br /><br />The Mountaineer Echo published my article, BULL SHOALS (BS) ART CLUB IS GROWING, Thursday, October 2, 2008.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-9293377653210270332008-10-02T07:39:00.000-07:002008-10-03T10:27:09.368-07:00Blog Warning, photography, writers beware, warning on print cartridge.<br />Warning to all bloggers who put up too many photos, blog columns and another items on their blogs. It will turn a busy person away. Your blog may be filled with good information, but readers will not return if they feel they are wasting, writing time that is limited.<br /><br />Don’t use flashers<br />Don’t add too many ads.<br />Don’t add advertisements that are dishonest<br />Don’t add large photos<br />Don’t add too many links<br /><br />Be careful- do not bog down your blog.<br /><br />Arkansas Outdoor Photographers Club (AOPC) <a href="http://www.arkphoto.org/">http://www.arkphoto.org/</a><br />BatchPhoto – Powerful Watermarker Software<br />Free Stock Photos – U.S. Government Images Public Domain<br />What is copyright and how is it protected on the Internet? By Reinhardt Buys <a href="http://www.bizland.co.za/articles/legal/copyright.htm">http://www.bizland.co.za/articles/legal/copyright.htm</a><br />Twin Lakes Computer Users Group <a href="http://www.tlcug.ark.org/">http://www.tlcug.ark.org/</a><br /><br />WRITERS BEWARE: http//accrispin.blogspot.com/<br />Preditors &amp; Editors <a href="http://anotheralm.com/">http://anotheralm.com/</a><br />Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) Literary Agents<br /><br />WalMart notice on Lexmark color print cartridge: If this product is found for sale at a location other than WalMart please call …. This creates a problem when a person runs out of this cartridge and you need it now and you can’t find it at WalMart or anywhere else. No, you can’t get it refilled at Walgreens for it is considered defective. So much for trying to cut cost in a world where prices continue to rise; do other stores use these restriction on products and why?Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-16065212985852611992008-09-23T05:36:00.000-07:002008-09-23T05:55:55.485-07:00Listening to our four-legged friends and teaching children to be kind. Many adults were not taught as children to be kind to animals - loving an animal when it appears you have no friends and you are very lonely, a pet will bring comfort.<br /><br />A small independent publishing company is trying to teach children through their books. <a href="http://www.thegryphonpress.com/">http://www.thegryphonpress.com</a><br /><br />On this blog <a href="http://missyandcocosblog.blogspot.com/">http://missyandcocosblog.blogspot.com</a> Missy and Coco are sharing their relationship and important information. September 23, is a special day for the owner of this blog, it is her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA ANN (Missy).Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-23133835220028444992008-09-19T11:50:00.000-07:002008-09-21T06:22:59.244-07:00Favorite play areas as a kid: Country life, growing up on a farm while dreaming of far away places, dreaming of living the city life. I did get my chance to live the city life, well, it was small towns close to big cities. But, wherever I have lived the county girl still shows through. Being from a large farm family I was raised to share, be happy, budget, grow your own food, restore, and waste not was instilled in me and it never went away. I still love to explore creeks, play in the woods where I discover woodland friends and mysterious surprises. Barns were places that were one big play ground – fun and scary. Today, many weathered old barns stand alone uncared for, yet, are inviting as a building of mystery where bats, barn owls and other creatures have taken up residency.<br /><br />This week I have been playing in the woods – my Woodland Garden. This year's storms with heavy rain and wind have changed my woods. Open spaces have entered creating a feeling I am being watched by neighbors. The wildlife, don’t visit as often – no place to hide. Oh, yes I still have lots of trees and rocks, but it will be something we’ll all have to grow into. I spent a couple of days, trimming, raking and burning. And I have more to do on my next visit.<br /><br />Persimmons are falling in all shades of green, yellow, red and purple. The deer and raccoons love them. The mulberries, wild cherries, elderberries, service berries have come and went. There is still a few sassafras and dogwood berries, plus mushrooms to feed on.<br /><br />The Woodland Garden has supplied many, many photo taking opportunities. Every time, I enter the garden my camera and I do a walk through looking for treasures that are framed and saved.<br /><br />Check out GREEN PRINTS “The Weeder’s Digest” and WILDBIRD magazine at their website or blog.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-34683697609079171252008-09-15T05:56:00.000-07:002008-09-15T06:20:38.058-07:00Illustrators for children’s picture books: I have always been fascinated by different art forms. I have loved to draw since I was a young kid enjoying cartoons and funny books. Illustrations I have created by drawings, painting and using photographs. I have finished a 32 children’s picture book dummy, created posters, and art paintings of different styles. I still would love to do it. But, time is running out, so I am captivated with usages of digital photography and digital programs to create illustrations.<br /><br />I am busy writing cover letters to go with my children’s book manuscripts, articles, and poems to be sent to publishers. Yes, I am still working on my military books for kids and a million (So, it seems) other writings. I am always busy, except when I am burned-out.<br /><br />For people who are interested in creating digital illustrations check out, Photoshop, Adobe PhotoshopTM Corel Painter IX, Shutterfly (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/http//www.shutterfly.com">http//www.shutterfly.com</a>) or Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://childrenillustrators,com/">http://childrenillustrators,com/</a>, click on style &amp; medium gallery where you will discover all styles of art forms -3D-computer, 3D-conventional, digital, photo realistic, and retro and many more. Also, check out <a href="http://picture-book.com/">http://picture-book.com/</a> an advertise agency for illustrators, Digital Art by Tim Alt (<a href="http://www.digitalart.com/">http://www.digitalart.com/</a>), and Richard Deverell, digital illustrator of children’s picture books (<a href="http://www.richarddeverell.com/">http://www.richarddeverell.com/</a>).<br />Check out digital children’s books “Maggie Tales MT” <a href="http://www.maggietales.com/">http://www.maggietales.com/</a>, a look into the future of children's books.<br /><br />I love this music – Computer Animated Music at <a href="http://www.animmusic.com/">http://www.animmusic.com/</a>. They have sold 500,000 copies. First of all, I love Wes Bensching's wonderfully crafted music.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-65934872458728541932008-09-10T06:30:00.000-07:002008-09-10T06:38:20.608-07:00Bull Shoals Historical Society Meeting Monday, September 15th at Bull Shoals Presbyterian Church in Bull Shoals, AR at 3:00 P.m. Guest speaker will be Mary Nida Smith sharing stories from her book, SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-51794128871791424852008-09-09T18:18:00.000-07:002008-09-09T18:35:19.303-07:00<div align="center">Dachshund, Baby Girl as a young girl in the Mulberry tree. The trunk behind her and the one she is standing on were the trunks which had to be removed after the last storm. Oh, she love to go where tall people said her short legs shouldn't go. She has a children's picture book manuscript at a publishing company, and she is writing more stories.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244196529578366434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="138" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SMcg9W3a1eI/AAAAAAAAALM/S7Po4oBJb98/s200/Baby+Girl+in+tree.jpg" width="249" border="0" /><br /><br /></div>Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-62390099815927169262008-09-09T12:17:00.001-07:002008-09-09T12:17:53.873-07:00Website: <a href="http://marynidasmith.homestead.com/">http://marynidasmith.homestead.com</a> updateLife's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-17287142124302519352008-09-04T15:07:00.000-07:002008-09-04T16:18:05.415-07:00Writers don't just write. There is a world within our world that encircles our property. What happen this morning was one of the huge five trunks' of the Mulberry tree came crashing down in the Woodland Garden. The red-belled sapsuckers and downy woodpeckers had homes in it, carved out after eating the embedded insects. The huge Mulberry tree was my center piece, it was filled with many memories where our little dachshund "Baby Girl" climbed one arched limb to look into chipmunk holes. Where Frank and Jessie, two little squirrels were born and stayed after their mother was killed by a neighbor. Where large fungi appeared as beautiful white flowers scattered along the trunk reaching upward. We have been trimming and cutting trying to be able to keep this treasured tree, but it is fading fast. One topped-off trunk has been producing shoots allowing a few mulberries for the birds to eat.<br /><br />As the large dying trunk fell, it damaged two and brought down four of my beautiful dogwoods, plus destroyed some salvaged garbage items that I want to create pieces for the garden. It has been a sad year for trees, almost as bad as a draught.<br /><br />I won't share the other stuff, it appears to be nothing compared to other people's problems elsewhere.<br /><br />Books releases, blogs, writers conferences and meetings: The creative writing world continues to release exciting news updates. No one has an excuse not to learn something new and uplifting.<br />Carla McClafferty, Arkansas SCBWI Regional Adviser's latest book, IN DEFIANCE OF HITLER: THE SECRET MISSION OF VARIAN FRY was released September 2, 2008 after 2 1/2 years of nonstop work. It is published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (<a href="htttp://carlamcclafferty.com/">htttp://carlamcclafferty.com</a>) Congratulations Carla!<br /><br />Arkansas SCBWI Fall Retreat September 19-21, 2008 for more information click on <a href="http://members.aol.com/ddpattison/scbwi/fall.html">http://members.aol.com/ddpattison/scbwi/fall.html</a> or<a href="http://www.arkansascbwi.org/arscbwi_08fallbrochure.pdf">http://www.arkansascbwi.org/arscbwi_08fallbrochure.pdf</a><br /><br />SCBWI Missouri Fall Conference November 8, at St. Charles, Mo at <a href="http://www.scbwi-mo.org/">http://www.scbwi-mo.org </a>and Springfield monthly meetings at the Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway from 9-11 am.<br /><br />Velda Brotherton is a WILLA finalist for 2008. The award is to the best book about women in the West, by Women Writing the West to honor Willa Cather.<br /><br />BULL SHOALS BEACON, ONLINE NEWS MAGAZINE (<a href="http://bsbeacon.blogspot.com/">http://bsbeacon.blogspot.com</a>), a daily update of local news for Marion and Baxter County. News and photos you will not find in your newspapers. There are several blog columnists with interesting information about gardening, weather, wildlife and many other subjects. Editor and Publisher Onedia Sylvest, is in need of contributors/writers and photographers.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-1000458402846721622008-08-31T06:21:00.000-07:002008-08-31T07:01:07.820-07:00TAKE JOY, A Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft, by Jane Yolen. At the end of each week as I ponder over which direction to take my writing career, I must not linger long or doubt may enter.<br /><br />This morning, I looked down at a book I discovered under piles of notes. It is a little book I had finished reading a couple of weeks ago, titled, "TWO OLD WOMEN." An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival, by Velma Wallis.<br /><br />Betrayed by the people they thought would never forsake them. But, they did, leaving the two to a lonely life without hope. The two women decided they would not fade away, they were too proud. Each one thought of the skills they had not used for many years, and knew if they wanted to survive they must depend on their own skills.<br /><br />Each one of us must do what speaks to us, not what other people think we must do, for they can kill the creative spirit.<br /><br />An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out? - Michel de Saint-PierreLife's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-2928279602337327332008-08-29T15:55:00.000-07:002008-08-29T16:01:22.295-07:00Positive thinking - Life's beautiful Path was chosen as the name of my blog to remind me to always think positive. I am sorry, today, I don't feel positive. But its' okay, for tomorrow I'll feel positive. Life is a roller coaster of ups and downs.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-84860634303617511752008-08-23T18:20:00.000-07:002008-08-23T19:13:48.705-07:00Treasures lost and The Garden Studio Office mess. Gosh, I hate it, that I was unable to attend the Baxter County Library Booksale. I love to go to booksales. For me they are an exciting unknown adventure for discovering important treasures, that propel me into different worlds, or books that allow me to peep into the lives of people who live interesting lives.<br /><br />On one of my past blogs I show pictures of my Garden Studio and explain why I named it. I am continuously weeding out the old and growing new material. Today, My studio office needs weeding out for I have been so very busy working on projects. To be able to work on the projects I have seeded, I have to clear a new planning area. The studio was named and information about it was created for Darcy Pattison who asked writers to submit to her. She need this information to be able to put a booklet together to show students who ask, where do writers work.<br /><br />Ozarks Creative Writers <a href="http://www.ozarkscreativewriters.org/">http://www.ozarkscreativewriters.org/</a><br /><br />Today, I updated my other two blogs: <a href="http://submarinestories.blogspot.com/">http://submarinestories.blogspot.com/</a> and <a href="http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com/">http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com/</a>Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-61359383274519337872008-08-21T19:11:00.000-07:002008-08-21T19:18:57.820-07:00White County Creative Writers 13th Annual Writers' Conference, Saturday, August 30, 2008 , 8 am to 4 pm. <a href="http://www.whitecountycreativewriters.org/">www.whitecountycreativewriters.org</a> Their list of speakers: Linda Apple, Dr. Fred Pfister, Editor of the Ozarks Mountaineer Magazine, Velda Brotherton and Dr. Terry Engel.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-5859738675232990972008-08-19T17:58:00.000-07:002008-08-19T18:07:49.669-07:00Baxter County Library, Mountain Home, AR is having a three day book sale Thursday 21, 8:30 -6:30, Friday 22 from 8:30-5:30 and Saturday 23 from 8:30-2 pm.<br /><br />Yesterday, I had a rejection of three poems from a church magazine and today I was published in a military magazine. My credit will be place on my submarine stories blog tomorrow.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-46041285837679904522008-08-18T05:56:00.000-07:002008-08-18T06:15:07.292-07:00Writers workshop article and Poets Association. Click on <a href="http://bsbeacon.blogspot.com/">http://bsbeacon.blogspot.com/</a> to read an article and enjoy photos from the Bel Arco Writers' Workshop, Saturday 16th.<br /><br />Baxter County Poets Association meets the fourth Friday each month at 1 p.m., at the Baxter County Library 624 W. Seventh St., Mountain Home. For more information call Debra Hall at 1-870-499-4397.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-76797993987979635362008-08-17T11:40:00.000-07:002008-08-17T12:31:28.815-07:00Writers Write, blogs and useful information. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Everytime</span>, I meet a new author or agent my highway to information as a writer leads to new crossroads filled with advancements to new adventures. Writers Write at <a href="http://www.writerswrite.com/">http://www.writerswrite.com/</a> is filled with information such as Markets for Children's Writers. It is stated as "Your one-stop resource for information about books, writing and publishing."<br /><br />To learn more about creating a blog or blogs check out 150 Useful, Educational, and Inspirational Blogs for Aspiring Writers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OEDb</span> at<a href="http://oedb.org/library/features/150-useful-educational-and-inspirstional-blogs-for-aspiring-writers">http://oedb.org/library/features/150-useful-educational-and-inspirstional-blogs-for-aspiring-writers</a><br /><br />I attended the Ozarks Writers League Saturday, at the College of the Ozarks near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Branson</span> where I enjoyed the two speakers Jordan Dane (<a href="http://www.jordandane.com/">http://www.jordandane.com/</a>) a novelist with Avon/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HarperCollins</span>, and Holly McClure author of adult and teen novels, plus an agent with Sullivan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Maxx</span> Literary Agency.<br /><br />I thought this Missouri non-fiction author's blog and website was of great interest. Check out Linda Fisher at <a href="http://www.lsfisher.com/">http://www.lsfisher.com/</a> and her blog <a href="http://earlyonset.blogspot.com/">http://earlyonset.blogspot.com/</a>.<br /><br />We at a great time Saturday at Bel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Arco</span> Writer's Workshop with author Terry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">McDermid</span>. She fed us plumb-full of unbelievable helpful information. Pictures and more about the workshop will be up soon on <a href="http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com/">http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com/</a> where future speakers will be listed.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-43741575508077324162008-08-11T18:55:00.000-07:002008-08-11T19:20:54.886-07:00The simple life is so comforting. What a relaxing day with cool breezes circulating through the summer porch's open windows. It has been weeks since I had a free day to kick back to enjoy the sounds of a Blue jay sending warning cries that "Whiskers," the neighbor's cat was slowly approaching our property. The wildlife finds the Woodland Garden and our yard a safe haven to eat and live. They have become our watch dog since Baby Girl, our miniature dachshund went on her long journey April 13, 2006.<br /><br />I was going to work in the Woodland Garden, but it was too wet after several inches of rain. So, I watched the sun play hide and seek causing shadows to dance below the large oaks and hickory trees. The birds came in for suet as a squirrel sharpened its teeth on a near-by plastic bird bath. Oh. for the simple life of taking off my shoes, kicking-back and saying thanks you God for allowing me to live and be so blessed.<br /><br />This evening the pinkest reds of the sun reflected on the lake as it blended with a few clouds. The sky was filled with activity as the swallows, dragon flies and bats gathered mosquitoes for their dinner. Tomorrow, back to preparing for a full week ahead. Remember to attend the Bel Arco Writers Workshop Friday. Starting with the week of the 18th it is back to writing and submitting.<br /><br />Smile and peace be with each of you.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-89070394093584388822008-08-05T05:58:00.000-07:002008-08-05T06:10:04.470-07:00Beacon - The Bull Shoals Beacon, an on line news magazine. <a href="http://bsbeacon.blogspot.com/">http://bsbeacon.blogspot.com</a> Please check out this blog magazine, you will not regret it.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-62036227889292951172008-08-01T06:57:00.000-07:002008-08-01T07:28:03.624-07:00Blogs &amp; gardening, what do they have to do with with writing? Also, writers want to know why I named this blog, "Life's Beautiful Path." First of all when I started, I knew little about blogs. I thought the name/title would remind me to write positive on my blog after receiving a rejection or it had been a difficult writing week. To read my article, <em>Blogs are Very Important</em>, click on <a href="http://www.missouriwritersguild.org/">http://www.missouriwritersguild.org/</a>.<br /><br />Gardening, what does it have to do with writing? It has to do with writing articles about gardening. I have written and published several articles on the subject, and I love to write poems about gardening. I have kept a garden journal for years on the ups and downs of creating a woodland garden for wildlife and me. I love creating items from the garden and for the garden.<br /><br />I finally purchased my first bonsai plant. There wasn't a name on the tag, but I believe it is a juniper. The shape reminds me of the famous cypress tree I seen years ago along Pebble Beach's 17-mile drive in California. Last night, I took one of my special bonsai tools, the scissors and trimmed it to appear as if the Pacific Ocean winds had shaped it.<br /><br />Take your writing wings, fly to new adventures and recall old adventures - Write - write - write! Keep a smile on your face.Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-60997877779254574472008-07-30T04:23:00.000-07:002008-07-30T04:30:30.254-07:00August 15, Romance author and freelance writer Terry/Tessa McDermid will be the speaker at the Bel Arco Writers Workshop - click on <a href="http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com/">http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />To read about my book go to <a href="http://submarinestories.blogspot.com/">http://submarinestories.blogspot.com</a>Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-54727609850779618922008-07-27T19:24:00.001-07:002008-07-27T19:46:13.226-07:00<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SI0y3M8KwjI/AAAAAAAAAJw/ZsbAhuLCDVs/s1600-h/Samantha+Lee+pix.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227890666394796594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SI0y3M8KwjI/AAAAAAAAAJw/ZsbAhuLCDVs/s200/Samantha+Lee+pix.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SI0x1_RvX7I/AAAAAAAAAJo/DOkFOAUEZYI/s1600-h/Mabel_Dodge_Luhan_-_Van_Vechten.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227889546035683250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SI0x1_RvX7I/AAAAAAAAAJo/DOkFOAUEZYI/s200/Mabel_Dodge_Luhan_-_Van_Vechten.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SI0u2EjP63I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Y2V5UiFJ418/s1600-h/Velda+cover.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227886248916413298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="194" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SI0u2EjP63I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Y2V5UiFJ418/s200/Velda+cover.JPG" width="133" border="0" /></a> Mabel DodgeMabel Dodge went out west to New Mexico in 1918 where she met Tiwa (Tewa) Indian Antonio Lujan (Luhan). She was immediately attracted to this giant of a man who cut quite an attractive figure in Taos society. He was over six feet tall and wore his dark hair in two braids. He wrapped his impressive figure in a traditional purple blanket.There was a catch in their liason. Antonio was married to an Indian woman named Candelaria. Mabel didn't let that slow her down one bit, and obviously he didn't either. She hired him to be her chauffeur. He showed her around and eventually sent her to an occultist who told her that Taos was the beating heart of the world. The occultist also convinced her that she had been chosen to be the bridge between Indians and Anglos, and that Taos was to be the center of the rebirth of the West.One can imagine how this must have appealed to this wealthy and extremely intelligent woman. She immediately bought the land Antonio had shown her. The two of them worked together and were known to be intimate for the next several years. What happened to Candelaria is not recorded anywhere that I could find.However, Tony and Mabel were married for 40 years. Together they built a rambling homestead that was 450 feet long. The Inn was built about half way between Taos and Ranchos de Taos. At that time there were no houses or buildings of any kind from the edge of Taos, which was about two miles south of the Plaza. The festive dinner parties in the place she called Sagebrush Inn attracted many well-known people of the day. The pretty gray eyed woman with thick chestnut hair, took up the style of the Pueblo Indians, wearing her hair in heavy bangs. Some guests were Thornton Wilder, Thomas Wolfe, Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Edward Hopper and Mary Austin. Her prize catch at these parties was D. H. Lawrence, who she hoped would write the great American novel and cast her as the heroine. She was disappointed.Mabel died of coronary thrombosis at the age of 83 in August of 1962. Tony passed away shortly after. She is buried in the Kit Carson Cemetery in Taos and he is interred in the graveyard at the Taos Pueblo. The full story of her life has never been written. Perhaps someday a writer will take on the task.Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints &amp; Photographs Division, Carl Van Vechten Collection This must be posted with the photograph of Mabel.</div></div>Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-11391844742552199022008-07-27T19:15:00.000-07:002008-07-27T19:52:18.882-07:00<div>Excerpt from book, Fly With The Mourning Dove<br />Dance At The Sagebrush Inn<br /><br />That winter was bitterly cold and snow fell day and night until the only way to get around was by sled.<br />The phone rang one evening and Edna answered.<br />“Hi, it’s Imogene Patchen. How are you?”<br />“We’re fine, and you?”<br />“The same. Listen, we’ve been invited to attend the grand opening of the Sage Brush Inn in Taos. You know the one Tony Lujan and Mabel Dodge built . . . or are still building?”<br />“Oh, my. That’s exciting. Are you going?”<br />“Of course, and we want you to go with us.”<br />Edna caught her breath, unable to answer for a moment.<br />“You there? Did you hear me?”<br />“Yes . . . yes. Wow, that would be super. Are you sure it’s all right?”<br />“Oh, yes, they said we should bring guests. It’s a huge affair, and you’ll want to dress up.”<br />Mabel Dodge and Antonio Lujan were the best party givers in New Mexico. Writers and artists, famous people like Thornton Wilder, Thomas Wolfe, Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Edward Hopper and Mary Austin often dropped by. Once Mabel Dodge had a dinner party for the writer, D.H. Lawrence. It was said she hoped he would write a book about her. So far that hadn’t happened.<br />Antonio Lujan had been Mabel’s chauffeur, but eventually she had married him, even though he already had an Indian wife by the name of Candelaria. He himself was a Tewa Indian, and Mabel immediately embraced his culture.<br />Edna hung up the phone and danced around the room. Once she settled down enough to explain, Pop said:<br />“I guess we’ll have to figure out a way to get you to such a splendid affair. Wouldn’t want you to miss it.”<br />Outside, the snow had piled up so deep that the Chevrolet couldn’t plow through it.<br />“What will you wear?” Mom asked.<br />“The emerald green transparent velvet dress I bought in Albuquerque last summer. It cost me ten dollars. You remember, I showed it to you and you asked where I ever thought I’d wear that. Certainly not to a Saturday night dance in Tres Piedras.”<br />Mom nodded, a frown creasing her forehead. “Well, I don’t know how you’re going to get there.”<br />Edna knew Mother would like to be going to the party as well, and felt bad that she wasn’t.<br />Pop, who’d gone back to reading Zane Grey, glanced up, marking his place with a finger.<br />“I gave Tom Lowance a milk cow for part of his wages. He’s been wanting to get it home. We can load Edna and that cow onto the sled. The mules can pull it and take them into Tres Piedras. Tom will get his cow and she can go to her party.”<br />Excitement building, Edna pirouetted. “I’ll call Florida and make sure I can stay there overnight so I can catch the train to the Patchen’s in Taos Junction the next morning. Oh, Pop, thank you. Thank you.”<br />She threw her arms around her surprised father, then circled around the room once again. Everyone would be dancing. What a wonderful time she would have. And no telling who she might get to meet. Mabel Dodge and Tony Lujan. Wow.<br />Once safely delivered to Tres Piedras on the sled, along with Tom Luance’s cow, Edna spent the night with Florida and rode the train over to Taos Junction. From there she traveled with the Patchens by car to Taos.<br />The Sage Brush Inn had been built about halfway between Taos and Ranchos de Taos. There was a huge crowd at the grand opening. People from Santa Fe to Questa came. They bought their supper there and then there was a dance with live music. Oh, it was a great affair, and she could hardly believe she was there.<br />Dance after dance, she went from one man’s arms into another’s, whirling under the twinkling lights, scarcely pausing between sets.<br />Tony and Mabel Lujan took the crowd on a tour of all the finished rooms of the rambling abode. Edna was fascinated with Mabel, who as a white woman, had adopted the Pueblo way of dressing. She wore her thick chestnut hair as they did, with bangs covering her forehead to frame wide gray eyes wide. The couple appeared devoted, though it was an odd pairing. Mabel had all the money, but Tony appeared well-to-do and comfortable around her friends.<br />Edna returned eagerly to the dance floor after the tour, dancing on into the night.<br />Leaving a partner, she glanced over the crowd and saw the Patchens, motioning to her. They were ready to leave. She took a step and came face to face with Antonio Lujan himself. Over six feet tall. Adorned in colorful Pueblo attire, he wore his ebony hair in two plaits. She felt so tiny standing before him. Shivers ran down her back and she just kept smiling up at him like an idiot. Such a handsome man.<br />Say something. Anything.<br />She tried, but she couldn’t.<br />Then he did. “Might I have this dance?”<br />He held out a hand, large and broad and brown.<br />She swallowed, dragged in a deep breath. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, unable to recognize her own shaky voice. “But we were just leaving. Thank you. I . . . thank . . .”<br />With that she whirled away from him and shoved her way through the crowded dancers.<br />She approached John and Imogene Patchen and knew her face was flushed red. “Oh, dear. Oh, my goodness.”<br />“What in the world is wrong?” John asked. “Are you all right? Did someone—?”<br />“No, nothing like that. I can’t believe I did that. I can’t believe he—”<br />“Child, stop babbling. What is it?”<br />“Tony Lujan . . . he asked me for a dance.”<br />“He did. That’s wonderful,” Imogene said. “ . . . isn’t it?”<br />“Well, yes, of course, but I . . . I can’t believe I told him no.”<br />“You didn’t. What were you thinking?”<br />“I guess I wasn’t. He’s so . . . large . . . and imposing . . . and he’s married to Mable Dodge.”<br />“Yes, so?”<br />John, who had stood by in gruff silence, said, “Well, come on, let’s go. And Edna, I’m going to make you walk the canon. Tony owes me fifteen dollars and he thought you were one of the Patchens. Now I’ll never get it.”</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-62294633698744051122008-07-27T14:23:00.000-07:002008-07-27T19:55:40.403-07:00FLY WITH THE MOURNING DOVE<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SIzoamHNFLI/AAAAAAAAAJA/SZTd3KIRCKk/s1600-h/Morning+Dove.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227808811075310770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px" height="221" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_4sG0hpzFIJg/SIzoamHNFLI/AAAAAAAAAJA/SZTd3KIRCKk/s200/Morning+Dove.jpg" width="136" border="0" /></a><br />by Velda Brotherton<br /><br />Taos County, New Mexico 1920<br />On this 640 acres of arid desert homestead six-year-old Edna grows<br />to love life on this remote homestead, but her world will never be the<br />same after her father's illness separates the family. To read the first<br />chapter go to <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/63ftxd">http://www.tinyurl.com/63ftxd</a><br />Images <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/63qw07">http://www.tinyurl.com/63qw07</a><br /><a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/3eu5n5">http://www.tinyurl.com/3eu5n5</a><br />Buy Books<a href="http://www.tinyurl.com5j66c2/">http://www.tinyurl.com5j66c2/</a><br />Velda Brotherton, Author<br /><a href="http://www.veldabrotherton.com/">http://www.veldabrotherton.com/</a><br /><a href="http://vbrotherton.blogspot.com/">http://vbrotherton.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://velda-brotherton.blogspot.com/">http://velda-brotherton.blogspot.com/</a><br />Documentary:<a href="http://vimeo.com/354804">http://vimeo.com/354804</a>Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36438446.post-7661419737908007252008-07-27T13:46:00.000-07:002008-07-27T13:47:41.396-07:00Life's Beautiful Pathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630968386149876795marynida@lakeviewnet.com