Wednesday Reads

I probably would have had a book to list (instead of this anthology) IF the book I was reading this weekend wasn’t missing pages 277-324. Yep, that’s right! Talk about frustrating and confusing. I couldn’t figure out how the character ended up back in the ship when I noticed the page count went from 276 to 133 (thought the passage seemed familiar.). Anyway, a replacement is on its way to me (and that misprinted version is on its way back to B&N). Until then, I’m reading short stories and maybe a novella, but not another book. I want to finish the one I started. It was just getting really, really good. You know???

Oh well, it’s not like I don’t have writing to do. Here’s what I finished this week:

Jul 16: “Flights of Fiction” By Author Members of Western Ohio Writers Association (WOWA). Blurb on back: An Anthology of Short Stories set in Southwestern Ohio. In 2008, a group of authors in Dayton, Ohio, got together for the sole purpose of ripping each other to shreds, leaving behind the mangled hopes of promising scribes who lay finally broken and decaying on the floor. After that, robbed of all dignity, they went out for coffee and decided to write a book. Here it is. Pull up a comfy chair and lose yourself in eleven original stories set in and around the southwest Ohio region. Written by just a few of the talented authors from the WOWA, these soon-to-be classic tales let you follow one man’s tragic story at the end of the world in “Dead of Winter;” experience a night at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in “Nose Art;” and get lost in a haunting image from the past in “Tabitha’s Portrait,” plus many more. From detective tales to a trek into the mysterious world of wrestling, Flight of Fiction has something for everyone. Yes, I belong to this writers group, but I didn’t submit anything for this anthology. My favorites in this collection were from Liz Coley, Lynda Sappington, LD Masterson, and Bill Bicknell. It is an eclectic bunch of stories, that’s for sure. I gave this book 3 stars on Goodreads.

Washer repairman came yesterday. Timer is bad ($125 part), but has to be ordered (of course). At least I’m not damaging the washer if I want to manually move the dial. Good to know. I really did NOT want to go to the Laundromat.

Tomorrow looks to be a hot day to spend at The Wilds. Sure hope my first day at age **mumble, mumble** isn’t my last day because I died of heat stroke! Guess that’s the chance you take in life, huh? Time to go find the sun screen and water. Yes, lots of water.

So, have you ever had a bug fly into your eye? Not a pleasant experience, is it?

Happy Reading!

 

Stacy

(turning **mumble, mumble** years old TOMORROW!)

 

Footy and Book Event - Yep, With Pictures!

Here’s a picture of a footy ball the men used (the woman's ball was yellow for some strange reason). Don’t know if it’s really called a footy ball, but it’s the ball they use to play Australian Rules Football, or Footy.

Jillaroos are in pink. My daughter is on far left. Toronto
player on right has just kicked the ball down the field.

My daughter played Saturday against a team from Toronto. The Columbus Jillaroos only had four players, but Toronto (don’t know their name-my bad) had eight, so they rotated two players from Toronto to play on the Jillaroos each quarter. They also made the field quite a bit smaller. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. They lost 71-34 (yeah, these are high scoring games as well as fast-paced).

We stayed to watch the Jackaroos play, since it was soooo nice outside (the sunburn on my neck and face are evidence to that). They utilized quite a bit more players (something like 18 each) and the pace is almost like a hockey game - they’re all over the place and there isn’t much stoppage of play (no offsides or stuff like that!).

As you can see, they don’t wear any protective gear. And yes, they can tackle (it’s a pretty rough sport).

We left after the third quarter (ONLY because our friend was fixing us dinner and it was already 5pm) and the Jackaroos were dominating at 48-7. I’m assuming they won.

Out of the whole team, one player caught this romance writer’s eye. He warmed up WITHOUT his shirt (yeah, that’s one way to do it, unfortunately he was too far away for my camera, at least for me to be discreet--I know, I should have tried harder) and I swear, there wasn’t an ounce of flab on him. He didn’t look too shabby in uniform, either (that’s him on the left). As I watched the game, I noticed he never came out for a sub. He was a very good player, but then I heard him speak (yep, an Aussie), so I’m guessing he grew up playing the sport. Who knew there were so many of them in the Columbus area? Not me!

My daughter is passionate about this sport. At the end of this month she’ll be in San Francisco trying out for the USA team to play in Edmonton, Canada. One of the guys said Columbus wouldn’t even have a women’s team if it weren’t for her. I know she’s tried to get more women interested, but just hasn’t had any luck. She’s not giving up, though.

J J J

On Friday I attended the book signing of the anthology the Western Ohio Writers Association (WOWA) put together. There was a cake decorated with the cover (I did my part when they begged people to please eat the cake - yum) and 10 of the 11 authors were there to sign (I managed to buy a book that had the eleventh author’s--Liz Coley’s--signature, so I got EVERYONE).

 

From left: Tammy Newsom, LD Masterson, Lynda Sappington, Dennis L. Hitzeman,
Deanna Newsom, Michael Martin, and Philip A. Lee.

From left: Lynda Sappington, Dennis Hitzeman, Deanna Newsom (kind of hidden),
Gery Deer, Michael Martin, Philip A. Lee, Bill Bicknell, Arch Little II, and Kate Seegraves

 

Here's one showing the whole group attempting to cut the cake (our group can be quite the kidders, huh?).

And here’s one of me and LD Masterson.

 

It was an interesting night, but I had a date back home with my television and the second game of the Penguins (which my daughter was there to see). Unfortunately, they lost game two, but at least they won game three on Sunday. Next game is on Tuesday. They better get their act together or they’ll be going home soon, and I certainly don’t want that!! Go Pens!!!

So, did you get sunburned this weekend?

 

Stacy