Phil says it's almost over...

Here in PA we have a friend named Phil. He stirs from his nap, and manages to stir us up a bit, each year on the 2nd of February. Today we got the news...an early Spring! I do not have to drive much in this weather since I work from home; I know many people only want this snow, ice and other white, grey, black debris to dissappear but I enjoy the winter. Once my Christmas decorations are down, I clean closets, get back on projects left behind before the holidays and dig in, inside where it is toasty and the snow outside is gorgeous. Phil says that will come to an end sooner than later this year. Don't tell anyone but I'm fine if he is mistaken!

It's Fantastic!

My newly redesigned and exciting website (www.marypaladin.com) has hit the airwaves, or would that be cyberspace? Either way...it's gone LIVE! It's colorful, it's multi-level, it's interactive and I am thrilled!

Can you imagine that I (the techno loser) tried to build my own website from scratch? Well 4 books for referral(Websites for Dummies the well worn manual of the selection), and nearly a year of futility, it still looked pretttty bland! With the expertise of a great web designer (Aaron, of Branded Designs Inc =) it seemed quicker than a blink and it was ready for all to see.

The site features my portfolio, my latest book, my events and even a shopping page! Yes...I am REALLY taking a jump into the "now" offering the convenience of browsing from the comfort of your favorite chair! Who'd a thunk it?!?!?

I hope you have a moment to stop by and check it out. I'd love to hear what you think! Drop me a note- the writer in me will see to it that you recieve a timely (and most likely lengthly) response!

Hot Flash- did I miss Spring?!

No, not me...The weather has, once again flipped out.
It is May 3rd and for the last few days it has been HOT,HOT,HOT!
I guess the reason I make mention of this- in the manner I do- is because I LOVE SPRING! Where the heck are the days that slowly warm up and slip into the tepid breezes?! Where are the calming sounds of nature as they gently waken birds and bugs; easing them from slumber or welcoming them back north?! Where the heck is the transition of the greens and they pop through the brown surface of the wood's floor?! I'm not sure where all that is but I miss it!
It is beautiful outside- granted. The greens are vibrant, the azaleas are breathtaking, the birds are in a frenzy with home construction. It just seems as thought there isn't the ease of transition, the calmness of a new season, the temptation to our senses as the winter finally disappears and the warmer days move in.
(Sigh) Well...as they say it is what it is. I wish only that Spring could take center stage for at least a little while. It is the season of rebirth and who doesn't like a new lease on life?

We call him Phil...

Today... is Groundhog Day.

I live in central Pennsylvania; one need not be native to this state to know about "Punxatawny Phil" (we PA-ers know him as just, "Phil"). The responsibility that rests upon his well-fed, chubby little shoulders is not taken lightly.

Phil lives in western Pennsylvania which is many miles from here but we still look to Phil for our forecast as to spring's arrival. Many people throughout the US, and I know a few Europeans as well, that enjoy stories of our furry, rodent friend.

Phil is a popular critter, unlike his close relatives, the consumers of all things seed-like... squirrels. He is even more popular if he gives us the report we want to hear.

Unfortunately, Phil did not predict an early arrival of spring as I had hoped he would; we've got six more weeks of winter ahead of us. Today my mantra seems to be: "I think I can...I think I can.... I think I can..." Instead, I need to think about the positive and remind myself of the slogan I decided to live by in 2010: "It is...what it is."

So like Phil, I will take a deep breath, stretch when I can, and settle in for a little while longer.

2010

The new year has arrived; that can bring hope and inspiration, or the feelings of... well, the other stuff.

This year I choose to be on the side of hope and inspiration. There have been years when I have started out on the opposite side of the page but, as my life reaches the middle of my story, I appreciate things as they can be, were, and hopefully will be.

The new year..."Is it TwentyTen or Two Thousand Ten?" Either way, the new decade of the (truly) new millenium will be a year of hope and inspiration for me.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy!

Here it is!

The cover of my book, "The Adirondacks that are, the Other Half of Me"! The book is to be released at the end of June- after multiple delays:( .

I am thrilled with the look, and of course, the cover shot. It is a perfect picture of one of the most beautiful places on earth(to me, and my family, at least!). It was taken by my husband while hiking Stevens Mountain overlooking Brant Lake in NY.

It is the water that quenches my soul.....

I will keep you updated on its actual release date once I am "given the word"!

Signing Updates!

I have an updated list of signings (thus far) for my book:
"The Adirondacks that are, the Other Half of Me"
July:
10th-Bookstore Plus; 4pm-6pm; Lake Placid NY
19th-Adironack Reader; 11am-1pm; Inlet NY
August:
4th-Horicon Historical Society; 7(?)pm; Brant Lake, NY
Sept:
12th-Author's Fair at ADK Reader; 1pm-4pm; Inlet, NY
Nov:
1st-Chronicle Book Fair;11am-4pm; Glens Falls, NY


There are more in the works and I will update my website with those that are confirmed...
http://www.marypaladin.com/

Hope you can stop by at one of them!