Serious Wednesday: Researching What?

 

I LOVE research! Of course, I have to confess: I seldom stick to the ONE thing I'm researching. So
many interesting items pop up when you're researching, which means I detour to research those items that MIGHT be used someday.  

Here's a partial list of things I researched for my latest book: Hunter's Rose, book two of the Troubles in the West series:  

* Names. These are really important to me. I like to know what they mean and their country of origin.  Since one of my protagonists is Mexican, I wanted a Mexican name for her. Something authentic and pretty. After all, she came from an important family. Rosita is the name I picked.

*  Flowers. Since Rosita was a protagonist, I thought it fitting that she should love roses. Hunter, the other protagonist knew this and surprised her with a gift of roses.

* Trains. Rosita, traveling with an older friend on a train--I needed to know how fast it would go in the late 1800s, what meals might have been served, layovers, etc. 

* Food. I wanted to know foods that not only Rosita might prepare, but also on the train as she traveled. Quite interesting!

To me, research is important and a fun activity. I may not get everything exactly right, but I sure try hard to do so. 

Remember, authors, to do your research. You'll be glad you did. 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Spring Brings New Life

 Spring

Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.

John Muir

Blossom by blossom the spring begins.

Algernon Charles Swinburne

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.

Ellis Peters

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.

Pablo Neruda

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

English Proverb

“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.” 

Marty Rubin

Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush. 

 Doug Larson

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

William Shakespeare

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.

Margaret Atwood

Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.

Bishop Reginald Heber

Happy Spring! 

 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Family Love

 Thank you, my Baby Boy, for the flowers,

the cookies,

socks,

and notebook. 

I'll love you forever! 

Forever, you will be my baby!!

Sunday Morniing Sunshine: When A Man Loves a Woman

 My husband is one of a kind. That's my opinion, of course, but it's true nonetheless. :) 

He's not only intuitive and discerning but also kind, loving, his own man, private and a person with a big heart. He'd go without shoes rather than deny me something I truly wanted. He picks the best cards and seldom forgets holidays, special occasions, and plain everyday thoughts of something to make me smile. 

Hence:  this wildflower, end-of-the-season bouquet he picked this week for me. No, they didn't last long, but they gave me a smile, a warm, happy moment, and he knew it. That was enough for him...

I love this man!

He brings sunshine into my life! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Flowers Make Me Happy!

We celebrated our anniversary this month, and one of the things that is definite is flowers and a card from Hubby. Every year, I think, this is the best one yet, so I guess you could say, it keeps getting better and better. This year he gave me pink roses:

And what did the card say? 

Here's part of it:

I hope you already know just how amazing you are to me, but on our anniversary I thought I'd tell you again, because you're incredibly special--and I love you very much. 

Sigh. I do love a man who's not afraid to show and tell his feelings. 

I hope you have a wonderful rest-of-the-summer! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Flowers and More Flowers

What's more beautiful than flowers in the summertime? 

I can't wait to see these each summer. 

I walk out onto the porch to see how close they are to bloom. 

Every Mother's Day,

Our church gives flowers to all the mothers.

Beautiful star-shaped flowers

These little wild violets always bring a smile

to my face.

Enjoy your summer.

Plant a flower.

Smile! 

Rambling Friday: The Good Ole Summertime!

"Summertime is always the best of what might be."

I love this fun quote! 

For me, summertime is

a wonderful time of:

warmth, sunsets and bicycles

The fourth of July and what all it stands for!

Lying in clover and studying the stars

Long country walks and spotting something unexpected 

Watching the birds (and rabbits) playing from our porch swing

Sitting by the pond and listening to the frogs croak

And more...much more!

HAPPY SUMMER!

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Spring and All It's Beauty

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

I wandered lonely as a cloud,

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Have a wonderful Spring Day! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Dandelions

 Dandelions

What was it I saw by the road today, 

So golden bright, so cheerily gay,

Sprinkled so thickly among the grass,

Along the way that I must pass?

Was it pirates gold that someone found,

Cashed away in a secret mound,

Then fled, surprised by a guard at night?

Or was it the coin of fairyland,

Cast abroad by a robber band,

Or the dowry of a princess fair?

Say, what is this gold that is everywhere?

--Unknown

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Spring!

 Spring is God's way 

of saying...

ONE MORE TIME!

--Robert Orben

Rambling Friday: A Cup of Wisdom

 How much happier and contented would we be 

if we all followed these words of wisdom 

on this mug? 

Think about it! 

Have a beautiful day!

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Memories...

 Walking the ocean shore at the crack of dawn...

Holding hands with the man I love...

Loving the flowers hubby gives me, tame or wild! 

Watching our grandboys work...

Enjoying fruit...

Loving my Flag! 

Good memories...

And so much more.

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Pink Flower Sunshine!

According to the story, it was the dogwood that provided the wood, Jesus was crucified on.

Not true!

Dogwood trees do not grow naturally in Israel.

The flower, however, symbolizes 

affection and love, 

reliability and durability. 

Do you know what a honeysuckle flower means?

Pure and simple:  HAPPINESS!

The delicate Azalea is said to protray

femininity and gentleness in a woman.

Lovely!!

Wow! What a flower!

Pink roses indicate:

femininity, elegance, refinement, gentleness.

What better way to express your love to your favorite person? 

Happy Day!

Rambling Friday: And to Think That I Saw These!

And to think that I saw these

in April

of all times...

A fat bunny hopping in the backyard,

playing a game of hopscotch!

A deer on a hillside

spying on me!

A flag in the sky

waving its glory for all to see!

A red-headed woodpecker

pecking for worms!

A tiny vase filled with flowers,

love and a smile!

A daffodil flower

smiling at the sun!

A man and a grandson,

sharing joy in the day!

What did you see in April?