My Week in 13 Parts
It may not have looked it, but I was actually very busy this week.
1. I learned how to uninstall and reinstall WordPress for those occasions when I totally mess it up. This was mostly a matter of overcoming my own fears. No big deal, really.
2. I created my Blogmania front page and set it up. If you click on the Welcome tab up there at the top you’ll see it.
3. I realized I was dumb enough to not list my own book when I intend to give several copies of it away for the big event. Doy!
4. I made an About page, but don’t bother looking. There’s not much there.
5. I read parts of Goldie and the Three Behrs. I’m not entirely sure this was kosher as I’m giving this copy away, but I couldn’t resist. You can still enter the contest for it by commenting here.
6. I created my very first Grab Button. It’s that wild-eyed thing over on the right. The idea is that if you copy out the code stuff under the button and paste it into your blog, it will create a button leading to my blog on yours. I’ve been seeing them around for years, but couldn’t figure out how to do it myself.
7. I made another right away, and plan on making one that will show my quilt-making progress with the Blogmania date so anyone who grabs the button will see how I’m doing. I just need to run a couple of tests first.
8. If you’d like, I’m willing to make Grab Buttons for you, too.
9. I made progress on the quilt! I finished off one side and a corner. I know, big whoop, but it’s like doing the edge and a corner on a jigsaw puzzle. It helps a lot.
10. I dropped the copy of How to Engage an Earl by Kathryn Caskie off in the mail already. It can take me a week or two to get around to sending off stuff people have won by commenting on my blog, so I’m proud of myself. I’m better with email.
11. I made some friend on Facebook and did some following on Twitter.
12. I got hooked on Buffy Vampire Slayer re-runs, which my family and I are watching on Netflix’s internet thing. We’ve even got special hand wave that we do during the credits.
13. I did a little revision and wrote the next installment of Suzie’s House.
All in all, not a bad week, even if I haven’t gotten around to accepting an award yet. I’m getting there!
Ah Maria, What of Marie Antoinette?
Emperor Joseph wasn’t Queen Maria Theressa of Austria’s only wayward child. In fact, he wasn’t even the best known of the lot.
In the great mass of official business that Maria had to attend to, she still found time to correspond with family and friends. After the death of Francis, Maria took, not surprisingly, a great interest in the family affairs of her married children. There were a lot of them. By 1774, only two children remained at home; daughters Marianne, who’s health was poor, and Elizabeth, who was so disfigured by smallpox that she was apparently considered un-marriageable.
Joseph, of course, was the main recipient of the bulk of the writing Maria sent to her kids. Considering her propensity to go on,page after page, with advice to her head-strong co-regent, it is highly probable that he read very little of his mom’s correspondence. The fact that mom ordered him to attend an audience, solely for the purpose of reading to him a letter she considered very important, says much about how he treated the usual letter from her.
Her letters to her children must have numbered in the thousands. Most of these, but not all, were burned, as Maria had requested, by the recipients. Maria destroyed all the letters she received from her children, except for those from Joseph and Marie Antoinette, which were considered by her to be state documents.
While the letters to Joseph and Marie Antoinette were filled with advice neither would take seriously, her letters to her other children were more relaxed and informal. Much was made of grandchildren. Inquires after their health as well as urgent requests for the latest portraits produced mixed results. This excerpt is from a letter to Marie Beatrix;
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360/365 Progress Report
I’ve been working on it (the quilt I’m giving away), honest. I’m far enough along now that I need a bigger space to piece things. Turns out the front porch is just big enough, but has huge gaps between the boards. So, I lay out cardboard and work on that. The first day I did it was a nice, cool morning. Everything was great until the neighbor decided to let the dog out. I was too busy to look up and missed it, but from the argument I overheard a moment later, apparently he wasn’t dress. No offense, but I’d rather see Mr. Al in his skivvies anyway.
Hey, while you’re at it, check out my Welcome page. It’s all new now.
Welcome Harris Channing
Much like Susan and Anne, Harris is a particular friend of mine. Since she’s been kind enough to offer a free copy of her new release, Goldie and the Three Behrs, we’re going to have a contest. Leave a comment here between now and Thursday night. Friday I’ll have her pick the winner and I’ll make the announcement here and in my sidebar (at the top of the one on the right)
If you can’t wait that long, click on the cover art.
Harris Does Milwaukee
Before I met and married my husband, I had only thought of Milwaukee as the home of Laverne and Shirley. And of course beer. Yes, Milwaukee is very much known for its beer– Pabst, Schlitz and Blatz are just a few that come to mind. But don’t be misled into thinking that’s all there is to this diverse city.
While on vacation this month I had the pleasure of visiting some of the wonderful places Milwaukee has to offer and not one of them had to do with beer!
My first stop was the Milwaukee Art Museum You walk in and you’re immediately greeted by the crisp architecture of Windhover Hall and a grand view of Lake Michigan. I was lucky, the view that day was bright and clear and absolutely stunning.
From there my family and I meandered through various rooms filled with paintings, gilded, ornate clocks, a suit of armor (you wouldn’t believe how very short knights in shining armor actually were!) and statues. All the items beautifully displayed and well cared for. The ambiance was pleasant and un-rushed. It was the perfect way to spend a sweltering summer day.
After an afternoon of touring the museum we sat outside by the fountains and watched the wings of the Burke Brise Soleil open and close. Turns out the museum building itself is art! 
From there, my family and I went to the War Memorial Building where we had reservations to watch Independence Day fireworks on the deck. The entire downtown was alive with people and seagulls, barges and kites! Yes I said kites! Huge, magnificent kites. (See bottom)
We settled in and waited for the show to begin. And when it did, we were not disappointed. Three separate launch sites had us turning our heads as the sky was filled with a grand fireworks display, none like I’d ever seen before. It was the perfect punctuation of very enjoyable day.
Down the street from where we watched fireworks, Summerfest was in full swing. Walking to the bus to go home, the air was filled with the spark of excitement and a festive feel akin to an amusement park. Although I didn’t attend the music festival, I decided that I would like to next year!
Another site we toured during our stay was the Mitchell Park Conservatory or The Domes Three separate greenhouses hold a vast collection of plants for patrons to study and admire.
The first dome we entered was the Tropical Dome. Paths lead you past lush greenery, orchids, trees and water features. Birds sing as you peruse the collection of bright flowers and tropical fronds. It’s a peaceful tour and I wouldn’t have minded spending time sitting and just watching the plants grow…but no…
On to the Arid Dome. And it is just what you think it is. Cactus and succulents, sand and desert greet you when you enter this dome. Dry heat warms your skin as you walk the paths and study plants from as far away as Madagascar and as close Arizona.
And last but not least, the Show Dome. The theme was obviously Southern Americana and Mark Twain. Lovely flowers met your gaze, an adorable gazebo, a small foot bridge, and a dirt path. This dome had a whimsical feel to it and although the Tropical Dome was my favorite, this was second in line.
Now on to another favorite of mine…FOOD!
Being in Wisconsin, you know cheese is right there at the top of the list of things to eat. But there again, you’re only focusing on one portion of the buffet that is spread out in front of you. (Yes, my pants are a bit tighter now that I’m back from my trip!).
Milwaukee boasts just about every conceivable food for your consumption! American, Italian, Mexican, Greek, German, Polish, Tai, Chinese… (Sorry if I left anyone out!). And we ate and ate and that’s not even counting the food our family offered us! I enjoyed it all…
But I’m not finished yet! After I downed whatever I wanted, I topped it off with a favorite! Frozen custard. Right down the road from where I stayed is Leon’s Frozen Custard, a staple in Milwaukee since 1942. It’s a must stop for my family whenever we visit Milwaukee…a must stop and a multiple stop!
So, all in all, Milwaukee is not just beer and cheese. It offers so much more and if I hadn’t met and married a Milwaukeean, I would still be under the impression that it’s beer and cheese, Laverne and Shirley and not a whole lot else. In actuality, it’s a vibrant city full of a diverse group of people with a diverse group of interests. And I look forward to exploring more of during my next visit.
358/365 Rainbow over Bridge
I have a bunch more attempts at capturing this rainbow, but I’m holding on to them for later.
To a Friend
Shall I take your hand and call you friend? Shall I hug you each time we pass? If that will make your loneliness fade, I’ll go out of my way to do it.
Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
How Free?
Jack: I am so sorry, Darling. I shouldn’t have read your diary. I see that now. It’ll never happen again. So please, honey cakes, let me free.
Jill: Free? Free? Are you sure that’s what you want?
Jack: Well, now, let’s not go overboard here. Just loosen the ropes a little. I’m sure we can come up with a compromise from there.
Jill: heh, heh, heh.
Jack: Gulp.
Today’s theme is free
Previously in Jack and Jill: Open Communication
The rules for Photohunt can be found here.
Be sure to visit the home page.
356/365 Flower and Focus
I had the hardest time trying to get my camera to do this right. Never did get it.
Suzie’s House 172: Deep Blue Sea
Drew rolled over.
The ceiling tiles were white with holes. Part of his mind knew they were supposed to be a steady, industrial white with regular, randomly spaced holes. The holes weren’t supposed to expand and contract with his heartbeat, and the white of the tiles wasn’t supposed to glisten with rainbows half-seen and half felt.
Maria’s face hove into view, whisps of hair falling from her bun to spear toward him like sharp words.
The Flow
There is a flow,
A rush of love, light, laughter
Meaning, respect, and justice
Running through all things in the universe
Which we hide from ourselves.
We close ourselves up, turn away,
And claim all is barren and arid
Even as the flow pummels our backs.
Opening up to this flow
Is the first step to a better life
But makes us feel
As if we are breaking.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a host with the most.
