Pamela Schloesser Canepa's Blog, page 59

Weekend Coffee Share. Feels Like Summer!

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Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Allison at eclecticali.wordpress.com!  I’ve been relaxing, creating book graphics, and planning content for the Detours in Time Facebook page.  The blog tour for Undercurrents in Time is in full swing again this week!  Todays excerpt is at https://musingsfromanaddictedreader.wordpress.com/2018/07/09/book-tour-undercurrents-in-time-by-pamela-schloesser-canepa/  Visit, read the excerpt and enter the Rafflecopter for a giftcard!  By the way, you won’t believe what Tabitha gets herself into…  On the book topic, I now have a series page for Detours in Time, since they are now a twosome!  You can see it here on Amazon:  Detours in Time series . Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting my local independent bookstore, The Book Nook, and dropping off some of my new books for sale!  I love visiting the store as a reader and an author!

This week, I wrote an autobiographical piece that came out of a fleeting memory, of a first job I didn’t know how to handle:   https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2018/07/09/stupid-s-i-did-when-i-was-young-the-80s/

Honestly, it was more of a learning experience, and those are important.  I also wrote a flash fiction piece focusing on the perspective of a teen boy: Magical Afternoon

By the way, yesterday, I spent hours making reading progress on two books, and Saturday night I enjoyed watching Netflix.  It is general laziness, but my mind was enjoying it!

Later this week, my son and I will be getting on a plane to go and visit my father in Rhode Island.  I haven’t flown in 5 years!  It’s okay, I am bringing lots of reading material, the best drug there is.  “Feed your head,” she said, in that famous White Rabbit song…  At any rate, we have been to RI before and found it quite beautiful.  I can’t wait to take lots of pictures and share them!  I don’t se my dad enough, and he and my son are not very close, but I think the sights will be a relaxing thing for my son and myself.  I can talk to a wall, that is no issue, and my son doesn’t talk much anyhow, but I want them to get along.

[image error]  As shown here in RI in 2010, my son did enjoy the nature!  He just grew tired of posing for pictures…

Stupid S!*%# I Did When I was Young. The 80s.

 Photo credit, Pixabay.

As an avid member of the MTV generation, I saw this sort of image every night.

It was somewhere between 1983 and 1984.  I was fifteen and landed a steady, or, quite regular, babysitting job.  I mean, it was every night and sometimes on the weekends, too.  This couple lived in our apartment complex and had two or three kids.  Yeah, I’m hazy on whether or not there were two brothers, because the one or two of them presented very little problem except once, however, there was also a little girl who still wet the bed and had a pile of dirty clothes in her closet.  These two parents were very busy.

The mother was pretty with dyed blonde hair, and she dressed well.  She worked in retail, you see.  That meant working several nights and weekends.  Her only issue was not being in shape.  The little girl told me someone compared her mom to Santa Claus.  She was also a cheery woman; I liked that.  But the pile of smelly laundry in her daughter’s room bothered me.  Mind you, many of us in that neighborhood had to go to the laundromat to do laundry.  Her daughter was no trouble and very sweet, she just wanted a lot of attention.  Mom worked a lot.

The father was some sort of adjunct professor at night and may have also had a day job; I am not sure.  He also was sometimes gone on weekends; I don’t know why.  I did not find him attractive at all, and he was fairly quiet, and, in my opinion, seemed a little lecherous.  Though that could have been my teenage imagination.  I remember one time I had an out of town relative visiting and had to babysit that Saturday morning.  Expecting to go home at noon and have lunch out with my family made me quite miffed when the dad got back around 3:00 p.m.  He stopped at a store after work to buy a stereo.  I felt like this baby-sitting assignment was taking over my life, but I stuck around for the money.  After all, I just had to be there, the kids went to bed at their assigned time, and I’d get to watch MTV for a couple of hours.

Once, a friend was hanging out with some guys in the neighborhood and brought them by.  I told the kids these guys were my cousins, and I let them come in.  One of them was acting funny.  That’s what the boy said, and he told his parents later.  I don’t know why, and I didn’t suspect foul play; I didn’t really like these guys but thought I’d earn some popularity from letting them ‘hang out.’  It was wrong.  I got a talking to by the parents, but I still had my baby-sitting job.  They were very busy and needed someone to watch their kids, you know.

I hated not having fun on my weekends.  I can’t tell you how many hours I worked for them, but I recall an $80 week and buying a good amount of clothes and shoes.  Some of my friends would want to go and do things on the weekend, but I’d be baby-sitting most of the time. Well, it got to the point where I wanted a weekend off and asked a week ahead of time.  I was told I needed to find a replacement for that weekend.  I had no idea where to turn and did not think that was my responsibility.  So I told them I could not find a replacement, but I was going to take that weekend off.  They found someone else, and she became my permanent replacement.  I wasn’t too upset.  It was too bad I lost the job, and it was 6 to 12 months before I found a real job, but I got to hang out with friends a little more.  I also stopped falling asleep in my first Mod class.  Still, I couldn’t use this job as a reference after the way we parted.  It didn’t seem to me they’d give a glowing recommendation since I felt like I left them in the lurch.  For a while though, I had been feeling trapped in that little apartment with those kids who really needed their parents, not a distracted teenager warming up frozen dinners for them.

Maybe those parents, in time, got where they needed to be and finally were able to be at home more.  I felt sad for their kids; my parents were divorced and Mom had to work odd hours at first, so I understood that.  What I didn’t get was why they were living like that.  Did they really have to?  Two parents in the home; I thought they were being selfish, but maybe that is also my naivete.  Looking back, I know I was more judgmental with the dad, especially when he could have been home to have lunch with his kids but instead went shopping.  My own dad was pretty absent from my life, phoning it all in from long distance and forgetting my birthday more than once.  I still love him, though.

All in all, I learned from the experience.  I suppose the parting needed to happen when it did, and I was the catalyst for that.  Still, I should have quit a good while before that.  I should have given two weeks notice to give them time to replace me.  I wouldn’t have felt so irresponsible.  When I started driving, I worked a few other babysitting jobs but nothing as regular.  That lasted until I got my first real job, that of a fast food cashier and burger slinger.  By then, I had learned the right way to resign from a job.

Maybe I wasn’t so stupid in this situation.  Perhaps I was just an average fifteen year-old, reacting to way too much responsibility put on me too quickly.  I should have been studying more, participating in clubs, and enjoying myself.  Instead, I had a learning experience.  Go figure…

Magical Afternoon. #FFfAW

Photo image credit, Michelle De Angelis.

 

Billy knew something was up.  Mom never spent that much time with him.  Time was great, but what was even better today in the gardens was her honesty.

She’d been distant and absent a lot lately.  He suspected something just as his dad did.  Good old, boring Dad.

“I’m moving in with the professor,” she confessed.  She’d met a lot of new people since pursing a Master’s.

“So, you and Dad are divorcing?”  Billy tried to act shocked.

“Yes.  Listen, it’s been falling apart for over a year.  I was just waiting for you to grow up a little.  Now you’ve got a job, and a car, and your friend’s family takes up a lot of your time.”

He almost told her they had adopted him, but he chose silence instead.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I replied, taking in the sweet floral scents around us.  The colors of nature after the earlier rain took on a glowing, magical quality.  Yes, everything would be alright.

~164 words

Every week, FFfAW posts a photo prompt to which you may respond with a story between 100 -175 words long. (No longer).

Join the #FFfAW Challenge or come along to see what others are writing! FFfAW Challenge, 7/03/18

 

 

Two Americas. #amwriting #poetry

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This is a re-post from last year.  The sentiments are the same.

Two Americas, (c) 2017 by Pamela Schloesser Canepa

I see two Americas

each believing they are right

polarized to different margins

there is no middle for them.

 

I see two value systems

each in extreme form

leading many to believe

that they must choose.

 

There is no middle ground

and your actions can’t be wrong,

if you are right.  Right?

After all, this is a fight.

 

I see the colors fading,

only into black and white

there will be no gray, and certainly,

no other colors here.

 

I dream it could be different,

and I’m called so many names.

They say I’m too scared to fight,

that I’m too scared to choose.

 

Dear young one, when you choose,

be clear what you’re fighting for.

Be clear whom you’re fighting with.

Remember, wrong is never right.

 

Dear young one, don’t be scared

to stand up on your own,

to resist the leading group

and to bring peace in this world.

 

Of course, I am only dreaming

of a country that:

accepts difference

promotes peace

talks through disagreements

never uses violence

let’s an individual choose

gives more than two options

respects all opinions

lives in democracy.

 

Perhaps that is Utopia,

and maybe just a dream.

Maybe I am just a dreamer,

so throw tomatoes at me.

 

Yet all is not yet said and done.

There is still a tomorrow unknown.

Maybe I’ll see that I had a right

to sit and dare to dream.

 

 

 

 

Creative Chaos. #FridayFictioneers

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Creative Chaos, by Pamela Schloesser Canepa (c) 2018

 

“A disorganized mind and space only fosters chaos,” she’d said.

“A disorganized mind is home to unfettered creatitivy,” Dad countered.

Now, long gone, they were merely voices in his head.

Rarely did he come out, but some days, I’d hear the most heavenly music.  Other days; a joyful chaos, yes, chaos would emerge to tickle my ears.  Ever heard of jazz fusion?

Henry would go in and play the horn while Thomas took turns at any of his many instruments.  He wrote music.  He played it, but he didn’t talk.

They called him misfit; I call him genius.

~ A 98 word Flash fiction story.

Please visit and/or follow Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers for weekly photo prompts to jump-start your imagination!

Weekend Coffee Share. It’s not the ’80s Anymore…

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Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Allison at EclecticAli. Almost every day but one has been a full-cup-of-coffee day this week, what with all of the celebrating and the book release. I think the event for my Undercurrents in Time release went well and was a whole lot of fun. I did a few live videos to save myself from all the typing, trying to share background and info in my FB event. Here is one of the live videos I did, discussing why I chose to be an indie author and why I choose to write sci-fi books: Facebook Live Author’s video Please go and check it out! Disclaimer: No, I am not 23 years old; it is a joke!

I was also celebrating my boyfriend’s birthday with himthis week. We went to the Pixies’ concert Sunday night and then to the beach on Monday, not too early, of course. The Pixies were playing at The Florida Theatre, a very nice venue, however, it was steaming hot even inside as we waited in line for a drink. I think it’s because there were so many people there. They haven’t played in Jacksonville, Florida since the 1990s, so I’ve been told. People were all very friendly and looked to be about our age. So I didn’t feel old for being there…haha. I kept asking my boyfriend, Kenny, “Where are all the mohawks?” To be fair, the band is more of a surfer-punk type band, but you would have seen mohawks back in the day, I’m sure. I have a curiosity for counter-culture. Sadly, we didn’t see any.

[image error] Pixabay photo.   Where have all the mohawks gone? 

Here was Kenny’s answer, by the way: “Honey, everyone’s got a job now. We’re all at least in our fifties now.” Hmmm.

I laughed. “Yeah, no one could get these tickets if they didn’t have a job!” I guess all the artists with mohawks hang out somewhere else? I’m telling you, it is a really nice venue. I had never seen them in concert before, and this was a real treat. So, yeah, it’s not the 1980’s anymore, but the band sounded awesome! They played “Here Comes Your Man,” a sort of rock-a-billy, danceworthy song and most of the tracks from my favorite album. “Wave of Mutilation” seemed slowed down to me but still sounded killer! Sorry, my eighties’ lingo is creeping in. I heard from a friend who got a really good seat so he could see, because he can’t stand for long, and he had people standing in front of him who would not move. The ushers acted like they had very little power to help, but then they had to hurry to the lower area where, I am told, a fight had ensued. Ah, some people never grow up…

So we enjoyed the concert immensely. Monday morning I caved in and got a Starbuck’s espresso drink, salted caramel to be exact. It sure hit the spot. I think I did have one half -cup- of- coffee day this week; it certainly wasn’t on book release day! I have made it to yoga twice this week, so I am on the way to balancing my health with summer fun, which is the goal. I am not writing much, but that can be expected since I just dropped a new book on the world! Actually, I’m writing copy for Facebook ads and creating Canva quote and image teasers to market my book. It seems to never end. I also created a Facebook page for Detours in Time series; I think you can find it just by typing that name. Wake up-Hug dog-Hustle is the motto on my new favorite t-shirt, and it certainly applies to me! After all, my son is up and out the door for work around 7:30 almost every day except for his day off. I’m left with my dog, my books, and my social media, until I schedule a lunch with a friend.  I had one of those this last week.  My son and I have taken in some movies, Jurassic World being the most recent. I really enjoyed it; lots of thrills and chills and the never-ending debate of “Just because science allows us to do so doesn’t mean we should…” Jeff Goldblum looked very appealing as he made this argument….

I am enjoying summer, as I slept in until 9 a.m. today. My son and I spend time together on his Thursdays off, beside me taking him to appointments. So far it has been movies, but we may hit the beach early one day. I do need to work on waking up early again….It also feels like to have the book published! You may preview and or download Undercurrents in Time, which is the sequel to Detours in Time here: Undercurrents in Time

I hope you all have had a great week and certainly have a great weekend!

Undercurrents in Time, a new #scifi release. Book graphic teaser.

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Tabitha, a carefree artist, and Milt, a socially awkward scientist came together in Detours in Time to explore the future and in the process, found an enemy they didn’t know existed.  What will they do to stop an enemy they have not met yet?

See what happens next in the sequel, Undercurrents in Time.

Blurb:

Time travel took Tabitha and Milt to places they could never have imagined….

Now it seems the very things that cemented their bond will also drive a wedge between them emotionally. Travel to the future, discovery of a long-lost, troubled family member, and an unplanned baby all have taken a toll. Tabitha struggles to accept her new identity as a mother while remaining a strong, independent woman. She longs for a getaway, even a short one, but that getaway puts her on a collision course with danger.

Milt is busy trying to prevent a horrible future disaster at the hands of an enemy he has not yet met. While concerned, Milt doesn’t even suspect Tabitha’s plans, the very plans that will have her facing Milt’s nemesis.

Tabitha risks it all on a brief escape. How will she handle the unforeseen dangers she faces and make her way back home? How far will Tabitha and Milt go to prevent tragedy?

Get your copy in Kindle, K.U., or paperback:  Undercurrents in Time on Amazon

Visit any of the blog stops for exclusive excerpts from Undercurrents in Time and enter the raffle for a $10 gift card.  See a list of participating blogs here:  Undercurrents in Time Blog Tour  

Weekend Coffee Share. Excitement!

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Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Allison at eclecticali.wordpress.com!  Forgive me if I seem a little book-centric today, there is a lot going on in my book life.  That, and I have a wedding and baby shower to attend this weekend, as well as a Pixies concert Sunday night which leads into my boyfriend’s birthday.  So, it goes without saying that this is a full cup of coffee day for me, as have been all of my days this week…

Undercurrents in Time will be available through Kindle on 6.26!  I have a Facebook event planned for that day from 12:30 to 4:30; feel free to join it here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/243192562932315/

There is also a blog tour going on for ten days through goddessfish.blogspot.com.  Find out more here:  Undercurrents in Time blog tour

Other than preparing for the new release, I have wrapped up my course on teaching Gifted students and look forward to less time at my laptop.  It has become detrimental to my body, meaning my lower back and sciatica, to sit at my computer for too many hours at a time.  I need to get out more with the dog, maybe to the dog park and just on simple walks outdoors.  This is one of my plans.  The sciatica feels better when I am up and about.  I guess this is just a side effect of turning 50.  Seriously, I sneezed one day and had the strangest back pain, so when I told my doctor, he gave me a steroid shot in the bum (for arthritis inflammation which I do have); this resulted in the worst pain going down my leg, lasting all week in varying degrees.  There are supposedly be less systemic side effects with a shot.  Still, I don’t know if I’d want to do that again…. Who knew turning 50 would be such a pain in the butt?  I have to joke about it, since you can tell I complain enough…:)

After an exciting weekend and busy Tuesday next week, I have a lunch date with a friend and then have to tend to errands.  Car maintenance, paying bills, etc.  Though I still will be promoting my books and the new release; I am having great fun with Canva!

P.S. – I got so busy and overwhelmed that I posted this Weekend Coffee Share late, even though it was prepared in advance.  My only down time was 1-2 hours with my feet up next to the dog on my couch….reading fiction!  By the way, The Pixies were awesome in concert.  Life is good. 

Undercurrents in Time Blog Tour

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There is a ten day blog promotion tour of my upcoming novel planned through goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com! I am posting this here for my reference and yours, if you are interested!

“Goddess Fish Promotions is organizing a Virtual Excerpt Tour for Undercurrents in Time by Pamela Schloesser Canepa, a Sci-fi Time Travel available June 26, 2018. The tour will run June 25, 2018 to July 13, 2018.”

Visit any of these blog hosts for an exclusive excerpt each day from my new sci-fi novel, Undercurrents in Time!  (Undercurrents is the sequel to Detours in Time).  You will also find out how to enter a Rafflecopter for a $10 Amazon giftcard!

Here is the line-up:

June 25: Rogue’s Angels

June 26: T’s Stuff

June 27: Sharing Links and Wisdom

June 28: Long and Short Reviews

June 29: Welcome to My World of Dreams

July 9: Musings From An Addicted Reader

July 10: Fabulous and Brunette

July 11: Deal Sharing Aunt

July 12: B-Gina Review

July 13: Stormy Nights Reviewing and Bloggin’

July 13: It’s Raining Books

Sisters of Different Sentiments. Friday Fictioneers.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays

“I think this is evidence.  Animals are mutating; we have a new species,” Marla claims, tapping the picture.

“Are you kidding?  That’s just a bird,” Heather replies.

“Then where’s the beak?  And the claws?”

“Where was this taken?”

“At Mr. Halsley’s store.  He fussed when I took a picture, and then the creature was scared away.”

“So, no one else saw it?”  Heather says slyly.

“No.  But here’s the picture, plain as day.”

“It’s also a bird that looks different behind a window screen.”

“You don’t see things like I do.”

“No one else does either,” Heather sighs.

~98 words~

Visit the site at  Friday Fictioneers to find out more about this Flash fiction challenge and to read other entries!