Elizabeth Lynn Casey's Blog, page 107

Getting Away

There’s something about summer that invariably takes my thoughts back a few decades to childhood vacations. Back then, the annual vacation was to the Jersey Shore. We rented a little bungalow in Ocean Beach for one week at the end of June.

We did the same things every year–mini golf, days on the beach, evenings on the boardwalk, bike rides, and even a little eating out. In fact, to this day, I can remember the way certain things looked simply because we did them so often.

But that’s what made i...

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Fourth, everyone!!! I hope your day is filled with lots of fun and patriotism!

~Elizabeth

The Fourth

From as far back as I can remember, the Fourth of July was always a fun holiday. My first true clear memory was the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. I waseight. My family and my uncle’s family (which included two baby cousins at the time) met up on the Hudson somewhere–along with my unmarried aunts and my grandparents–and went to some sort of celebration event. We packed a picnic and watched fireworks. Although I was still fairly young, I can still remember my three-year-old (very active) cousi...

Tuesday Teaser #1

I guess you could say I’m starting to get pretty excited about the upcoming release of REMNANTS OF MURDER (#8 in the sewing circle series). In the event you’re not keeping track, it comes out five weeks from today!!

So, to celebrate, I’m kicking off my Tuesday Teasers starting today. Each Tuesday, from now until launch day, will be something different–some way to up the excitement about the new book. Sometimes, it’ll mean a chance to win a book or some other goody of some kind. Sometimes it’s...

When the Neighborhood Plays

DD #2 is often the catalyst for getting the neighborhood kids out of their homes (andaway from their televisions/computers) and outside to play. In the spring and fall, it’s basketball. In winter, it’s sled riding. In summer, it’s a potpourri of badminton, volleyball, basketball, and water play (like the sprinkler, the slip and slide, and water balloons).

Early Saturday afternoonthe slip and slide entertained kids from 8 on up to 18. Later that same day, a game of volleyball encouraged some qu...

Not Quite Where I Left Off

With Sewing Circle #9 having been turned in at the end of May and the craziness of June now behind me, my thoughts are turning back toward writing. The difference this time is the fact that I’m writing characters I haven’t written in seven years.

That’s a long time.

I need to get to know them again (although, I must admit, I’ve never strayed terribly far) and figure out how best to re-introduce them to their readers. As always, I’m surprising myself in the process.

You see, when we last saw Elis...

Wandering the Aisles

A few days ago, DD #2 received a letter from the school district welcoming her into Honors English in the high school next year. To say she was over the moon when she heard, would be a gross understatement.

This kid loves to read. And I do mean, loves to read. So this afternoon we head to the bookstore to pick up some of the books on her Honors English Mandatory Summer Reading List (which now includes four hefty books as opposed to the one she’d have read if not in honors).

She’s in heaven beca...

Milestones

Well, the June craziness is behind me and, aside from a slight lack of energy as an aftermath, it couldn’t have went any better.

DD #2′s graduation from 8th grade was very nice as was her 8th grade dance later that night. She looked beautiful in her special dress and had a wonderful time with her friends. We celebrated her achievements at the family party on Saturday evening with cookies (that’s her first grade picture on the round cookie and her 8th grade picture on the cap-shaped cookie).

DD...

I’m Still Here

I know. I know. It’s been a while. Chalk it up to the crazy-busy month known as June.

And it’s not over yet.

Tomorrow, DD # 2 graduates from middle school. That same night she has her 8th grade dance and DD # 1 has prom.

Saturday brings DD # 1′s graduation and the family party that will cap off all the work we’ve been doing around the house in preparation for the big day. We’ve stained the deck that was taken out by the freak October 2011 snowstorm, and done some work in the family room that wa...

Then and Now

It seems as if the “classics” the kids are reading in high school these days are changing.

When I went it was Catcher in the Rye, Grapes of Wrath, Animal Farm, etc.

I think my high schoolers only read Catcher in the Rye on that list.

What high school have-to-read do you remember most now?

~Elizabeth