Stephanie Verni's Blog, page 106

On Receiving The Very Inspiring Blogger Award

As I’m approaching my two-year anniversary of blogging in April, it is an absolute delight to accept The Very Inspiring Blogger Award from The Living Notebook. I graciously accept and am extremely thankful for the recognition. Thank You! After earning his award, on February 11, 2013, I was nominated by recent recipient, The Living Notebook. The Living Notebook is currently part of WordPress’s post-a-day effort; he is writing beautiful and inspiring posts for us all to enjoy and learn from [...]

Weekly Photo Challenge: HOME

In this week’s photo challenge, we had to select a photograph that in some way means “Home.” I selected this photograph—one I took over the summer—of the beach in Ulmstead, where I grew up and where my parents still live. I got a new camera last year, and I went out one day and practiced taking all sorts of photos. This playset is one that has been around since I was little, as you can see by its aged look. [...]

Fiction Friday: A Still Untitled Work in Progress. A Short Story.

The idea for this short story has been brewing in my brain for a while, so I decided to finally draft something for it. Without saying too much, it’s about a writer (author) who suffers from agoraphobia, which leads her to live the life of a recluse, and has possibly been the cause of her failed relationships. I have no idea what to call it, and I’m not even sure I’ll continue with the story, but I decided to post [...]

Found on the Cutting Room Floor

Sometimes I like to torture myself by reading first drafts of stuff I’ve written. Some of it’s just really, really bad, and then I come across something that makes me pause. I read it and wonder why I left it on the cutting room floor. This is what I came across this today: When I am with you, There’s a feeling of forever, For the love I have for you Is by far my greatest pleasure. A love so simple, [...]

On Failure

We’ve all had those days. Those days where nothing—absolutely nothing—goes right.  Those days when two submissions garner rejections. You ask yourself if you’re failing as a writer.The kind of day when your kid gets in trouble at school and you ask yourself how and why that could have happened. You ask yourself if you’re failing as a parent. Those days when you’ve hurt someone’s feelings unintentionally. You ask yourself if your failing as a friend, a wife, a mother, or [...]

Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique

I decided to participate again this week in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. The word we had to “show” through photography was “unique.” This weeks’ photo is one I took last May when my husband and I vacationed at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. We took a guided bike tour along North Lake Trail, which brought us to Henry Flagler’s House and into some neighborhoods, and then along the beach and back to The Breakers. These flowers were so [...]

The Top 5 Things You Won’t Hear at a Super Bowl Party in Baltimore

It’s okay. I’m allowed to have a little fun here. I live in Baltimore, worked for the Baltimore Orioles for a time, and while my husband works for Redskins Radio, I’m still rooting for our Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Nevertheless, here’s the list of… THE TOP 5 THINGS YOU WON’T HEAR AT A SUPER BOWL PARTY IN BALTIMORE 5. I’m only watching for the commercials. 4. Jim Harbaugh is “the man.” 3. I wish they’d stop giving the ball to [...]

Baseball, Jackie Robinson & Google

Today, Google honored Jackie Robinson on its main page in the logo. The artwork is really amazing. Happy 94th birthday, Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson was a tremendous athlete, both at Pasadena Junior College and UCLA, where he received varsity letters in four sports (basketball, football, track & baseball). He served as Lieutenant in the Army from 1942 – 1944 until he was discharged. Robinson joined the Negro Leagues, where he remained until Branch Rickey, General Manager and President of the [...]

Five Hump Day Hilarities

First: Last night I watched the parody from Saturday Night Live during the news segment with “Ray Lewis.” Honestly, I was crying I was laughing so hard. It’s just good, funny stuff as the Ravens are in the spotlight this week as they head to the Super Bowl. Baltimore is a happy town. Second: As my husband works in advertising sales, and I teach an advertising class at Stevenson, I couldn’t help but show my students the ad my husband [...]

Thank You, Annapolis Capital

When I got the call from my hometown newspaper, The Annapolis Capital, I was jumping up and down. After months of hoping my they would cover my novel, BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE, I got a call from the lovely Theresa (Teri) Winslow. We met in Severna Park at The Breakfast Shoppe, and four days later, the article appeared on the front page of the Lifestyle section and on the Book Worm blog. Having the Annapolis Capital cover it was truly [...]